Shivaji one of country's inspiring icons, says President Kovind

Warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji is one of the inspiring icons of the country who rose above the barriers of caste and religion and bound people together, President Ram Nath Kovind said today.

He said people are often awestruck by the several qualities which were packed in one person---an able general, an excellent administrator and a great statesman."He was a great warrior, who used guerrilla warfare tactics to defeat large armies of the enemy. Under his leadership, Hindus and Muslims used to fight under one flag and he was the first ruler to lay the foundation of a navy in the country. He is one of the inspiring icons of the country," he said.

The president was speaking at a function organised by Akhil Bhartiya Shivrajyabhishek Mahotsav Samiti (ABSMS) to commemorate the birth anniversary of the warrior king.Chhatrapati Sambhaji, a descendant of Shivaji, is the patron of the ABSMS.The event was attended by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.Kovind said Shivaji was also a great statesman who conquered several forts without even fighting for it.

He said the warrior king rose above the barriers of caste and religion and played a role of binding people together and appointed soldiers and administrators based on their talent and ability.The Maratha Light Infantry of the Indian Army was founded 250 years keeping in mind the traditions of Shivaji, the president added.