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Challenging Destiny

A Biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji

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Challenging Destiny

Written by: Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran
Narrated by: Avinash Kumar Singh
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About this listen

When destiny stood between him and his destination.

Darkness engulfs the Indian subcontinent. The 17th century is destined to be an era of brutal wars, incessant oppression and physical and spiritual carnage in the name of religion. Shivaji, a warrior and thinker far ahead of his times, rises and renders a rousing dream - respect and dignity for human life, economic equity and empowerment. Destiny does not favour him; he faces terribile odds - a fallen and defeated populace, the might of the Mughal Empire, and naval supremacy of the Western powers. Thus begins a battle of conflicting ideologies, contrasting belief systems, and sharply different visions of India - a stake is the future of most ancient civilization. Witness the beginnings of the momentous events that will send thunderbolts across centuries, the echoes of which still haunt the subcontinent.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Medha Deshmukh Bhaskaran (P)2018 Audible, Inc.
Historical

Critic Reviews

"A concise yet comprehensive account of the enigma we call Shivaji. Imperative reading for history buffs." (Ashwin Sanghi, best-selling author of Chanakya's Chant, The Krishna Key, and The Sialkot Saga)
"[The book has] captured Shivaji’s glorious tryst with destiny for the layman." (Vinita Deshmukh, Former Senior Editor, The Indian Express)

What listeners say about Challenging Destiny

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Truly Challenging

Must Read for EVERY INDIAN.
Author has given references with page numbers.
A very good narrative on Shivaji - facts putup in a story. The central characters of Secular Shivaji and Fanatic Aurangzeb are very aptly described. Shivaji's achievements are rightly glorified. Loved the book.

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A must read for every Indian

I am indebted to the writer for bringing this book out, tremendous research and wonderful way to present the historical facts

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Amazing book and good naration .

Realy explained story of chatrapati shivaji well and naration was also great proud to be born from a region of chatrapati shivaji maharaj .

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Jay Shivraya

Hats Off to the Writer. A really feeling Proud Biography. A well researched History.

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Thank you

i can't thank the writer enough to show this side of story
I would say their is lot of information which could be ignored but Still all the Informations helps to make us understand more of Chatrpati Shivaji Maharaj Vision

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A real opener on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji

Came to know about so many interesting facts which I hadn't been taught in school. An engaging book.

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Brilliant Biography to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The story is brilliantly portrayed, narration is good but some pronunciations could have been better

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A story every Indian should know about

Medha Bhaskaran has gone about doing her job very differently that most other. She has not develled on the romance of the idea of Raje but has tried to recreate him through the various reference and citations from other pieces of work from renowned historians. There is nothing that she has written which cannot be crossed checked or confirmed. This make the book invaluable for a history buff or as reference point for future endeavors. Its is very hard to write about Historical facts and include a narrative in it, to her credit the writers does an exceptional job keep the underlying narrative of the subjects destiny alive throughout the book. The writer has done a commendable job to include such thrilling accounts of Raje’s life like his battle strategies, his vision in forming the first naval force by an Indian ruler and the bravery and sacrifice of his people.
The writing is fluent once you get used to the numerous citations and cross references which are irritation when you first begin. The language is simple to understand and follow, the pace of at which the story flows is very good. The reference of work from other writers is a treasure for some one looking to read about Raje’s life as much as once can to genuinely try and understand the person. The names of some of the Muslim Jagirdars and other men of courts are very similar, so once gets confused about whom one is referring to at some point.

For the complete review please click on the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3tGpZYEp9E?sub_confirmation=1
https://www.dushyykrights.com/post/challenging-destiny-a-biography-of-chhatrapati-shivaji-by-medha-deshmukh-bhaskaran

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Nice Book

Loved it, could have been more detailed. Felt somewhere incomplete and just tried to focus on major events instead of reality

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Very bad Marathi pronunciation.

The content is excellent and a very unbiased opinion of the author is admirable. The imagination of how incidences could have taken place for eg the coronation, the March to enter Hydrabad actually feels like watching a movie.
But Marathi pronunciation is really bad! Jawaali for jawli miraaj for miraj. And hilariously Mavaali for mavli. And many many more. Which was quite a dampener. The ळ pronunciation is a must, the very essence of perfect Marathi nature.

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