"CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ 1627 to April 3, 1680,"
When Bharat was losing its soul, its self respect, a man rose taller than all others. He awoke the valour of all around him. If ancient temples have survived, if Sanatani legacy is still respected one of the main reasons is the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's escape from Agra was the key turning point in history of India
Taking a lesson from the Portuguese and English traders who had already gained toeholds in India, Shiva ji Maharaj began the building of a naval force; He was the first Indian ruler of his time to use his sea power for trade as well as for defense.
A devout Hindu who prided himself as the protector of his religion, he broke tradition by commanding that two of his relatives, who had been forcibly converted to Islam, should be taken back into the Hindu fold. Yet even though both Christians and Muslims often imposed their creeds on the populace by force, he respected the beliefs and protected the places of worship of both communities.