Shivaji Maharaj not only established 'Swarajya', but also ignited a sense of national pride, Fadnavis said while paying homage to the Maratha king at Shivneri Fort in Pune

The legendary warrior king was born on February 19, 1630 in Shivneri in the district's Junnar tehsil

Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar attended various programmes to mark Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary, including the 'cradle ceremony' at the Shivneri Fort

A large number of followers of the Maratha king also gathered at the fort to take part in his 395th birth anniversary event

Addressing the gathering there, Fadnavis said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a warrior, but also an able administrator who set an example of running a welfare state

"He was a management guru in the truest sense," the chief minister added

Fadnavis said that setting foot on the land of Shivneri evokes the inspiration of 'Swarajya', and it is this very spirit that draws people to this place time and again

"When many kings and kingdoms accepted Mughal rule, Mata Jijau envisioned Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the leader who would end the exploitation and tyranny, guiding the people towards Swarajya," he said

"With the determination and values instilled by his mother, Shivaji Maharaj united people from all communities, wielded his sword, and built an army of Mavalas. He not only established 'Swarajya', but also ignited a sense of national pride," the CM said