Pune | Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as well as Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary on Monday at Shivneri Fort in Pune.

The legendary warrior king was born in 1630 in Shivneri in the district's Junnar tehsil.

Shinde and the two deputy CMs attended various programmes to mark the occasion, including the 'cradle ceremony' at the fort.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Shinde lauded the contribution of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said he was an able administrator and king of commoners (Rayatecha Raja ).

Shinde said the nomination of 11 forts from Maharashtra in the UNESCO World Heritage sites by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a matter of pride for the state.

"It is our responsibility to preserve the forts in the state, which are our heritage and legacy," he said.

The development work of Shivneri Fort and Junnar tehsil is underway on the lines of Raigad Fort with tourism being a primary aim, the CM said.

Speaking about the Maratha quota, Shinde said his government has convened a special session of the Maharashtra Legislature for Maratha quota.

The aim would be to provide sustainable quota to the community without it affecting benefits of other communities, he asserted.

A large number of followers of the emperor are expected to gather at Shivneri Fort throughout the day to pay tribute.