Rana Pratap, Shivaji Maharaj are national heroes, not Aurangzeb: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praises Maharana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj as national heroes, criticizes glorification of Aurangzeb.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are national heroes and not the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Speaking at a function after unveiling a life-size statue of the Mewar ruler at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra on Friday (April 18, 2025), Mr. Singh also said those who glorify Aurangzeb or Babur insult the country's Muslims.

"Maharana Pratap was an epitome of courage and patriotism...Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj drew inspiration from Maharana Pratap, especially for guerilla warfare tactics," Mr. Singh said.

Post-Independence historians with Left leanings did not give due credit to Rana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj but eulogised Aurangzeb, the senior BJP leader claimed.

"Those who feel that Aurangzeb was a hero should have read Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who wrote that the Mughal emperor was a bigot, cruel ruler," Mr. Singh said.

Such a person cannot be a hero, Mr. Singh further said. "Dara Shikoh translated Upanishads, and Aurangzeb murdered him. Dara Shikoh respected all religions," the Union Defence Minister added.

Maharana Pratap sacrificed his life to uphold his self-respect and challenged the dominance of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Mr. Singh further said.