Shivaji the Great Maratha ? 3 Illustrated Classics from India (Shivaji, Tales of Shivaji and Tanaji)

During the seventeenth century, the Mughals reigned supreme over Northern and Central India. In the Deccan endless battles were fought between other kings like Adil Shah of Bijapur and chiefs like the Nawab of Janjira. The common man suffered at the hands of the officers as well as the marauding chieftains.

At such a period was Shivaji born. He was the son of a brave father and a wise and loving mother. These two and a teacher named Dadoji were the moulding influences on Shivaji’s character. The flame of freedom burnt in the little boy’s heart. He collected around him a band of devoted followers and as they grew up they swore to throw off the yoke of alien rule.

How Shivaji carried out his ambitious plans with success, is told in pictures in the pages of the first book in this special volume.

There are a number of tales about Shivaji and his contemporaries. Some, like Rani Mallamma of Belavadi’ are historical stories while others like the story of ‘Hira the Milkmaid’ are legends. Three such legends are given in the second Amar Chitra Katha of this volume.

The third Chitra Katha in this special issue is on Tanaji, one of the Maratha warriors who shone like a meteor on the horizon of early Maratha history.

Simhagad, near Pune, is a living monument to the memory of this great soldier. His story in our third Chitra Katha of this volume is mainly based on ‘Shivaji, the Maratha, his Life and Times,’ by H.G.Rawlinson and ‘Shivasmriti’ by G.S.Sardesai.

During the seventeenth century, the Mughals reigned supreme over Northern and Central India. In the Deccan endless battles went on between other kings like Adil Shah of Bijapur and chiefs like the Nawab of Janjira. The common man suffered at the hands of the officers as well as the marauding Khans and Sardars. Even the zeal of such fighting races as the Rajputs had been suppressed by centuries of slavery under Mughal rule. Many of them had become mere puppets, holding posts of honour under their royal masters.

At such a period was Shivaji born. He was the son of an incredibly brave father and a wise and loving mother. These two and a teacher named Dadoji were the moulding influences on Shivaji’s character. The boy showed an uncommon understanding of the happenings around him. The wicked deeds of the ruling class made him angry and restless. The flame of freedom burnt in the little boy’s heart. He collected around him a band of devoted followers and as they grew up they swore to throw off the yoke of alien rule.

How Shivaji carried out his ambitious plans with success, is told in pictures in the following pages.