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श्रीमान योगी [Shriman Yogi]
Shrimanyogi is a biographical work on the life and the achievements of the great Maratha king, Chatrapathi Shivaji. Shivaji has been a legendary figure in the Indian history.
Shivaji was one of the major influences on the revival of nationalism and Hindu culture during a period when centuries of rule by Muslim invaders had induced a condition of apathy and indifference in the people.
Over the years, many legends have been added to Shivaji’s life, and it is hard to filter out these embellishments and just focus on the facts.
The author has done his best to build this book just on facts. And the facts alone are interesting enough to highlight the achievements of this legendary king.
Shivaji was a man who built a dynasty starting from nothing. His motivations were always immense pride in his culture and love for his motherland. However, he was not a bigot and treated all his subjects equally well, irrespective of their religion and other divisions. His battles were mostly with Muslim rulers, but he never showed any animosity towards the Muslim inhabitants of his kingdom.
The author has presented Shivaji as he really was, with no embellishments. Shivaji was a dynamic leader, a warrior, and a nobleman. He was religious without being fanatic, he was a believer, but not superstitious, he was courageous but not foolish. He was a visionary who dreamt of building a Hindu kingdom in a region that was surrounded by Muslim dynasties. Yet, he was extremely practical.
Shivaji was a courageous warrior and a great tactician. At the same time, he was also a very good administrator and the kingdom he was building up became stronger under his rule. He suffered many defeats too, but he never gave up his vision, and ultimately, he did succeed in making his dream a reality.
The author, in this book, has captured all the different facets of Shivaji’s personality that contributed towards this legacy, and thus gives the reader a sense of involvement in the events taking place in the story.
Shivaji was one of the major influences on the revival of nationalism and Hindu culture during a period when centuries of rule by Muslim invaders had induced a condition of apathy and indifference in the people.
Over the years, many legends have been added to Shivaji’s life, and it is hard to filter out these embellishments and just focus on the facts.
The author has done his best to build this book just on facts. And the facts alone are interesting enough to highlight the achievements of this legendary king.
Shivaji was a man who built a dynasty starting from nothing. His motivations were always immense pride in his culture and love for his motherland. However, he was not a bigot and treated all his subjects equally well, irrespective of their religion and other divisions. His battles were mostly with Muslim rulers, but he never showed any animosity towards the Muslim inhabitants of his kingdom.
The author has presented Shivaji as he really was, with no embellishments. Shivaji was a dynamic leader, a warrior, and a nobleman. He was religious without being fanatic, he was a believer, but not superstitious, he was courageous but not foolish. He was a visionary who dreamt of building a Hindu kingdom in a region that was surrounded by Muslim dynasties. Yet, he was extremely practical.
Shivaji was a courageous warrior and a great tactician. At the same time, he was also a very good administrator and the kingdom he was building up became stronger under his rule. He suffered many defeats too, but he never gave up his vision, and ultimately, he did succeed in making his dream a reality.
The author, in this book, has captured all the different facets of Shivaji’s personality that contributed towards this legacy, and thus gives the reader a sense of involvement in the events taking place in the story.
1190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
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May 22, 2021
Wonderful book to read about Chhatrapati Shivaji and his personality. The book shows the depths to which the author has gone to find details about the life of the Great Shivaji Maharaj. A fabulous read about life of Shivaji Maharaj, depicted with every minute detail of his personal life, warfare, his bonding with subordinates. This book make you understand about Shivaji Maharaj, his Nature and how he build Maratha Empire.
The way the book is written by Ranjit Desai is awesome, while reading book whole history play in front of your eyes and you just feel you are with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his Life Journey. He has the nack of capturing the right essence of the scene just through powerful dialogues and words, and the whole appears live in front of the reader. Each and every scene is explained in details, this shows how much research writer has done while writing this book. The author traveled to all the places historically important to Chhatrapati Shivaji’s narratives to get first hand impression of the surroundings. He even met people who showed weapons that were use during that time. The author has done a commendable job of bringing to the readers viewpoint that even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a human being of flesh and blood. Desai took 4 years researching this book.
This book starts out a bit slow, but draws you in as the story progresses. This books take a look at the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It doesn't potray him as a God but a human being who overcame tremendous odds to set an example for generations to come. He established an independent kingdom of his own stretching from Salher and Ahiwant in the West Khandesh to Tanjore on the Kaveri, with unchallenged supremacy, erecting for its defense hundreds of forts and several sea bases with extensive market places. He welded the scattered elements of his people into united body and with their help accomplished his main object.
As I was reading I was so taken by the exploits of the man and soon an image developed in my mind. Here was a king; a multifaceted, multi talented and a complete man. He was not only an ideal ruler and a great leader in war, but also good administrator. While he was deeply religious, he was secular and allowed other religions to flourish.
Highly recommended for anybody with an interest in history.
This book is also available in Hindi and Marathi goes by the name of श्रीमन योगी(Shreeman Yogi). Those who are interested in reading non fiction account of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Do read.
1. Shivaji and His Times by Jadunath Sarkar
2. Shivaji His Life and Times by Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale
Jai Bhavani!
Jai Shivaji!
The way the book is written by Ranjit Desai is awesome, while reading book whole history play in front of your eyes and you just feel you are with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his Life Journey. He has the nack of capturing the right essence of the scene just through powerful dialogues and words, and the whole appears live in front of the reader. Each and every scene is explained in details, this shows how much research writer has done while writing this book. The author traveled to all the places historically important to Chhatrapati Shivaji’s narratives to get first hand impression of the surroundings. He even met people who showed weapons that were use during that time. The author has done a commendable job of bringing to the readers viewpoint that even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a human being of flesh and blood. Desai took 4 years researching this book.
This book starts out a bit slow, but draws you in as the story progresses. This books take a look at the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It doesn't potray him as a God but a human being who overcame tremendous odds to set an example for generations to come. He established an independent kingdom of his own stretching from Salher and Ahiwant in the West Khandesh to Tanjore on the Kaveri, with unchallenged supremacy, erecting for its defense hundreds of forts and several sea bases with extensive market places. He welded the scattered elements of his people into united body and with their help accomplished his main object.
As I was reading I was so taken by the exploits of the man and soon an image developed in my mind. Here was a king; a multifaceted, multi talented and a complete man. He was not only an ideal ruler and a great leader in war, but also good administrator. While he was deeply religious, he was secular and allowed other religions to flourish.
Highly recommended for anybody with an interest in history.
This book is also available in Hindi and Marathi goes by the name of श्रीमन योगी(Shreeman Yogi). Those who are interested in reading non fiction account of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Do read.
1. Shivaji and His Times by Jadunath Sarkar
2. Shivaji His Life and Times by Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale
Jai Bhavani!
Jai Shivaji!
December 11, 2011
http://avadhutrecommends.wordpress.com/
Language – Marathi/English
My Rating – 5/5
Summary –
Shreeman Yogi is a historical novel depicting life of Chatrapati Shivaji. Scripted by Ranjit Desai, the celebrated Marathi author, Shreeman Yogi along with Swami is considered as the best among his works.
Review –
Being a Maharashtrian it is extremely difficult for me to critically review any work on the life of Shivaji. Shivaji is revered by us as the greatest among the Indian kings. So rather than writing about how Shreeman Yogi elucidates his greatness, I am going to write about how it helps us understand “How small Shivaji was?” This is going to be a very long post but I sincerely urge you to read on.
How Small Shivaji Was?
