1. Introduction to the Book Raja Shivchatrapati (राजा शिवछत्रपति) is a landmark Marathi biographical work on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , the founder of the Maratha Empire. It was written by the renowned historian, writer, and orator Babasaheb Purandare (original name: Balwant Moreshwar Purandare).