History was my favourite subject in school. And Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was my hero. The History teacher also taught Dramatics. She converted our classroom into a theatre of the Maratha Empire. Breathing fire and soul into Shivaji’s life of valour and victory. Making me wish I was living in 17th-century Raigad. I imagined the thunder of the galloping hooves of the Maratha Army’s cavalry as its horses charged the hills and forests of the Sahyadri Range. Also the war cries of the infantry. Their aggression as swords clashed in fierce and bloody battles with the enemy. The boom of canons at sea as the Maratha Navy defended the coastline forts from foreign invasion. So many centuries later, on his birth anniversary today, I remember the great Maratha warrior king and how he influenced young lives and inspired Swarajya (self-rule) and the Independence movement. Shivaji’s hostilities and alliances with the Mughal Empire and European colonial powers were all politics. But men were warriors and kings, then. Not politicians. Shivaji is the most revered Indian historical hero. With monuments and memorials named after him. And Bollywood biopics. Politicians have venerated him to serve their interests. They forget Shivaji had a liberal and tolerant religious policy. And he respected women and honoured and protected the mothers, wives, children and sisters of his political opponents. I have a bust of Shivaji on my bookshelf. In black stone. Three inches high. An orange tilak on his forehead. His craggy face staring into the distance. As if he had sighted the enemy. And was about to order his army to charge. It stands proudly among my thrillers and mysteries. Reminding me of a history I will never forget.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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