Israel has announced plans to install a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Wikimedia Commons)
NEW DELHI: In a notable cultural and diplomatic gesture, Israel is set to install a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in one of its major cities. The initiative, announced by Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, underscores the deepening people-to-people connections between the two nations and revives lesser-known historical threads linking the Maratha warrior-king’s era to India’s ancient Jewish communities.
The proposal was unveiled on Shivrajyabhishek Din, commemorating the 1674 coronation of Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the Maratha Empire and is celebrated for his strategic brilliance, naval prowess, emphasis on good governance, and religious tolerance.
Israeli Consul General Yaniv Revach described the statue as a long-term project aimed at fostering greater awareness of Shivaji’s legacy among Israelis, mirroring the admiration many Indians hold for Israeli national heroes.
According to an official letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Israel’s Consul General Yaniv Revach stated:
“We believe that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Israel would serve as a powerful symbol of the close ties between Israel and India. Such a monument would be especially meaningful given the historical links between Maharashtra and the Indian Jewish community, many of whose descendants today contribute significantly to Israeli society.”
Fadnavis responded enthusiastically, describing the news as “huge” and “proud and historic.” He pledged the Maharashtra government’s complete support, including assistance with historical references, artistic guidance, and design inputs. “The Maharashtra government will extend complete support for this historic initiative. Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji!” he posted on X.
To understand why a Middle Eastern nation is building a monument to a medieval Indian king, one must look at a fascinating, lesser-known chapter of shared military history and civilizational values.
The Historical Connection: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Jewish Diaspora
The relationship between the land of Israel, the Jewish diaspora, and Maharashtra dates back over two millennia. This unique history forms the foundation for the contemporary diplomatic decision by the State of Israel to install a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in one of its major cities.
The Arrival of the Bene Israel in Maharashtra (2nd Century BCE)
The historical link begins with the Bene Israel (Sons of Israel) community, one of the oldest Jewish groups in the global diaspora.
The Flight from Persecution: According to community records and historical accounts (including 19th-century works by community scholar H.S. Kehimkar), the ancestors of the Bene Israel fled Galilee in the 2nd century BCE to escape the brutal anti-Semitic persecution of the Seleucid Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes.
The Shipwreck at Navagaon: Their ship capsized off the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, near the village of Navagaon (just south of modern-day Mumbai). Only fourteen survivors, seven men and seven women made it ashore safely.
Cultural Integration: The local population welcomed the refugees. Over generations, the Bene Israel completely integrated into Maharashtrian society. They adopted Marathi as their mother tongue, dressed in local attire, and modified their surnames by adding the suffix “-kar” based on their native villages (e.g., Divekar, Penkar, Cheulkar).
The “Shanivar Telis” Moniker: To earn a livelihood, the community took up oil-pressing and grocery trading. However, they strictly adhered to the Jewish Commandment of observing the Sabbath, completely refraining from work on Saturdays. Because of this religious practice, their local Hindu and Muslim neighbors affectionately designated them Shanivar Telis (Saturday Oil-pressers) to distinguish them from Hindu oil-pressers (Somwari Telis, who rested on Mondays) and Muslim oil-pressers (Shukrawar Telis, who rested on Fridays).
Military Integration Under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (17th Century)
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Swarajya in the 17th century, much of its core territory lay in the Konkan coast and the Western Ghats of present-day Maharashtra, the historic homeland of the Bene Israel Jewish community.
Merit-Based Recruitment: Shivaji Maharaj’s governance model was distinctly progressive; he discarded religious and caste biases, choosing commanders entirely based on merit, loyalty, and physical fortitude. Recognizing the inherent discipline, local intelligence, and resilient nature of the Bene Israel, Shivaji actively recruited them into his rising armed forces.
Service in the Infantry and Navy: Members of the Jewish community served with distinction as soldiers and naval officers. They were integrated into the infantry to defend the rugged hill forts of the Western Ghats and played a vital role in Shivaji’s pioneering Maratha Navy, protecting the coastline from Mughal forces and regional Sultanates. As noted by modern historians like Kaustav Chakrabarti, the Bene Israel established a formidable reputation for “military ardour,” proving themselves highly capable in native Indian militaries long before the colonial era.
The Legacy: Why This 17th-Century History Matters to Modern Israel
The ancient integration of Jewish soldiers into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army is not just a forgotten footnote in textbooks; it is the direct catalyst behind Israel’s modern-day decision to honor the Maratha king. This historical connection manifests in three distinct ways:
A Unique Sanctuary from Global Anti-Semitism
While the Jewish diaspora faced systemic persecution, expulsions, and violence across Europe and the Middle East for centuries, India stood out as a rare haven of absolute safety. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s governance model was rooted in religious tolerance.
By protecting the Bene Israel and allowing them to practice their faith without fear, the Maratha Empire ensured the survival of this ancient community. The upcoming statue is a symbol of historical gratitude from the Jewish State to a ruler who gave their ancestors dignity and security.
Parallel Histories of Asymmetric Warfare
The historical narratives of the Marathas and the Jewish people are remarkably similar. Both communities spent decades fighting uphill, asymmetric military battles against massive, dominant empires to establish and protect their sovereign homelands. The strategic military mindset, guerrilla warfare tactics, and fierce spirit of independence championed by Shivaji Maharaj deeply resonate with Israel’s own history of survival and defense.
The Living Heritage of the Marathi-Israeli Diaspora
This history is kept alive today by the people themselves. Following the creation of Israel in 1948, the vast majority of Maharashtra’s Bene Israel community migrated to the Jewish homeland. Today, there are approximately 50,000 Indian-origin, Marathi-speaking Jews living in Israel.
For this vibrant diaspora, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not a foreign king, but a hero from their ancestral homeland. The statue serves as a permanent bridge connecting modern Israeli citizens to the Maharashtrian soil that sheltered their forefathers.
Broader Context and Implications for Bilateral Ties
Speaking to the ANI about the vision behind the monument, Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, stated:
“We understand how important Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is to India. The idea is to build a large statue of the Maharaj and send it to Israel. It will be a long-term project that connects Indian people with Israeli people.”
This landmark initiative builds on a rapidly strengthening India-Israel partnership that has expanded far beyond defense, technology, and agriculture. By anchoring modern diplomacy in shared heritage, both nations are grounding their strategic alliance in narratives that resonate with ordinary citizens across oceans.
Israeli officials and historians have long pointed to the striking parallels between the two nations’ historical struggles for self-determination and cultural preservation against massive, existential threats. Thematic comparisons are frequently drawn between Shivaji Maharaj’s brilliant resistance to Mughal dominance and the Jewish historical fight for autonomy.
Beyond the statue itself, the initiative is expected to include efforts like translating works on Shivaji’s life into Hebrew, broadening cultural understanding. It positions the monument not just as a tribute to one leader but as a landmark for ongoing friendship and mutual learning.
While the exact location and design details are currently being finalized with input from Maharashtra’s leading artists and authorities, ensuring the monument authentically captures Shivaji Maharaj’s iconic imagery as a mounted warrior, its civilizational impact is already clear.
Ultimately, the project marks a unique chapter in bilateral ties, transforming a 17th-century history of shared courage into a permanent symbol of modern diplomacy.
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