Shivaji created a kingdom. History remembers him as the creator of the Maratha dynasty. There are at least 500 known dynasties in India. All had founders. Shivaji is one of them. So how is he different? Almost all the realms were created by exploiting the political turmoil of their time. A strong satrap of a weak king forms his own kingdom, a powerful general or minister dethrones an inept king and starts his own monarchy. This has always been the route of all the founders right from Chandragupta Maurya. They get ready made royal army, administration and other functionaries. But is there someone like Shivaji who had to build his kingdom from the scratch?, someone who did not get a ready made army of thousands of trained soldiers but had to build it brick by brick from among the peasants and the moment he started his efforts, his tiny kingdom was attacked by formidable enemies. Shivaji’s neighbours – the Adilshah and the Kutubshah were not in decline but on ascend. It was the period of its biggest expansion for Bijapur. Before Shivaji, Adilshah had absorbed half the kingdom of Ahmadnagar and during Shivaji’s lifetime the entire Karnataka. This was the period of the greatest glory of the great Mughal Empire. Shivaji never had powers to defeat his enemies in a straight one to one battle. Whatever he created in 20 painstaking years, he lost in 4 months in 1665. In spite of that, after 30 years of toil he created a dynasty. Give me a king in Indian history to compare with Shivaji on these grounds.
Hindu kingdoms had certain peculiarities. They won battles. But that did not mean the enemy was vanquished. That did not mean either that the victor’s kingdom increased in size. In fact it normally meant the powers of the Hindu king got diminished. So annihilation in defeat and loss of strength in triumph was the norm. (Remember the battle of Talikota that destroyed the Vijaynagar Empire or the battle of Devagiri that spelt the death knell for the Yadav Empire). Expansion of rule and strength with every new conquest, sustaining force and grit in defeat, this new history started with Shivaji. Normally Hindu kings were unaware about the moves of enemies. So the enemy will attack and march in their kingdom, destroy the crops and even if defeated will retreat to its own land safely. This history changes from Shivaji. He was always vigilant and carried surprise attacks in enemy territories. Third thing that changed with Shivaji was trust shown in adversaries. Hindu kings made pacts and their enemies back stabbed them. Shivaji ensnared his rivals, ambushed them and stunned the world. Once I find a couple of kings like this, I can easily compare them with Shivaji and tell you how small he was.
Shivaji was a believer in religion but not a fanatic. He was tough but not cruel. He was audacious but not reckless. He was idealist but not a day dreamer. He was visionary but pragmatic enough to translate his vision into reality. He lived with grandeur but was not profligate. He was tolerant of other faiths. You can easily compare him with Ashok, Harsh and Akbar for his tolerance. But unlike others Shivaji indulged neither in beauty nor in arts. Patronising paintings, architecture, music, poetry and of course beautiful women was never his élan. He did not have money to build great monuments. He never had time for them nor was it his inclination. Shivaji did not have the panache to build Taj Mahal by spending 20 crores with the power of hunter when millions were dying in famine. He was not devout and pious enough to build temples and inns for the pilgrims while British were slowly swallowing India. He was a “sinner” and “materialistic” – just like you and me. Khafi Khan, Aurangzeb’s biographer says Shivaji went to hell. Yes. I totally agree with him. Shivaji definitely went to hell. I don’t think he would have enjoyed the company of great kings who preferred to die a martyr rather than being alive and fight again, Kings who relished performing Yadnyas and other religious ceremonies than constantly striving to expand their kingdom. And all of them are in heaven.
Akbar is praised for his tolerance towards Hindus. Remember, Hindus were majority in his kingdom. They were paying taxes, were his army, dying for his kingdom. Hindus did not have the history of violence and attack on other faiths, they neither raped nor massacred. A stable system cannot be built without appeasing majority. In contrast, Muslims were a tiny minority in Shivaji’s domain. They were not source of his revenue. They did not form his army. His enemies were Muslim dynasties constantly on the lookout to annex his kingdom. Aurangzeb was imposing Jizya and yet Shivaji treated Muslims with respect. Not out of fear but due to his benevolence.
No doubt Shivaji was a great general, but he was an equally able administrator. He fought many battles but never levied any extra taxes on his subjects. He built new forts and settlements, offered provisions to farmers, created panchang and vyavaharkosh, reconverted Hindus who were forcefully converted. The irony is neither his friends nor his followers ever understood him. (This is true even today). The only person who truly understood Shivaji was Aurangzeb.
Shivaji created a navy. During his times Portuguese were the main foreign power. All the Indian kings felt the brunt of Portuguese navy and yet it was only Shivaji who built a formidable navy of his own. He constructed many sea forts and even fortified the islands of Khanderi and Underi so as to keep a watch on British activities in Mumbai.
The most important point in my opinion is his subjects fought for 27 years after his death. After Shivaji, for 9 years under the command of Sambhaji, his eldest son and after Sambhaji was killed for next 18 years almost on their own. During these 27 years they could never defeat Aurangzeb. Marathas never had that power. There was a period when the kingdom was in complete disarray, The King (Rajaram, Shivaji’s second son) was in south, The Prince (Shahu, Sambhaji’s son) and his mother were Mughal hostages and the capital, Raigad was under Mughal dominion. Still Marathas kept fighting. For 27 long years Aurangzeb toiled in the ranges of Sahyadri. He won all the battles and yet lost the war. After 27 long and painful years all he could achieve was to see half a million Mughals killed, crores of rupees blown and the once mighty Mughal Empire crumbling. Every day of his life Aurangzeb must have cursed himself for not killing Shivaji in Agra. People fought against Ashok to save Kalinga. People fought again in 4th century for the kingdom of Youdheya. 1200 years later, people fought once again for Shivaji’s kingdom. Why was this? Was it a fight for their religion? But then why did not people fight for Prithviraj Chauhan and Rana Pratap? I think the real reason is Shivaji gave his people the self-confidence that they can fight. He invented the technique of hit and run. He established the principle of hit, run, survive, sustain, reorganise and hit again instead of fighting and dying for false glory. He founded a kingdom based on justice and looked after the well-being of his people. Religion comes third.
These are the benchmarks on which I want to compare Shivaji. But with whom should I compare him? Where is that yardstick? Once I find someone I will easily tell you How Small Shivaji Was.
Language – Marathi/English
My Rating – 5/5
Summary –
Shreeman Yogi is a historical novel depicting life of Chatrapati Shivaji. Scripted by Ranjit Desai, the celebrated Marathi author, Shreeman Yogi along with Swami is considered as the best among his works.
Review –
Being a Maharashtrian it is extremely difficult for me to critically review any work on the life of Shivaji. Shivaji is revered by us as the greatest among the Indian kings. So rather than writing about how Shreeman Yogi elucidates his greatness, I am going to write about how it helps us understand “How small Shivaji was?” This is going to be a very long post but I sincerely urge you to read on.
How Small Shivaji Was?
Shivaji created a kingdom. History remembers him as the creator of the Maratha dynasty. There are at least 500 known dynasties in India. All had founders. Shivaji is one of them. So how is he different? Almost all the realms were created by exploiting the political turmoil of their time. A strong satrap of a weak king forms his own kingdom, a powerful general or minister dethrones an inept king and starts his own monarchy. This has always been the route of all the founders right from Chandragupta Maurya. They get ready made royal army, administration and other functionaries. But is there someone like Shivaji who had to build his kingdom from the scratch?, someone who did not get a ready made army of thousands of trained soldiers but had to build it brick by brick from among the peasants and the moment he started his efforts, his tiny kingdom was attacked by formidable enemies. Shivaji’s neighbours – the Adilshah and the Kutubshah were not in decline but on ascend. It was the period of its biggest expansion for Bijapur. Before Shivaji, Adilshah had absorbed half the kingdom of Ahmadnagar and during Shivaji’s lifetime the entire Karnataka. This was the period of the greatest glory of the great Mughal Empire. Shivaji never had powers to defeat his enemies in a straight one to one battle. Whatever he created in 20 painstaking years, he lost in 4 months in 1665. In spite of that, after 30 years of toil he created a dynasty. Give me a king in Indian history to compare with Shivaji on these grounds.
