Key Highlights at a Glance
• The world’s tallest full-body statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is nearing completion in Moshi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune. The monument, including its 40-foot pedestal, stands an awe-inspiring 180 feet tall and is already being hailed as a new landmark that will inspire generations.
• The statue, commissioned by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and conceived by BJP MLA Mahesh Landge, is dedicated to Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj, renowned for his fierce valor and role in the Maratha empire.
• Padma Bhushan awardee sculptor Ram Sutar and author Dr. Vishwas Patil are overseeing this ambitious project, ensuring top-tier craftsmanship and historical sensibility.
Icons and Ideals: What Makes This Statue Special
• Crafted entirely of bronze in a specialist workshop in Delhi, the 140-foot statue is a feat of modern engineering and artistry. It is currently being assembled at its site in Moshi.
• The memorial’s design and structural integrity have been developed with expertise from IIT Mumbai, while the structural assembly is rigorously supervised for maximum safety and longevity.
• Located near the PMRDA International Exhibition Center, the project site was shifted from its previous location to improve the monument’s visibility from the busy Pune-Nashik Highway and to enhance its significance and accessibility for citizens and visitors alike.
• The installation sits on a vast 2.5-acre campus, which will also feature a 10-foot statue of Hambirrao Mohite and 16 statues of key Maratha sardars and mavlas, expanding its historical narrative beyond Sambhaji Maharaj.
• The campus will include landmark additions such as an open-air theater, bronze murals, a holographic presentation hall, and spaces for immersive educational and cultural experiences that bring Maratha history alive for all age groups.
Stakeholders and Community Pride
• The initiative, guided by PCMC and strengthened by involvement from civic engineers, municipal authorities, and revered experts, is closely monitored to ensure transparency and quality.
• The inauguration and crown worship (mukut poojan) ceremony earlier this month drew hundreds, reflecting the shared pride of Pimpri-Chinchwad and Maharashtra at large.
• Regular supervision by IIT Mumbai and continuous technical evaluation by renowned structural engineering firms guarantees the monument’s enduring strength and safety, dispelling rumors and misinformation circulating on social media about supposed cracks.
• Padma Bhushan sculptor Ram Sutar—best known for the Statue of Unity—has infused the project with his signature quality, while historical authenticity is guaranteed by author and historian Dr. Vishwas Patil.
The Cultural and Civic Impact
• This ambitious memorial, with a project cost crossing Rs 40 crore, is more than an architectural marvel. It is envisaged as a living heritage site and a torchbearer of Maratha valor and values, aiming to inspire both present and future generations.
• The statue will serve as both a tourist magnet and a center for cultural learning, drawing history enthusiasts, scholars, and ordinary citizens who want to engage with India’s dynamic past.
• By commemorating Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice and indomitable spirit, the project seeks to enrich the city’s identity and keep the memory of Maratha resistance and leadership alive for centuries to come.
The Road Ahead
• With the majority of fabrication complete and the structural installation now in its final stages, the 140-foot-tall Sambhaji Maharaj statue is expected to be inaugurated in the coming months. As the pieces are welded together onsite, the entire monument takes shape at a breathtaking pace, watched closely by both engineers and the public.
• When completed, it will be Pune’s grandest landmark—a towering tribute to history, courage, and an undying passion for cultural preservation.
Source names: Free Press Journal, Indian Express, Times of India, The Bridge Chronicle, Pune Pulse.
