Whether you are one of those who have never heard of Shivaji (most people) or someone who knows all about Shivaji and his contribution to Hinduism and Hindu history, you will love this book. I hate tube delays, but I was actually hoping for delays on the Central line just so that I wouldn't have to put this book down! Written in the 1930s by an English author in Colonial India in the midst of the Indian freedom movement, this book recounts what many regard as an earlier freedom movement of the Hindus against another imperialism. Although 'The Grand Rebel' was written for an English audience, every Hindu should read it.

Before talking about Shivaji, the author talks about the need for such a book. When the British Imperialists started to rule over parts of India and attempted to extend their empire, they naturally faced resistance from those in power at the time. Most people assume that the British Empire took control of India from the Moguls. However, anyone who reads about the wars that the British had to fight in India will be surprised to find how little the Moguls feature. Instead it is the Hindu Marathas that the British had to continually fight against. Even after defeating the Marathas, most of the rebellions against the British were led by the Marathas. So, the author informs us, it becomes obvious that by the time the British domination began, the Moguls had already been eclipsed by a Hindu power, and that is why it is important to study how this Maratha state had begun.

Kincaid's book not only educates the reader about the facts of this amazing period of history but also brings to life the environment and atmosphere. And the atmosphere was dark. Shivaji was born at a time when all the Hindu kingdoms had fallen and the Islamic conquest of India seemed complete. The last great Hindu Empire was that of Vijaynagar, which survived two centuries of onslaught in order to protect Hindu people, culture and spirituality. However, a coalition of Islamic kingdoms eventually overwhelmed it. Deprived of any power base, it seemed only a matter of time before Hinduism would die out. By the time of Shivaji's birth, the most that any Hindu 'noble' or soldier could hope for was to serve and rise within one of the many Islamic kingdoms in India. Shivaji's own father was a servant of the Bijapur kingdom.

Due to a Mogul invasion, Shivaji was born while his mother was on the run and he spent his childhood growing up in the hills and forests of what was later to become the core of his Empire. While his father wanted him to become a soldier in the local Muslim Kingdom his mother brought him up on inspiring tales of great Hindu warriors and Empires of the past. Shivaji decided that re-establishing a Hindu Empire was his duty and began to train in the mountains for what was to become his destiny.

Reading this book, you get the feeling that it was made to be a Hollywood film. Indeed, everyone should pray that Hollywood gets hold of the script before Bollywood ever does and damages the reputation of a hero. But while the story of Shivaji is told as that of a rebellion, there is one important difference between this and say a "Braveheart" or "Last Samurai" or "Gladiator". The difference is that the hero does not become a martyr at the end of his life: No, Shivaji not only fought against all the odds against enemies far more powerful than himself but he also did what the heroes in the aforementioned films don't do - he won and died a victorious King with an Empire which was set to grow and dominate India.

The main problem with this book is the sense of disappointment you'll feel when you finish it. Not because it ends on an anti-climax or anything (quite the opposite in fact) but because it is the type of book you wish just went on forever. This is one of those few books you'll ever find where the narrative doesn't drag on at any stage and find impossible to put down. And sadly that is also its only downfall. While it is brilliantly written and perfectly set, it only makes you even more intrigued about the character of this great man, this Legend. What did the ordinary people really think of him? Was he just a hero for standing up to Islamists Imperialists as a rebel or was he acknowledged by the people as the King who had broken the back of the forces bent on destroying Hinduism in its last homeland? And what about his followers? What happened to them after his death? But most of all, what was the extent of the legacy of this man? These and many other things are not really fully addressed in this book and although you can find out some of the information from other sources, it probably won't be as well written as this book. So perhaps the real shame is that Dennis Kincaid died just three weeks after finishing this book … perhaps he would have filled in all the gaps had he survived longer.

A famous historian once said the historian who can do justice to Shivaji has yet to be born. This is still true, but this book gives you a flavour of why it is so difficult to capture Shivaji's importance to our history. A must read.

Reviewed by Amit Mehta