Hindu kingdoms had certain peculiarities. They won battles. But that did not mean the enemy was vanquished. That did not mean either that the victor’s kingdom increased in size. In fact it normally meant the powers of the Hindu king got diminished. So annihilation in defeat and loss of strength in triumph was the norm. (Remember the battle of Talikota that destroyed the Vijaynagar Empire or the battle of Devagiri that spelt the death knell for the Yadav Empire). Expansion of rule and strength with every new conquest, sustaining force and grit in defeat, this new history started with Shivaji. Normally Hindu kings were unaware about the moves of enemies. So the enemy will attack and march in their kingdom, destroy the crops and even if defeated will retreat to its own land safely. This history changes from Shivaji. He was always vigilant and carried surprise attacks in enemy territories. Third thing that changed with Shivaji was trust shown in adversaries. Hindu kings made pacts and their enemies back stabbed them. Shivaji ensnared his rivals, ambushed them and stunned the world. Once I find a couple of kings like this, I can easily compare them with Shivaji and tell you how small he was.
Shivaji was a believer in religion but not a fanatic. He was tough but not cruel. He was audacious but not reckless. He was idealist but not a day dreamer. He was visionary but pragmatic enough to translate his vision into reality. He lived with grandeur but was not profligate. He was tolerant of other faiths. You can easily compare him with Ashok, Harsh and Akbar for his tolerance. But unlike others Shivaji indulged neither in beauty nor in arts. Patronising paintings, architecture, music, poetry and of course beautiful women was never his élan. He did not have money to build great monuments. He never had time for them nor was it his inclination. Shivaji did not have the panache to build Taj Mahal by spending 20 crores with the power of hunter when millions were dying in famine. He was not devout and pious enough to build temples and inns for the pilgrims while British were slowly swallowing India. He was a “sinner” and “materialistic” – just like you and me. Khafi Khan, Aurangzeb’s biographer says Shivaji went to hell. Yes. I totally agree with him. Shivaji definitely went to hell. I don’t think he would have enjoyed the company of great kings who preferred to die a martyr rather than being alive and fight again, Kings who relished performing Yadnyas and other religious ceremonies than constantly striving to expand their kingdom. And all of them are in heaven.
Akbar is praised for his tolerance towards Hindus. Remember, Hindus were majority in his kingdom. They were paying taxes, were his army, dying for his kingdom. Hindus did not have the history of violence and attack on other faiths, they neither raped nor massacred. A stable system cannot be built without appeasing majority. In contrast, Muslims were a tiny minority in Shivaji’s domain. They were not source of his revenue. They did not form his army. His enemies were Muslim dynasties constantly on the lookout to annex his kingdom. Aurangzeb was imposing Jizya and yet Shivaji treated Muslims with respect. Not out of fear but due to his benevolence.
No doubt Shivaji was a great general, but he was an equally able administrator. He fought many battles but never levied any extra taxes on his subjects. He built new forts and settlements, offered provisions to farmers, created panchang and vyavaharkosh, reconverted Hindus who were forcefully converted. The irony is neither his friends nor his followers ever understood him. (This is true even today). The only person who truly understood Shivaji was Aurangzeb.
Shivaji created a navy. During his times Portuguese were the main foreign power. All the Indian kings felt the brunt of Portuguese navy and yet it was only Shivaji who built a formidable navy of his own. He constructed many sea forts and even fortified the islands of Khanderi and Underi so as to keep a watch on British activities in Mumbai.
The most important point in my opinion is his subjects fought for 27 years after his death. After Shivaji, for 9 years under the command of Sambhaji, his eldest son and after Sambhaji was killed for next 18 years almost on their own. During these 27 years they could never defeat Aurangzeb. Marathas never had that power. There was a period when the kingdom was in complete disarray, The King (Rajaram, Shivaji’s second son) was in south, The Prince (Shahu, Sambhaji’s son) and his mother were Mughal hostages and the capital, Raigad was under Mughal dominion. Still Marathas kept fighting. For 27 long years Aurangzeb toiled in the ranges of Sahyadri. He won all the battles and yet lost the war. After 27 long and painful years all he could achieve was to see half a million Mughals killed, crores of rupees blown and the once mighty Mughal Empire crumbling. Every day of his life Aurangzeb must have cursed himself for not killing Shivaji in Agra. People fought against Ashok to save Kalinga. People fought again in 4th century for the kingdom of Youdheya. 1200 years later, people fought once again for Shivaji’s kingdom. Why was this? Was it a fight for their religion? But then why did not people fight for Prithviraj Chauhan and Rana Pratap? I think the real reason is Shivaji gave his people the self-confidence that they can fight. He invented the technique of hit and run. He established the principle of hit, run, survive, sustain, reorganise and hit again instead of fighting and dying for false glory. He founded a kingdom based on justice and looked after the well-being of his people. Religion comes third.
These are the benchmarks on which I want to compare Shivaji. But with whom should I compare him? Where is that yardstick? Once I find someone I will easily tell you How Small Shivaji Was.
February 12, 2019
'There is no religion without compassion. In fact, without compassion there is no humanity.’
'Raje’s face. He said, ‘Could we not have used fewer gems? Each gem I see here reminds me of my gems in war, my companions in each battle—be it Tanaji, Suryaji, Murarbaji, Prataprao or Pangera! They far outshine the gems here.’
A great book which shows the journey of Shivaji from being an ambitious boy to becoming the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajah. Not only does the book show the insights of the Great Shivaji but also includes life's of the brave soldiers like Tanaji and many more who fought till their last breath to protect their land and people. ('The Fort is captured, but the Lion is dead')
Really appreciate the author for writing a book which makes the reader be a part of the story. For trying to include every detail of Shivaji Maharajah- (Childhood - personal life - warfare) A must read for anyone who wants to know more about Shivaji.
Thanks Ashish Iyer for recommending this. Couldn't keep the book down after starting it😊
'Raje’s face. He said, ‘Could we not have used fewer gems? Each gem I see here reminds me of my gems in war, my companions in each battle—be it Tanaji, Suryaji, Murarbaji, Prataprao or Pangera! They far outshine the gems here.’
A great book which shows the journey of Shivaji from being an ambitious boy to becoming the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajah. Not only does the book show the insights of the Great Shivaji but also includes life's of the brave soldiers like Tanaji and many more who fought till their last breath to protect their land and people. ('The Fort is captured, but the Lion is dead')
Really appreciate the author for writing a book which makes the reader be a part of the story. For trying to include every detail of Shivaji Maharajah- (Childhood - personal life - warfare) A must read for anyone who wants to know more about Shivaji.
Thanks Ashish Iyer for recommending this. Couldn't keep the book down after starting it😊
October 18, 2016
It is one thrilling ride.. through history and mystery !
What is the most charming facet of the book is its sensitivity. The way Ranjit Desai handles his pen is definitely as worthy as how the great Shivaji would have had handled his mighty sword.
This is an ode to the magnum-opus called Shivaji, not just as a king and a warrior but also as a person !
