Shivaji didn't loot Surat, says Modi

Says the Maratha warrior looted Aurangazeb's treasure with help of local people which was used for welfare of the common man

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today said Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had not looted Surat, but plundered Mughal emperor Aurangazeb's treasure in the city with the help of local people.

"Saying that Shivaji Maharaj looted Surat would be an insult to the Maratha warrior," said Modi during a function at the Raigad fort organised by Sangli-based foundation Shiv Pratishthan.

"He looted Aurangazeb's treasure with help of local people which was used for welfare of the common man," he said. A "distorted" image of Shivaji has been projected for long, Modi said.

"He is shown just as a warrior. But, Shivaji was an excellent administrator whose style of functioning is relevant even today. This aspect is ignored," he added.