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On June 26, 2025, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari launched ' Maratha War of Independence ', a new book authored by researcher and writer Abhas Verma , at a special ceremony held in New Delhi. The book explores a critical yet underrepresented chapter of Indian history—focusing on the Marathas’ resistance against the Mughal Empire following the execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

The book reconstructs this forgotten period through the lens of military resilience, administrative continuity, and cultural assertion, marking it as the first organised war of independence in India.

Speaking at the event, Shri Nitin Gadkari said “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a visionary who laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya—a model of governance rooted in justice, equality, and cultural pride. He was secular in the truest sense, treating all religions with respect and never committing injustice against anyone. Unfortunately, British historians, through selective documentation and diary-writing, distorted our history. Today, the real challenge is not a clash of ideas, but the absence of them. It is our responsibility to present the true, fact-based history to the new generation to build a strong and self-aware India.”

The event featured prominent guests including author and historian Shri Uday Mahurkar, Editor of Organiser weekly Shri Prafulla Ketkar, Garuda Prakashan founder Shri Sankrant Sanu, and author Abhas Verma. Renowned scholar Padma Shri Prof. Bharat Gupt also graced the event with his presence.

Shri Uday Mahurkar said: “The reason why this war qualifies to be regarded as Bharat’s first war of independence is the fact that it started the process of the final disintegration of the Mughal empire with Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 & laid the foundation of Maratha empire in which Marathas controlled the Mughal throne in Delhi for almost 50 years.
The book brings alive two of India’s greatest warriors in 1,000 years - Santaji Ghorpade & Dhanaji Jadhav - who pulverised the Mughals with their skill & valour & terrorised Aurangzeb himself but whose names are not known to today’s India.
Also, author Abhas Varma has done an excellent job of presenting before the nation a bright but unknown chapter of Bharat’s history which lay buried in Maharashtra for nearly 3 centuries. “

Sankrant Sanu, Founder of Garuda Prakashan stated “Garuda Prakashan was founded to give a platform to Indic voices to tell our own stories. From veteran authors to new stars Garuda has featured a range of voices and bestsellers like “Urban Naxals” by Vivek Agnihotri and “All Religions Are Not the Same" by Sanjay Dixit.” Abhas Verma’s book brings a fresh retelling of an important chapter of India’s history.”

The book offers a definitive account of the Maratha resistance between 1689 and 1707. It traces Rajaram Bhonsle’s escape to Jinji, the defense of the fort, and the guerrilla campaigns led by Santaji and Dhanaji. It also highlights administrative strategies, civil leadership, and the contributions of local groups such as the Nayaks and Berads. Drawing from historical texts, Mughal court newsletters, and regional records, the book presents key events such as the battles of Dodderi (1696) and Wagingera (1706–07), the internal decline of the Mughal empire, and the cultural revival under Tara Bai’s leadership. It positions the Maratha movement not as a regional pushback, but as the first sustained and strategic Indian resistance against foreign domination—a precursor to later freedom movements.