What is the most charming facet of the book is its sensitivity. The way Ranjit Desai handles his pen is definitely as worthy as how the great Shivaji would have had handled his mighty sword.
This is an ode to the magnum-opus called Shivaji, not just as a king and a warrior but also as a person !
November 29, 2012
no words to express...
अंगावर काटा येतो , रक्त उसळायला लागत ,आतून आवाज येतो हर हर महादेव !
red this book several times, first time red when i was in 4 std. , give me strength to fight against all odds...
अंगावर काटा येतो , रक्त उसळायला लागत ,आतून आवाज येतो हर हर महादेव !
red this book several times, first time red when i was in 4 std. , give me strength to fight against all odds...
May 7, 2020
This book covers entire life and struggles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to establish 'Hindavi Swaraj'(First concept of Hindu Rashtra). Apart from history, readers will get lessons on life and management such as:
- Benefits of bottom-up approach
- Gaining trust of lower rungs
- Considering suggestion from unexpected source (for e.g. Shivaji started to strengthen his forts from an poor wife of farmer)
- Strengthen and develop communication across organization (Shivaji had superb spying system)
- Appreciation and reward is a powerful motivator
- Appreciate and reward loyalty freely
- Analysis your enemy and future move etc.
- Power of resilience after every setback
There could be a good management book can be written on Shivaji's tactics.
It is really sad that Shivaji remains significant for Maratha. His model should be of studied pan India. It is equally sad in-spite of having such glorious kings like Shivaji, Ranapratap etc. future generation takes inspiration from foreign particles like Che, Mao, Lenin, Stalin.
Some books have been created to capture readers in pages or sometime in history and readers find difficult to descent in the daily turmoil of reality. This is such type of book to be read with this precaution.
- Benefits of bottom-up approach
- Gaining trust of lower rungs
- Considering suggestion from unexpected source (for e.g. Shivaji started to strengthen his forts from an poor wife of farmer)
- Strengthen and develop communication across organization (Shivaji had superb spying system)
- Appreciation and reward is a powerful motivator
- Appreciate and reward loyalty freely
- Analysis your enemy and future move etc.
- Power of resilience after every setback
There could be a good management book can be written on Shivaji's tactics.
It is really sad that Shivaji remains significant for Maratha. His model should be of studied pan India. It is equally sad in-spite of having such glorious kings like Shivaji, Ranapratap etc. future generation takes inspiration from foreign particles like Che, Mao, Lenin, Stalin.
Some books have been created to capture readers in pages or sometime in history and readers find difficult to descent in the daily turmoil of reality. This is such type of book to be read with this precaution.
February 19, 2021
Amazing...
August 25, 2020
This is a very poignant, engrossing, and beautifully written biographical novel on Chatrapati Shivaji's life and struggles. Originally written in Marathi, i read it in an old copy with Hindi translation.
Shivaji was a great man, a true Karmayogi who fought for Dharma and established an independent Hindu kingdom in the Deccan while simultaneously having to contend with the Adilshahis, the Qutbshahis, the Portuguese and English with their naval power, and of course the Mughals coming from the north. This was a period of great turmoil in Deccan region. After the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, which stood as the bastion of Hindu civilisation in Dakshin Bharat, large parts of south India slowly started coming into Muslim rule. It was during this time of Muslim domination that Shivaji maharaj rose to fight against the Mlecchas and laid the foundation for Hindavi Swarajya.
This biographical novel paints a beautiful picture of Shivaji from his birth,his journey through all his struggles, conquests, and failures until his death. It portrays a truly humane picture of Shivaji, not just as a king and a conqueror but also as a man, whether in the trials in his family life or with his temper that led him to making decisions that he would later come to regret.
Shivaji was also a great military strategist. While this book brushes upon his military and political tactics, it doesn't focus on them too much. I just wish that the battles were more dramatised and given more attention.
Shivaji was a great man, a true Karmayogi who fought for Dharma and established an independent Hindu kingdom in the Deccan while simultaneously having to contend with the Adilshahis, the Qutbshahis, the Portuguese and English with their naval power, and of course the Mughals coming from the north. This was a period of great turmoil in Deccan region. After the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, which stood as the bastion of Hindu civilisation in Dakshin Bharat, large parts of south India slowly started coming into Muslim rule. It was during this time of Muslim domination that Shivaji maharaj rose to fight against the Mlecchas and laid the foundation for Hindavi Swarajya.
This biographical novel paints a beautiful picture of Shivaji from his birth,his journey through all his struggles, conquests, and failures until his death. It portrays a truly humane picture of Shivaji, not just as a king and a conqueror but also as a man, whether in the trials in his family life or with his temper that led him to making decisions that he would later come to regret.
Shivaji was also a great military strategist. While this book brushes upon his military and political tactics, it doesn't focus on them too much. I just wish that the battles were more dramatised and given more attention.
March 8, 2021
Shivaji - The Great Maratha is an excellent amalgamation of History, Biography and Fiction by Ranjit Desai based on the life of a heroic warrior, saviour and a true king - Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
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There'd barely be a kid in Maharashtra who didn't grew up listening to the stories of the great Shivaji Maharaj! He was indeed a great leader, reformer and true son of the soil.
Ranjit Desai's Shivaji has story of Shivaji Maharaj right from their birth, highlighting each and every event carefully using History and research as a source and adding own imagination as a flair to bring forward this book.
Though fiction, this book is based on a lot of historical events in the life of Maharaj, his personal life and tragedies as well. Unfortunately, I would have loved to see sources attached at the end of the book. Disappointing but it's quite understandable since a lot of material has been written and rewritten about the life of a great persona such as Maharaj.
Vikrant Phande's translation is also apt and perfectly easy to understand thereby helping non-marathi readers.
The book gives out huge motivation, inspiration and helps us understand what it took to give us the soil we have built our houses on.
Truly Recommended to all.
Lastly, Shivaji Maharaj's struggle, his efforts, his heroic life is truly worth reading. Selfless but ambitious for his people, King who would get pained when his soldier would die, Compassionate with prisoners and as fierce as a Tiger - Salute to Raje!
Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji!
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There'd barely be a kid in Maharashtra who didn't grew up listening to the stories of the great Shivaji Maharaj! He was indeed a great leader, reformer and true son of the soil.
Ranjit Desai's Shivaji has story of Shivaji Maharaj right from their birth, highlighting each and every event carefully using History and research as a source and adding own imagination as a flair to bring forward this book.
Though fiction, this book is based on a lot of historical events in the life of Maharaj, his personal life and tragedies as well. Unfortunately, I would have loved to see sources attached at the end of the book. Disappointing but it's quite understandable since a lot of material has been written and rewritten about the life of a great persona such as Maharaj.
Vikrant Phande's translation is also apt and perfectly easy to understand thereby helping non-marathi readers.
The book gives out huge motivation, inspiration and helps us understand what it took to give us the soil we have built our houses on.
Truly Recommended to all.
Lastly, Shivaji Maharaj's struggle, his efforts, his heroic life is truly worth reading. Selfless but ambitious for his people, King who would get pained when his soldier would die, Compassionate with prisoners and as fierce as a Tiger - Salute to Raje!
Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji!
July 14, 2015
Heart touching saga of the great Maratha Warrior. A must read for every history lover.
