Originally it was upon the great days of the Poona Peshwas that Tilak had laid the chief stress, and he may possibly have discovered that theirs were not after all names to conjure with amongst non-Brahman Mahrattas, who had suffered heavily enough at their hands.

At any rate, Tilak brought Shivaji to the forefront and set in motion a great "national" propaganda which culminated in 1895 in the celebration at all the chief centres of Brahman activity in the Deccan of Shivaji's reputed birthday, the principal commemoration being held under Tilak's own presidency at Raighar, where the Mahratta chieftain had himself been crowned.

What was the purpose and significance of this movement may be gathered from a _Shlok_ or sacred poem improvised on this occasion by one of Tilak's disciples who to acquire sinister notoriety.
Let us be prompt like Shivaji to engage in desperate enterprises.
Take up your swords and shields and we shall cut off countless heads of enemies.

Listen! Though we shall have to risk our lives in a national war, we shall assuredly shed the life-blood of our enemies.
It was on the occasion of the Shivaji "coronation festivities" that the right--nay, the duty--to commit murder for political purposes was first publicly expounded.

With Tilak in the chair, a Brahman professor got up to vindicate Shivaji's bloody deed:-- Who dares to call that man a murderer who, when only nine years old, had received Divine inspiration not to bow down before a Mahomedan Emperor?
Who dares to condemn Shivaji for disregarding a minor duty in the performance of a major one?
Had Shivaji committed five or fifty crimes more terrible, I would have been equally ready to prostrate myself not once but one hundred times before the image of our lord Shivaji ...