Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TOI
Context: The Indian Navy has unveiled new epaulettes for Admirals, inspired by the naval ensign and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rajmudra, as part of an initiative to reflect India’s rich maritime heritage and move away from British nomenclature.
- The design features an octagon, a golden navy button top, an Indian sword, a crossed telescope, and stars denoting ranks.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Rajmudra is a royal seal and symbol of his dream of a Maratha Swarajya.
The seal includes Sanskrit inscriptions that express Shivaji’s gratitude to his father and his commitment to ruling his land independently and the welfare of his subjects.
The Rajmudra’s text is in Sanskrit, unlike other royal seals from the time, which were usually carved in Persian. The Rajmudra’s meaning is “The glory of this Mudra of Shahaji’s son Shivaji (Maharaj) will grow like the first-day moon. It will be worshipped by the world and it will shine only for well well-being of people”.
