Mangaluru: “Chatrapathi Shivaji Jayanthi” was celebrated in the city on Monday. The event was jointly organized by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishat at Arya Maratha Bhavana, Jeppinamogaru.

A grand procession was taken from Yekkur bus stop to Arya Maratha Bhavan before the function.

Adreessing the gathering at the event, Mangaluru University Principal Udaya Kumar spoke about the role of Jijabai in Shivaji’s life. He said that Shivaji’s mother Jijabai played a vital role in Shivaji’s life by providing him guidance.

She had a greater influence in creating Shivaji’s personality than Guru Dadaji Kondadev.

He also spoke about Shivaji Maharaj’s achievements. He said that Shivaji Maharaj gained faith of the locals and created his empire. He is the first Indian emperor who upgraded the navy to increase the empire’s business influence.

Earlier kings used to employ intermediaries to gather revenue but Shivaji maintained a direct contact with the citizens inspiring to pay the revenue by themselves. Shivaji was a good strategist employing guerrilla warfare to expand his empire.

Shivaji had the foresight to commission a scientific study on geography to strategically place a fort and make its most use during warfare, he said.