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Challenging Destiny : A Biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji
When destiny stood between him and his destination.
Darkness engulfs the Indian subcontinent. The 17th century is destined to be an era of brutal wars, incessant oppression, and physical and spiritual carnage in the name of religion. Shivaji, a warrior and thinker far ahead of his times, rises and renders a rousing dream – respect and dignity for human life, economic equity, and empowerment. Destiny does not favour him; he faces terribile odds – a fallen and defeated populace, the might of the Mughal Empire, and naval supremacy of the Western powers. Thus begins a battle of conflicting ideologies, contrasting belief systems, and sharply different visions of India – a stake is the future of most ancient civilization. Witness the beginnings of the momentous events that will send thunderbolts across centuries, the echoes of which still haunt the subcontinent.
“A concise yet comprehensive account of the enigma we call Shivaji. Imperative reading for history buffs.”
- Ashwin Sanghi, best-selling author (Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, and The Sialkot Saga)
“[The book has] captured Shivaji’s glorious tryst with destiny for the layman.”
- Vinita Deshmukh, Former Senior Editor, The Indian Express
“A must-read for young old, for general readers and academic ones and it’s a masterpiece of biography writing."
-Ashutosh Javadekar, Author and book critic
Darkness engulfs the Indian subcontinent. The 17th century is destined to be an era of brutal wars, incessant oppression, and physical and spiritual carnage in the name of religion. Shivaji, a warrior and thinker far ahead of his times, rises and renders a rousing dream – respect and dignity for human life, economic equity, and empowerment. Destiny does not favour him; he faces terribile odds – a fallen and defeated populace, the might of the Mughal Empire, and naval supremacy of the Western powers. Thus begins a battle of conflicting ideologies, contrasting belief systems, and sharply different visions of India – a stake is the future of most ancient civilization. Witness the beginnings of the momentous events that will send thunderbolts across centuries, the echoes of which still haunt the subcontinent.
“A concise yet comprehensive account of the enigma we call Shivaji. Imperative reading for history buffs.”
- Ashwin Sanghi, best-selling author (Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, and The Sialkot Saga)
“[The book has] captured Shivaji’s glorious tryst with destiny for the layman.”
- Vinita Deshmukh, Former Senior Editor, The Indian Express
“A must-read for young old, for general readers and academic ones and it’s a masterpiece of biography writing."
-Ashutosh Javadekar, Author and book critic
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2016
232 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
About the author
Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran
10 books41 followersMedha Deshmukh Bhaskaran is a microbiologist and has worked for pharmaceutical and food industry in Germany, India and United Arab Emirates. Subjects that interest her are history and pharmaceuticals - or the world of medicines.
Her biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji has been Crossword Bookstores bestseller in 2016-17. The book is nominated in two categories (non-fiction and biography) for Raymond Crossword Book Awards 2017.
Her biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji has been Crossword Bookstores bestseller in 2016-17. The book is nominated in two categories (non-fiction and biography) for Raymond Crossword Book Awards 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 15, 2023
Summary
This book deals with Chhatrapati Shivaji's life, who was an Indian warrior- A king who lived in India during the 17th century.
His resoluteness to stand up against the mighty Mughal empire and his leadership qualities were impeccable.
Three things I learned from this book
1) Striking similarities between Operation Shaista Khan and Operation Neptune spear
There are several similarities between operation Shaista Khan by Shivaji and Operation Neptune Spear by the USA. In Operation Shaista Khan, Shivaji and his 400 men disguised and entered Nawabs palace in Pune to assassinate Shaista Khan. In Operation Neptune Spear, a precision strike operation executed by the United States Navy seals eliminated Osama Bin Laden undercover in Abbottabad. It was fascinating information for me that there were close similarities between these two secret operations in almost all aspects, especially from surveillance, plan, target homework, base, stealthy start, chaos, escape plan, and aftermath.
2) What are the qualities a King should possess?
Shivaji showed us all the essential qualities that a King should possess. They are the excellent organizing capabilities, military strategies, administrating capabilities, braveness to take calculated risks in battlefields, inspiring leadership, and respect for the family, country, and the enemies. Even when Shivaji had all these transcending qualities, he lacked a formal title for a long time and remained technically a Mughal zamindar and was refused to crown as King as he was not from Kshatriya varna, which was an inane rule at that time. Shivaji was finally crowned King of Maratha Swaraj, subjugating so many obstacles on 6 June 1674.
3) Shivaji’s role in modern India
Shivaji is considered a National Hero in India, particularly in Maharashtra. His life, stories, and inspiration gained from it are an integral part of the Marathi people's identity. He is also considered as one of the first personalities who sowed the seeds of independence in Indian blood.
My favourite three lines from this book or related to this book
“When you are enthusiastic, the mountain also looks like a clay pile. ”
“When peace demands despair and shame, war remains the only option that is most humane.”
“Freedom is a boon, which everyone has the right to receive. ”
Rating
4/5 This is an enthralling book that History buffs should definitely read.
