Description
The golden age of Indian history is known as the Shivakal (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Era). Spanning from 1630 AD to 1680 AD, this fifty-year period is akin to an era in itself, and its progenitor is none other than the founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Before the rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the entire Indian subcontinent was subjected to foreign dominance, and the sense of nationalism had waned. It was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who revived it, rekindling the spirit of nationalism. The India we see today is a product of this nationalism, and the essence of this nationalism truly owes itself to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Among the many eminent rulers in history, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s name is taken with reverence not only by Indians but also by foreign authors who have acknowledged his character. The written works of the Shivakal era, known as Shivcharitra, have inspired numerous great individuals and have played a significant role in shaping and advancing the nation. Even the first epic poet of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Kavindra Paramanand, gave his compositions names like “Shri Shivbharat” because Shivbharat is as grand as the Mahabharata itself.
To study Shivcharitra comprehensively is akin to attempting to fully comprehend a life. Each aspect of the character offers something new, and every moment within it teaches us something. Hence, despite extensive writings by Indian and foreign authors about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, there is always room for new interpretations of this character.
When we speak of the character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, it is not just his valor that stands out; it is the amalgamation of various other qualities within him. It is impossible to establish a kingdom based solely on valor; hence, alongside valor, a combination of many other qualities was essential, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj possessed all of them.
Shivcharitra is an ocean of knowledge and inspiration, where the essence of entire lives is encapsulated, and if one were to read Shivcharitra and apply even a fraction of it in their lives, their lives would undoubtedly become meaningful.
The fifty-year period of Shivakal witnessed numerous incidents, and while many of these incidents have gained widespread fame, some remain relatively unknown. This is because Shivcharitra is an ocean of knowledge, and to explore it thoroughly is an endless task.
This book aims to bridge the familiar and unfamiliar incidents of Shivcharitra, making them accessible to history enthusiasts who might not be entirely unfamiliar with history but are nonetheless interested. The endeavor here is to present the essence of Shivcharitra through primary and secondary sources, drawing from extensive research conducted by senior historians. Through these chapters, readers can gain both knowledge and inspiration, which is the ultimate goal.
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