Vikram Sarabhai - Father of India's Space Program

 

Vikram Sarabhai founded 'Physical Research Laboratory' on 11th Nov 1947 in Ahmedabad. It was foundation of Indian space program in real sense.

Today India is one of the leaders in space research. And Vikram Sarabhai has played big role in positioning India among world leaders in space research

Sarabhai started a project for the fabrication and launch of an Indian satellite. As a result, the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian cosmodrome. He was the founder of Indian Space Research Organization.

India's First Woman Pilot

Sarla Thakral

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Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj

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Babasaheb Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is viewed as messiah of Dalits in India. He was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 to draft a constitution for the independent India. He played a seminal role in the framing of the constitution. Bhimrao Ambedkar was also the first Law Minister of India. For his yeoman service to the nation, B.R. Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 1990.

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Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Sambhaji Raje Bhosale was the eldest son and successor of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. He was born on 14 May 1657 at Purandhar fort and died on 11 March 1689. He was brave heart warrior. His character was maligned by people who were plotting against him for their own advantage. Even some historians portrayed him ineffective ruler and alcoholic. Whatever may be the case, Sambhji Maharaj will never be forgotten by Marathi people for the way he accepted the inhuman death given to him by Auranghajeb. He accepted it fearlessly and proudly.

Sambhaji Maharaj was married to Jivubai, renamed Yesubai who was a daughter of Pillajirao Shirke. She herself is very important personality in history of Maratha Empire.

Sambhaji Raje had to go through very ugly internal political battle when Shivaji Maharaj was alive and even after his death. People in Shivaji Maharaj’s court like Annaji Datto, Somaji Datto and some others wanted to oust Sambhaji to enhance their own positions. They planned many conspiracies against him and been successful to large extent. They managed to malign Sambhaji Maharj’s reputation and also able to distant the son from his own father. These evil conspirators even tried to poison Sambhaji Maharaj; but failed. When Shivaji Maharaj died on Raigad, these guys plotted again to arrest Sambhaji Maharaj at the Panhala Fort, where he was staying at the time. They wanted to crown Sambhaji Maharaj’s underage stepbrother, Rajaram Maharaj as Maratha king, so that they can rule on his pretext. Unfortunately Sambhaji Maharaj’s stepmother and Rajaram’s mother, Soyarabai was also involved in this plan. However the Supreme Commander of Maratha forces, Hambirrao Mohite, who was Soyarbai's brother, supported Sambhaji Maharaj as the rightful heir to the throne. And because of his support Sambhaji Maharaj was able to ascend to the throne in 1681. After the death of Shivaji Maharaj all the enemies of Maratha Empire found it a good opportunity; but Sambhaji Maharaj successfully kept them away during his rule.

Sambhaji Maharaj was captured due to treachery of his wife's brother. Aurangzeb had him tortured for 40 days, hoping to break Maratha morale but reluctant Chhatrapati did not give up. Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured for 40 days and finally was ripped apart and killed on 11 March 1689 at Tulapur on the banks of Bhima River near Pune.

Sambhaji Maharaj's Samadhi has been built at the place where he was cremated, Vadhu.

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Lokmanya Tilak

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CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, son of Shahji Raje Bhosale and Jijabai Bhosale. Maharaj Born on February 19, 1627 and Died on April 3, 1680 as per Gregorian (English) Calendar. As per Panchanga(Marathi Calendar) he was born on 3^rd day (Tritiya) during Krishna Paksh in the month of Falgun. Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of Maratha Empire in 1674.

He is greatest hero in India, particularly in the Maharashtra. Using guerrilla tactics well-suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region, he annexed a portion of the then dominant Mughal Empire and the Sultanate of Bijapur.

 

His mother Jijabai Bhosale made an indelible impression on him with her teachings, with her love of the homeland and its people. Shivaji learned much from his father’s failed attempts at political independence, his exceptional military capabilities and achievements, his knowledge of Sanskrit, Hindu ethos, patronage of the arts, his war strategies and peacetime diplomacy. He was inspired and informed by his family’s vision of independence and freedom.

 

Shahaji’s vision, Jijabai’s and Dadoji Konddeo’s teachings and motivation, and the able training by military commanders such as Gomaji Naik and Baji Pasalkar were the main influences which groomed Shivaji into a brave and fearless military leader as well as a responsible administrator. Young Shivaji, energetic and enthusiastic as he was, wasted no time in setting off on a path of freedom and glory.

At the age of 17 Shivaji Maharaj carried out his first military action by attacking and capturing Torna fort of the Bijapur kingdom, in 1645.

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