—————————————————————————
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Instagram ID - Dasfill | YouTube Channel ID - Dasfill | YouTube Health Channel ID - Dasfill - Health | YouTube Malayalam Channel ID - Dasfill - Malayalam | Twitter ID - Dasfill1 | Snapchat ID - Dasfill | Facebook ID - Dasfill | TikTok ID - Dasfill1
This book deals with Chhatrapati Shivaji's life, who was an Indian warrior- A king who lived in India during the 17th century.
His resoluteness to stand up against the mighty Mughal empire and his leadership qualities were impeccable.
Three things I learned from this book
1) Striking similarities between Operation Shaista Khan and Operation Neptune spear
There are several similarities between operation Shaista Khan by Shivaji and Operation Neptune Spear by the USA. In Operation Shaista Khan, Shivaji and his 400 men disguised and entered Nawabs palace in Pune to assassinate Shaista Khan. In Operation Neptune Spear, a precision strike operation executed by the United States Navy seals eliminated Osama Bin Laden undercover in Abbottabad. It was fascinating information for me that there were close similarities between these two secret operations in almost all aspects, especially from surveillance, plan, target homework, base, stealthy start, chaos, escape plan, and aftermath.
2) What are the qualities a King should possess?
Shivaji showed us all the essential qualities that a King should possess. They are the excellent organizing capabilities, military strategies, administrating capabilities, braveness to take calculated risks in battlefields, inspiring leadership, and respect for the family, country, and the enemies. Even when Shivaji had all these transcending qualities, he lacked a formal title for a long time and remained technically a Mughal zamindar and was refused to crown as King as he was not from Kshatriya varna, which was an inane rule at that time. Shivaji was finally crowned King of Maratha Swaraj, subjugating so many obstacles on 6 June 1674.
3) Shivaji’s role in modern India
Shivaji is considered a National Hero in India, particularly in Maharashtra. His life, stories, and inspiration gained from it are an integral part of the Marathi people's identity. He is also considered as one of the first personalities who sowed the seeds of independence in Indian blood.
My favourite three lines from this book or related to this book
“When you are enthusiastic, the mountain also looks like a clay pile. ”
“When peace demands despair and shame, war remains the only option that is most humane.”
“Freedom is a boon, which everyone has the right to receive. ”
Rating
4/5 This is an enthralling book that History buffs should definitely read.
—————————————————————————
You can also follow me on
Instagram ID - Dasfill | YouTube Channel ID - Dasfill | YouTube Health Channel ID - Dasfill - Health | YouTube Malayalam Channel ID - Dasfill - Malayalam | Twitter ID - Dasfill1 | Snapchat ID - Dasfill | Facebook ID - Dasfill | TikTok ID - Dasfill1
June 14, 2017
Reading this book brought back memories of my childhood. I have grown up listening to stories and 'Powade' on Shivaji's life, narrated to me by my Aji and Aba :)
'Challenging Destiny' is a thrilling and insightful telling of Shivaji's life. Not only was he an excellent military leader and an equally good civil administrator but he was also a king immensely loved and respected by his people. This was indeed a rare combination in those days. It was fascinating to read about the strategies and tactics deployed by Shivaji back then, in the 16th century.
This book will give you an insight into how Shivaji went about realizing his dream of 'Swaraj' and how that ultimately shaped the destiny of our country. I am really surprised I don't remember anything on Shivaji in my History text books!
A must-read for history buffs!
'Challenging Destiny' is a thrilling and insightful telling of Shivaji's life. Not only was he an excellent military leader and an equally good civil administrator but he was also a king immensely loved and respected by his people. This was indeed a rare combination in those days. It was fascinating to read about the strategies and tactics deployed by Shivaji back then, in the 16th century.
This book will give you an insight into how Shivaji went about realizing his dream of 'Swaraj' and how that ultimately shaped the destiny of our country. I am really surprised I don't remember anything on Shivaji in my History text books!
A must-read for history buffs!
December 13, 2016
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, in the seventeenth century, commanded the largest land army in the world. He mercilessly suppressed opposition to bring the entire subcontinent under his control. Known for his cruelty and religious intolerance, Aurangzeb plunged the nation into darkness. Western Maharashtra, torn by war and ravaged by famine, neglected by the emperor and his viceroys, gave birth to Shivaji who picked up his sword against the might of the Mughal Empire.
Innumerable books have been written about Shivaji’s valour. Countless stories have been told about his battles and forts. But few know that Shivaji’s greatness lay as much in his far-reaching strategy as his skill in wielding the sword. Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran writes “In those times when soldiers fled from the battlefield moments after their king fell, Shivaji’s empowered warriors fought for 27 years after his death to keep his dream alive!”. Challenging Destiny describes how Shivaji inspired such fierce loyalty is his people. The book paints a historically authentic picture not only of Shivaji’s battles but also of his economic and social policies based on the values of dignity, equality and empowerment. It does a fantastic job of narrating history in a manner so compelling that it reads like a story!
Read origin review at http://diningphilosopher.in
Innumerable books have been written about Shivaji’s valour. Countless stories have been told about his battles and forts. But few know that Shivaji’s greatness lay as much in his far-reaching strategy as his skill in wielding the sword. Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran writes “In those times when soldiers fled from the battlefield moments after their king fell, Shivaji’s empowered warriors fought for 27 years after his death to keep his dream alive!”. Challenging Destiny describes how Shivaji inspired such fierce loyalty is his people. The book paints a historically authentic picture not only of Shivaji’s battles but also of his economic and social policies based on the values of dignity, equality and empowerment. It does a fantastic job of narrating history in a manner so compelling that it reads like a story!
