Shivaji and His Times

by Jadunath Sarkar

Shivaji And His Times is a comprehensive account of the life and times of one of Maharashtra's greatest heroes. After a brief introduction to the geography of Maharashtra, and a description of the people of that land, the book traces the rise of Shahji Bhonsle, Shivaji's father in the service of the Adil Shah of Bijapur, Shivaji's boyhood, his early victories and his wars with the Mughals and the Adil Shah are recounted in detail. A major portion of the book is devoted to Shivaji's relations with the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb and his constant struggles to capture Maratha territory. Shivaji's coronation, his subsequent forays into southern India, his efforts to build a strong navy, his relations with foreign powers, all are discussed in the book. The author also makes a critical assessment of Shivaji's contributions and achievements, and his place in history. Using a wide range of sources and historical documents in a variety of languages, the author draws a definitive portrait of the great Maratha ruler and nation.

Genres: History, India, Biography, Military History

Hardcover

First published November 1, 1929

About the author

Sir Jadunath Sarkar was a prominent Indian Bengali aristocrat and historian.

Reviews

[Avishek Bhattacharjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

স্যার যদুনাথ সরকার নাইটহুড পাওয়া হিস্টোরিয়ান। কাজেই ভদ্রলোক যে বেশ তালেবর সেটা না বললেও চলে। নাটোরে জন্মগ্রহণ করা যদুনাথ বিশেষজ্ঞ ছিলেন মুঘল ডাইনেস্টি, বিশেষ করে আওরংজেবকে নিয়ে। সে হিসেবে সমসাময়িক ব্যক্তিত্ব ছত্রপতি শিবাজীকে নিয়ে উনার ব্যাপক পড়াশুনার ফলাফল এই বই।

শিবাজীকে নিয়ে আমার আগ্রহের শুরু বিজেপির প্রচারের পরের থেকে। বিজেপি যেভাবে শিবাজীকে রিপ্রেজেন্ট করে তা কি আসলেই সত্য? মারাঠা সম্রাট শিবাজী কি সত্যসত্যই স্বরাজ ভারতের পথদ্রষ্টা? এসব বুঝতে হলে তো আসলে ব্যক্তি শিবাজী এবং তার জীবনের কর্মযজ্ঞ সম্পর্কে জানা জরুরী। সে হিসেবে নিউট্রাল হিস্টোরিয়ান যদুনাথকেই ভরসা মানলাম।

বইটা ভাল। সংক্ষেপে শিবাজীর জীবন, চরিত্র, রাজ্যজয়, যুদ্ধনীতি এবং রাজনীতির কথা সবিস্তারে বর্ননা করেছেন লেখক। তবে বইটা পড়ে একথা বলতেই হয় যে শিবাজী বহুমুখী প্রতিভা আর বিচিত্র লোক ছিলেন। অন্তত আপনি উনাকে সম্মানের চোখে দেখবেন এটা নিশ্চিত করে বলা যায়। কষ্টসহিষ্ণু মারাঠা জাতিকে একত্র করে স্বাধীনতার স্বপ্ন দেখিয়ে তা বাস্তবে রুপান্তর করা এককথায় অসাধারণ। শিবাজী সম্পর্কে কিছু বলে লেখাটা শেষ করি

১. শিবাজী ডাকাতি করতেন। মানে নিজের রাজ্য চালানোর জন্য অন্য রাজ্য আক্রমণ করে মূল্যবান জিনিস নিয়ে আসতেন।

২. অন্যরাজ্য আক্রমণ করলেও নারী ও শিশুদের কোন প্রকার ক্ষতি হতে দিতেন না। অন্য নারীকে মাতৃরুপেই দেখতেন।

৩. কখনো কোন ধর্মীয় প্রতিষ্ঠান শিবাজী আক্রমন করতেন না। সেটা যে ধর্মের হোক না কেন। কোন জায়গায় পবিত্র কোরান পরিত্যক্ত অবস্থায় পেলে তা সযত্নে রেখে দিতেন। পরে কোন মুসলিমকে তা দান করতেন।

