Rabindranath Tagore's Representation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a Strategic Genius

Abstract This paper explores how Rabindranath Tagore presents Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as an ideal strategic leader in his poems Shivaji Utsav (1904) and Pratinidhi (1897). Tagore does not describe Shivaji only as a brave warrior or a regional king. He portrays him as a visionary who imagines unity in a fragmented land and who works with moral clarity and cultural responsibility. Through poetic images of lightning, flame, and awakening, Tagore shows that Shivaji’s leadership grows from foresight, ethical duty, and spiritual strength. The poems suggest that true strategy is not limited to battlefield tactics but extends to inspiring people, protecting dharma, and shaping national consciousness. Tagore also uses Shivaji to address the colonial condition of India, urging readers to find courage and direction in their own history. By blending historical memory with nationalist emotion and spiritual symbolism, Tagore transforms Shivaji into a timeless model of leadership. His poetry therefore makes Shivaji relevant beyond the Maratha past and presents him as a guiding force for modern India’s political wisdom and moral authority.