Read origin review at http://diningphilosopher.in
April 6, 2021
Having read hundreds of pages about Mughals & the Delhi Sultanate and then a few paragraphs about Shivaji during school days, I was always interested in knowing more about Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. For a significant part of my life, my understanding of Shivaji was that he fought wars with Mughals and Adil Shah and laid the Maratha Kingdom’s foundation; Chauth and Sardeshmukhi were taxes levied by him. That’s it. I knew nothing more.
Recently, I wanted my daughter to learn more about our heroes. While searching for content, I stumbled on this beautiful book “Challenging Destiny” by Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran. I do think that I have read a decent amount of history to date. Of all the books that I have read on history to date, I find this one to be the most engaging. The book comes across like a story (it is a biography, with loads of references, but the style was so good) of Shivaji and his dream “Swaraj”.
hat did I like in the book?
The attempt to present history as-is: Often, we suffer from the author’s bias. Medha ji tried to be as unbiased as possible, and for every stance she took while writing, she provided a reference.
Research: Research is the key for any biography; the author has researched well and provided a massive list of references. There is a reference in almost every other page. Influenced by the author, I bought some reference books she had mentioned (Mehendale, Palsokar, Shreeman Yogi, Phalke, Naravane). A good amount of research has gone into the book, which is quite visible as one reads the book.
Reading Aids: The author has gone out of her way to make the reading easy for her audience. You have graphs, maps, charts, pictures, and details about the administrative terms used in that era in this book. All this makes it an enjoyable read.
Details of the opponents: You cannot understand a person without understanding his/her contemporaries and the times. Many authors devote a page or two to this. Here the author gives a very detailed sketch of Aurangzeb. You see an almost parallel story of Aurangzeb in the book. The author talks about the good qualities of Aurangzeb, his insecurities, his brutality, his religious madness, and the way he ruined the wealth of the Mughal treasury. We see a similar effort on the affairs in Bijapur too.
Then the author speaks about the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, the French, and the Siddis. She tries to tell us about the ways of these people, how they viewed Shivaji? What did they write about him in their records? And how did they treat him? Also, she talks about Abyssinians, Turks, Afghans and their prominent role in the Mughal and Adil Shahi Kingdoms.
Imagination: I was not there to witness Shivaji’s coronation, but the author made me see it through her incredible imagination. She speaks about every symbol that was used, the meaning of it, the relevance of it. Why was it used? etc.. That episode is a must-read. She uses the same technique to describe the meetings of Shivaji and Afzal Khan, Shivaji – Aurangzeb, Shivaji and the English. Wonderful is all I can say.
Parallels: She draws parallels between Shivaji attacking Shaista Khan and Americans attacking Bin Laden. Fantabulous is the only word I can use to describe the skill of the author here.
To Conclude : A must-read for every Indian. Shivaji was born in an era where Hindu women were captured, raped, and sold as slaves by the invading Muslim armies. It was a time when Hindus had to pay Jizya, where Hindu money lenders were accused of insulting the prophet and converted by force to Islam by the people who borrowed money from them.
Shivaji challenged this situation and changed it. He established a State where practitioners of all religions could stay happily. He brought in administrative reforms and made the military report to the king directly. In many ways, his thoughts were way ahead of his times, and his State is the true predecessor of today’s nation-state.
Medhaji’s work will open our eyes and ears to that era. It will guide us in understanding the troubles and travails religious bigotry brings in and inspires us to do our little for this great and glorious nation. Do read the book.
Recently, I wanted my daughter to learn more about our heroes. While searching for content, I stumbled on this beautiful book “Challenging Destiny” by Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran. I do think that I have read a decent amount of history to date. Of all the books that I have read on history to date, I find this one to be the most engaging. The book comes across like a story (it is a biography, with loads of references, but the style was so good) of Shivaji and his dream “Swaraj”.
hat did I like in the book?
The attempt to present history as-is: Often, we suffer from the author’s bias. Medha ji tried to be as unbiased as possible, and for every stance she took while writing, she provided a reference.
Research: Research is the key for any biography; the author has researched well and provided a massive list of references. There is a reference in almost every other page. Influenced by the author, I bought some reference books she had mentioned (Mehendale, Palsokar, Shreeman Yogi, Phalke, Naravane). A good amount of research has gone into the book, which is quite visible as one reads the book.
Reading Aids: The author has gone out of her way to make the reading easy for her audience. You have graphs, maps, charts, pictures, and details about the administrative terms used in that era in this book. All this makes it an enjoyable read.
Details of the opponents: You cannot understand a person without understanding his/her contemporaries and the times. Many authors devote a page or two to this. Here the author gives a very detailed sketch of Aurangzeb. You see an almost parallel story of Aurangzeb in the book. The author talks about the good qualities of Aurangzeb, his insecurities, his brutality, his religious madness, and the way he ruined the wealth of the Mughal treasury. We see a similar effort on the affairs in Bijapur too.
