Raigad, April 12 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, saying that he was a child who, with his indomitable courage and determination, gave the mantra of Swaraj to the entire country.

He further stated that today, after 75 years of independence, the country stood before the world with its head held high and pledged that India would accomplish Shivaji's vision and soon be at number one in the world.

"Neither luck was with him (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) nor was the past with him; neither did he have money or an army. A child with his indomitable courage and determination gave Swaraj's mantra to the entire country. In no time, he shattered the 200-year-old Mughal rule and freed the country... ...