Born to Shivaji and his first wife Saibai, Sambhaji was entrusted with carrying on the Maratha empire which Shivaji began. Born at Purandar fort,he was raised by his paternal grandmother Jijabai. Shivaji signed the Treaty of Purandar with the Mughals, and sent Sambhaji to live with Raja Jai Singh of Amber, as a political hostage. Sambhaji was raised as a Mughal sardarand served the Mughal court of Aurangzeb. After Shivaji`s death, Sambhaji fought against his stepmother, Soyarabai Mohite, who had her son Rajaram crowned as the heir to the Maratha kingdom. Sambhaji escaped prison and formally ascended the throne on 20 July 1680. A brilliant tactician, Sambhaji was worthy of the throne of the Marathas, although his rule was short-lived. This book reveals his life story and showcases him for the ruler that he was.
After extensive research he wrote a book Mrityunjay (English: Triumph Over Death) based on Karna, one of the leading characters of the epic Mahabharat. This book was translated in Hindi (1974), English (1989), Kannada (1990), Gujarati (1991), Malayalam (1995) and received numerous awards and accolades. In 1980 he wrote a book Chhava based on Sambhaji's life.
Everyone knows the greatness of Shvaji, but this book has created fans for Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje in great numbers. Would surely like to revisit again in the future.
Since I'm a die hard admirer of Mr. Shivaji Sawant and his creations, this one is also among my top favorites. I was looking for this book since long but could not get it. Recently, my husband gifted me this book and finished reading at the fastest speed I could manage. You just cant keep it down unfinished. The book depicts the life of Sambhaji Raje, the elder of Chatrapati Shivaji. The book is actually of his hardships during his small lifetime of 30 years. His life is filled with getting separated from those he loved, being stabbed in the back by those he trusted, being in Agra jail at a young age of 9, travelling from Mathura to Raigad along with strangers in a disguise, having a mental breakdown and going to Moghals, the pain of letting his second wife and sister getting caught by Moghals because of him, his own peopl plotting his death, he being blamed for his father's death, last but not the least, his painful torturous death. It is very well written such that it brings the story alive in your mind. I read the entire book as if its a movie going on in my head but could not imagine the movie towards the end. Such is the torture given to Sambhaji Raje by Aurangzeb. A must read for history lovers.
a great book about the Maratha Warrior Sambhaji Bhonsle. His hardships, relations with different people in his life, decisions and their after effects have been portrayed in this novel. A must read if someome wants to get closer to Indian history.
It's one of the most detailed historical books in Hindi that you would find about Maratha Dynasty. It intricately portrays the valour, politics, wars, individual brilliance, strategies, tactics and resilience of Marathas that have been the hallmarks Maratha dynasty is known for. The struggle that Shivaji's Son goes through to keep the existence of the Maratha Dynasty alive has been the tipping point of this work. Author has done a rigorous background work which reflects in the historical accuracy of the events in the book. If you are fascinated with Maratha valour and looking for a lifting story about constant struggles with Mughals and still nearly managing to come on top, this book is for you!
one of the best book written on SHAMBHU RAJA................it tells about other side of shambhaji ............at end of the book you realize he is nor great as his father SHIVAJI...but he is far more brave compare to any personality in the world......i think therefore book title is CHAVVA(lion's cub)
The work is amazing, no doubt. But it might shatter your preconceptions. As the book ends, you are left with a heavy heart. There is no feeling of contentedness after this. Yes, it is superb, but in its own ruthless way. (Just like the actual historical period of Sambahji's time)
that was really painful when that king died like that .......... i literally cried when i read that ...... book was really awesome and best ....... "sambhaji maharaj ki jay"
- Most darkest chapter in the Maratha Empire. - More cunning politics than Game of thrones. - More brutal than Netflix can ever put anything on screen.
The character of Sambhaji Raje has always been controversial in the history due to the different rumours about him. This book puts an end to these rumours. It is a very well compiled book. The story of a prince who was overshadowed by his father's greatness to certain extent, who fought against all pain to maintain his self-respect and received an extremely painful death in the end after being betrayed by his own people. Strong character, good author and a great book!