৪. প্রবলপরাক্রমশালী আওরংজেব শিবাজীকে সর্বশক্তি দিয়েও পরাস্ত করতে পারেন নি। এজন্য তিনি পারস্যের সম্রাজের কাছ থেকে ভৎসনার স্বীকার হয়েছিলেন।

৫. গুরুভক্ত শিবাজী নিজের সমস্ত সাম্রাজ্য গুরু রামদাসকে দান করেছিলেন। রামদাস তা গ্রহন করে শিবাজীকে ফিরিয়ে দিয়ে বলেছিলেন সমস্ত রাজ্য যেন শিবাজী সততার সাথে পরিচালনা করেন। এজন্য শিবাজীর রাজ্যের পতাকার রঙ গেরুয়া।

উপরে অনেক ভাল ভাল কথা শুনে পুরা পটে না গিয়ে বইটা পড়লে আরো ভাল বুঝা যাবে। এই হইল গা কথা।

[Nishu Thakur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old school writing style of history.
Enjoyed it.
We need more books like this.

[Saleha · Rating 4 out of 5]

মারাঠা সাম্রাজ্যের প্রতিষ্ঠাতা শিবাজী ভারতীয়দের ইতিহাসের এক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ চরিত্র। শিবাজীকে কেউ কেউ বীর এবং মহামানব হিসেবে পুজা করলেও অনেকে আবার ভয়ংকর দস্যু বলতে ছাড়েন না।বিখ্যাত বাঙালি ইতিহাসবিদ স্যার যদুনাথ সরকার এই বইয়ে শিবাজীর চরিত্রের এই দুটো দিকেই কমবেশি আলোকপাতের চেষ্টা করেছন।পিতা কর্তৃক পরিত্যক্ত বালক শিবাজীর মা ই ছিল তার জগৎ। শিবাজী তাই মাতা জীজাবাঈকে অতিরিক্ত ভক্তি শ্রদ্ধা করতেন।এর ফলস্বরূপ দস্যু শিবাজীর মধ্যে পরনারীদের সম্মান করার প্রবণতা ও লেখক বর্ণনা করেছেন। শিবাজী তার অসীম সাহস ও নেতৃত্বগুণে তৎকালীন ভারতের বেশ কয়েকটি রাজ্য দখল করে নেন।রাজনৈতিক প্রজ্ঞার অভাবে তার কিছু হারিয়ে ও ফেলেন। বিভিন্ন সন্ধি, চুক্তির শর্ত খেলাপ করে শত্রুর সংখ্যা ও বেশ বাড়িয়ে ফেলেন।তবে মোঘল সম্রাট আওরঙ্গজেবকে চিন্তায় ফেলে স্বাধীন মারাঠা রাষ্ট্র প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে সক্ষম হয়েছিলেন। এমনকি ভোসলে পদবীর শিবাজী জাতিতে শূদ্র হলেও রাজ্যাভিষেকে অঢেল পয়সা খরচ করে ব্রাহ্মণদের হাত করে ক্ষত্রিয় বনে যান।কারণ ক্ষত্রিয় না হলে স্বাধীন রাজা বা মারাঠিদের ভাষায় "ছত্রপতি" হওয়ার উপায় ছিল না।তবে শিবাজী সকল ধর্ম বিশেষত মুসলিম ধর্মকে সম্মান করতেন।শিবাজী মূলত দিশেহারা এক জাতিকে সংগঠিত করে একটা নতুন রাজ্য তথা স্বাধীন হিন্দু রাজ্য প্রতিষ্ঠা করেন।তবে ১৬৮০ সালের এপ্রিলে শিবাজীর মৃত্যুর পর তার দুর্বলচিত্তের পুত্র শম্ভুজী পিতার ঠাটবাট বজায় রাখতে পারেননি।আজকাল বলিউডবাসীরা বিভিন্ন সিনেমায় মারাঠাদের একপাক্ষিকভাবে বীরের জাতি হিসেবে প্রমাণ করতে উঠেপড়ে লেগেছেন। শিবাজী, তানাজী সহ অন্যান্য মারাঠা যোদ্ধাদের বীরত্ব অস্বীকার করার উপায় নেই। তবে বীর বিশেষণটির সাথে সাথে দস্যু ও লুন্ঠনকারী উপাধিও আমি মনে রাখব।মনে রাখব সুকুমার রায়ের লেখা ছোটবেলার সেই ছড়া -
খোকা ঘুমালো, পাড়া জুড়ালো
বর্গী এলো দেশে
বুলবুলিতে ধান খেয়েছে
খাজনা দেব কিসে?