March 10, 2021
A historical fiction on the life and campaigns of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja by the famous Marathi author Ranjit Desai. The author has done a fantastic job with his detailed research into the life of Shivaji and various other major characters of the time to create this masterpiece. Keeping true to the timelines, the various campaigns led by Raje, there outcomes, the socio-cultural, economic and political climate of the period; no facts, however trivial, have been overlooked. Through his story he gives us a complete picture of the personal and political life of Shivaji and his compelling personality. A young lad of fifteen going on his first battle after taking an oath to establish the Hindavi Swaraj, who could have imagined. Desai ji’s writing style is something to be talked about. He has woven a beautiful story on one of the most revered national hero of all time; and takes us through the majestic Sahyadri, the lush rivers, the lofty forts and the proud temples with Shivaji with his army of fearless warriors, on his campaigns to unite Bharatvarsh under the Saffron Flag. Vikrant Pande has done justice by translating the work in English without losing the essence of the narration which flows seamlessly.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough. Even if you don’t like to read history, do pick up this book and read it as a story and you wouldn’t find a single dull moment in this 750 odd pages magnum opus.
This is the second book by Ranjeet Desai ji that I've read. His other book The Fourth Peshwa is equally brilliant. And after this I'm looking forward to pick Sambhaji by Vishwas Patil. There are few more similar books on Maratha warriors that I am looking into.
Now my take on the story -
I have grown up on the stories of Shivaji Maharaja and other great revolutionaries who followed him. But this is my first deep-dive into the life of Shivaji. When we hear the name Shivaji, the few facts that instantly we associate with him are a proud Maratha King, a guerrilla warrior, the protector of the weaker sex, saints and downtrodden. However, this is only half the picture. Through the author’s eyes we see a man who was an exemplary leader, a master strategist, a cunning politician, an uncompromising patriot and a fine administrator. Shivaji nurtured talent, rewarded bravery, commanded respect and earned devotion of his followers. He epitomized hope for the persecuted Hindus. He not just won wars and gained forts, but he put in place fair governance structure to run the kingdoms. He ushered in change by abolishing a lot of religious or communal practices that ailed the society and hindered the progress of a unified and progressive Hindavi Swaraj. He brought together warring factions, sectarian leaders and powerful vassals under Muslim rulers to establish the Lord’s Kingdom by uniting the vast swathes of Bharatvarsh. He commanded such deep loyalty from his people that they would lay their lives down with a smile.
In his personal life, the bond that he shared with his mother Jijabai was unparalleled. The only similar example that comes to my mind of such relationship is that of Kunti and Pandavas of the Mahabharata. She was a constant in his life, his guide, his friend, his lodestar. However, the tragedy of his life was that the great Maratha warrior who could unite the divided communities of Hindu religion under one umbrella, couldn’t unite his household and curb the rising palace intrigues.
And it is another tragedy that Shivaji died shortly before he was to go on the most important campaign of his life, a war that he was preparing for throughout his life, a war that was the culmination of his decades long journey. It leaves us to wonder what would have been the fate of Bharatvarsh, had Shivaji lived to go to the war with the Mughal Emperor Arungazeb.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough. Even if you don’t like to read history, do pick up this book and read it as a story and you wouldn’t find a single dull moment in this 750 odd pages magnum opus.
This is the second book by Ranjeet Desai ji that I've read. His other book The Fourth Peshwa is equally brilliant. And after this I'm looking forward to pick Sambhaji by Vishwas Patil. There are few more similar books on Maratha warriors that I am looking into.
Now my take on the story -
I have grown up on the stories of Shivaji Maharaja and other great revolutionaries who followed him. But this is my first deep-dive into the life of Shivaji. When we hear the name Shivaji, the few facts that instantly we associate with him are a proud Maratha King, a guerrilla warrior, the protector of the weaker sex, saints and downtrodden. However, this is only half the picture. Through the author’s eyes we see a man who was an exemplary leader, a master strategist, a cunning politician, an uncompromising patriot and a fine administrator. Shivaji nurtured talent, rewarded bravery, commanded respect and earned devotion of his followers. He epitomized hope for the persecuted Hindus. He not just won wars and gained forts, but he put in place fair governance structure to run the kingdoms. He ushered in change by abolishing a lot of religious or communal practices that ailed the society and hindered the progress of a unified and progressive Hindavi Swaraj. He brought together warring factions, sectarian leaders and powerful vassals under Muslim rulers to establish the Lord’s Kingdom by uniting the vast swathes of Bharatvarsh. He commanded such deep loyalty from his people that they would lay their lives down with a smile.
In his personal life, the bond that he shared with his mother Jijabai was unparalleled. The only similar example that comes to my mind of such relationship is that of Kunti and Pandavas of the Mahabharata. She was a constant in his life, his guide, his friend, his lodestar. However, the tragedy of his life was that the great Maratha warrior who could unite the divided communities of Hindu religion under one umbrella, couldn’t unite his household and curb the rising palace intrigues.
And it is another tragedy that Shivaji died shortly before he was to go on the most important campaign of his life, a war that he was preparing for throughout his life, a war that was the culmination of his decades long journey. It leaves us to wonder what would have been the fate of Bharatvarsh, had Shivaji lived to go to the war with the Mughal Emperor Arungazeb.
March 28, 2016
If you have been desperate to read about Shivaji and had trouble reading refined Marathi then this might be your best hope. This is not really a biography but more a dramatized presentation of Shivaji's life.
I have enjoyed reading this book, mostly because I had wanted to read about him for a long time. If you are well conversant with Marathi then you should read the original "Shrimanyogi" by Ranjit Desai. This book is a translation and doesn't really live up to the original book. The translation was laborious and often I could imagine the original Marathi sentences that the translator was translating. I believe the Dr Katamble should have maintained the spirit of book instead of trying to emulate the sentence structure and Marathi idioms Mr Ranjit Desai used. For e.g. usually in Marathi when visits a temple they tend to say "Deviche darshan gethle" or "Devache darshan gethle". When that is literally translated it means to "view the god". This is a very naive way of expressing it. After all the idioms in Marathi would be quite different from idioms in English. Apart from these occasional issues, the translation is rather well done.
After I started reading this book, I came to know about Jadhunath Sarkar's book, "Shivaji and his times." I intend to read it to get a better understanding about some of the instances that were presented very favorably in this book.
I have enjoyed reading this book, mostly because I had wanted to read about him for a long time. If you are well conversant with Marathi then you should read the original "Shrimanyogi" by Ranjit Desai. This book is a translation and doesn't really live up to the original book. The translation was laborious and often I could imagine the original Marathi sentences that the translator was translating. I believe the Dr Katamble should have maintained the spirit of book instead of trying to emulate the sentence structure and Marathi idioms Mr Ranjit Desai used. For e.g. usually in Marathi when visits a temple they tend to say "Deviche darshan gethle" or "Devache darshan gethle". When that is literally translated it means to "view the god". This is a very naive way of expressing it. After all the idioms in Marathi would be quite different from idioms in English. Apart from these occasional issues, the translation is rather well done.
After I started reading this book, I came to know about Jadhunath Sarkar's book, "Shivaji and his times." I intend to read it to get a better understanding about some of the instances that were presented very favorably in this book.
