Build your self confidence like a leader

This is an article by Marshall Goldsmith in which he states 5 points to build one's self confidence as a leader.

1. Don't worry about being perfect
2. Learn to live with failure
3. After you make the final decision - commit!
4. Show courage on the outside
5. Find happiness and contentment in your work

Here is the link to the article :-
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/goldsmith/2009/10/build_your_self_confidence_lik.html

Search for Bhavani Sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ...

I recently read a marathi book 'Shodh Bhavani Talvaricha' (Search for Bhavani sword) written by Indrajit Sawant. The author has done M.A. in History and is having a collection of different types of historical weapons. (especially swords of Chhatrapati Shivaji's era).

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the greatest warrior of 17th century who established Hindavi Swarajya. He brought revolution in traditional maratha weapons. He developed Maratha swords. This type of sword has a unique comfortable hilt with a unique pommel.

Description of different parts of a typical Maratha Sword :-



The author's passion towards the swords and history motivated him to investigate into the real swords of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and study different types of swords.

There are different types of swords - Dhop, Khanda, Phirang, Latti, Samsher, etc.

The swords belonging to Shivaji Maharaj are of Phirang type. i.e. the blade is of European (Portuguese) made and they are straight and hilt of the sword is of Maratha type. In the historical records,we can find that Shivaji Maharaj was having many swords like Tulaja, Bhavani, Jagadamba, etc.



In this book, the author has given many references / evidences to find out where these swords are located now.

"Jagadamba", one of the swords of Shivaji Maharaj is now in London, in Royal Collection Trust of Royal family of Britain. This sword was presented by Shivaji IV of Kolhapur to Prince of Wales in 1875 AD. (The Royal Collection London - Address: Clarence House, St James's Palace, London, SW1 1BA)

The catalog at Royal collection has the following entry about this sword :-

" Sabre : Maratha: Straight, one-edged old European blade with two grooves on each side, in one of which I.H.S. is stamped three times; the raised steel supports at the hilt are damascened with gold in floral designs; the guarded hilt is iron with a broad knuckle guard and a circular pommel, terminating in a spike and encrusted with heavy open-work Floral decoration of gold thickly set with large diamonds and rubies. Presented by H.H. the Maharaja of Kolhapur as a relic of the Maratha chief Shivaji, to whom it formerly belonged."

Jagadamba sword in Royal collection :-



Efforts are being made to bring back this sword from London back to India. This sword is indeed a source of inspiration to all of us.

Please refer this link for more pictures and information :- http://swordofshivaji.blogspot.com/

I would recommend everyone to read this book.
Many thanks to Indrajit Sawant for doing this excellent research !

Photos taken from air by Uddhav Thackeray

I liked these photos taken by Uddhav Thackeray - It includes forts in Maharashtra, some places in Mumbai and some places of worship in India.

http://www.uddhavsphotos.com/photos.html