These are the words of Saint Ramdas, poet of ancient India and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s guru.

Shivaji, son of a mere Jaghirdar in the state of Bijapur dared to revolt against the mighty Mughals. Shivaji had a mission to liberate his country from the Mohammedans. To fight against the army of horses, elephants, camels and trooper of lacs was no layman’s task. He organized the local tribes and developed the pattern of flank attacks. The chivalry of the man could be seen when with his techniques and tribal support, he made the mighty Mughals retreat.

Shivaji always led the groups rather than merely ordering the commanders from the fort. During the numerous expeditions in his life, he had many close encounters with death. His great escape from Agra under the nose of Aurangzeb was a piece of true audacity. He was a leader who set examples for his followers. One can also draw a parallel between Chhatrapati Shivaji and Napoleon of France as both had dreamt of liberating their motherlands from foreign rulers and with sheer determination and courage did so.