India Must Lead in Every Field – Inspiration from the Life of Peshwa Baji Rao I: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Pune | The life and legacy of Peshwa Baji Rao I serve as a source of inspiration and energy for keeping India at the forefront globally in every field, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He was speaking at the inauguration of an equestrian statue of Peshwa Baji Rao I installed at the Trishakti Gate in the National Defence Academy (NDA) campus.

Also present on the occasion were Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, President of the Peshwa Bajirao Memorial Trust Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale, Southern Command Chief Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth, NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, MP Medha Kulkarni, former minister Ravindra Chavan, Trust Secretary Kundankumar Sathe, and others.

Amit Shah stated that Baji Rao established a vast Hindu empire stretching from Thanjavur to Afghanistan and from Afghanistan to Cuttack via Bengal, fulfilling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dream. With battle planning speed, military strategy, and valor, Baji Rao turned defeats into victories. A close study of the Battle of Palkhed reveals it was an unimaginable success. He destroyed the flags of slavery and ignited the flame of freedom. Military historians from India and abroad have praised his war tactics.

Shah emphasized that some principles of warfare never become obsolete: strategic planning, speed, dedication of the forces, patriotism, and spirit of sacrifice lead to victory. In the past 500 years, Peshwa Baji Rao stands out as the finest example possessing all these qualities. In his 20-year tenure, he won all 41 battles he fought until his death, Shah noted.

He further said that the vision of a great India was inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. At a time when South India was suffering under multiple sultanates and North India was under Mughal rule, Shivaji Maharaj not only established Hindu Swarajya but instilled its values in the hearts of the youth and people. After him, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Veer Tarabai, Dhanaji-Santaji, and others kept the Swarajya flame alive. Later, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj appointed Balaji Vishwanath and then Peshwa Baji Rao, who carried forward the legacy of Swarajya.

Amit Shah emphasized that NDA is the most appropriate place for Baji Rao’s memorial, as future chiefs of all three armed forces are trained here. When these officers leave NDA after studying Baji Rao’s life and saluting his statue, no one will dare threaten India’s borders. If the need arises to defend Swarajya in the future, our forces and leadership will certainly rise to the challenge, he said. He also cited Operation Sindhuraksha as an example of this preparedness.

CM Devendra Fadnavis on Baji Rao’s Expansion of Shivaji Maharaj’s Empire

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that with the help of Jijau Maa Saheb, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj united the people and challenged four major invaders of the Mughal empire. The flame of Swarajya he lit gave rise to many brave warriors.

Peshwa Baji Rao I played a significant role in expanding Shivaji Maharaj’s empire. Of the 41 battles he fought, he did not lose a single one. From Kabul in the north to Bengal in the east, Baji Rao extended the Maratha empire. Speed was his primary strategy. While the Mughal army could march 8–10 km a day, Baji Rao’s forces covered 60–80 km daily. The Battle of Palkhed is recognized as one of the finest tactical victories, even praised by foreign military leaders like Montgomery, Fadnavis added.

He lamented that the British and later even some of our own distorted our history and marginalized the heroes of Hindu Swarajya and the Maratha Empire. As a result, many great warriors were forgotten. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, efforts are now being made to bring this heroic history to the next generation. There could be no better place for Baji Rao’s statue than NDA, a place that trains India’s defense forces, Fadnavis stated.

Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale and Other Speakers

Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale, in his introduction, noted that the NDA campus already features statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Peshwa Baji Rao I, and Tanaji Malusare, which serve as inspiration for trainee cadets. Since Baji Rao never lost a single war, the idea to establish his statue here was pursued with dedication.

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe remarked that this memorial is a symbol of valor and resistance. He emphasized that the bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Mavalas (soldiers) should be celebrated not only in Indian languages but also across global languages.