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Shivaji and His Times
Publisher: ‎ Routledge; 1st edition (27 February 2018)
Publisher: ‎ Orient Blackswan Private Limited - New Delhi; 5th Revised edition (1 January 2010)
Language: ‎ English
Paperback: ‎ 352 pages
Item Weight: ‎ 384 g
Dimensions: ‎ 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
Country of Origin: ‎ India
Price: 419/-

दावा द्रुमदंड पर, चीता मृग झुंड पर भूषण वीतुंड पर जैसे मृगराज है|
तेज तम अंस पर, कान्ह जिमि कंस पर, त्यो मलिच्छ बंस पर सेर सिवराज है||

(Like a fire which annihilates the forest, Like a leopard that stalks a deer herd and like a vitalized lion who attacks an elephant / Like the light of dawn that disperses darkness, and like Krishna who slays Kans, like all the above the lion hearted Shivaji, the religious protector of the earth is fighting the fraternity of Mlechhas.)

This book narrates to its readers the saga of an individual whole actual immensity lay in his character and practical talent, rather than in originality of conception or dimension of political vision. Consistent acumen into the character of others, proficiency of arrangements, and intuitive perception of what was practicable and most profitable under the circumstances -- these were the origins of his success in life.

To these must be added his personal morality and loftiness of aim, which drew to his side the best minds of his community, while his universal allowance and insistence on equal justice for all gave contentment to all classes subject to his rule.

He tirelessly maintained order and enforced moral laws all through his own dominions, and the people were better-off under his sway than anywhere else.

His impressive accomplishment fired the imagination of his contemporaries and his name became a spell calling the Maratha race to a new life.

Although his whole dominion was laid to waste only within nine years of his death, the eternal attainment of his life was the raising of the Marathas into a self-governing autonomous people, aware of their cohesion and high destiny, and his most valuable bequest was the spirit that he respired into his people.

The mutual conflict and internal weakness of the three Muslim Powers of the Deccan were, certainly, influential causes of the rise of Shivaji. But his accomplishment sprang from a higher source than the ineffectiveness of his enemies.

To quote Sarkar, ‘I regard him as the last great constructive genius and nation-builder that the Hindu race has produced. His system was his own creation and, unlike Ranjit Singh, he took no foreign aid in his administration. His army was drilled and commanded by his own people and not by Frenchmen. What he built lasted long: his institutions were looked up to with admiration and emulation even a century later in the palmy days of the Peshwas rule.’

And one must bear in mind that Shivaji was illiterate, unschooled; he learnt nothing by reading. He built up his kingdom and Government before visiting any royal Court, civilized city, or organized camp.

He received no assistance or guidance from any practiced minister or general. But his native intellect, alone and single-handed, permitted him to found a rock-solid kingdom, an invulnerable army and an applied and altruistic system of administration.

Before his rise, the Maratha race was disseminated like atoms through many Deccani kingdoms. He fused them into a monumental nation.

And he achieved this in the teeth of the opposition of four great Powers like the Mughals, Bijapur, Portuguese, and the Abyssinians.

No other mediaeval Hindu has shown such capability.

Before he came, the Marathas were mere servants of aliens.

They served the State, but had no share in its management; they shed their life-blood in the army, but were deprived of any role in the conduct of war or peace.

