Legacy of Hindavi Swarajya: Union Minister Scindia leads traditional Dussehra celebrations in Gwalior

New Delhi: Every year during the festival of Dussehra, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia- a descendant of the great Maratha warrior Maharaja Mahadji Scindia, who established Maratha supremacy over the Mughal Empire and achieved military success against British forces during the First Anglo-Maratha War—dons the traditional attire of a Maharaja and performs centuries-old rituals deeply rooted in Maratha cultural traditions.

The Dussehra festival holds deep significance for the worship of weapons (Shastra Puja), and the Maratha community is renowned for its splendid military heritage and its efforts to establish Hindavi Swarajya through extraordinary military capabilities and superior strategic acumen. Scholar Michael H. Brown documented the Scindia Marathas, identifying the rulers of Gwalior primarily as military leaders.

Soldier first

The Scindia dynasty has maintained a distinctive legacy of military mastery, spanning from the conquest of Peshawar and the Third Battle of Panipat to the First and Second World Wars, during which the Scindia armed forces made significant contributions. Maharaja Jiwajirao M. Scindia began his military training at the age of four and served as a private soldier in the Queen’s Own Infantry on a daily wage of one rupee. Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa wrote of him:

“The late Highness had a high sense of duty and responsibility both in domestic and public life. He certainly was not lacking in a good sense of humour. What a pleasing combination of qualities in a man, which is also rare these days. The charm of his manners—his courtesy to his guests and elders, his simple style of living whilst maintaining the dignity of his birth and position in life—were all a joy to see. A very good example for all of us to follow.”

According to the historical account of Henry George Keene, Mahadji Scindia was described by reliable sources as a “statesman and soldier of almost unmatched capacity” (Imperial Gazetteer of India). While remaining actively engaged in the complex and distant political affairs of the Maratha Empire, he attained prominence across the whole of Hindustan. In addition, a military detachment under his command kept watch over the Emperor inside Shah Jahan’s Red Fort. In Delhi itself, a Maratha military garrison functioned under the joint command of his son-in-law (Shitole), known as the ‘Deshmukh’, and a Muslim administrator identified as Shah Nizam-ud-Din.

Military history

Count Gaston de Boigne, a 22-year-old descendant of General Benoît de Boigne from Savoy (then part of France), extended his formal greetings to Union Minister Scindia at the magnificent Jai Vilas Palace. The progenitor of this distinguished lineage modernised Maharaja Mahadji’s military system during the eighteenth century, facilitating his splendid victories against rival powers such as Jaipur and Jodhpur, and playing a pivotal role in establishing Scindia supremacy across vast regions of India.

De Boigne is credited with introducing a new military system that expanded with extraordinary rapidity, comparable to the swift spread of a formidable force. He organised the first large-scale standing army of regular troops for Mahadji Scindia, the likes of which had never before been seen among the indigenous princes of the subcontinent. This organisational model was subsequently adopted by the Nizam of Hyderabad and, to an extent, by Tipu Sultan.

In the service of Scindia, De Boigne started his days early in the morning and worked until midnight, fulfilling the diverse responsibilities associated with his post. His daily routine included inspecting weaponry, drilling troops on the parade ground, and issuing orders for the day. He demonstrated particular diligence in troop recruitment. The equipment and arms of his military force were conceived and provided by him personally, and he functioned concurrently as Quartermaster and Adjutant General. He maintained direct oversight of the medical department and ambulance service, ensuring both divisions were properly organised.

He avoided delegating administrative duties to subordinates due to his fiercely independent nature, which led him to execute all tasks himself and made him cautious about delegating authority. Possessing tremendous energy and industriousness, he demonstrated the capacity to perform the work of multiple men simultaneously, and his demeanour inspired confidence in others.

He infused his subordinates with remarkable vigour and dedication. Even in the face of obstacles and adversities, his unshakeable resolve and commitment transformed challenges into tangible achievements. The well-regulated and disciplined military force he forged for Maharaja Mahadji stood as a testament to his tactical brilliance as an accomplished commander and his personal dedication as a capable administrator.

Gwalior Dussehra

Dussehra is an important festival in Scindia Maratha tradition, marked by the veneration of weapons through ‘Shastra Puja’. The Scindia military forces have historically formed an integral part of the Dussehra celebrations. According to records from the Scindia State publication *’Jayaji Pratap’*, the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Gwalior Army presented a formal royal salute to Maharaja Scindia at the entrance of Jai Vilas Palace. This 3rd Gwalior Infantry Battalion, led by Colonel Ganpatrao Nimbalkar, was deployed to East Africa during the First World War.

The 2nd Gwalior Infantry offered a formal salute to Maharaja Scindia at the *’Bada’* (court/square) and performed the Scindia Anthem. A detachment of the 2nd Gwalior Lancers (cavalry) accompanied the Maharaja as a security escort. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Siledari), B-Battery, the 2nd Gwalior Lancers, and other military units conducted a ceremonial procession through the city.

Continuing the glorious tradition of his ancestors, Union Minister Scindia offered prayers at Gwalior’s Gorkhi Temple and Mandre Wali Mata Temple. During these rituals, he performed traditional worship of the Scindia family’s ceremonial weapons and vintage royal chariots/carriages. Students of the Scindia School and representatives of the Scindia Research Centre formally welcomed him at the Jai Vilas Palace.

On the sacred occasion of Dussehra and commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia, the Scindia Research Centre presented the Minister with an extensive executive summary spanning 12 volumes of documents related to the ‘Durbar Policy’. Additionally, the Minister participated in the traditional ‘Seemolanghan’ ceremony organised at the Dussehra Maidan in Gwalior.

Conclusion

Across different geographical regions, festivals and traditional rituals serve as vital conduits for fostering cultural exchange and advancing diplomatic ties. In India, Dussehra is one such significant occasion when descendants of former royal families organise traditional ceremonies and engage directly with the public of their regions.

Gwalior provides an excellent illustration of this, where the head of the royal family—bearing the title of ‘Maharaja’—dons traditional Maratha attire. He greets citizens in a dual capacity: as a Union Minister and as the custodian of Maratha cultural heritage. These traditional rituals form an essential part of the national identity of many nations and prove highly instrumental in advancing India’s civilisational diplomacy.