Members of a group calling themselves Sambhaji Brigade destroyed over 30,000 ancient manuscripts January 5, 2004 at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. Authorities say that a mob, incensed by an Oxford University Press book written by James Laine about the parentage of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, broke into and savaged the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, destroying 30,000 ancient manuscripts. Lost were "thousands of rare Sankskrit manuscripts,ancient books and palm leaf inscriptions" as well as a 7th century BCE Assyrian clay tablet. The 250 rioters were members of a group called Sambhaji Brigade.

Laine has since apologized for his remarks in the book and Oxford University Press has withdrawn the work from publication.