Then the author speaks about the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, the French, and the Siddis. She tries to tell us about the ways of these people, how they viewed Shivaji? What did they write about him in their records? And how did they treat him? Also, she talks about Abyssinians, Turks, Afghans and their prominent role in the Mughal and Adil Shahi Kingdoms.
Imagination: I was not there to witness Shivaji’s coronation, but the author made me see it through her incredible imagination. She speaks about every symbol that was used, the meaning of it, the relevance of it. Why was it used? etc.. That episode is a must-read. She uses the same technique to describe the meetings of Shivaji and Afzal Khan, Shivaji – Aurangzeb, Shivaji and the English. Wonderful is all I can say.
Parallels: She draws parallels between Shivaji attacking Shaista Khan and Americans attacking Bin Laden. Fantabulous is the only word I can use to describe the skill of the author here.
To Conclude : A must-read for every Indian. Shivaji was born in an era where Hindu women were captured, raped, and sold as slaves by the invading Muslim armies. It was a time when Hindus had to pay Jizya, where Hindu money lenders were accused of insulting the prophet and converted by force to Islam by the people who borrowed money from them.
Shivaji challenged this situation and changed it. He established a State where practitioners of all religions could stay happily. He brought in administrative reforms and made the military report to the king directly. In many ways, his thoughts were way ahead of his times, and his State is the true predecessor of today’s nation-state.
Medhaji’s work will open our eyes and ears to that era. It will guide us in understanding the troubles and travails religious bigotry brings in and inspires us to do our little for this great and glorious nation. Do read the book.
June 17, 2023
As someone who has always been fascinated by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I found Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran's book "Challenging Destiny" to be an inspiring and personal account of his life. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a warrior or a king, but a festival of integrity, belonging, and compassion for many people. His life story is an inspiration to challenge the challenges and destiny.
The author's easy-to-understand writing style makes it accessible to everyone while still being careful in narrating the incidents and years in which they occurred.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or seeking inspiration from his life story.
The author's easy-to-understand writing style makes it accessible to everyone while still being careful in narrating the incidents and years in which they occurred.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or seeking inspiration from his life story.
February 25, 2017
I was looking forward to this book, after the author's historical fiction debut. That one was a well-researched book, but the dramatisation in the fiction wasn't to my liking; it was trite, and often unimaginative.
Challenging Destiny: A Biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji is a non-fiction book by the author, and is a very well-researched book. It refers to many of the various biographies of Shivaji that are in circulation and makes extensive use of extracts from these books. As the author tells you early on, Mehendale's biography of Chh. Shivaji is the primary source for this book; needless to say, this book borrows heavily from Mehendale's biography.
I was a bit surprised that the author has chosen to use an academic (in-text, APA) form of citation, rather then using endnotes of footnotes, especially given that there are numerous direct quotes from other authors. Perhaps, because of this, the texture of reading seems uneven, at times. There are times in the book, where references (like the definition of a gaon, mauja, and kasbah), are completely out of place, irrelevant, and do not fit in the narrative at hand.
Overall, for someone who does not know the life and times of Chh. Shivaji, it is good first book, which covers his life and career, fairly well. For someone with a more serious interest in history, there are other biographies.
I return to my pet peeve. This book is published by The Write Place, the publishing arm of Crosswords. It is a sorry state of affairs in Indian publishing where copy-editing isn't given the importance it deserves.
It's not oddicers, its officers. Not tilted, but titled. And, definitely there isn't a word called agreeded.
Challenging Destiny: A Biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji is a non-fiction book by the author, and is a very well-researched book. It refers to many of the various biographies of Shivaji that are in circulation and makes extensive use of extracts from these books. As the author tells you early on, Mehendale's biography of Chh. Shivaji is the primary source for this book; needless to say, this book borrows heavily from Mehendale's biography.
I was a bit surprised that the author has chosen to use an academic (in-text, APA) form of citation, rather then using endnotes of footnotes, especially given that there are numerous direct quotes from other authors. Perhaps, because of this, the texture of reading seems uneven, at times. There are times in the book, where references (like the definition of a gaon, mauja, and kasbah), are completely out of place, irrelevant, and do not fit in the narrative at hand.
Overall, for someone who does not know the life and times of Chh. Shivaji, it is good first book, which covers his life and career, fairly well. For someone with a more serious interest in history, there are other biographies.
I return to my pet peeve. This book is published by The Write Place, the publishing arm of Crosswords. It is a sorry state of affairs in Indian publishing where copy-editing isn't given the importance it deserves.
It's not oddicers, its officers. Not tilted, but titled. And, definitely there isn't a word called agreeded.
March 16, 2017
Please visit http://www.guptakaushal.in/2017/03/bo... to read the complete review of the book.
Challenges are omnipresent, often they find us in the middle of nowhere! But, how often do we reach out to a challenge? With a determination of challenging the challenge itself? What resistances do we face? More of physical or mental? How often do we win, or do we even think that we will overcome the challenge? We may unanimously agree that the challenges are difficult, they test us at various levels from integrity to strength, from the ability to relations, from what to what not, but are the challenges insurmountable? Always? That may vary from situation to situation for many of us, but in this third planet from the Sun there are many individuals who have defied challenges.
