Deccan Brahmins refused Shivaji’s Vedic coronation, doubting his Kshatriya status.

Evidence

59 In 1674, the Deccan Brahmins refused to allow the coronation of Shivaji, the Maratha king (1627/30–80), according to Vedic rites. They doubted his Kshatriya origins and saw him as a Shudra claimant. As Rao (2009, 42) says: “A Brahmin from Benares, Gaga Bhatta, supported Shivaji’s claim to Kshatriya status after much persuasion and traced the Bhosle lineage to the Sisodia Rajputs of Udaipur.” Gaga Bhatta is also said to have charged a hefty fee for legitimising Shivaji’s claim. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1083

Categorization

• QUESTION: The fee charged by Gaga Bhatta for legitimizing Shivaji’s claim is worth chasing — it suggests Brahmin legitimation was a purchasable commodity, which relates to the caste-annihilation theme.
• XREF: Connects to the general pattern of Brahmins as gatekeepers of ritual status, gatekeeping power that Ambedkar attacks throughout AoC.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1083