Shivaji University, (Marathi: शिवाजी विद्यापीठ) established in 1962, is located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. It is best known for its literature, arts, commerce and science departments, as well as biotechnology and environmental studies in Maharashtra. The University is named after Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire. It was inaugurated on 18 November 1962 by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, then the President of India. Yashwantrao Chavan and Balasaheb Desai took the lead in establishing this University. Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangli, and Satara come under its jurisdiction. One of the major objectives behind foundation of this University was to cater to the regional needs of South Maharashtra. This region of Maharashtra boasts of rich and varied socio-cultural heritage. Under the innovative and socially reformist leadership of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the princely ruler of Kolhapur, the city had become at the beginning of this century, a focal point of educational opportunities for all classes and communities of South-Western Maharashtra, and northern parts of neighbouring Karnataka.