Shivaji and his Times is a historical account of the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire, and the most heroic figure in Indian history, Shivaji Bhonsle. It is one of the earliest English-language modern biographical sketches of Shivaji, which covers his achievements and as well as his impact as a statesperson.
The author describes the topography of Maharashtra and a short history of the Maratha people. The work covers the early years, i.e. his childhood, the imprisonment of his father, Shahji Bhonsla, and the beginning of his political journey. It further deals with the famous incidents such as guerrilla attacks on Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan, his capture by Raja Jai Singh, encounter with the Mughal emperor Aurangzib, and the heroic prison escape from the Agra fort. His long struggles against the Mughals, and the subsequent decline of Adil Shahis, the Sidis of Janjira, the policies towards the English, which are an important phase in understanding the emergence of the Maratha empire are dealt with next. It concludes with Shivaji's campaigns in southern India and the Konkan region, the final years, his administrative cum economic policies, his personality, and his legacy in the Indian history.
Preface
Chapter I The Land and the People 1-21
Chapter II Boyhood and Youth 22-57
Chapter III First Wars with Mughals and Bijapur 58-85
Chapter IV Strenuous Warfare 86-119
Chapter V Shivaji and Jai Singh 120-166
Chapter VI Visit to Aurangzib 167-198
Chapter VII 1667-1670 199-237
Chapter VIII Struggle with the Mughals 1670-1674 238-264
Chapter IX Coronation of Shivaji 265-290
Chapter X South Kanara and Konkan 291-329
Chapter XI Naval Enterprises 330-362
Chapter XII Invasion of the Karnatak 363-399
Chapter XIII His Last Years 400-430
Chapter XIV Shivaji and the English 431-454
Chapter XV Government Institutions and Policy 455-478
Chapter XVI Shivaji's Achievement Character and Place in History 479-499
Biography7 500-508
Sir Jadunath Sarkar (1870-1958) was a scholar of medieval Indian history, specializing in Mughal dynasty. He studied at Presidency College, Calcutta. He was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University in 1899 and knighted in 1929.
