historian with PM
Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare with PM Narendra Modi. Image credit - Twitter@narendramodi

Noted historian-writer and Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare passed away in Pune on Monday.

He was 99.

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According to media reports, Purandare was admitted to a private hospital in Pune a couple of days ago after he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

He was undergoing treatment at the city’s Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital.

He had been on ventilator support in the hospital.

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The historian died around 5 am.

Purandare was an authority on the 17th century Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his demise.

In a tweet, PM Modi said he was “pained beyond words” at the demise of writer Purandare.

“I am pained beyond words. The demise of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare leaves a major void in the world of history and culture,” PM Modi tweeted.

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“It is thanks to him that the coming generations will get further connected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. His other works will also be remembered,” he added.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray announced a state funeral for Babasaheb.

Purandare authored many books on Chhatrapati Shivaji and dedicated his entire life to history and research.

Purandare was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2019.

He was also honoured with the Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 2015.

He wrote and directed the play ‘Jaanta Raja’ which has been performed by more than 200 artists and translated and enacted in five languages.