Maharashtra to Build Grand Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Agra, Says CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Will Soon Build A Grand Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Agra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that the state government will construct a grand memorial in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s daring escape from Mughal captivity in 1666.
Speaking on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, Fadnavis emphasized that the project, centered at the historic Meena Bazaar site where Shivaji was held under house arrest by Aurangzeb, will preserve the Maratha king’s legacy for future generations.
The Maharashtra government issued a resolution assigning the state tourism department to oversee funding, land acquisition, and implementation. “This memorial will showcase Shivaji Maharaj’s valor and the liberation of him and Balraje Shambhuraje through a museum, documentaries, and state-of-the-art exhibits,” Fadnavis said.
He first unveiled the plan during Shivaji’s 395th birth anniversary celebrations in Agra on February 19, 2025, pledging to collaborate with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to secure the site.
Fadnavis envisions the memorial outshining the Taj Mahal in visitor numbers, reflecting its cultural and historical heft. A committee of historians and experts, chaired by the Tourism Minister, will guide the project, with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation as the executing body.
The initiative aims to boost tourism while marking Maharashtra’s historical imprint in Agra, where Shivaji’s ingenuity outwitted Mughal forces.
The announcement builds on Fadnavis’s broader commitment to Shivaji’s legacy, including fort conservation efforts in Maharashtra. While addressing a gathering, he reiterated, “This is about pride and education—ensuring the world knows Shivaji Maharaj’s story.” The project underscores a blend of heritage preservation and interstate cooperation, with construction momentum expected to accelerate soon.
