Pune: An irate mob, protesting against a book on Shivaji Maharaj by foreign author, stormed the Bhandarkar Research Institute, a premier research institution, and damaged several rare books, manuscripts, office furniture and other paraphernalia today (Jan 5, 2004).

More than 70 persons have been rounded up in this connection, police said.

The mob was protesting against a book written by a foreign author on Shivaji wherein he is alleged to have made some disparaging remarks on the renowned Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Heavy police bandobust has been maintained in the area, police added.