Marathi Nationalism

Marathi nationalism refers to a nationalist stance applied to Maharashtra and the Indo-Aryan ethnic Marathi people who inhabit the ethno-linguistic region of Maharashtra, which was created after the linguistic reorganization of provinces in India in 1956. Shivaji is considered as the Father of Maratha nationalism and political promoter. Hindavi Swarajya was an ideology espoused by Shivaji to consolidate Maratha empire by piecing together several marathi speaking Deccan kingdoms. The defence of culture, country and religion were the war cry used by Shivaji to rally together Marathi Hindus. One of the famous saying of Shivaji was "This is not a kingdom of Shivaji; it belongs to Dharma" MAHA (महा, Great) RASHTRA (राष्ट्र, Country/State) is generally associated with a desire for greater, better and progressive state. The defence of Maratha culture, religion, country and freedom to the Marathas is what inspired the Maratha warriors in defeating the Sultanate of Bijapur and Mughal Empire and free the Marathas and their land from occupation and creation of the Maratha Empire. In modern context, it furthers the ideology of the preservation of Maratha Culture, promotion of Marathi Language and progress of Marathi people. Mee Marathi (मी मराठी, I am Marathi ) are two words that have always inculcated Marathi pride.