Early Life
In the history of modern Maharashtra, the name of Shahu Maharaj is mentioned with such titles as Adarsh Raja, Leader of the Bahujan and Dalit Communities, and Prajahitdaksha Raja. Loknete Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj was born on June 26, 1874, in the Ghatge family at Kagal in Kolhapur district. His original name was Yashwantrao. On March 17, 1884, Yashwantrao was adopted by Anandibai Saheb, the wife of Shivaji Maharaj IV, was Raja of Kolhapur of the Bhonsle dynasty. After adoption, Yashwantrao was named Shahu Chhatrapati, this is Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. Shahu Maharaj’s education started even before he came to Kolhapur as an adopted state. After adoption, he was sent to Rajkumar College in Rajkot in 1885 A.D.
There was no prince who could match them in skills like wrestling, hunting, and riding. At that place, his affable, unassuming, and fearless nature filled everyone’s eyes. From AD 1885 to 1889, Maharaja completed his college education at Rajkot. From 1890 to 1894, Maharaja was educated in Dharwad. After Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj assumed the reins of the Kolhapur State on April 2, 1894, he closely observed social life. At that time, he gained various experiences, according to which he started working for the welfare of the people by planning various schemes for the people of the state. He believed that “the happiness of the king lies in the happiness of the subjects.” He encouraged music, arts such as musical instruments, hunting, wrestling, horseback riding, and mallakhamb. Because of that, Kolhapur seems to have become Kalapur in a real sense. Shahu Maharaj encouraged the talented artisans of the Sansthan.
Educational work of Shahu Maharaj
Enacted the Compulsory Free Primary Education Act
Shahu Maharaj also brought important reforms to the field of education. At that time, Brahmins had a monopoly on education. The Bahujan community had no right to education. Shahu Maharaj enacted the Compulsory Free Primary Education Act to bring education to the grass roots of society by convincing them of the importance of education. In 1917, education was made free and compulsory for all. Twenty-two hostels have been set up in the institute for students of various castes and religions. Schools were established in villages. They encouraged and supported talented people and artists in various fields. Various educational institutes outside the Kolhapur Institute were also supported to achieve energy status. In 1911, Prof. Anna Babaji Latthe was appointed by Maharaj as an education inspector. Maharaj assigned this responsibility to Latthe because he was intelligent and faithful.
Special scheme of training for teachers
In 1911, Maharaj started a special training scheme for teachers for the purpose of imparting quality education. The Maharaja made it compulsory for teachers who have not obtained a certificate of training and who have not passed the Marathi school final examination or any university examination, as well as those whose age is below 40, to pass the civil examination within two years. The Maharaja had given a strict order that teachers who did not pass would not be promoted. At the same time, it was also ordered that the teachers who are ready to appear for this examination will be granted a special leave of three months. Given the circumstances at the time, it is clear how significant Shahu Maharaj’s thought was.
Various schemes to increase the level of education of girls
The level of education for girls was very low during that time. At such a time, special scholarships were announced in the names of Princess Akkasaheb Maharaj and Maharani Nandkunwar of Bhavnagar to encourage girls. This is the only visionary king who announced prizes to the teachers of the boys’ school after girls passed out in places where there were no separate girls’ schools. The nursing course started at the old Albert Edward Hospital (now CPR), and those who completed it were offered jobs in the institute.
Formulated rules for teachers
In accordance with the policy changes in the field of education, Shahu Maharaj, through Govind Balwant Kumbhojkar, the headmaster of the school in Kodoli, issued “rules for the appointment of all school masters in the Kolhapur area” in 1913. Such a circular was prepared.
These rules are the eyes of the current so-called education emperor, Shikshan Maharishi. In this circular, there are detailed rules about how teachers should work, how the school system should be, and how teachers should behave. In these rules, teachers are prohibited from practising advocacy, shopkeeping, or business while working as schoolmasters. But there was no objection to doing post office or municipality work; these jobs were also prohibited during school hours. Masters should not get involved in village quarrels; if there are quarrels, they should not take sides. Maharaj says that people from all departments should be treated in a mixed manner. Masters should not write applications, fertilizers, or documents. It has also been clearly mentioned that it should not be witnessed.
In the rules regarding the school system, the master should keep the school building and the surrounding area clean and orderly. maintaining all school equipment in good condition; faulty goods should be repaired from time to time. Books, magazines, and fortnightly should be made available for reading by suitable, intelligent, and promising students instead of being locked in cupboards. School cleaning should be done by students either against their will or with appropriate remuneration. Children should maintain personal hygiene at school. The less children are killed, the better. No student should be told that no child can be admitted to school because of caste.
