Shivaji's Statue Unveiled at 14,300 Feet Near LAC
India-China Border: In a symbolic gesture to honor India’s military legacy, the Indian Army has installed a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the revered Maratha warrior, at an altitude of 14,300 feet on the bank of Pangong Lake. This region is strategically located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the eastern Ladakh sector.
The Leh-based 14 Corps, also known as the Fire and Fury Corps, led the inauguration of the statue on Thursday. The unveiling ceremony was conducted by Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Corps.
The statue, a towering symbol of valour, vision, and unwavering justice, aims to celebrate the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji, whose “unwavering spirit” continues to inspire generations, according to the 14 Corps.
The Army’s initiative to install the statue is part of broader efforts to integrate India’s ancient strategic acumen into modern military practices.
The statue’s inauguration comes just weeks after India and China completed the disengagement process at the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang, marking the end of a nearly four-and-a-half-year-long border standoff. This standoff had erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. The disengagement was completed after a series of military and diplomatic talks between the two nations, further signaling a step towards peace and stability in the region.
