Oxford University Press India has apologised for a 2003 book about the 17th-century warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji, following a court case brought by his descendant. The publisher acknowledged that the book contained unverified statements about the ruler.
The book, 'Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India', was written by American author James Laine and sparked widespread outrage, particularly in the state of Maharashtra. Critics argued the title misrepresented Shivaji as a religious monarch and portrayed India during his time as 'Islamic'.
In an apology published in two Indian newspapers, OUP India said it regretted the statements on pages 31, 33, 34 and 93. The statement was addressed to Shivaji's 13th descendant, Udayanraje Bhosale, and the public at large.
Mr Bhosale filed a complaint in 2005 against Oxford University India's former managing director and three others. The case was heard on 17 December at the High Court of Kolhapur bench, where the defendants agreed to issue the apology.
The controversy had previously led to violence: in 2004, more than 150 protesters ransacked the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune over its alleged role in assisting Laine's research.
