OUP India Unveils Apology for Controversial Claims About Shivaji Maharaj

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Oxford University Press (OUP) India has publicly apologised for disseminating unverified claims regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in a publication from over twenty years ago, reviving discussions around a significant controversy that once unsettled both academics and the public in Maharashtra.

In an official notice shared in a newspaper, OUP India conceded that certain statements within the book titled “Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India”, authored by American researcher James Laine and published in 2003, lacked proper verification. The statements in question were noted to appear on pages 31, 33, 34, and 93 of the text.

The apology was directed toward Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale, the 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as well as to the public at large. OUP India expressed its regret over the publication of these statements, stating it was sorry for the “distress and anguish” that resulted.

This book incited considerable outrage upon its release. In January 2004, the controversy intensified when more than 150 activists from the Sambhaji Brigade vandalised the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune. The protesters alleged that the institute supported the author and vehemently opposed what they termed objectionable references to Shivaji Maharaj, a highly respected historical figure in India.

The episode ignited a fervent debate at the time, focusing on themes of academic freedom, historical interpretation, and the respect due to cultural icons. While the book was ultimately withdrawn from circulation within India, the incident remains a notable example of severe friction between scholarly circles and activist factions.

According to the issued notice, the apology has been made on behalf of OUP India’s former Managing Director, Sayeed Manzar Khan. With this acknowledgment, the publisher appears to accept responsibility for editorial oversights concerning the contentious information.

This development has once again spotlighted the enduring sensitivities surrounding historical narratives and their influence on public sentiment, particularly when they involve figures esteemed to great heights.