Sambhajiraje urges Centre to reinstate 1758 Maratha empire map in school textbooks

Kolhapur: Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, the 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has written to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressing displeasure over the removal of a 1758 map of the "Maratha Empire" from Class 8 social science textbook.The map was reportedly dropped from the upcoming 2026-27 reprint following objections from Rajput royalties in Rajasthan. The objectors had challenged the accuracy of the map (Figure 3.11), which depicted Maratha influence over the Rajputana states in 1759.In his letter dated April 12, Sambhajiraje demanded immediate reinstatement of the map, arguing that such "omissions risk diminishing the understanding of one of the most important chapters in India's history."Countering the claims made by the Rajputana royalties, Sambhajiraje stated that the map is backed by credible historical evidence rather than mere regional pride. "Inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha Empire expanded its influence by 1758 beyond present-day borders of India to territories such as Attock, Lahore, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and up to Jamrud in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These are not claims of sentiment, but well-documented facts," the letter stated.Addressing specific issue of influence over Rajasthan, Sambhajiraje noted that the Marathas' role in the region is a matter of historical record. He pointed out that several Rajput states, including Bundi, Kota, and Marwar, paid chauth (tribute) to the Marathas, reflecting the political and military realities of the 18th century.He further cited international sources to bolster his argument: "Prominent foreign cartographers such as James Rennel and Robert Wilkinson produced maps that clearly depicted the extensive reach of the Maratha Empire—from Agra in the north to Madurai in the south, and from Bengal in the east to Gujarat in the west—including large parts of Rajputana."The letter also referenced The Rajputana Gazetteer of 1879, which explicitly records the influence of major Maratha houses like the Scindias, Holkars, and Gaekwads in the region."Even Colonel James Tod, who was often critical of the Marathas, acknowledged their military and political dominance across large parts of Rajputana," Sambhajiraje wrote. "It is therefore deeply concerning that despite such substantial evidence, the map has first been diluted and now removed altogether."He urged the ministry to ensure that historical accuracy is maintained in national curriculum materials to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of India's past.