Fee waiver announced for girls, financially weak, backward caste children
No fees should be charged to girls; no fees should be charged to boys who are unable to pay fees; boys who are unable to pay fees should be investigated by the Panch Committee of the school to ensure that the person is unable to pay; keep the student. In taking students as insolvents, agricultural labourers should be taken first, followed by the upper castes of traders; don’t be fools who never do anything. Rules for taking any kind of fee from backward caste children—all the rules specially made by the Maharaja for schools, teachers, and students—cannot be given here. But when we observe these rules, we will see how meticulously Maharaj thought about every detail.
Later in 1917, Maharaj passed a law to make education free but compulsory for all. This act brought about a great revolution in the field of education. This law was needed at the time. Shahu Maharaj took this strategic decision. Rural schools were started for the implementation of this law. But, as it was not possible to construct so many buildings at the same time, the school was arranged in the village temple and in the Chavdi building. Provision was made to fine parents who did not send their children to school. Since most of the parents belong to the farming class, a separate curriculum was prepared for it.
The Maharaja reserved a separate budget for the education department, about 1 lakh rupees, which was never done by any ruler in the then British territory. Maharaj had a clear order that if there was any remaining amount in this budget, it should be spent only on educational matters and not elsewhere. Rural schools were started for the implementation of this law. But, as it was not possible to construct so many buildings at the same time, the school was arranged in the village temple and in the Chavdi building. Provision was made to fine parents who did not send their children to school. Since most of the parents belong to the farming class, a separate curriculum was prepared for it.
The Maharaja reserved a separate budget for the education department, about 1 lakh rupees, which was never done by any ruler in the then British territory. Maharaj had a clear order that if there was any remaining amount in this budget, it should be spent only on educational matters and not elsewhere. Rural schools were started for the implementation of this law. But, as it was not possible to construct so many buildings at the same time, the school was arranged in the village temple and in the Chavdi building. Provision was made to fine parents who did not send their children to school. Since most of the parents belong to the farming class, a separate curriculum was prepared for it. The Maharaja reserved a separate budget for the education department, about 1 lakh rupees, which was never done by any ruler in the then British territory.
Maharaj had a clear order that if there was any remaining amount in this budget, it should be spent only on educational matters and not elsewhere. Since most of the parents belong to the farming class, a separate curriculum was prepared for it. The Maharaja reserved a separate budget for the education department, about 1 lakh rupees, which was never done by any ruler in the then British territory. Maharaj had a clear order that if there was any remaining amount in this budget, it should be spent only on educational matters and not elsewhere. Since most of the parents belong to the farming class, a separate curriculum was prepared for it. The Maharaja reserved a separate budget for the education department, about 1 lakh rupees, which was never done by any ruler in the then British territory. Maharaj had a clear order that if there was any remaining amount in this budget, it should be spent only on educational matters and not elsewhere.
Focused on vocational education
This work done by Maharaj in the field of education a hundred years ago was truly a revolution. The implementation of this law was started from 1917 AD. Educational concessions and scholarships announced for students coming to the school. Similarly, Maharaj insisted on the education of women. He established separate schools especially for girls in the Sansthan. The court kept scholarships for brilliant girls. All of the girls at Rajaram College received free education. Maharaj also paid attention to vocational education. He started the Patil and Talathi schools so that the administration of the village could be run properly. A training centre for teachers was opened. Jaisingrao Ghatge Technical Institute was established for technical education. In this institution, education was imparted in subjects like blacksmithing, masonry, and carpentry. He started “Infantry School” for military education.
Social work of Shahu Maharaj
Eradication of caste discrimination in society
Shahu Maharaj worked to eliminate caste discrimination in society and education. He opened public water bodies and temples in the state to all. Gangaram Kamble, a Mahar, built a hotel on the road in Kolhapur city. Shahu Maharaj used to take tea in the hotel with people of all castes. This demonstrates his contribution to the abolition of untouchability.
Measures for agriculture and farmers
Maharaj also took many measures for agriculture and the farmer who depended on it. The farmer of Kolhapur district today has become a role model in Maharashtra due to his agricultural development efforts. He gave first priority to supplying water to agriculture. For this, a dam was laid on the river Bhogavati.
Promotion of development of industries
Similarly, Shahu Maharaj encouraged the creation of industries. In 1895, Maharaja Shahu Chhatrapati established a market called ‘Shahupuri’ . established the “Shahu Chhatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mill.” Shahu Maharaj worked for the salvation of people from all walks of life. Shahu Maharaj was tasked with carrying on the work of Mahatma Jotiba Phule’s Satya Shodhak Samaj. Maharaj was not just a talker; he was an active social reformer. Tukaram Maharaj’s lines, “Bole taisa chale tyahi vandavi pawule,” are aptly applicable to Shahu Maharaj. He was very fond of the common people.
Maharaj’s work cannot be expressed in words. As an ideal king, his popularity as a leader of the Bahujan and Dalit communities lasted till the end. In AD 1922, Maharaj left his people forever. But he became immortal through his work. His work made him popular not only in the Kolhapur Institute but also in Maharashtra and all over India.