August 2, 2020
या स्वराज्याच्या देवतेला मनापासून वंदन ! कादंबरी राजांच्या जीवनाच्या विविध पैलूंचे दर्शन घडवते, जिजामातांच्या संस्काराचे तेजस्वी बालपण, स्वराज्याच्या ध्यासाने गुंतून गेलेले बालपण आणि तडफदार तरुणपण, शक्तिशाली शत्रूंना आव्हान देण्याची हिम्मत, मनी बांधलेला दृढ विश्वास, हिम्मत आणि आत्मविश्वास यांना सार्थ करणारा पराक्रम, शून्यातून निर्माण करण्याची धडाडी, निष्ठावंत माणसं जोडण्याची कला, थोर योद्धा आणि राजनीतीज्ञ, त्यांचा कौटुंबिक प्रेमळपणा, आपली माणसं सोडून गेल्यावर त्यांना होणाऱ्या असहाय्य वेदना, त्या वेदनेतून आपल्या राज्यासाठी परत उठून उभा राहणारा तो राजा, त्यांचा संसारातील एकाकीपणा, त्यातून होणारी मनाची घालमेल आणि आयुष्याच्या शेवटच्या श्वासापर्यंत आपल्या राज्याची चिंता.... असा हा राजांचा संपूर्ण जीवन प्रवास थोडा भावनिक पद्धतीने मांडला आहे, 'भावनिक' हा शब्द या साठी कि प्रत्येक प्रसंग आपल्याला राजाच्या त्यावेळेच्या भावनेचे खोलवर दर्शन घडवतो
या थोर चरित्र आणि कादंबरीला नमन !
या थोर चरित्र आणि कादंबरीला नमन !
May 16, 2014
I recently completed reading this book. I found it very beautiful and more importantly the feelings erupt from us while reading it. The discriptions made in this book are amazing and will definately make you cry. While reading we can actually imagine the entire scene running in front of our eyes. Another important feature is being a non maharshtrian i could read and understand the language, so the language used by the author is very simple. So my request to those people who are non maharashtrians but can read and understand marathi should take marathi version because i feel it will give you the feel more than any other language.
April 7, 2024
Growing up, I always used to hear about Shivaji the king, the great ruler but this book was a peek into Shivaji the leader, the son, the father, the husband and the human being. Beautifully translated book, I hope to read the original some day. Great read
May 29, 2018
2.5/5 This was a really old-fashioned book, with a lot of hero-worship and "tell, now show." Also, so many battles were described as "he came, he saw and he conquered" with no attempt to dramatise or make it more entertaining. The Hindi-translation had been lying with me for years but I gave it up after a couple of attempts looking at the old-fashioned language. Thankfully, atleast Vikrant Pande's English translation is much more readable.
I received my primary schooling in Mumbai and I remember that for one year (3rd standard), we studied the life of Shivaji as our history subject. Shivaji reminded me a lot of Sardar Patel, another great pragmatist. And it is impossible to not feel a sense of awe for him and his deeds. I just wish some1 writes a modern historical fiction that the great man really deserves.
I received my primary schooling in Mumbai and I remember that for one year (3rd standard), we studied the life of Shivaji as our history subject. Shivaji reminded me a lot of Sardar Patel, another great pragmatist. And it is impossible to not feel a sense of awe for him and his deeds. I just wish some1 writes a modern historical fiction that the great man really deserves.
August 14, 2011
This book inspired me in my tough times of life... i thank the author for writing it!!!
August 31, 2012
this is the best fiction,or rather imaginary book based on great maratha warrior chhatrpati shivaji...... i m saying that because its not written as history...... but a story.
April 28, 2021
श्रीमान योगी ही छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांच्या जीवनावरील अतिशय उत्कृष्ट कादंबरी आहे. २०२१ साली फेब्रुवारी ते एप्रिल या कालावधीत मी ती वाचली. यात मांडलेल्या इतिह��सातील घटनांची सत्यता किती हा माझ्या या पुस्तक परीक्षणाचा हेतू नाही आणि त्याबद्दल भाष्य करण्याची माझी योग्यता नाही. किबहुना या कादंबरीचे "परीक्षण" करण्याची पण माझी योग्यता नाही कारण मी इतिहास तज्ञ नाही. पण फक्त महाराष्ट्रच नाही, तर संपूर्ण जगासाठी आदर्शवत असणाऱ्या शिवाजी महाराजांबद्द्ल ही कादंबरी आपल्याला भरभरून माहिती देते आणि त्यामुळे न राहवून इतरांनासुद्धा त्याबद्दल थोडेसे सांगावे आणि सगळ्यांनी ती कादंबरी वाचावी असे वाटल्याने मी या कादंबरीबद्दल माझे विचार एक सामान्य वाचक म्हणून मांडत आहे.
या कादंबरीचे एकूण अकरा भाग आहेत आणि प्रत्येक भागात अनेक प्रकरणं आहेत. पूर्ण कादंबरीत कुठेही घटनांच्या तारखा आणि साल न दिल्याने वाचणे सुसह्य होते. अन्यथा पाठ्यक्रमातील इतिहासाचे पुस्तक वाचतो असे वाटत राहिले असते. पुस्तकाच्या शेवटी प्रत्येक भागानुसार तारीखवार घटनाक्रम दिलेला आहेच. त्यामुळे गरज पडल्यास तो अधून मधून संदर्भासाठी बघता येतो. रणजीत देसाई यांनी आपल्या लेखणीतून संपूर्ण ऐतिहासिक कालखंड अक्षरशः जिवंत केला आहे. त्यामागची त्यांची मेहनत आणि त्यांनी केलेले संशोधन प्रत्येक प्रकरणात दिसून येते. अशा थोर पुरुषाच्या जीवनावर कादंबरी लिहिणे हे प्रचंड मोठे शिवधनुष्य रणजीत देसाई यांनी समर्थपणे पेलले आहे. या कादंबरीतून आपल्याला महाराजांच्या जीवनातील अशा अनेक गोष्टी वाचायला मिळतात ज्या आतापर्यंत मी कधी ऐकल्या नव्हत्या.
शिवाजी महाराजांचा संपूर्ण जीवनकाल यात समाविष्ट केला आहे. यातून आपल्याला जवळपास पन्नास वर्षाच्या ऐतिहासिक कालखंडातील घटना कळतात तसेच राजांच्या खासगी जीवनाबद्दल सुद्धा माहिती मिळते. त्यावेळची वेशभूषा, वातावरण, सामाजिक काळ, रिती रिवाज याचे वर्णन लेखकाने अनेक ऐतिहासिक शब्द वापरून जिवंत केले आहेत. राजांनी अनेकांना "त्या काळच्या भाषेत" लिहिलेली पत्रे लेखकाने जशीच्या तशी दिलेली आहेत त्यामुळे वाचतांना एक वेगळीच जाणीव आणि वातावरणनिर्मिती होते.
शिवाजी महाराज लहान असताना बंगलोरला शहाजीराजांच्या राज्यात (जहागिरीत) जिजाऊंसोबत जातात तेव्हाचे तिथले वातावरण, शिवाजींचे सावत्र भाऊ वगैरे (हा भाग मला माहित नव्हता) यात वाचायला मिळतो. राजमाता जिजाऊ शिवाजींना बेंगलोरला न राहू देण्याचा निर्णय का घेतात ते सर्व कळते.
स्वराज्य निर्मिती आणि शिवाजींची जडणघडण यात जिजाऊंसोबत अनेक जणांचा वाटा आहे. दादोजी कोंडदेव, नेताजी पालकर, येसाजी कंक, बाजीप्रभू देशपांडे, फिरंगोजी नरसाळे, जीवा महाला, हंबीरराव मोहिते, बाळाजी आवजी, पानसंबळ, तानाजी मालुसरे, मोरोपंत, त्रंबकपंत डबीर अशी आणखी खूप नावे घेता येतील. त्यांच्याशी असलेले राजांचे बंध, तसेच आई जिजामाता, वडील शहाजीराजे तसेच शिवाजीराजांच्या राण्या, मुलगी सखुबाई, मुलं संभाजी व राजाराम आणि इतर नातेसंबंध यांचा संपूर्ण परामर्श लेखकाने घेतला आहे.
