300 Brave Men - Shivaji Trilogy Book I - BRAVE MEN -CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI STORY  (English, Paperback, Gautam Pradhan)

The Epic story of Shivaji, India's greatest warrior king, and birth of Maratha empire. ABOUT THE BOOK Book I of the Shivaji Trilogy. While there are many books in Marathi on the great leader, few exist in English. The Indian sub-continent is ruled by three tyrannical Sultanates – the powerful Mughals in the North, and the Shia rulers – Adilshah and Qutubshah in the South. The native population, suppressed for centuries, is subjected to slavery, bigotry, injustice and even torture. Through generations of subservience, the very idea of freedom has been wiped from their minds. As incessant battles rage between the Sultanates, the soldiers who fight and die on the battlefields are mostly Marathas, sons of the soil. Villages and crops are repeatedly razed by the invading armies, men killed in both peacetime and war, their women abducted. Maharashtra, once a prosperous land ruled by competent native rulers and inhabited by peaceful people, has been reduced almost to a wasteland. In this dark era, the sixteen-year-old son of an Adilshahi jagirdar stands up to declare: I shall not serve, and neither shall my people! The dream of a free State and an identity for his people smouldering in his heart, he dares to rebel against the powerful Sultan, Adilshah. He begins with nothing – no army, no weapons and an empty treasury. Yet he achieves what no soldier, chieftain or king has ever achieved against imperialists. 300 Brave Men is the incredible story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale, a legendary warrior-king, guerrilla fighter, brilliant tactician and clever diplomat. But above all, a remarkable human being. While there are many books on Shivaji, there are few in English. Highly dramatic narrative based on historical events and real people. Inspiring, patriotic, daring, the book carries many messages: dream big/ be the change/ be prepared/ be fearless and bold/ do not fear change/ be willing to give your all.