This book looks at a leader who rose on the strength of strong values and principles. The purpose of this book is to learn from those principles which made Chhatrapati Shivaji rise to the top as a great leader, and make these lessons available to aspiring and current leaders today. The beauty of this book is that every chapter is divided into three parts. The first part deals with anecdotes from this great leader's life. The second part looks at the leadership leanings from these anecdotes and how they can be applied by today's leaders. The third part contains crisp "action points" or "mantras" for the readers.

'The epic text of Ranjit Desai's Shriman Yogi finds new voice in Vikrant Pande's nuanced translation, an immersive narrative of the foundations of the Maratha empire and the saga of its charismatic founder.' - Namita Gokhale. Young Shivaji reaches Pune, a dying fort city, with his mother Jijabai and lights the first lamp within its ruins. While his father Shahaji Bhosle is away on deputation by the Adil Shah sultanate after having failed in a revolt against it, Shivaji learns how an empire is built from the ground up. Thus begins the life of the Great Maratha. What awaits Shivaji is nothing short of the vast scroll of history, and it takes him from Surat to Thanjavur and all the way to Aurangzeb's durbar in Agra. He dreams of freeing his land from the clutches of Mughal rule, and though he suffers many defeats and personal losses along the way he never gives up his vision of Hindavi Swaraj. Amidst political intrigue and a chain of skirmishes, Shivaji becomes a leader, a warrior and a tactician par excellence, driven by immense pride and love for his motherland.

“States fall, empires break up, dynasties become extinct, but the memory of a true “hero as King” like Shivaji remains an imperishable historical legacy…” – Jadunath Sarkar, House of Shivaji (1919) Shivaji Bhonsle was an Indian warrior king who went on to lay the foundation of the strong Maratha Empire. The first Chhatrapati, he is known to have outdone his predecessors as well as successors in giving an identity and status to Marathas. A tactful military commander and skilled administrator, he steadily built his army from a mere two thousand soldiers to almost five-fold, and also developed a naval force. He defeated Afzal Khan and Adil Shah, giving strong resistance to the Mughal forces. From forming guerilla forces to immensely contributing in the development of the civilization of Marathas, he carved a niche in all spheres of operation. Shivaji: The Great Rebel explores the lifespan of Shivaji as an Indian king who instigated a new fire in the hearts of people against the Mughal Empire and taught them to fight for their rights. It highlights Shivaji as one of the prominent rulers to inspire people to fight for Hindu pride and raise their voice against cruelty. He stood up to guard and preserve the nation's honour, and is a great source of inspiration till date.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj implemented welfare state policies by promoting agricultural development, water conservation, justice for all, and social welfare programs, ensuring the well-being of his subjects.

Veer Shivaji was born on April 16, 1627 in Shivneri Durg. His father was Shahji Bhonsle and his mother was Jija Bai. During that time in India, there was the rule of Muslim Emperors. Hindu warriors were shedding the blood of their own kith and kin and were engaged in pleasing the Muslim kings. Hindu blood was shed and Muslims ruled over India. At the time of the birth of Shivaji, his father Shahji Bhonsle went to the south to fight with his opponent, Mughal Knight Darya Khan Rohilla. Therefore he could not reach Shivneri to celebrate the birth of his son. After killing Rohilla he reached Shivneri to see his son. He was very pleased to see such a beautiful son. But he was not able to stay long with his son. He went towards south India at the invitation of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.