HIROJI. INDULKAR
HIROJI INDULKAR Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was one of the greatest engineers of India who belonged to the 20 th century . The greatest architect and engineer of 17 th century was perhaps Hiroji Indulkar who was one of the jewels, Chhatrapati Shivaji proudly possessed. Hiroji became close associate of Shivaji Maharaj ever since Shivaji Maharaj won the Rairi fort in 1656 from Chandrakant More who was self proclaimed king of Jawali area. After winning the Fort Shivaji Raje surveyed the area and thought that the place had a very good potential to be future capital of Swarajya .The area was strategically located and there was dense forest around. It was very difficult for any enemy to approach and conquer the place. Raje decided to develop the area however sufficient finance was not available then . Shivaji Raje had many specialists in his team and Hiroji Indulkar was one of them who was totally devoted to the assigned task without expecting any reward. Hiroji became Shivaji's trusted man during long discussions on the newly conceived project. Hiroji executed many projects for visionary Shivaji Maharaj including building architectural wonders in the form of new forts like Sindhudurg and Raigad . Under his supervision many reconstruction / repairs of several forts for swarajya were done and the prominent among them was Pratapgad and Purandar Forts Shivaji Raje knew that to control the coastal area ,he should not only have cavalry but should have Naval force as well.He had observed Britishers,French and Portugese people who came all the way to India only because they had good ships and based on that they were controlling some coastal area. Siddi Halal was another independant force because of his Naval strength . Shivaji therefore wanted his own Naval force and some fort in the sea . He built Sindhudurg fort and was the pioneer of modern Indian Naval force . The idea of building the fort in the sea was Shivaji's but it's execution from selecting the site to completing monumental work was done by Hiroji Indulkar. In those days people used to mainly have two sources of earnings ,either do farming or join the army. It was Shivaji Raje who provided employment on large scale to people in the field of construction and executing new projects . It is really difficult to estimate value of the projects done in the 17 th century but in today's context Project of Raigad itself could be worth 50 to 60 thousand crores and Sindhudurg project was even more costlier. The notable thing is even today after more than 700 years the large portions of the construction is in tact. Till Britishers destroyed Raigad in 1818 the construction was in good condition. The Raigad fort project is considered as one of the most important and unique architecture of 17 th Century. The project was conceived by the great Shivaji Raje in 1656 but only after he got huge wealth in Surat battle the project was on the fast track. Hiroji was quite systematic and he first prepared various sketches and made models from clay and wood and worked out every small details including constructing artificial lakes ,temple, private quarters for his master's wives ,Darbar Hall, Market area, places for secret discussions, places for storing weapons and storing grains, a place for punishing criminals ,Drainage system and the system for water conservation and many other things . Each place and system had its own importance and Hiroji had captured almost all the expectations of Raje. Shivaji maharaj had total trust in the capability of Hiroji and he never interfered while work was in progress. Raje had instructed Moropant Pingale ,his prime minister , to make required resources available to Hiroji and told that money should not be the constraint in the construction of the new fort related project . Jokingly he used comment that " if required we can go to Surat again" In the year 1672 the new fort was ready .In 1674, after being crowned the emperor of the Maratha kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj chose Raigad as his capital. After seeing every detail of various buildings Shivaji was extremely pleased and asked Hiroji himself "what should be his reward ?" Shivaji assured Hiroji that whatever he wants he can demand and it would be done. An humbleness and Hiroji's love for Shivaji is seen from the demand of Hiroji. After such an open offer Hiroji asked only one tile . On the tile he wanted his name to be engraved with the condition that the tile will be fitted on the stair of temple so that Shivaji's feet will touch the tile every time he goes to the temple. The tile with Hiroji Indulkar's name engraved on it ,was fitted on the temple stair. It reads " Hiroji Indulkar ...seveshi tatpar...Krupa asavi " ( Hiroji Indulkar always ready to offer his services) Needless to add that Shivaji honoured the great architect adequately. It was only because of people like Hiroji,Shivaji could convert many ideas to reality and definitely Hiroji was the great Hero of newly born Maratha Empire. ------ Rajendra Phansalkar ______________________________
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was one of the greatest engineers
of India who belonged to the 20 th century .
