One of the Western world's most respected publishing houses has withdrawn a scholarly book about Maratha king Shivaji because of the violent protests it has provoked in parts of Maharashtra.

'Shivaji: Hindu Kings in Islamic India' was written by James Laine, Professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College in Minnesota and published by Oxford University Press a year ago.

The first imprint of the book was distributed last February by the OUP office in New York, followed by OUP India last July. But the book has now been withdrawn from the Indian market following an attack on an academic and a research institute whose help has been acknowledged by Dr Laine in the preface of the book.

Last December Shiv Sena activists attacked Sanskrit scholar Shrikant Bahulkar in Pune and blackened his face.

Bahulkar is mentioned in Dr Laine's preface, as is the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune which was
ransacked last month by the pro-Shiv Sena Sabhaji Brigade.

At least 25 important manuscripts were stolen from the institute, including a manuscript of the Nizam, during the attack.

The reason for the violent protests is a line in the book that suggests Shivaji's parents may have been estranged at the time when he was born. There is also a reference in the book to how some citizens of Maharashtra joke "naughtily" about the identity of Shivaji's biological father.

Dismayed by the reactions his book has provoked, Dr Laine has declared in a statement: "It was never my intention to defame the great Maharashtrian hero and I had no desire to upset those for whom he is an emblem of regional and national pride. I apologise for inadvertently doing so."

The book has now been banned by the Maharashtra government and OUP has followed suit by recalling it from the bookshelves of all Indian book sellers.

It can, however, still be purchased in western markets. Meanwhile, other Indian academics mentioned by Dr Laine in his preface have been provided police protection.