Maratha-Baji Rao I Peshwa

Famous as:  Peshwa of Maratha Empire

Nationality: Indian

Birth Date:  August 18, 1700

Died At Age: 39

Sun Sign:  Leo

Father: Balaji Vishwanath

Siblings: Chimnaji Appa

Spouses/Partners: Mastani, Kashibai

Children: Balaji Baji Rao, Raghunathrao, Shamsher Bahadur I

Religion: Hinduism

Died on: April 28, 1740

Bajirao I was the Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) Shahu. A courageous warrior, he is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire, especially in the north. Also known as Bajirao Ballal and Thorale ("Elder") Bajirao, he was born into a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family. His father was the first Peshwa of Chhattrapati Shahu, and Bajirao used to accompany his father on his campaigns from a young age. He inherited his father’s courage and valor, and grew up to be a brave and daring warrior himself. He gained much fame for his military skills while still a teenager and was appointed as the Peshwa when he was just 20 years old. In this position he proved himself to be an outstanding cavalry leader who took up the charge of leading his troops and helped to greatly expand the Maratha Empire. Famed for his military skills, Bajirao made use of rapid tactical movements in battle which greatly contributed to his success. He fought several major battles and is reputed never to have lost one. He was a much respected figure who earned the love of his troops and his people. In addition to his exploits as a warrior, Bajirao was also known for his love for his half-Muslim wife Mastani. 

Childhood & Early Life 

• Bajirao was born on 18 August 1700 into a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family as the son of Balaji Vishwanath and Radhabai. He had a younger brother called Chimnaji Appa.
• His father was the first Peshwa of Chhattrapati Shahu. As a young boy he often used to accompany his father on military campaigns and was well trained by the Maratha cavalry generals. Under his father’s able guidance, he grew up to be a disciplined and highly skilled warrior.
• His father was treacherously arrested by Maharaja Shahu’s army-in-chief Dabhaji Thorat in 1716. Bajirao chose to accompany his father to jail and remained with him for two years till he was released. He travelled with his father to Delhi in 1718.

Later Years  

• His father Vishwanath died in 1720. Chhattrapati Shahu immediately announced the appointment of Bajirao as the new Peshwa even though the young man was barely 20 years old.
• Bajirao was a tall and well-built man who in spite of his young age possessed great military skills. His appointment to the prestigious position of Peshwa at such a young age made many in the Maratha court jealous, but it did not take Bajirao long to prove that Shahu had made the right decision in choosing him.
• From the very beginning he set his eyes upon extending the Maratha Empire. He embarked on his first major campaign in 1723 and conquered Malwa followed by Gujarat. Then he went on to annex most of central India and even dared to attack the imperial Delhi.
• Eventually the administrative capital of the Maratha Empire was moved from Satara to the new city of Pune in 1728 at his suggestion. Chhattrapati Shahu had tremendous faith in Bajirao who fearlessly confronted the Mughals and played a major role in weakening their stronghold on the Indian subcontinent.
• Bajirao led several military campaigns over a career spanning two decades. He is credited to have created the later Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads (Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar as part of the Maratha Empire.
• The courageous warrior was highly skilled in military maneuvers and warfare. He fought over 41 major battles and many other smaller ones, and is reputed never to have lost a battle. He is especially noted for his victory over Bangash Khan who was regarded as the bravest commander of the Mughal army.

Major Battles

Bajirao was known for his military tactics and the Battle of Palkhed which he fought against the Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad is considered a great example of his brilliant execution of military strategy. Eventually the Nizam was defeated by the Marathas and Bajirao was hailed as the hero of the Marathas’ resounding victory.