One such person who challenged the challenges and the destiny was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, The Maratha Warrior and I recently read a book rather a biography on him, Challenging Destiny - Biography - Chhatrapati Shivaji written by author Medha Deshmukh-Bhaskaran. The biography is a nearly detailed account of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life and is beautifully drafted to keep you engaged with it throughout. The cover of the trailer is fascinating and so is the book trailer. P.S: Timeline Of Events at the end of the book is a quick revision and can be used as a future reference.
More at http://www.guptakaushal.in/2017/03/bo...
Challenges are omnipresent, often they find us in the middle of nowhere! But, how often do we reach out to a challenge? With a determination of challenging the challenge itself? What resistances do we face? More of physical or mental? How often do we win, or do we even think that we will overcome the challenge? We may unanimously agree that the challenges are difficult, they test us at various levels from integrity to strength, from the ability to relations, from what to what not, but are the challenges insurmountable? Always? That may vary from situation to situation for many of us, but in this third planet from the Sun there are many individuals who have defied challenges.
One such person who challenged the challenges and the destiny was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, The Maratha Warrior and I recently read a book rather a biography on him, Challenging Destiny - Biography - Chhatrapati Shivaji written by author Medha Deshmukh-Bhaskaran. The biography is a nearly detailed account of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life and is beautifully drafted to keep you engaged with it throughout. The cover of the trailer is fascinating and so is the book trailer. P.S: Timeline Of Events at the end of the book is a quick revision and can be used as a future reference.
More at http://www.guptakaushal.in/2017/03/bo...
January 21, 2018
At a time when most of the Indian subcontinent was swamped with Muslim invaders, a brave warrior leads a war for Swaraj. Chatrapati Shivaji's life is an inspiration for every Indian, for he dreamed and achieved things nobody in that era thought was possible.
The biography touches all major incidents happened in the life of Shivaji.
The book came to an abrupt ending with the death of Shivaji. I was hoping for a detailed epilogue on the future of the Maratha empire, at-least get to know what went wrong in the third battle of Panipat. But otherwise this book is a very lively, informative read.
The biography touches all major incidents happened in the life of Shivaji.
The book came to an abrupt ending with the death of Shivaji. I was hoping for a detailed epilogue on the future of the Maratha empire, at-least get to know what went wrong in the third battle of Panipat. But otherwise this book is a very lively, informative read.
August 29, 2017
An inspiring biography...
A book that's makes one feel pumped with energy & patriotism!!
A book that's makes one feel pumped with energy & patriotism!!
April 7, 2020
Such a nice summary of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj..
Made me want to read more about him.
Made me want to read more about him.
March 24, 2019
Chhatrapati Shivaji is truly the greatest hero ever to live in India. I have been living in pune from past 4 years and the love that people her show for Chhatrapati Shivaji even today has always enticed me to read his story. And now I can truly embrace the legacy left by this great man. People here never take the name just 'shivaji', they either call him 'Chhatrapati Shivaji' or 'Shivaji Maharaj', that is the love and affection that still exists even after 300 years.
This is one of the best books i have enjoyed reading, all the credits goes to the writer. There was a consistent pace while reading from beginning till the end, every page was equally valuable and worth reading. I love the way that the references and explanations of the words are given in the same page itself, which usually are found in the last section of the book, this is kind of rare and it certainly helps the reader in a greater extent, very few writers do this. Great work by the writer all in all, you can feel the passion with which this book was written. Highly recommended.
This is one of the best books i have enjoyed reading, all the credits goes to the writer. There was a consistent pace while reading from beginning till the end, every page was equally valuable and worth reading. I love the way that the references and explanations of the words are given in the same page itself, which usually are found in the last section of the book, this is kind of rare and it certainly helps the reader in a greater extent, very few writers do this. Great work by the writer all in all, you can feel the passion with which this book was written. Highly recommended.
September 18, 2018
Is a good overview of Shivaji Maharaj's life and works. For a Maharashtrian seeped in this history it does not offer any significant new insights rather in unlike a ballad which glorifies each chapter of Shivaji's illustrious history this book focuses on facts and quotes from different sources. Though it does do a good job in putting things in perspective and highlighting how important and momentous this struggle was as part of our our overall history and culture. If not for Shivaji and his brave folk the history of India would have been radically different post the 1600's. One unfortunate fact, which is mostly glossed over by the official texts, is the amount of opposition and conflict that Shivaji faced from his own opportunistic kith and kin throughout his life. The book does not shy from highlighting this which is a welcome fact which should not be swept under the carpet.
Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it
Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it
February 9, 2018
I have always been a fan of Shivaji Maharaj . The book does every thing good in helping me with knowing each and every little aspect about shivaji maharaj, not only it explains about him but also about the Aurangzeb and all the Muslim massacre which happened from 12th century till the 17th century. How our thousand year old culture was devastated at the hands of mughal's . The writing of the book is more detailed and the flow never goes out of context this shows how mature the writer is and how well she wants us to show each and every event that occurred at that time , it was like travelling back in time and watching each and every event by our own eyes and that what fascinates me alott! keep up the good work and thanx for letting us know these things!
