Khushi Kesari and Shivani Singh presented their research paper at the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)-sponsored National Seminar “Shivaji in History, Memory and Strategic Studies”, organised by the Centre for Historical Studies, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, on 19–20 February 2026.
The two-day seminar brought together scholars and domain experts to examine Shivaji’s legacy through themes of history, memory, governance, and strategic thought. The event featured plenary and keynote sessions by distinguished speakers including Prof. Santishree Pandit Dhulipudi Pandit (Vice-Chancellor, JNU), Prof. Heeraman Tiwari (Chairperson, Centre for Historical Studies), Commodore Srikant Kesnur (Retd.), Brigadier Karan Khajuria, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Prof. Vivek Kumar and Prof. Shuchi Yadav.
Their paper, “The Balance of Power: Law, Justice, and Administration Under Shivaji and Sambhaji,” examined the judicial and administrative frameworks of the early Maratha state, arguing that law and justice functioned not merely as governance tools but as strategic mechanisms for legitimacy, conflict management, and state consolidation. Moving beyond conventional military and political narratives, the study highlighted how accessible justice, protection of vulnerable groups, decentralised dispute resolution, and administrative accountability helped strengthen public trust and stabilise authority during periods of warfare and political uncertainty. The paper also situated these practices within the broader context of early modern state formation and drew connections to contemporary debates on judicial efficiency, institutional credibility, and the relationship between justice delivery and state legitimacy.