Personal Life & Legacy

• Bajirao’s first marriage was to Kashibai with whom he had two sons: Nanasaheb and Raghunathrao.
• His second marriage was to, the daughter of Maharaja Chhatrasal of Panna by a Muslim wife. Mastani was a beautiful and brave woman, skilled in horse-riding, spear-throwing and swordsmanship. However, Mastani was never accepted by Bajirao’s mother and brother as she was a half-Muslim. This marriage also caused a rift in the orthodox Hindu Pune society of the time.
• Mastani gave birth to a son who was called Krishnarao at birth. However the orthodox Hindus did not allow the couple to raise their son as a Hindu. So the boy was renamed Shamsher Bahadur and raised a Muslim.
• Bajirao died of an illness on 28 April 1740. Mastani too died shortly afterwards. According to popular folklore she committed suicide, though the exact details of her death are not known.
• Bajirao’s legend has inspired several books, television series, and films, one of the most popular ones being the movie ‘Bajirao Mastani’ (2015) directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Maratha-Maharani Saibai Shivaji Bhosale

Maharani Saibaisaheb Shivajiraje Bhosle

(1633 – 5 September 1659) was the first wife and chief consort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the mother of Shivaji Raje’s eldest son and heir-apparent, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who succeeded Shivaji Maharaj as the Emperor.

Family

Saibai was a member of the prominent Nimbalkar dynasty. The members of the Nimbalkar dynasty were the rulers of Phaltan from the era of the Yadava dynasty until the integration of the princely states into the new nation of India in 1947. She was the daughter of the fifteenth Raja of Phaltan, Mudhojirao Naik Nimbalkar, and the sister of the sixteenth Raja, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar. Saibai's mother Reubai was from the Shirke dynasty.

Marriage

In the year 1630, Mudhojirao ruled over Phaltan. Before that he was a prisoner of Adilshah at Satara Fort. Shahaji Raje (Shivray's father) helped him escape prison. Out of appreciation, Mudhojirao gave his daughter Sai to Shivaji Maharaj. The two of them got married in May of 1640.

The exact date of marriage is not known but Shivabharat mentions that it occurred after Shivaji Maharaj was in his teens. The wedding likely took place when Shivaji Maharaj was around 10–12 years old, and Sai Bai 7, around 1640-42 AD. A reference in Raja Shivachattrapati mentions the event to have taken place on 16 May 1640 AD, and that the marriage was conducted in Pune and Shahaji Raje was unable to attend it as he was in Bangalore at that time.

They had three daughters namely Sakhubai, Ranubai and Ambikabai followed by their son Sambhaji. On 7 September 1651, a girl was born to Shivaji Maharaj at Rajgad. She was named Sakvarbai (Sakhubai). She was later said to be of "wheatish" complexion and was extremely beautiful. Ranubai was their second daughter born in 1653. Ambikabai was their third daughter born in 1655. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was their only son born on 14th may 1657 at Purandar fort.

Saibai and Shivaji Maharaj shared a close relationship; she was Shivray’s first and favourite wife. It is said that on his deathbed his last word was "Sai".

Children

Saibai and Shivaji Maharaj had 4 children in total, three daughters and a son.

•  Sakavarbai or Sakhubai (born in 1651)

• Ranubai (born in 1653)

• Amanika or Ambikabai (born in 1655)

• Sambhaji (born on 14 May 1657 at Purandar Fort).

Their first daughter Sakhubai, was married to Mahadji the son of Bajaaji Naik Nimbalkar i.e. son of Saibai's brother. This marriage took place in year 1657 with an objective to consolidate Bajaji's return to Hinduism as he was converted to Islam by Aurangzeb.

Ranubai was married in Jadhav family. Amanika or Ambikabai married Harji Raje Mahadik in year 1668.

Issue

During the course of their nineteen years of marriage, Saibai and Shivaji became parents of four children: Sakavarbai (nicknamed "Sakhubai"), Ranubai, Ambikabai and Sambhaji. Sakhubai was married to her first-cousin, Mahadji, the son of Saibai's brother, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar. This marriage took place in 1657 with an objective to consolidate Bajaji's return to Hinduism as he had been converted to Islam by the Mughal viceroy Aurangzeb. Ranubai married into the Jadhav family. Ambikabai married Harji Raje Mahadik in 1668. Saibai's fourth issue was her only son, Sambhaji, who was born in 1657 and was Shivaji's eldest son and thus, his heir-apparent. The birth of Sambhaji was an occasion of great joy and significance in the royal household for many different reasons.

Death

Saibai died at the age of 26 at Rajgad fort while Shivaji Maharaj was making preparations for his meeting with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. She was ill from the time she gave birth to Sambhaji, who was two years old at the time of her death. He was brought up by Jijabai saheb, mother of Shivaji Maharaj. To nurture the newborn child Sambhaji, Jijabai appointed Dharai Gade Patil (Dharau) as his wetnurse.

