Aurangzeb, the self-proclaimed ‘Alamgir’, died a defeated man: Amit Shah in Maharashtra’s Raigad

“The ruler who called himself Alamgir fought Marathas till he was alive and died a defeated man in Maharashtra. His (Aurangzeb’s) samadhi (tomb) is located on its soil,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while marking the 345th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with a visit to Raigad Fort, Maharashtra, on Saturday.

Paying tribute to the Maratha king, Amit Shah emphasized Shivaji’s principles of swadharm (self-faith) and swarajya (self-rule), which still motivate India’s dreams as it nears its 100th independence anniversary in 2047. In his speech, Shah highlighted Shivaji Maharaj’s victory over Mughal domination, noting that Aurangzeb, who referred to himself as Alamgir, battled the Marathas during his lifetime but ultimately perished as a vanquished individual in Maharashtra. The tomb of Aurangzeb is located in Khuldabad.

Amit Shah called on the citizens of Maharashtra to make sure that Shivaji Maharaj’s heritage surpasses regional limits, portraying him as a figure of unity whose bravery and strategic genius motivate the entire nation. On 17 March 2025, tensions heightened in Nagpur, Maharashtra, due to demands from right-wing Hindu factions to dismantle the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The turmoil started when protesters from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal set up a demonstration, torching an effigy of Aurangzeb and demanding the tomb’s destruction. The situation deteriorated when rumors circulated that a chadar with Quranic writing was set ablaze during the protest, resulting in confrontations between Hindu and Muslim factions.

More than 30 individuals sustained injuries, and over 105 arrests occurred. Officials enforced a curfew to manage the situation. Amit Shah praised Shivaji Maharaj’s mother, Jijabai, for imparting the principles of safeguarding swadharm and founding swarajya.

He portrayed Raigad Fort, which was once the capital of the Maratha Empire and the site of Shivaji’s samadhi (memorial), as an inspiration for future generations instead of just a tourist destination. The home minister also highlighted Shivaji’s lessons on effective governance and justice, which still hold significance in contemporary India.

Bhosale suggested implementing tougher regulations against offenses targeting Shivaji Maharaj, recommending a non-bailable charge with a decade-long prison sentence for these actions. He additionally urged the establishment of a censor board to maintain historical accuracy in film representations.