MARGAO
Asserting that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj protected Hindu culture in Goa despite 450 year of Portuguese rule in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the State would approach the Ministry of External Affairs to get back all Goa-related documents from Portugal to help put the history in right perspective.
Taking the platform of the commemoration of the Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Betul Fort organised by the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology, the Chief Minister told the Minister for Archives and Archaeology Subhash Faldesai to go to Portugal to bring back all documents relating to Goa’s history.
After paying homage to the Maratha Warrior, the Chief Minister said the Portuguese ruled only in four talukas, while Shivaji’s reign prevailed in the remaining eight talukas. “There have been attempts made to distort and erase history, but the fact remains that Shivaji raj prevailed in the eight talukas of Goa. It is because of Shivaji Maharaj, Hindu culture was protected in the State despite 450 years of Portuguese rule”, he asserted.
Saying the government is committed to protect and preserve the Betul Fort which was built on the orders of Shivaji, the Chief Minister said the government will take the Customs department into confidence to develop the area around the fort for the purpose of Tourism.
Saying that a Shivaji Chair has been established at the Goa University, the Chief Minister said that students will get a glimpse of public administration during Shivaji rule, which had provision for public administration, law department etc.
“Shivaji had a vision for Swayampurna wherever he established his rule, be it in agriculture or allied activities”, he added.
In his address, Faldesai said Shivaji had a vision when he ordered to build the Betul Fort, which was strategic in nature, given that the Portuguese was ruling adjoining areas. “Let us commemorate all programs of Shivaji at the Betul Fort. The government should get the land and also erect a statue of the Maratha King at the Fort”, he added.
Faldesai patted the Chief Minister for his bold decision to rebuild the Temples destroyed b by the Portuguese regime. “Many might have even termed the Chief Minister’s decision to rebuild the damaged temples as divisive, but the Chief Minister has remained firm. The decision will not only benefit the Temples, but religious structures of other religions which were damaged by the Portuguese. We want back Goa of the past”, he added.