The greatest architect and engineer of 17 th century was perhaps Hiroji Indulkar who was one of the jewels Shivaji Maharaj proudly possessed. Though Tajmahal was also built in the 17 th century but no one knows the name of the d architect who designed Tajmahal. Shivaji Maharaj's Architect was however given excellent treatment and importance by Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj .
Hiroji became close associate of Shivaji ever since Shivaji won the Rairi fort in 1656 from Chandrakant More who was self proclaimed king of Jawali area.
After winning the Fort Shivaji surveyed the area and thought that the place had a very good potential to be future capital of Swarajya .The area was strategically located and there was dense forest around. It was very difficult for any enemy to approach and conquer the place. Shivaji decided to develop the area however sufficient finance was not available then .
Shivaji had many specialists in his team and Hiroji Indulkar was one of them who was totally devoted to the assigned task without expecting any reward.Hiroji became Shivaji's trusted man during long discussions on the newly conceived project.
Hiroji executed many projects for visionary Shivaji Maharaj including building architectural wonders in the form of new forts like and Raigad and later .Sindhudurg .Under his supervision reconstruction / repairs of several forts for swarajya were done and the prominent among them was Pratapgad and Purandar Forts.
Shivaji knew that to control the coastal area ,he should not only have cavalry but should have Naval force as well.He had observed Britishers,French and Portugese people who came all the way to India only because they had good ships and based on that they were controlling some coastal area. Siddi Halal was another independant force because of his Naval strength . Shivaji therefore wanted his own Naval force and some fort in the sea . He built Sindhudurg fort and was the pioneer of modern Indian Naval force . The idea of building the fort in the sea was Shivaji's but it's execution from the selecting the site to completing monumental work was done by Hiroji Indulkar.
In those days people used to mainly have two sources of earnings ,either do farming or join the army. It was Shivaji Raje who provided employment on large scale to people in the field of construction and executing new projects . It is really difficult to estimate value of the projects done in the 17 th century but in today's context Project of Raigad itself could be worth 50 to 60 thousand crores and Sindhudurg project was even more costlier. The notable thing is even today after more than 700 years the large portions of the construction is in tact. Till Britishers destroyed Raigad in 1818 the construction was in good condition.
The Raigad fort project is considered as one of the most important and unique architecture of 17 th Century. The project was conceived by the great Shivaji Raje in 1656 but only after Shivaji got huge wealth in Surat battle the project was on the fast track.
Hiroji was quite systematic and he first prepared various sketches and made models from clay and wood and worked out every small details including constructing artificial lakes ,temple, private quarters for Shivaji's wives ,Darbar Hall, Market area, places for secret discussions, places for storing weapons and storing grains, a place for punishing criminals ,Drainage system and the system for water conservation and many other things . Each place and system had its own importance and Hiroji had captured almost all the expectations of Shivaji. Shivaji had total trust in the capability of Hiroji and he never interfered while work was in progress .Shivaji had instructed Moropant Pingale ,his prime minister , to make required resources available to Hiroji and told that money should not be the constraint in the construction of the new fort related project . Jokingly he used comment that " if required we can again go to Surat again"
In the year 1672 the new fort was ready .In 1674, after being crowned the emperor of the Maratha kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj chose Raigad as his capital. After seeing every detail of various buildings Shivaji was extremely pleased and asked Hiroji himself
"what should be his reward ?"
Shivaji assured Hiroji that whatever he wants he can demand and it would be done.
An humbleness and Hiroji's love for Shivaji is seen from the demand of Hiroji.
After such an open offer Hiroji asked only one tile . On the tile he wanted his name to be engraved with the condition that the tile will be fitted on the stair of temple so that Shivaji's feet will touch the tile every time he goes to the temple.
The tile with Hiroji Indulkar's name engraved on it ,was fitted on the temple stair. It reads " Hiroji Indulkar ...seveshi tatpar...Krupa asavi "
( Hiroji Indulkar always ready to offer his services)
Needless to add that Shivaji honoured the great architect adequately.
It was only because of people like Hiroji,Shivaji could convert many ideas to reality and definitely Hiroji was the great Hero of newly born Maratha Empire.
______________________________
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