Context:
This year’s Rashtriya Ekta Diwas theme celebrates the heritage of Raigad Fort.
Raigad Fort:
- Hill fort situated in Maharashtra.
- Coronation (Shivrajyaabhishek) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was conducted here.
- He established his capital here in 1674
- Nearby rivers – Kal and Gandhari.
- Significance –
- Labelled as Gibraltar of the east by British historians.
- Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage under the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:
- Name – Shivaji Bhonsle
- Born in – 1630
- Birthplace – Shivneri Fort, Pune
- Parents – Shahaji Bhonsle (Father) and Jijabai (Mother)
- Known as – Founder of Maratha Empire
- Reign – 1674–1680
- Seat of Power – Raigad Fort, Maharashtra
- Successor – Sambhaji Bhonsle
- Key battles –
- Battle of Pratapgarh – Between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, commander of Bijapur Sultanate
- Battle of Kolhapur – Between Shivaji and Bijapur Sultanate
- Treaty of Purander (1665) – Signed between Raja Jai Singh (under Aurangzeb) and Shivaji.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
1. Both were built in the same period
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination
3. Both have rock-cut monuments
Select the correct answer using the code given below
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the statements
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. The Ajanta Caves is in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, with about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. Mahabalipuram, an epitome of Hindu architecture has a group of sanctuaries, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries.