शहाजी राजांच्या मृत्यूनंतर ज्या प्रकारे शिवाजी महाराज जिजाऊंना सांभाळून घेऊन निराशेतून बाहेर काढतात त्याच प्रकारे नंतर मिर्झाराजे जयसिंग यांच्यासोबत झालेल्या तहामुळे गमावलेल्या गड आणि किल्ल्यांमुळे निराश झालेल्या राजांना जिजाऊ निराशेतून बाहेर काढतात आणि दोघांचा जगण्याचा नेहेमी एकच उद्देश्य असतो - स्वराज्य! याची ते एकमेकांना आठवण करून देतात.
राजांचे संत तुकाराम महाराज आणि श्री रामदास स्वामी यांच्याशी असलेल्या बंधाचेही दर्शन आपल्याला यातून होते. त्यांचा राजांच्या जीवनावर आणि विचारांवर होणारा परिणामसुद्धा यात दिसतो.
औरंगजेबाच्या तावडीतून आग्र्याहून छोट्या संभाजीसह नाट्य���य सुटकेनंतर कादंबरीत निश्चलपुरी, कवी कलश, गागा भट्ट अशी नवीन पात्रे कादंबरीत प्रवेश करतात.
यात हीच पात्रे आहेत असे नाहीत तर शिवनेरी, रोहिडा, राजगड, तोरणा, पन्हाळा, विशालगड, लाल महाल, रायगड, जंजिरा, लोहगड, कर्नाळा, प्रतापगड, पुरंधर, चाकण, कोंढाणा ही सुद्धा स्वतंत्र पात्रेच म्हणावी लागतील इतके त्यांचे स्वराज्यातील महत्त्व आहे.
मिर्झाराजांच्या मृत्यूनंतर आणि औरंगजेब तह मोडून हिंदूंवर जिझिया कर लादतो त्यानंतर वेगळ्याच घटना घडायला लागतात. विशेषत: राज्याभिषेक झाल्यानंतर आणि जिजाबाईंच्या मृत्यूनंतर नेमके काय काय होते हे यात अगदी तपशीलवार वाचायला मिळते.
पुत्र संभाजी सोबत राजांचा (आणि अष्टप्रधान मंडळाचा) असलेला संघर्ष अचूकपणे टिपला गेला आहे. संभाजीराजे मोगलांशी हातमिळवणी करून नंतर पुन्हा जेव्हा स्वराज्यात परत येतात तेव्हा शिवाजी राजे व संभाजी राजे यांची भेट होते तेव्हाचा दोघांमधला दीर्घ संवाद म्हणजे रणजित देसाईंच्या लेखणीची कमाल आहे. राजांच्या अखेरच्या काळातील रायगडावरील अंतर्गत राजकारण वाचून मन विषण्ण आणि विदीर्ण होते.
औरंगजेब दक्षिणेकडे मोगली सत्ता स्थापन करण्याच्या उद्देशाने येणार असतो आणि त्याच्या पाडावासाठी राजांनी बनवलेली योजना राजांच्या मृत्यूमुळे अपूर्णच रहाते याचे खूप वाईट वाटत रहाते. एकाच आयुष्यात राजे इतक्या गोष्टी करतात की ते अवतारी युगपुरुषच होते यावर शिक्कामोर्तब होते.
नुसतेच आदिलशाही आणि मोगलाई यांच्याशीच राजांना आयुष्यभर लढावे लागले नाही तर इंग्रजांना आणि पोर्तुगिजांना पण राजे वेळोवेळी वठणीवर आणतात. अनेक स्वकीयसुद्धा राजांच्या विरोधात जातात पण त्या सर्व गोष्टीसुद्धा राजे समर्थपणे हाताळतात.
इतिहासाच्या पाठ्यपुस्तकात आणि थोडक्यात चरीत्र वर्णन करणाऱ्या इतर अनेक पुस्तकांमध्ये शिवाजी महाराजांच्या जीवनातील ठळक घटना जुजबीपणे आपण वाचलेल्या असतात परंतु त्यामागचा संगतवार घटनाक्रम, त्या घटनांमागची अनेक कारणे आणि त्या घटनांचे परिणाम हे जाणून असतील तर या कादंबरीशिवाय पर्याय नाही. तसेच अनेक संकटांतून मात करण्यासाठीचे सकारात्मक बळ ही कादंबरी नक्कीच आपल्याला देते. बाकी जास्त मी काही सांगत नाही. मात्र एवढे नक्की सांगतो की, ही कादंबरी जरूर वाचा! जय महाराष्ट्र, जय शिवराय!
या कादंबरीचे एकूण अकरा भाग आहेत आणि प्रत्येक भागात अनेक प्रकरणं आहेत. पूर्ण कादंबरीत कुठेही घटनांच्या तारखा आणि साल न दिल्याने वाचणे सुसह्य होते. अन्यथा पाठ्यक्रमातील इतिहासाचे पुस्तक वाचतो असे वाटत राहिले असते. पुस्तकाच्या शेवटी प्रत्येक भागानुसार तारीखवार घटनाक्रम दिलेला आहेच. त्यामुळे गरज पडल्यास तो अधून मधून संदर्भासाठी बघता येतो. रणजीत देसाई यांनी आपल्या लेखणीतून संपूर्ण ऐतिहासिक कालखंड अक्षरशः जिवंत केला आहे. त्यामागची त्यांची मेहनत आणि त्यांनी केलेले संशोधन प्रत्येक प्रकरणात दिसून येते. अशा थोर पुरुषाच्या जीवनावर कादंबरी लिहिणे हे प्रचंड मोठे शिवधनुष्य रणजीत देसाई यांनी समर्थपणे पेलले आहे. या कादंबरीतून आपल्याला महाराजांच्या जीवनातील अशा अनेक गोष्टी वाचायला मिळतात ज्या आतापर्यंत मी कधी ऐकल्या नव्हत्या.
शिवाजी महाराजांचा संपूर्ण जीवनकाल यात समाविष्ट केला आहे. यातून आपल्याला जवळपास पन्नास वर्षाच्या ऐतिहासिक कालखंडातील घटना कळतात तसेच राजांच्या खासगी जीवनाबद्दल सुद्धा माहिती मिळते. त्यावेळची वेशभूषा, वातावरण, सामाजिक काळ, रिती रिवाज याचे वर्णन लेखकाने अनेक ऐतिहासिक शब्द वापरून जिवंत केले आहेत. राजांनी अनेकांना "त्या काळच्या भाषेत" लिहिलेली पत्रे लेखकाने जशीच्या तशी दिलेली आहेत त्यामुळे वाचतांना एक वेगळीच जाणीव आणि वातावरणनिर्मिती होते.
शिवाजी महाराज लहान असताना बंगलोरला शहाजीराजांच्या राज्यात (जहागिरीत) जिजाऊंसोबत जातात तेव्हाचे तिथले वातावरण, शिवाजींचे सावत्र भाऊ वगैरे (हा भाग मला माहित नव्हता) यात वाचायला मिळतो. राजमाता जिजाऊ शिवाजींना बेंगलोरला न राहू देण्याचा निर्णय का घेतात ते सर्व कळते.
