Shivaji - Son Of India: Chronicles Of A Mighty Maratha

Author Ranjeet Salvi feels that this book, intensively researched over a period of twenty years, is a must-read for all. The story is about the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji was born with the sole purpose of resurrecting Hinduism in the Deccan, in the 17th century, after nearly 350 years of bludgeoning tyranny in the wake of the first infiltration into the Deccan by Alauddin Khilji at the end of the 13th century; the Deccan region had been ruthlessly devastated and ground to dust by the Muslim rulers. Shivaji achieved this gargantuan task in a short span of thirty-five years, restoring the mangled self-esteem of the Hindus.

The no-holds-barred saga is the author's understanding of the great warrior king through his deep research of the anecdotes, folklore, and narratives passed on over generations, which combine to define Shivaji's divine personality. This book should be read as a story paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and not a historical rendering as such. The author also brings to the attention of the readers many episodes showcasing Shivaji's great respect and regard for women. The anecdotes have been taken from various publications on the subject by eminent historians like Jadunath Sarkar and Grant Duff, and writers like Babasaheb Purandare, Ranjit Desai, Shivaji Sawant, Nath Madhav, and Abraham Eraly. Many of these are written and published in Marathi. This book is one of the few that have been written in English for those who wish to discover more about this valiant Maratha in this international language.

Ranjeet's love for this great warrior king and his unflinching dedication to such a daunting task is laudable. Passion never fails to be a driving force for writers of his ilk.