The Era of Baji rao [Paperback] [Dec 12, 2016] Uday S. Kulkarni Paperback – International Edition, December 12, 2016

A well researched, well written historical non-fiction book written in a unique story telling style. The author has done a great job in brining this era to life. There are numerous instances in this book that have made an impression on my mind similar to books like Raja Shiva-Chatrapati.

Well researched and fact based book. Doesn’t pass judgements or glorify/villianize characters but still feels entertaining and not academic!

This is one of the best history books that I have read. Based on this, I am now going to read all of Uday Kulkarni’s books on the Marathas. This is well researched, borrowing from an incredible array of credible and rare sources. There is no bias or hyperbole. Indian readers who study a biased and limited history in school need more such books to know the real history of their country.This is the story of Peshwa Baji Rao and the building of the great Maratha empire. Usually, when it comes to the Marathas, we know about Shivaji and his triumphs and the third battle of Panipat. The period in-between is actually their most glorious period. Although it’s often neglected and forgotten.Taking over as the Peshwa at a very young age, Baji Rao helped to turn a tiny kingdom into a large empire and the most dominant power in India. He got the better of the Mughals, the Nizam, the Siddi and the Portuguese. He was tactically very astute, knowing when and where to fight and when not to fight. He built the empire on the back of a lightening fast cavalry which tired their enemies and struck at them when they were most vulnerable. He left behind an empire which stood the test of time and an able core of commanders who took the Marathas to even greater heights. While he won so many riches for his king, the great man had a huge personal debt when he died. Money he borrowed to finance the military campaigns. Honest and committed. Not trying to make a personal fortune.There are three important takeaways from this this book. One, it places Baji Rao in his rightful place as one of India’s greatest military commanders. Second, it informs all readers that India didn’t transition directly from the Mughals to the British. There was a long period of Maratha domination and glory between the two periods. Thirdly, it also gives a glimpse of what ailed the Marathas. Something which also contributed to their defeat at Panipat.A big thanks to Uday Kulkarni for writing this book.

This book captures an era from 1689(After Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj) to 1740(Peshwa Baji Rao's death). Events that unfolded in these 50 years were foundational for the Maratha Empire that later span across India.Book starts with Principal Characters, Timeline and Genealogies which set the context for the reader. Book has many maps, few of these are really unique, they super impose military formations, directions of campaigns over the geographical terrain. I have not read such a reader friendly book in a long time. I wish more books present the information in this way.Sections on Balaji Vishwanath, Kanhoji Angre, Chatrapati Rajaram, Brahemndra Swami, Nizam-ul-Mulk, Sayyid brothers are rich in detail and help the reader understand the key contemporary personalities that shaped events of this era.Chapters on Battle of Palkhed, Campaign in Habshan, Pilgrimage of Radha Bai (Baji Rao's mother), Baji Rao's dash to Delhi are really epic. Chapters on Firangan area and Battle of Vasai are so thorough that you will be mesmerised. There are many things that can be learned from Battle of Palkhed, Chimaji Appa's heroic efforts while capturing Vasai Fort and his magnanimity towards enemy post the battle. For me, these chapters are highlight of this book. They are so alive(with maps, letters, references to other historians) that you will feel that history unfolded right in those pages.Most importantly, Author has stayed true to facts as recorded in the available historical documents. Author's page section captures his views on non-fiction historical writing. Such unbiased, objective writing is rare. Usually, such book runs the risk of being dry and un-engaging. However, it is a testament to author's literary skills that book keeps the reader fully engrossed. Idea of Rewa Uvach sections where River Naramada narrates the storyline is simply brilliant.This kind of history writing is rare, do read this book.

