Nawab Shadab Ali Bahadur Peshwa boycotted Bajirao’s statue unveiling, alleging erasure of Mastani’s lineage. His stand highlights a broader struggle for historical truth and recognition.
In a poignant stand for historical justice, Nawab Shadab Ali Bahadur Peshwa, an eighth-generation descendant of Bajirao I and Mastani, boycotted the unveiling of a grand equestrian statue of the Maratha warrior at Pune’s National Defence Academy. The event, attended by high-profile dignitaries, was meant to honor Bajirao’s legacy, but for Shadab Ali, it became a painful symbol of exclusion and erasure. His absence underscores a deep sense of betrayal felt by Mastani’s lineage, who believe their contributions to India’s history are being sidelined for political convenience. The controversy has reignited discussions about how history is shaped and who gets to tell it.
Shadab Ali, claiming direct descent through Bajirao and Mastani’s son Shamsher Bahadur, who fought in the Third Battle of Panipat, and Nawab Ali Bahadur, who stood with Rani Lakshmibai in 1857, feels his family’s sacrifices are being overlooked. The late invitation and lack of a seat on the dais felt like a deliberate slight, deepening the wound of Mastani’s historical marginalization. Her story, intertwined with Bajirao’s, is often downplayed, and Shadab Ali’s bold call for a DNA test reflects his resolve to prove his lineage and reclaim his family’s place in the narrative.
The organizers, Bajirao Peshwa Pratishthan Samiti, have faced accusations of favoring adopted descendants over those with direct blood ties, raising questions about selective storytelling. For Shadab Ali, this is not just about a seat but about honoring the full truth of Bajirao’s life, including his love for Mastani and their descendants’ contributions. The event, meant to celebrate a Maratha hero, has instead exposed tensions over identity, heritage, and representation, with the Nawab’s boycott resonating as a cry against historical whitewashing.
This controversy touches a nerve in Pune, where debates over renaming landmarks after Bajirao have already stirred emotions. It’s a reminder that history is not just about statues but about the people whose lives shaped it—and the pain of those who feel erased from it.
Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/newsdotz/
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@NewsDotz
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573903448264
Twitter – https://x.com/NewsDotz
Also Read- Pune
