Jadunath Sarkar (1870 - 1958) was one of the greatest Indian historians of modern era. His works on Mughal and Maratha history have not seen any parallel. His seminal work 'House of Shivaji' covers in details the rise of the Bhonsles from 'petty' chiefs to the sovereign Kings accompanied by the rise of Maratha nationalism against the depredations of Mughals.
This work is primarily based on the imperial letters, contemporary historians, letters and memoirs of Europeans. The letters are quoted in details and they make delightful read. Two of the greatest obstacles in the path of Maratha resurgence were inter-caste and mutual rivalries among the Maratha chiefs. Prominent Maratha chief Lakhaji Jadhav Rao was against marrying his daughter Jijabai to the son of an upstart Bhonsle, Maratha Brahmins refused to coronate Shivaji because he was not a 'Khsatriya', Shambhaji faced a continuous revolt of the Brahmins because of his 'haughty and bloodthirsty nature', tussle between Chitpawan Brahmins and others after the release of Shahu etc. One of the greatest Maratha General Santaji Ghorpade was not killed by Mughals but by a fellow Maratha, Shambhaji was captured by Mughals with the help from Marathas and there are so many such cases.
Despite of these structural issues the Marathas faced the entire might of Mughal Empire with an unparalleled ferocity. After the barbaric execution of Shambhaji (1689) no one would have thought that Maratha people could rise again but they did and they did so brilliantly that Mughal Empire surrendered all its authority before them in matter of few decades (by 1720).
Its a must read book for any lover of Maratha history.
Highly Recommended (9/10)
2 comments:
I see you have read a few early books on Maratha history. The one by MG Ranade was actually a nationalist response to the book written by Grant Duff. It's therefore a little bit clouded. And this was the time before Rajwade started his work, so most of the original documents were not available to him. He based his study mostly on bakhars (incidentally, the same sources which Duff harnessed). The critical study of those chronicles had not yet begun.
Jadunath Sarkar, though a very good historian, was mainly focused on Alamgir Aurangzeb throughout his life and thus his study of Shiaji is only consequent, although very scholarly. His real contribution is bringing into light the farsi documents related to Maratha history but his understanding of Marathi was not masterly and he couldnt not read Modi script. He depended mostly on the help of GS Sardesai. His rivalry with Poona school of historians and also with SN Sen is well known.
I will recommend two books -
One is Shivaji by Setu Madharao Pagadi. Its a very interesting book, talking not about events but policies and diplomacy of the times. He has harnessed many Rajasthani documents and Persian documents. Its a tiny but very interesting book and published by NBT.
The history of Marathas and mostly that of Shivaji has progressed a lot in last one century. If you are interested in the latest and most updated scholarship, I strongly suggest a book by GB Mehendale. He has written 2 volumes in Marathi but this is the condensed version in English.
http://www.amazon.in/Shivaji-Times-Gajanan-Bhaskar-Mehendale/dp/9380875177
Thanks a lot Nikhil ji.. I will definitely read the suggested books. Currently i am on 'Shivaji and his times' again by Jadunath Sarkar. The likes of Satish Chandra has not done justice to the Marathas.. i am also thinking to read Maratha History by Duff.. Again Thank you so much.
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