Every year, countless social media posts glorify the valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Political speeches echo his name, banners display his image, and memes remind us of his visionary leadership. And yet, the very forts that once stood as a testament to his dream of Swarajya—self-rule—are quietly crumbling under the weight of our neglect.
This irony is painful.
The hill forts of Maharashtra were not just military outposts—they were symbols of courage, resilience, and the Marathi pride Shivaji Maharaj ignited. Today, they are ruins. Stones fall loose from their foundations, paths that once bustled with warriors now lie barren and overgrown, and once-proud bastions of resistance are reduced to backdrops for selfies and film shoots.
But while the government sleeps, some citizens are wide awake.
Across the state, passionate devotees of Shivaji Maharaj—most of them everyday individuals with no formal training—are pouring their time, energy, and savings into restoring these historical structures. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic. Yet, every brick they move is met with bureaucracy. Every attempt to rebuild is countered by a law that hasn’t evolved since the British left India.
Yes, you read that right.
The Archaeological Department still follows colonial-era policies. According to these outdated rules, any kind of reconstruction is prohibited. Their idea of “preservation” is to let the ruins remain as ruins—to protect what’s left without rebuilding what’s lost. But let’s ask ourselves: if we follow this definition blindly, how will these structures ever survive the test of time?
Weather, erosion, and sheer neglect are more powerful than policies. Unless something changes, these forts won’t just fade—they will vanish.
To make matters worse, illegal constructions are popping up on these sites with alarming frequency. Unauthorized mausoleums, temples, shops, and shelters—none of them historically accurate or approved—are being erected on the same grounds where warriors once walked. Strangely, these encroachments seem to pass under the radar, while genuine conservation efforts are halted by paperwork and legal battles.
Why is it that our system makes it easier to destroy than to restore?
Some blame the government—and rightly so. But let’s not stop there. Because there’s another, harder truth to face: our own inaction.
We elect our representatives. We post #JaiShivaji on Instagram. But when it comes to showing up, to raising our voices for real change, many of us stay silent. Democracy is a system built by the people and for the people. So where are the people now, when our forts cry out for help?
This is not just about stones and history. This is about identity.
If we don’t act now, what will we leave for the generations that follow? A pile of rocks and some grainy photographs? Or a heritage they can be proud of—something real, something lasting?
It’s time to make a choice.
We can either keep applauding Shivaji Maharaj from the comfort of our homes, or we can step out and protect the very things that defined his rule. These forts aren’t just monuments—they are our shared legacy. And that legacy deserves more than likes and shares. It deserves action.
This Sunday, we’re gathering at Azad Maidan to demand just that—real action. We want legal reforms that allow meaningful restoration. We want strict protection against unauthorized constructions. And we want our elected leaders to take responsibility for the cultural treasures that are slipping through our fingers.
If you truly care about Shivaji Maharaj and the forts he built, now is your chance. Show up. Be heard. Make a difference.
Let’s stop waiting for someone else to fix the problem. Let’s be the generation that stood up—not the one that stayed home.
How to Join the Movement:
Follow @fukatdnyani on Instagram to stay updated on fort restoration campaigns, volunteer opportunities, and future protests.
Author: Akash Jadhav (Fukatdnyani)
Translated by: Team TFV (The Forbidden Voice)
