Maharashtra forms panel for Shivaji memorial in Agra

The Maharashtra government has created an expert committee to build a memorial for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Agra. This is significant because Agra was where the Maratha king was held under house arrest by the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. The committee will be overseen by the Minister of Tourism. The Department of Tourism will manage land acquisition and related tasks. The government plans to buy the land necessary for the memorial, following a recent announcement by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary. The memorial will include a museum and features like audio-visual programs and documentaries. These will help visitors learn about Maratha history, which is currently not well represented at the site. Many Marathi tourists visit the area but find no historical monuments or museums to help them understand the significance of the location. Additionally, the decision to build the memorial comes during a time of controversy surrounding Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra. The memorial will aim to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is considered a key figure in Maharashtra's history.