They were always underlings, never leaders. Shivaji was the first to challenge Bijapur and Delhi and thus teach his countrymen that it was possible for them to be sovereign leaders in war.

Then, he founded a State and taught his people that they were accomplished in administering a kingdom in all its departments. He proved by his example that the Hindu race can build a nation, found a State, defeat enemies; they can conduct their own defence; they can protect and promote literature and art, commerce and industry; they can keep navies and ocean-trading fleets of their own, and conduct naval battles on equivalent terms with outsiders.

He taught the modern Hindus to rise to the full physique of their growth.

Sarkar says, ‘He has proved that the Hindu race can still produce not only jamādārs (non-commissioned officers) and chitmises (clerks), but also rulers of men, and even a king of kings (Chhatrapati.) The Emperor Jahangir cut the Akshay But tree of Allahabad down to its roots and hammered a red-hot iron cauldron on to its stump. He flattered himself that he had killed it. But lo! Within a year the tree began to grow again and pushed the heavy obstruction to its growth aside!’

More than anything else, Shivaji proved with his life that the tree of Hinduism is not really dead, that it can rise from beneath the apparently overwhelming burden of centuries of political suppression, segregation from the administration, and administrative tyranny; it can put forth new leaves and branches; it can again buzz its head up to the skies.

[Ajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a balance book this is. Not biased. Highly recommended for those who really want to read book on Shivaji. You will enjoy the journey.

[Adarsh ಆದರ್ಶ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your average Non-fiction book. Riddled with facts and references from many foreign records. It is quite an informative read upon the life and times of Shivaji Maharaj. This book can be held as reference for rebuttals for distorians and their followers..

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shivaji and His Times : by Jaguath Sarkar- well researched history based on Persian, English, Marathi, Portuguese, Dutch documents. Initial Chapters- Land and the people, Boyhood and youth, First wars with Mughals and Bijapur- massacre of Afzal Khan, Strenuous warfare- Shaista Khan, Shivaji and Jai Singh, Visit to Aurangzeb, 1766-1770- after escape from Agra, expansion of his territories, Struggle with Mughals from 1660- 1674, Coronation of Shivaji and illness, expansion towards South Konkan and Kanara, Naval enterprise, Invasion of Karnatak, Shivaji's last years, Shivaji and English merchants of west coast is informative. Analysis of period of reign of Shivaji- Government institutions and policy, Shivaji's achievement, character and place in history is analytical part which charms the reader to the Book. Interesting part is to read why the the Kingdom of Shivaji could not continue after his death because of inefficiency, corruption and insecurity. Lack of peace in his territories did not let the business progress. Caste jealousy and caste disunion was another uncontrolled factor. His Government survived on plunder of neighbours. Shivaji was a man of character and was a good judge of persons- his choice was capable officers and warriors was good and the chosen people delivered results. All his generals were local persons from his territories . It is a worth reading book for all.

[SANTOSH REDDY · Rating 4 out of 5]

an objective history of shivaji ,unlike other historians mr sarkar has written this book without glorifying shivaji.many events in the life of shivaji like killing of afzal khan,slaying shaista khan s men in pune ,or shivaji s escape from agra have not been stressed or given importance like other authors.overall this book does not appease hardcore rightists who want a glorified,and deitified history of shivaji

[Amitabh Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an authentic and authoritative history of Chhatrapati Shivaji and chronicles the rise of the Maratha Power . The book is a result of the great industry and scholarship of the author . The language is simple , beautiful , flowing and quite captivating . The painstaking efforts taken by the author to refer to authentic historical sources is evident in every page of the book .

This is a definite read for all lovers of history .

[Rushikesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. Written dispassionately, supported by proofs wherever necessary, simple flow as well as precision are the key advantages of this book.

[Sourabh Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non political evidence based history.

[Chander Govindarajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes history can be more engrossing than fantasy.

