Known as one of the most daring kings to have ever ruled in India, Shivaji was a terror to the Moghul rulers. He built up a vast Hindu Empire by wrenching Maharashtra from her invaders, the Moghuls, with the guidance of his guru Samartha Ramdas.

He was a master in guerilla warfare. Even though he was captured by Aurangazeb, he escaped from the jail by hiding in a large box of sweets.

When he was a child he would listen to the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata from his mother Jijabai and this profoundly inspired him. He was adored by his people because he loved the poor and the weak and took special care of them. He was also a brilliant organiser and ruled his kingdom efficiently. He continues to inspire the Hindu masses even today.

Many are the legends about how Shivaji defied his opponents and about his daring feats on the battlefield. Yet he was deeply spiritual and always revered his parents, guru and the Lord. Find out more about him from history books and by asking your parents and teachers to get you more books about great lives. You need not spend more by buying books, if that is difficult for you join a nearby library and have a great time living though the lives of such great ones through the world of books.