December 16, 2017
A very engaging account of the expansion Martha empire and Chattrapati Shivaji who created it. Although this book delved too much into detail sometimes, it was however a very fascinating narrative. It enlists all the forces which where active during those 2 centuries and that is something I feel no other book on Shivaji offers. Great job.
May 15, 2025
“Like a crescent moon, grows the kingdom of Shivaji, son of Shahaji, always seeking the welfare of the people.”
A stirring tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was one of the most integral figures in the history of Bharat's relentless fight against colonial invaders to reclaim Swarajya—a self-governed homeland free from foreign domination.
The people of Bharat have suffered the savage brutality of various foreign Islamic invasions and regimes, as well as that of Western colonial powers over the centuries - all of whom have sought to subjugate and exploit us, rendering us third-class citizens in our own land. This book is a civilizational reminder of the sacrifices made by the sages and warriors throughout time to ensure the survival of our ancient civilization against all onslaughts. It is the only practicing civilization in existence today, that has retained its complex and characteristic diversity of cultural practices, traditions, languages, and deep spiritual roots - all across the land of Bharat.
This book captures Shivaji's strategic brilliance as a warrior and statesman, and goes beyond it to establish his legacy as a visionary who created a nation united by a sole purpose. Despite starting with almost nothing, Shivaji built a self-sustaining military and civil administration. His forts, naval strength, and people-centric governance were a testament to his ingenuity and foresight. His innovative guerrilla tactics, rapid mobility tactics, establishment of deep intelligence networks, and application of psychological warfare - revolutionized military warfare, setting an early blueprint for modern militaries.
The book shines in its portrayal of Shivaji’s moral clarity and leadership, connecting hearts and minds across fault-lines and inspiring a steadfast dedication among his people. Under his rule, women and children were protected, his people were well cared for, and slavery by the Europeans was not tolerated.
This book was filled with vivid descriptions and engaging writing, that painted a clear picture of the events as they unfolded. The maps and illustrations were helpful in visualizing the landscapes and terrains of that time. This was a very well-written, and well-researched account which made for a compelling biography. The storytelling, and narrative prose was simple and easy to digest. I was fascinated as I learnt more deeply about Shivaji's life for the first time. This book is a call to know our real history well, connect deeply with our dharmic roots, and continue fighting to protect our civilizational ethos. Bharat Maata ki Jai. 🙏🏻
A stirring tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was one of the most integral figures in the history of Bharat's relentless fight against colonial invaders to reclaim Swarajya—a self-governed homeland free from foreign domination.
"‘If the 17th century belonged to the Mughals, the 18th century is aptly described as the “Maratha Century” that changed the geopolitics of India forever.
The people of Bharat have suffered the savage brutality of various foreign Islamic invasions and regimes, as well as that of Western colonial powers over the centuries - all of whom have sought to subjugate and exploit us, rendering us third-class citizens in our own land. This book is a civilizational reminder of the sacrifices made by the sages and warriors throughout time to ensure the survival of our ancient civilization against all onslaughts. It is the only practicing civilization in existence today, that has retained its complex and characteristic diversity of cultural practices, traditions, languages, and deep spiritual roots - all across the land of Bharat.
“When peace demands despair and shame, war remains the only option that is most humane.”
This book captures Shivaji's strategic brilliance as a warrior and statesman, and goes beyond it to establish his legacy as a visionary who created a nation united by a sole purpose. Despite starting with almost nothing, Shivaji built a self-sustaining military and civil administration. His forts, naval strength, and people-centric governance were a testament to his ingenuity and foresight. His innovative guerrilla tactics, rapid mobility tactics, establishment of deep intelligence networks, and application of psychological warfare - revolutionized military warfare, setting an early blueprint for modern militaries.
The book shines in its portrayal of Shivaji’s moral clarity and leadership, connecting hearts and minds across fault-lines and inspiring a steadfast dedication among his people. Under his rule, women and children were protected, his people were well cared for, and slavery by the Europeans was not tolerated.
"Shivaji had the magnetic power which only true leaders of men possess. He attracted towards himself all that was hopeful and aspiring in the land without distinction of class, caste, creed or colour."
This book was filled with vivid descriptions and engaging writing, that painted a clear picture of the events as they unfolded. The maps and illustrations were helpful in visualizing the landscapes and terrains of that time. This was a very well-written, and well-researched account which made for a compelling biography. The storytelling, and narrative prose was simple and easy to digest. I was fascinated as I learnt more deeply about Shivaji's life for the first time. This book is a call to know our real history well, connect deeply with our dharmic roots, and continue fighting to protect our civilizational ethos. Bharat Maata ki Jai. 🙏🏻
"He had lit a lamp,
Its flame rising above the fires of any war
Its light cutting through the years
Like the beam of a star
Despite, the gloom still fills the skies
Because,
We have lost our eyes."
May 23, 2023
Eye-opening biography laced with facts on the life and times of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj !! Key takeaways from his life:
1. If there is any injustice in the world, if you can do something about it , even if it is a tiny thing from your side don't hesitate to do it !!