The thing that irked me most (making me knock off 2 stars) is that the author is almost entirely de-racinated. Maybe this is my fault for expecting anything else from someone knighted by the British and a Government official in the early 1900's.

I mean, just assume that the author is a white British man and everything makes sense. The continuous fawning over the few Europeans that show up. The comparisons (not too often, luckily) to lore like Charlemagne and King Alfred (who?). Also referring to the EIC as the Hon'able Company (it's not clear if this is a quotation).

The author has entirely swallowed the baseline European mindset and justifications. So apparently there was no point in Shivaji carving out a Hindu Rashtra fighting against 6 fronts - Mughal, Bijapuri, Golkonda, Siddis (Assyrians), EIC and Portuguese, none of which had any right to be there in the first place. Why, you ask? Because "caste system" it seems. The irony in this is that the entire account is filled with countless cases of back-stabbing and bribery across all the afforementioned factions, but when the Marathi's do it, it's the caste system, you see, not basic individual greed. I mean, the author makes fun of the Holkar's and Scindia's for even trying to fight for Swarajya.

Moral of the story: I am not reading anything else by Jadunath Sarkar, unless strong new evidence comes up.

[Ramakrishnan M · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting book. learnt a lot about the true life of shivaji. bit drag of a narration though

[Pradeep Rajput · Rating 5 out of 5]

शिवाजी के वीरता पूर्ण इतिहास का सबसे विश्वसनिये और भरोसेयुक्त वर्णन.

[Guruprasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shivaji and his times is a book written by historian Jadunath Sarkar who is not associated with any ideology and gave us the fair and neutral history of Shivaji and his times. We cannot read history in the terms of binary terms like good and bad can be easily understood after reading this book.

Book has been written in a detailed manner which starts with the geographical and sociological background of Marata country in medieval India. Book has good details of the life of Shivaji and his growth from the rebel son of Shahji to the Chhatrapati Shivaji of Marata country. Book has the detailed information of Shivaji’s initial days of plunders and conquers he has done of the forts held by the Mughals and Bijapur sultans.his heroic acts liking slaying the Afzal khan who tried to deceive and assassinate him, entering the inside of Shiasta khan’s haram and hurting him badly.

The episodes of Treaty of Purandar, loot of Surat, Coronation Ceremony of Shivaji, and administrative structure of the state give us a clear picture of the rise and fall of the Marata kingdom.

It was a very good read and I will be reading books by the same author in the coming days.

[Samyukta · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historical, unembelishhed version of shivajis life. A must for anyone who loves unbiased accounts.

The author has done a brilliant job of painting a picture of what it was like in the 17th century.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and quite detailed view of the times or Shivaji.

[Parth Sarthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jadunath Sarkar has written this book in dispassionate manner, where he discussed strengths and weaknesses of Shivaji.Neutral perspective has been maintained by author throughout the book.
He gave the account of Shivaji’s life from his birth to death and his impact over the later Maratha empire. How the lootings that we saw during Peshwas reign has its origins in Shivaji’s time.
He explained why marathas failed to create a stable polity and administrative system.
I will surely recommend this book to anyone interested in maratha history.

[Rishabh Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly the best read. Its narrative writing style and structured approach to history keeps you engaged throughout. Very detailed and captures all aspects of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rise to power & glory, with good lessons for posterity.

[S Singh Deval · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent and a great read for a beginner to the maratha history

[Sameer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book worthy of the Man. Detailed. Must be read by those who wish to learn and be inspired.

[Sbijapure · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very concise history of Shivaji. The author has tried really hard to maintain objectivity till the end of the book.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read

[Shrirang · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book its a must read.

What a book its a must read. This can be the first book one can read on Ch Shivaji Maharaj.

[Rushabh Tapaswi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow!

[Ajay Thakur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good book on Shivaji Maharaj. I rather suggest you to go for Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale.

[Pushkar Joshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read, comparatively balanced, but still if you are looking for more balanced history based on factual proofs, you can go for Setumadhavrao Pagadi.