Few lives changed the course of 17th-century India as profoundly as that of Chhatrapati Shivaji. In "Shivaji and His Times", renowned historian Jadunath Sarkar offers a commanding Maratha history biography that combines archival rigour with vivid storytelling. Power had a new name. Drawing on Persian, Marathi and European sources, Sarkar traces the rise of Shivaji from regional leader to founder of the Deccan Maratha empire, mapping each campaign, alliance and setback against the crumbling Mughal order. Warfare and statecraft stand side by side: guerrilla tactics in the Western Ghats, the building of forts and fleets, experiments in administration and revenue, and the long, hard Maratha-Mughal conflicts that reshaped the subcontinent. The result is a scholarly historical biography with the momentum of an Indian history classic, a complete Shivaji biography for readers who want depth as well as drama. Long regarded as a definitive Maratha history, this landmark of modern Indian historiography remains indispensable for Indian history students and general readers, and is a trusted UPSC exam reference. Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. For anyone interested in the forces that shaped 17th century India - court intrigue, frontier resistance, imperial ambition and regional identity - Sarkar's portrait of Shivaji offers rare clarity and nuance, bringing the complexities of the age, and of the man, into sharp focus.