An absolutely masterpiece on Bajirao Peshwa. A detailed, factual, thorough, well researched book that not only covers the life of the Peshwa but also depicts the life and time of that era. The book easily serves as a historical masterpiece, providing an accurate narration of that time, without glorifying or needlessly exaggerating facts - the author has taken care to ensure that everything is based on primary historical sources and sticking to facts. The writing style is simple but lucid and ensures that the reader is educated but in a manner that is very engaging.On the content itself, we realize how little we know of some of the greats in Bharat's history. The contributions of the Peshwa in extending the HIndavi swarajya established by Shivaji is perhaps more than any other hero of India's struggle against invaders for the past 1000 years. A big thanks to Uday Kulkarni for writing a book on such a great hero! From Attock to Cuttack, from Delhi to Tanjavur - Bajirao Peshwa who took on the Mughals, the Nizam, the Portugese and many other bigots and defeated them!

A serious problem afflicts Indian writing of history. The books are either jingoistic or utter drab collection of references. Often the texture is uneven, usually due to the author’s specific areas of interest in a timeline. Worse, scant attention is paid to presentation and copy-editing by most Indian publishers of books of history.The Era of Baji Rao, by Dr. Uday Kulkarni, thankfully, is none of the above. (Save for a few typos that could have been easily taken care of and a couple of maps that could have been clearer).Writing a book on a person like Baji Rao I, given his life and times, is a difficult one to write, without falling in the trap of being in awe of his achievements. The author is aware of that, and says so, in the opening note. Dr. Kulkarni stays true to this submission.From being a very well-researched book to its balance in presentation, I’d mark this book as ground breaking. Dr. Kulkarni has laid down a framework for writing a biography that does not insult the intelligence of the reader; in fact, the book respects the reader’s intelligence. In a few reviews Dr. Kulkarni was congratulated for not forming conclusions. The conclusions are there; they aren’t however, dumbed down as is usually the practice. They are there; they aren’t obvious. And standing tall on a mountain of such irrefutable, rich, and varied references that Dr. Kulkarni has gathered, there is no reason why an author should not conclude.Then there is context. If a book were to focus only on the achievements of a historical personality, it tends to become hagiographical. Depending on how you view that personality, it causes unnecessary chest-thumping or extreme suspicion of bias. One of the key highlights of The Era of Baji Rao is that there is rich and relevant context to the life and times of Baji Rao I. It is not written in isolation; on the contrary, the context to the why and how of any of his campaigns, initiatives, or choices is is there for the reader to see. A context to the circumstances in which a choice was made is of more value to the reader than an insipid statement of the choice. This, coupled with a deftly handled insight into Baji Rao I’s character, personality, and emotion makes this one of the better non-fiction biographies.If you have an interest in the history of India, the Deccan, the Marathas, or Baji Rao I himself, this is a book, you should be reading now!

The Era of Bajirao is a superb book covering a brief but vital period which completely changed the course of Indian history. I would highly recommend this book not just for lovers of Maratha history, but for anyone who loves Indian history in general. The events described this book truly took place on the national stage.As the Mughal empire crumbled, a new power arose. And in just two decades it would grow from two districts to an empire spanning the length and breadth of India! At the centre stage of these great events is one remarkable personality.But the book is not a biography. Rather, it is “the unfolding of an era”. As Dr. Kulkarni takes us on the journey, we meet many other remarkable personalities like Balaji Vishwanath and Kanhoji Angre. In a masterly way, the author describes complex events in the north like the rise and fall of the Sayyid brothers and the rise of Nizam-ul-Mulk. Bajirao’s great victories in the battles of Palkhed, Bundelkhand, Malwa, Bhopal, Dehi are described in detail, as also Chimaji Appa’s campaigns in the west coast to counter the Portuguese threat.Fascinating as the story is, it must be remembered this book is a serious work on history, based on solid research. The author empowers the reader with facts in the form of original documents & letters. There are hundreds of references to these primary sources, which offer advanced readers deeper insights into the period. That said, it is also a very engrossing read for beginners. As you finish each chapter, the excitement builds and and you feel like immediately reading the next chapter. It is hard to put it down once you begin.