‘The special number of Lokrajyo, fortnishtly publication of the Governmen: of Maharashtra, brought out on April 16, 1985 to mark the historic occasion of the installation of Meghdambari on the site of the throne’ trapatl Shivaji Mahara} at fort Raigad, was received very well by ‘The discerning among them, so also the keen students of histe “ented the Government for producing such an infor 1d attractive volume. They saw in it all potentialities of areferen, ok of high merit and everlasting value, The demand for this numbéfleverran the usual print order and stil continued to be persistently made on us from all quarters, It was, therefore, decided 10 ‘eprint this volume in an independent form, eather than reprinting the ‘earlior special number of Lokraiya. This publication. titled “Shivaji, the ‘reat nation builder, which contains every bit-of material included in the special number of Lokrajya of April 16, 1985, is thus designed to serve the need of a permanent reference volume on Chhatrapati Shivaji Iis indeed a heppy coincidence that this book is being published right at the time of the Centenary of the launching of freedom movement of our times. Chhatrapati Shivali's appearance on the ‘scene of the Indian history in the 17th century heralded ‘@ new era of nationalism bringing in sharp focus the popular will to fight for freedom, He was the founder of ‘Hindavi ‘Swaraj , and Raigad was his principal seat of power. He ‘was the symbol of patriotism and national strength, the Qualities basically required to make the country strong The life and mission of Chhatrapati Shivaji thus provide Us lessons of national integration, Sarvadharma Samabhov, ‘unity and strength. it was not for nothing that our beloved Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi, called Rajgad a place of pilorimage. It is hoped that this publication will serve the Gesired purpose. a Director General Information & Public Relations