Was Shivaji Maharaj Vegetarian?

 There is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not Shivaji Maharaj was a vegetarian. There is no historical evidence that explicitly states his dietary preferences, and there are conflicting accounts from different sources.

Some sources claim that Shivaji Maharaj was a pure vegetarian, while others claim that he ate meat on occasion. There is also a theory that he may have adopted a vegetarian diet later in life.

One piece of evidence that is often cited to support the claim that Shivaji Maharaj was a vegetarian is the fact that he was a devotee of the Hindu saint Samarth Ramdas, who was a vegetarian himself. However, it is important to note that not all devotees of Samarth Ramdas are vegetarian, and it is possible that Shivaji Maharaj may have followed a different diet.

Another piece of evidence that is sometimes cited is the fact that Shivaji Maharaj was a Maratha Kshatriya, and Kshatriyas are traditionally allowed to eat meat. However, it is also important to note that not all Kshatriyas are non-vegetarian, and it is possible that Shivaji Maharaj may have chosen to abstain from meat for personal or religious reasons.

Ultimately, there is no way to know for sure whether or not Shivaji Maharaj was a vegetarian. The available evidence is inconclusive, and it is up to each individual to decide what they believe.

It is also important to note that the question of whether or not Shivaji Maharaj was a vegetarian is not a particularly important one. His greatness as a warrior and a leader is not diminished by his dietary preferences.