Chava (Hardcover) by Shivaji Savant- Historical novel- Gyanpeeth award Winning novel-Sambhaji Raje Bhonsle (14 May 1657 鈥� 11 March 1689) The book begins with Shivaji and Sambhaji both jailed in Agra by Moughal Emperor of India- Aurangzeb (3 November 1618 鈥� 3 March 1707). They are informed by son of Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Amber that Aurangzeb plans to send Sivaji as his Army General to fight Afghanistan rebel war. If Shivaji refuses the offer, Sivaji will be killed. Sivaji plans his escape. He informs Aurangzeb that he is fatally ill and plans to gift sweets to Brahmins and the poor - as a matter of penance. Marathas come in contact with a Aligarh poet Kavi Kulesh. Shivaji gifts an elephant to him. They also come in contact with a potter who has worked for his living earlier in Sivaji's area. They understand him because of his dialect. Hiroji on aide of Sivaji appears like Sivaji. They change clothes. Sivaji escapes as Heroji. Sambhaji goes out to meet son of Mirza Raja Jai singh. Thus all move out with Maratha warriors dressed as saints. They contact Kavi Kulesh who has arranged for a boat at river Yamuna. They leave for Mathura. At Mathura, they contact a relative of their Minister in Maratha territory. Sivaji moves with his team and leaves Sambhaji at Mathura. Sivaji moves towards Allahabad Sangam of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraaswati. They plan to move further towards Maratha territory. Sivaji reaches his fort where his mother is waiting for him. Next step is to bring back Sambhaji. Shivaji sends a messenger to Mathura. The messenger carries with him sealed letter from Shivaji to identify him as genuine. Minister's relatives - and his wife towards Maratha territory by foot. At the outskirts of Ujjain, the Mughal army are informed that Sambhaji is moving out towards Maratha kingdom with Brahmin family. The army arrests them. During Mughal period, Brahmins did not share their meals with other caste people. In order to save Sambhaji, the couple inform the army men that Sambhaji is their son and they share their meal in the same plate. The army is satisfied with the bluff and leave them to travel. Soon Sambhaji reach Maratha territory and to their fortress. Three of them are welcome and gifts are provided to the Mathura couple. The guests leave for Mathura. Initial chapters of this book, depict the life of Sivaji and Sambhaji together. Shivaji planned his moves based on the thorough knowledge of the hills, ravines, rivers, rivulets of Maratha Territory. Major victories of Shivaji were when he caught the Moughal army travelling between a ravine where there is single outlet. Villain of the book is Soyarabai Second wife of Shivaji mother of Raja Ram. She wishes yo see her son crowned as King of Marathas after Shivaji. Sad of part the book is "The 1687 Battle of Wai saw the Maratha forces badly weakened by the Mughals. Sambhaji fought an open land battle with less army whilel the Moughals were under Aurangzeb, well planned, all lots of arms and amunition and gunnery. The key Maratha commander Hambirao Mohite was killed and troops began to desert the Maratha armies. Sambhaji's positions were spied upon by his own relations, the Shirke family, who had defected to the Mughals. Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by the Mughal forces of Muqarrab Khan in a skirmish at Sangameshwar in February 1689." Accounts of Sambhaji's confrontation with the Mughal ruler and following torture, execution and disposal of his body, vary widely depending on the source, though generally all agree that he was tortured and executed on the emperor's orders passed in counsutation with moulvis. The captured Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash were taken to Bahadurgad in present-day Ahmednagar district, where Aurangzeb humiliated them by parading them wearing clown's clothes and they were subjected to insults by Mughal soldiers. Accounts vary as to the reasons for what came next: Mughal accounts state that Sambhaji was asked to surrender his forts, treasures and names of Mughal collaborators with the Marathas and that he sealed his fate by insulting both the emperor and the Islamic prophet Muhammad during interrogation and was executed for having killed Muslims.[28] The ulema of the Mughal Empire sentenced Sambhaji to death for the atrocities his troops perpetrated against Muslims in Burhanpur, including plunder, killing, rape, and torture. Aurangzeb ordered Sambhaji and Kavi Kalash to be tortured to death; the process took over a fortnight and included plucking out their eyes and tongue, pulling out their nails and removing their skin. Sambhaji was finally killed on 11 March 1689,[ reportedly by tearing him apart from the front and back with wagh nakhe (metal "tiger claws") and beheading with an axe at Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river near Pune. This is a good read book for all. It has already been translated in to many Indian languages for the benefit of readers.
As a Maharashtrian and being Maratha we respect our greatest king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but after him our king Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj helps to keep the Marathas freedom and saved our culture. The lifestyle of our Shambhu Raje is truly motivates us till date and the book on him is a real guide to us.