Archive · 8 Jan 2026
OUP India Apologizes for Shivaji Maharaj Book Content
Oxford University Press in India said they are sorry for some things they wrote about a famous king named Shivaji Maharaj in a book.
The book was written by someone named James Laine in 2003.
Some people got very upset about what was written and even damaged a research place called Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune.
The press said they are sorry to the king's family for not checking all the facts before printing the book.
The book was taken out of circulation in India after the incident.
Oxford University Press (OUP) India apologized for unverified statements about Shivaji Maharaj in a 2003 book.
The book, 'Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India,' was written by American author James Laine.
The apology was issued to Udayanraje Bhosale, the 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The book sparked controversy in 2004 when activists ransacked the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune.
OUP India acknowledged that some statements on pages 31, 33, 34, and 93 were unverified and apologized for the distress caused.
- Who
- Oxford University Press (OUP) India and Udayanraje Bhosale, 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- What
- Apology for unverified statements about Shivaji Maharaj in a 2003 book
- When
- The book was published in 2003, the incident occurred in 2004, and the apology was issued recently
- Where
- India, specifically involving the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune
- Why
- The book contained unverified statements about Shivaji Maharaj, leading to controversy and an apology
- Organization
- Oxford University Press (OUP) India
- Book Title
- Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India
- Author
- James Laine
- Year Published
- 2003
- Pages in Question
- 31, 33, 34, 93
- Apology Recipient
- Udayanraje Bhosale, 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Incident Year
- 2004
- Institute Involved
- Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI)
- Activist Group
- Sambhaji Brigade
- Number of Activists
- More than 150
Sources
Oxford University Press apologises for Shivaji Maharaj content
Oxford University Press apologises to Shivaji descendant over unverified claims in 2003 book
Oxford University Press Apologises Over Content On Shivaji Maharaj In Book Published In 2003
Oxford University Press apologises for ‘unverified’ claims about Shivaji in 2003 book
Oxford University Press apologises for ‘unverified statements’ on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 2003 book by historian James Laine
Oxford Press has apologised for a 2003 book on Shivaji. Here’s why
Oxford University Press apologises to Shivaji Maharaj’s descendant over unverified content in 2003 book