2. Treat your team well, empower them and reward/ punish solely basis performance without any bias.
3. Treat all people with dignity # Shivaji remained the only ruler in 16th century India to outlaw slave trading and had given clear mandates to his troops on codes of honour vis a vis defeated armies and their families
After reading the book , I am convinced that the spart that Shivaji lit ignited the minds of countless minds since then !! Hopefully it will light up yours as well when you read the book...:)
1. If there is any injustice in the world, if you can do something about it , even if it is a tiny thing from your side don't hesitate to do it !!
2. Treat your team well, empower them and reward/ punish solely basis performance without any bias.
3. Treat all people with dignity # Shivaji remained the only ruler in 16th century India to outlaw slave trading and had given clear mandates to his troops on codes of honour vis a vis defeated armies and their families
After reading the book , I am convinced that the spart that Shivaji lit ignited the minds of countless minds since then !! Hopefully it will light up yours as well when you read the book...:)
August 4, 2023
It's impossible to know a great personality without reading a biography. This is specially true in case of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The author skillfully navigated the various dimensions of the personality, vision, skills, charisma and achievements of the great patriot in context of the era he operated in as well as the era he created for the future. In the author's words, he intercepted the destiny of India and gave it a new direction.
March 11, 2019
Full of information right from the beginning of Muslim invasions in india till shivaji s death. Story is not linear in between sub chapters sometimes. Will definetly recommend it.
November 18, 2019
The Book covers the detailed biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj..
February 15, 2019
The destiny was there waiting to be challenged.
June 30, 2018
This is a good entry point into understanding the legend that was Shivaji. It covers the facts about his life competently and while it does not have a great prose style, it delivers on some of the key points it set out to deliver : brevity and ease of reading. Inspite of the lukewarm turns of phrase, the book blew my mind away because the facts themselves are incredible!
I cant fathom how there aren't a dozen films / tv series on Shivaji. Underdog. Overwhelming Odds. Ingenuity. Passion. Leadership. Politics. Treachery. Survival. Great Escapes. Civilizational Renewal. Whats not to love?! Sure, there are ethical / moral dilemmas. But that just adds more nuance and grays to the story. But entertainment apart, there are lessons here. For those who wouldn't want history to repeat itself. Here's a man who pulled himself and his compatriots out of an abyss and built the platform that took the Marathas to the throne in Delhi. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he changed the course of history (to use a cliche).
Oh BTW the dialogues would be wonderful! "Gadh aala pan sinh gela"
I cant fathom how there aren't a dozen films / tv series on Shivaji. Underdog. Overwhelming Odds. Ingenuity. Passion. Leadership. Politics. Treachery. Survival. Great Escapes. Civilizational Renewal. Whats not to love?! Sure, there are ethical / moral dilemmas. But that just adds more nuance and grays to the story. But entertainment apart, there are lessons here. For those who wouldn't want history to repeat itself. Here's a man who pulled himself and his compatriots out of an abyss and built the platform that took the Marathas to the throne in Delhi. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he changed the course of history (to use a cliche).
Oh BTW the dialogues would be wonderful! "Gadh aala pan sinh gela"
March 9, 2018
What struck me is that this is neither a novel nor a work of history. The author does not have the ability to weave magic with her words - so it is up to the story itself to be the USP. And that is where the book fails.
Too much of the book jumps out at you as hero worship. So you can bet there would be a devoted readership on that count alone. There is a section that I recollect where the author refers to some historian frowning on Shivaji annexing some territory without justification (now I am not sure why there should be any expectation of any king ever agonizing over such things when it came to territory) - and the author takes it upon herself to justify Shivaji's action, struggles and finally ends up asking why the same inquisition was not seen on Aurangzeb's actions. Smacks of what we see on TV everyday!
That apart, the major failing here is that the story telling itself is jerky and struggles to hold your attention.
Overall, nowhere close to the 4+ star rating you see.
Too much of the book jumps out at you as hero worship. So you can bet there would be a devoted readership on that count alone. There is a section that I recollect where the author refers to some historian frowning on Shivaji annexing some territory without justification (now I am not sure why there should be any expectation of any king ever agonizing over such things when it came to territory) - and the author takes it upon herself to justify Shivaji's action, struggles and finally ends up asking why the same inquisition was not seen on Aurangzeb's actions. Smacks of what we see on TV everyday!
That apart, the major failing here is that the story telling itself is jerky and struggles to hold your attention.
Overall, nowhere close to the 4+ star rating you see.
March 29, 2018
I am not much of a history enthusiast... neither do I enjoy reading biographies. Surprisingly, however, I enjoyed reading this one. I would admit that it was not too engrossing in the beginning, but I soon caught up. What I liked was that I got to know not just about Shivaji but also other important figures of those times. It provided me a glimpse of ancient India and portrayed a picture not been talked about much in our history books. I could see Shivaji, not just as a great warrior but as a son, father, ruler and above all human. It was good to read that great kings also had to take a step back if need be or had to make peace with their enemies for a greater good. All in all a good investment of my time.
February 7, 2018
A must-read for anyone looking to know about Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The book gives detailed insights in the life to Shivaji and gives facts about not just the military but also the civil and administrative farsightedness of Shivaji.
