Pune, Correspondent
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that while statues of the legendary warrior Bajirao Peshwa exist across the country, the National Defence Academy (NDA) is the most fitting location for a grand memorial in his honor.
Shah was speaking at the unveiling ceremony of an equestrian statue of Bajirao Peshwa installed on the NDA premises in Pune. The ceremony marked a tribute to the great Maratha warrior known for his unmatched military acumen.
“Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj entrusted Bajirao with the position of Peshwa at the young age of 19. In a span of just 20 years, he transformed the Maratha state into an empire. He led 41 battles and emerged victorious in all of them — a record rarely found in the history of military leadership,” Shah remarked.
He emphasized that Bajirao's military strategies remain timeless. “If we study and apply his strategic principles even today, no one would dare look at India with hostile intent,” he added.
Praising Pune as a land of valor, Shah recalled the contributions of freedom fighters from the region. “It was from Pune that Lokmanya Tilak raised the first call to resist British rule. And it was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who proved how a single person can serve the nation in an extraordinary way,” he said.
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