Since Vedic age, autocracy in the form of ruler was the political basis and hereditary organisation in India. The concept of Rajanya has always been attributed to the Kshatriya Hindu caste as protectors and patrons of Brahmins, Vaishya and Sudras. In Kolhapur, a controversy erupted in 1901 when the head priest of Kolhapur royal family who are descendants of Shivaji Maharaj Chhatrapati himself and the Brahmin association of Kolhapur, Brahmovrinda started challenging the authority of the then Maharaja of Kolhapur Shahu Chhatrapati. It all started from Panchganga incident in 1901. During the Shravani month, once Shahu Maharaja decided to perform his morning pujas in the presence of Brahmins. A Brahmin was appointed for that. But when the Brahmin was caught that he has not taken bath and is doing Vedic chants in an impure way, Shahu Maharaj stopped the puja. Since then, a huge clash started between the head priest or Rajopadhye backed by Brahmovinda against Shahu Maharaja. Their argument was that as he was born into Ghatge family before his adoption, he was not born Kshatriya but Ghatges were always considered Kshatriya. Besides, since Rig Veda, the meaning of Kshatriya is not essentially since birth but by action whose duty is to provide protection and patronising the 3 other castes. Hence A ruler is a Kshatriya naturally. Hence how can the Vedic rites and rituals be denied to Shahu Maharaja or any Non Kshatriya or Non Brahmin by the Brahmins. It was in a way authority external to Shahu Maharaj. The Brahmins were like independent islands who wanted the ruler to be ruled by the Brahmins. Brahmavrinda tried their best to rope in the English Resident and at capital of India but failed to do so. They even boycotted some Brahmins who supported Shahu Chhatrapati but despite all the pressures, Shahu Chhatrapati did his duty as a Kshatriya ruler and confiscated all the benefits of the errand Brahmins!! #tiqd #theindianquest #maharaja #Kolhapur #shahuchhatrapati #ghatge #kagalsenior #vedokt #vedas #brahmins #kshatriyas #maratha #history #india #culture #society #religion #lifestyle #hindu #chhatrapati #princelystates #royalfamily