You can read my complete review of the book at https://ajaybookreview.blogspot.com/2...
You can read my complete review of the book at https://ajaybookreview.blogspot.com/2...
November 20, 2017
Nice, Pacy read. Wish we had someone like Shivaji Maharaj in present times. He was way ahead of others...sharp, brave and intelligent
August 15, 2018
The book gives a good insight into the 17th century India and it's politics then. Really liked the way Medha has painted the social and economic backdrop of that era.
March 22, 2018
Wonderful. A must read for ones who want to know about shivaji
October 23, 2021
Read it 2 years back and cannot imagine someone can inspire me more ... well narrated by author 👏
October 26, 2022
Challenging Destiny is not just a biography of Shivaji but a story from the lands of deccan that became the battleground of Mughals ,Nizamshahi dynasty and then Mughals and Marathas
Battles were fought over land, to capture kingdom and expand empires.
On a deeper levels, battles were fought to extract revenue and stamp a religious identity over a place, a patch of land, and a community of people.
Yadavas kingdom of deccan were converted into Nizamshahi and South Kingdoms of Hosalyas, Pandas converted into Qutubshai kingdom.
This book helped me understand a boy's journey in all of this, where he understood the only way to maintain his identity is to fight. When you get up one morning to find your hard work undone by an unruly king sitting up north, dictating the rules of the game.
How that boy must have felt, when his father was dragged out of his Jagir, away from his people and asked to fight war 1000 kilometers away.
When the air you breathe is filled with souls that forgot the reason to be independent, how could a 15-year-old boy dream of SWARAJ.
Such was the aura of Shivaji and his relentless Maratha army that 35 years after Shivaji was born, anybody thinking of doing business in South had to think of Shivaji first.
It all happened when another war-hardened, general of Mughal army, The third son of Shah Jahan was the true ruler of these lands.
Shivaji completed Aurangzeb, for there could never be the aurangzeb that we saw in that period had the Valor of true Hindu King -Shivaji, didn't exist. He fought all his life to defeat Shivaji, but Shivaji outplayed him everytime.
This rivalry was not over even after the death of Shivaji in 1680, for Auragzeb fought for 27 years with Martha's to gain control over deccan.
I am immensely proud to have known that Shivaji built a Navy to control the seas and compete with English, Portuguese and Mughals. He was a visionary who believed in the idea of SWARAJ even during those times , and that sums up the greatness of the man.
Battles were fought over land, to capture kingdom and expand empires.
On a deeper levels, battles were fought to extract revenue and stamp a religious identity over a place, a patch of land, and a community of people.
Yadavas kingdom of deccan were converted into Nizamshahi and South Kingdoms of Hosalyas, Pandas converted into Qutubshai kingdom.
This book helped me understand a boy's journey in all of this, where he understood the only way to maintain his identity is to fight. When you get up one morning to find your hard work undone by an unruly king sitting up north, dictating the rules of the game.
How that boy must have felt, when his father was dragged out of his Jagir, away from his people and asked to fight war 1000 kilometers away.
When the air you breathe is filled with souls that forgot the reason to be independent, how could a 15-year-old boy dream of SWARAJ.
Such was the aura of Shivaji and his relentless Maratha army that 35 years after Shivaji was born, anybody thinking of doing business in South had to think of Shivaji first.
It all happened when another war-hardened, general of Mughal army, The third son of Shah Jahan was the true ruler of these lands.
Shivaji completed Aurangzeb, for there could never be the aurangzeb that we saw in that period had the Valor of true Hindu King -Shivaji, didn't exist. He fought all his life to defeat Shivaji, but Shivaji outplayed him everytime.
This rivalry was not over even after the death of Shivaji in 1680, for Auragzeb fought for 27 years with Martha's to gain control over deccan.
I am immensely proud to have known that Shivaji built a Navy to control the seas and compete with English, Portuguese and Mughals. He was a visionary who believed in the idea of SWARAJ even during those times , and that sums up the greatness of the man.
December 29, 2017
Very well researched. Great content. Very poorly rendered. The writing style is lacking. Not easy to read at all. Medha Deshmukh-Bhaskaran clearly knows a lot about this especially interesting and inspiring part of India history. However, the writing style is unlike any biography I have ever read. It doesn’t take an independent or neutral tone but is more of a fanboy/fangirl take on the life of Shivaji. The author also makes off-hand comments to constantly justify certain actions and comes across as very amateurish. To point out an instance the author points out how difficult it must have been to clear the land for cultivation and “hunt down the wolves and wild dogs that had infested the region”. Most reader would realize this was the reality of the day - this is the 17th century we are talking about. But she follows it up with “Now many animal activists will raise their eyebrows - but that was a part of clearing the land and bringing it under cultivation for human colonisation”. Firstly it is “raise an eyebrow” even when used in a plural context. Secondly I see the author’s role as telling the story and letting the readers arrive at their own conclusions/judgements. We all realize the realities of the times and don’t need a constant footnote with justifications. There are many more instances of this type of writing. I think the book could have been way better, especially given the material, if it were written by a seasoned writer. Inspiring period of history and characters nonetheless.
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