स्वराज्य निर्मिती आणि शिवाजींची जडणघडण यात जिजाऊंसोबत अनेक जणांचा वाटा आहे. दादोजी कोंडदेव, नेताजी पालकर, येसाजी कंक, बाजीप्रभू देशपांडे, फिरंगोजी नरसाळे, जीवा महाला, हंबीरराव मोहिते, बाळाजी आवजी, पानसंबळ, तानाजी मालुसरे, मोरोपंत, त्रंबकपंत डबीर अशी आणखी खूप नावे घेता येतील. त्यांच्याशी असलेले राजांचे बंध, तसेच आई जिजामाता, वडील शहाजीराजे तसेच शिवाजीराजांच्या राण्या, मुलगी सखुबाई, मुलं संभाजी व राजाराम आणि इतर नातेसंबंध यांचा संपूर्ण परामर्श लेखकाने घेतला आहे.
शहाजी राजांच्या मृत्यूनंतर ज्या प्रकारे शिवाजी महाराज जिजाऊंना सांभाळून घेऊन निराशेतून बाहेर काढतात त्याच प्रकारे नंतर मिर्झाराजे जयसिंग यांच्यासोबत झालेल्या तहामुळे गमावलेल्या गड आणि किल्ल्यांमुळे निराश झालेल्या राजांना जिजाऊ निराशेतून बाहेर काढतात आणि दोघांचा जगण्याचा नेहेमी एकच उद्देश्य असतो - स्वराज्य! याची ते एकमेकांना आठवण करून देतात.
राजांचे संत तुकाराम महाराज आणि श्री रामदास स्वामी यांच्याशी असलेल्या बंधाचेही दर्शन आपल्याला यातून होते. त्यांचा राजांच्या जीवनावर आणि विचारांवर होणारा परिणामसुद्धा यात दिसतो.
औरंगजेबाच्या तावडीतून आग्र्याहून छोट्या संभाजीसह नाट्य���य सुटकेनंतर कादंबरीत निश्चलपुरी, कवी कलश, गागा भट्ट अशी नवीन पात्रे कादंबरीत प्रवेश करतात.
यात हीच पात्रे आहेत असे नाहीत तर शिवनेरी, रोहिडा, राजगड, तोरणा, पन्हाळा, विशालगड, लाल महाल, रायगड, जंजिरा, लोहगड, कर्नाळा, प्रतापगड, पुरंधर, चाकण, कोंढाणा ही सुद्धा स्वतंत्र पात्रेच म्हणावी लागतील इतके त्यांचे स्वराज्यातील महत्त्व आहे.
मिर्झाराजांच्या मृत्यूनंतर आणि औरंगजेब तह मोडून हिंदूंवर जिझिया कर लादतो त्यानंतर वेगळ्याच घटना घडायला लागतात. विशेषत: राज्याभिषेक झाल्यानंतर आणि जिजाबाईंच्या मृत्यूनंतर नेमके काय काय होते हे यात अगदी तपशीलवार वाचायला मिळते.
पुत्र संभाजी सोबत राजांचा (आणि अष्टप्रधान मंडळाचा) असलेला संघर्ष अचूकपणे टिपला गेला आहे. संभाजीराजे मोगलांशी हातमिळवणी करून नंतर पुन्हा जेव्हा स्वराज्यात परत येतात तेव्हा शिवाजी राजे व संभाजी राजे यांची भेट होते तेव्हाचा दोघांमधला दीर्घ संवाद म्हणजे रणजित देसाईंच्या लेखणीची कमाल आहे. राजांच्या अखेरच्या काळातील रायगडावरील अंतर्गत राजकारण वाचून मन विषण्ण आणि विदीर्ण होते.
औरंगजेब दक्षिणेकडे मोगली सत्ता स्थापन करण्याच्या उद्देशाने येणार असतो आणि त्याच्या पाडावासाठी राजांनी बनवलेली योजना राजांच्या मृत्यूमुळे अपूर्णच रहाते याचे खूप वाईट वाटत रहाते. एकाच आयुष्यात राजे इतक्या गोष्टी करतात की ते अवतारी युगपुरुषच होते यावर शिक्कामोर्तब होते.
नुसतेच आदिलशाही आणि मोगलाई यांच्याशीच राजांना आयुष्यभर लढावे लागले नाही तर इंग्रजांना आणि पोर्तुगिजांना पण राजे वेळोवेळी वठणीवर आणतात. अनेक स्वकीयसुद्धा राजांच्या विरोधात जातात पण त्या सर्व गोष्टीसुद्धा राजे समर्थपणे हाताळतात.
इतिहासाच्या पाठ्यपुस्तकात आणि थोडक्यात चरीत्र वर्णन करणाऱ्या इतर अनेक पुस्तकांमध्ये शिवाजी महाराजांच्या जीवनातील ठळक घटना जुजबीपणे आपण वाचलेल्या असतात परंतु त्यामागचा संगतवार घटनाक्रम, त्या घटनांमागची अनेक कारणे आणि त्या घटनांचे परिणाम हे जाणून असतील तर या कादंबरीशिवाय पर्याय नाही. तसेच अनेक संकटांतून मात करण्यासाठीचे सकारात्मक बळ ही कादंबरी नक्कीच आपल्याला देते. बाकी जास्त मी काही सांगत नाही. मात्र एवढे नक्की सांगतो की, ही कादंबरी जरूर वाचा! जय महाराष्ट्र, जय शिवराय!
February 22, 2021
As said by many other readers, the preface/introduction is enough to describe the entire content of the book. Author Ranjeet Desai has managed to pretty much put the life of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj in this book. While many may identify the king as someone with extraordinary powers, maybe somewhat superhuman in nature, the reader would feel that Chh. Shivaji Maharaj was a common/normal human just like us. But this book and his journey is truly a testament of what a human can achieve once he gets proper mentorship and has a clear vision of the future. This book is a comprehensive collection of all the major events which ultimately led to the emergence of "Swaraj", which doesn't fall into the trap of exaggerating of the events but still creates a major impact on the reader.
November 10, 2018
This turned out to be a great Diwali vacation read while my mother constantly told me how good the book is in Marathi. The translation of this Marathi masterpiece did seem a little off and repetitive, but it's a great insight into the life of Shivaji. Also, an amazing prep for my trip to Paawankhind and Sindhudurg this Christmas :)
May 8, 2022
Simply wow....we did not have Shivaji in our school history. This book helped me understand his personality, not just that of a great warrior but also how compassionate he was, emotional, strategic thinker and humble. Best was the bond he had with Jijabai and how she helped him in strategic matters. Anyone wants to know about Shivaj's life, they must read this.
August 31, 2012
i was lucky to spend some memorable moments with ranjeetdada over a period of time. he used to get stuck in to the subject he is writing about, i`ve seen him doing that when he was handling " RAJA RAVIVERMA". this was in htl gokul,kolhapur, maharashtra.
February 2, 2016
This book is a source of inspiration, a source of positivity. You will learn a lot.
Shri.Desai sir has written extremely well and in very easy language to understand anyone
Really this is a book I will advise anyone to read
Shri.Desai sir has written extremely well and in very easy language to understand anyone
Really this is a book I will advise anyone to read
August 14, 2014
i want to read this book
December 22, 2015
Romanchak! Apratim!!
April 19, 2015
Very fantastic journey of shivaji maharaj
June 16, 2016
i want to read this book.
December 23, 2019
Best book available on Shivaji Maharaj. Vaachtana rakta usalta. Proud feel hota. So inspirational. Khup mast
February 24, 2023
One of the best historical fiction on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Despite 700 odd pages, the book reads like a thriller! Also some of the quotes in this book (lessons from Jijabai to Shivaji) are inspiring and life changing.
Despite 700 odd pages, the book reads like a thriller! Also some of the quotes in this book (lessons from Jijabai to Shivaji) are inspiring and life changing.
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