OUP Apologizes to Shivaji Maharaj Descendant Over 2003 Book Controversy

• Oxford University Press India issued a public apology for "unverified statements" in its 2003 book, "Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India," by James Laine.
• The apology comes over 20 years after Udayanraje Bhosale, 13th descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, filed a complaint in a Satara court.
• The book sparked major controversy in January 2004, leading to the ransacking of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune by Sambhaji Brigade activists.
• Bhosale's 2005 complaint led to a defamation case under IPC Section 500 against OUP's former MD Sayeed Manzar Khan and others.
• OUP expressed regret and apologized to Bhosale and the public for distress caused, following Khan's willingness to apologize in the Bombay High Court.

Why It Matters: OUP finally apologizes for controversial Shivaji Maharaj book content after two decades of legal battle.