Yes, He was. With tolerance towards other religions. He protected all Hindus from the cruel clutches of Muslim rulers. He did not murder or rape other faith people. He did not convert forcibly any one to Hinduism. He never encuraged such activities with his soldiers either.
If shivaji was not there most of the Hindus who are surviving today would have been Muslims.
That's why even today many Hindus, who knows his values, perform pooja to his photo irrespective of cast.
