Sambhaji


Book Description

About the Book A MASSIVE BESTSELLER THAT HAS SOLD OVER 1,00,000 COPIES IN MARATHI. Even as a child, Sambhaji has known he must stand alone. His mother died when he was barely two, and his father was always absent—chasing his own dream of ‘Swaraj’, fighting to keep the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb at bay. As the eldest son, Sambhaji is the true heir to Shivaji. He is valorous, wise and has the makings of a capable statesman. But there are dark forces at play in the palace. Shivaji’s other queen, Soyrabai, is scheming to place her son Rajaram on the throne, and she has the support of several ministers whose misdemeanours Sambhaji is determined to expose. On 3 April 1680, Shivaji dies unexpectedly, and it is finally time for Sambhaji to rise to the challenge. He must now fight Aurangzeb, who has spent twenty years trying to smoke out the ‘mountain rat’, and whose presence in the Deccan poses an increasingly grave threat to the Maratha empire. And what could be better than the enemy’s own brother-in-law willing to hand him the rat on a platter. Cinematic and ambitious in its scope, this is a keenly researched and splendidly executed period drama about one man’s struggle to preserve his father’s legacy and of the price extracted by the throne and the homeland.




Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813


Book Description

An analytical and critical account of the political history of early modern India from 1707 to 1813. The narrative shatters the contention of contemporary European writers that it was 'the dark age' of Indian history, characterised by 'political anarchy and misgovernment', until the British brought it under their sway. The main thesis of the author is that the period was marked by two distinct phases; the first phase, which lasted from 1707 to 1760, saw the rapid disintegration of the Mughal power and its replacement by the Maratha hegemony. Meanwhile, the English traders turned colonialists, after consolidating their hold along the Indian seacoasts and conquest of 'Carnatic' and Bengal, challenged the Maratha hegemony. The second phase of developments was thus marked by the struggle for supremacy between these two powers. The author makes use of contemporary English and Marathi sources and the intensive researches of modern historians to portray a compact picture of their findings in the form of a text book for the benefit of the degree students. Historical facts are reinterpreted through illuminating expositions, refreshing characterisation of historic personalities, and objective assessment of events and movements. Together with maps, a select bibliography, glossary and an elaborate index, the volume makes a rich contribution to the advancement of modern historical literature.




The Life and Death of Sambhaji


Book Description

It begins to dawn on the nine-year-old Sambhaji that his father has fled from the clutches of the Mughal badshah Aurangzeb and left him behind. He must now find his way back home with the help of strangers . . . Under the shadow of an illustrious father, Sambhaji finds himself thrust into the Maratha-Mughal conflict from a tender age. His mistakes cost him dearly and when his father suddenly dies and he becomes the chhatrapati, it is as if he has inherited a crown of thorns. In the nine years that follow, he faces a constant battle-internally, as palace intrigues simmer to kill him, and externally, as Aurangzeb descends on the Deccan with full military force. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji had never faced a full-blown Mughal aggression. Will he be able to protect the Maratha nation and Swaraj that was his father's dream? Will he prove to be a worthy son to his father-in life as well as in death? History has been unfair to Sambhaji, but it can't deny that he inspired a generation of Maratha warriors, who eventually ensured the end of Aurangzeb's jihad.




Chhatrapati Shivaji


Book Description

Not only in Indian history but in the international history also Shivaji’s personality is incomparable and extraordinary. His life was an ideal combination of many virtues like understanding, dutifulness, good character, communal harmony etc. A complete assessment of Shivaji’s character and works can be a topic for research. Shivaji was the son of a simple jagirdar. He became the founder of the Maratha empire on his own strength. He added a new chapter in history and started a new age. Light is being thrown here on his virtues in brief.




The Marathas 1600-1818


Book Description

In this book, Dr Stewart Gordon presents a comprehensive history of one of the most colourful and least-understood kingdoms of India: the Maratha Empire. The empire was founded by Shivaji in the mid-seventeenth century, spread across most of India during the following century, and was conquered by the British in the nineteenth century. Using administrative documents of the Maratha polity, family papers and Histories of the Empire, Stewart Gordon explores the origin of the Marathas, their emergence as elite families, patterns of loyalty and strategies for maintaining legitimacy. He traces how the armies developed into European-style infantry and artillery and assesses the economics that funded the polity, especially taxation and credit. Finally the author considers the lasting effects the empire had on administrations, law and trade patterns of Central India, Gujarat and Maharashtra.




Chhatrapati Sambhaji


Book Description

On Sambhaji Raja, 1657-1689, son of Shivaji Raja, founder of the Maratha empire.










From the Death of Shivaji to the Death of Aurangzeb


Book Description

Shivaji, the great National Hero of the 17th century and Saviour of the Hindu Society from certain doom, has been unfortunately forgotten by the 20th century Hindu Community in the name of modernism and secularism. The multifarious, social, political, economic and religious problems that India faces today even fifty years of our existence as an independent nation is entirely because of the fact that we have refused to follow the example of Shivaji the Great in the business of national rebuilding. This book tells you not only about the glorious struggle which followed Shivaji’s death but also analyses how Shivaji is relevant even today and shall always remain so far our country




Great Kings in The World


Book Description

India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of history and heritage. Many great rulers have been born in our country in the history of the world. The list in this book covers the kings who ruled India and other countries from BC to modern India. The list may include some names who were not kings in the traditional sense , but who played important roles in their kingdoms. beautiful country , India , is the most populous democracy in the whole world. This vibrant democracy is run with the help of a heavy political and executive machinery. From around 600 BC the country has seen the ups and downs of various empires and many great rulers were needed to ensure proper governance of this vast land. Needless to say , India has a vibrant history filled with fascinating tales of empires and rulers. Here is a list of some such great rulers. These mighty rulers and their regimes provide a glimpse into India's turbulent but glorious past. Our great nation also came under fire from several Venab emperors , including Cyrus the Great and of course the Persian Achaemenids led by Alexander the Great. Over the years, various kingdoms emerged here , remnants of some of which still exist. And in these states, there are some states which have had a deep impact on the history and culture of India. There are many kings and kingdoms that the world has seen. So it is not possible to give a straight answer to the greatest king of all time as he has to face various situations and circumstances and even betrayals before the rise of his kingdom. But in my opinion the list of kings in this book are the greatest kings the world has ever seen.