Jaysingrao Pawar chosen for prestigious Rajarshi Shahu Puraskar

Kolhapur: The Rajarshi Shahu Puraskar-2026 will be conferred posthumously upon eminent historian Jaysingrao Pawar, who had recently passed away on March 26.

Pawar’s name was announced by district collector and president of Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Memorial Trust, Vijay Rathod, on Thursday.

The ceremony to confer the award will be held on June 26, the birth anniversary of the legendary king and social reformer. This year is 152nd birth anniversary of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. Pawar's family members will accept the award.

“Dr Jaysingrao Pawar was known for research in history, especially the Maratha period. Born in a farmers’ family in 1941, he went on to educate himself and earn a PhD from the Shivaji University Kolhapur. He was also the honorary director of Rajarshi Shahu Research Centre set up at SUK. He authored more than 40 books. Among them, the 1,250-page Rajarshi Shahu Smarak Granth is a milestone work. He was an authoritative voice on the Maratha period,” said Rathod.