Maratha- Tanaji Malusare

Born	1600 AD
Died	1670 AD
Village	Godoli, Javali taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra
Religion	Hindu
About	Tanaji Malusare, founder of the Maratha Empire, was a warrior in the army of Shivaji. He is also famous as Simha.
Known For	Battle of Sinhagad, 1670
Legacy	A ballad has been written in his honour. Also, a Marathi novel, Gad ala pan sinh gela was written, describing his life.
Battle of Sinhagad	The Battle of Sinhagad was fought on 4 February 1670 between Tanaji Malusare and Udaybhan Rathod.
Death	When Shivaji came to know about the death of Tanaji, Malusare he remarked, "We have gained the fort, but lost a lion."

Tanaji Malusare was a military leader in the Maratha Empire. Hailing from the Malusare clan, Tanaji fought alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in various battles throughout the years. He is most famously known for his role in the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.

Tanaji is one of the brave and famous Maratha warriors and a name which is synonymous with valor and heroism. A lifelong companion and friend of the great Shivaji, he is famous for the capture of the Sinhagad Fort situated at the top pf the hill.Tanaji and his fellowmen braved the steep cliff and attacked the Mughal soldiers. Tanaji lost his life but ensured victory for the Marathas.

The fort of Kondana was situated at a very strategical location and it was very important for Shivaji to capture it. The fort was well guarded by 5000 Moghul soldiers led by Udai Bhan. The only unguarded portion was on top of a overhanging cliff. Tanaji decided to scale the steep cliff with the help of a reptile called Ghorpad. Ghorpads can stick to any surface and can carry the weight of several men with the help of a rope tied to it. At the dead of the night, Tanaji and his 300 fellowmen climbed the cliff silently and attacked the Mughals completely unaware. Tanaji was killed by Udai Bhan after a fierce battle but Shelar Mama avenge the death and the fort was ultimately won by the Marathas.

Despite the victory, Shivaji was upset for the loss of one of his most able commander. He renamed the Kondana fort as the Sinhagad fort in the honour of Tanaji - the 'Sinha'.

 Sinhgad in the hands of Mughals

        The Treaty of Purandar (June 1665) had forced Shivaji Maharaj  to surrender 23 forts to the Moghuls, including Sinhagad. The treaty hurt the pride of the Marathas. None felt the sting more deeply than Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji Maharaj, who was in a way the mother of the kingdom. Shivaji Maharaj, however deeply he loved his mother, could not fulfill her wish, because the conquest was considered virtually impossible, with the fortifications and select Rajput, Arab and Pathan troops guarding it. Shivaji Maharaj’s lieutenants shared this view.

But, Jijabai refused to share their hesitation. It is said that once determined, a woman’s strength of will and thirst of sacrifice are the most potent forces, and the example Shivaji Maharaj’s mother Jijabai definately supported this view. One morning, says the ballad of Sinhagad, while she was looking out of the window of Pratapgad, she saw in the distance the Lion Fort. The thought that the fort was now under the control of Moghuls enraged her. She summoned a rider and ordered him to go in all haste to Shivaji Maharaj, then resident at Rajgad, and tell him that she desired his immediate presence.

Tanaji Malusare on the 'Mission to re-capture Sinhgad

        Tanaji was in the village of Umbrat, engaged in celebrating his son’s wedding, when the call came for him to meet with Shivaji Maharaj at Rajgadh. He hastened to meet Shivaji Maharaj, accompanied by his brother Suryaji and his uncle Shelarmama. Shivaji Maharaj did not have the heart to tell his dear comrade that he had been summoned to such a mission, and directed Tanaji to Jijabai to hear from her the nature of his mission.

Undaunted by the terrifying nature of his mission, the Lion-hearted Tanaji vowed either to accomplish it or die in the process. He set out at night and from the Konkan marched towards the fortress with his men, reaching it unnoticed on a cold, clear and moonless night – in February 1670. He had taken with him Shivaji Maharaj’s favourite ghorpad or lizard to assist in scaling the fort wall (the lizard was regularly used to map a suitable route for climbing forts). The creature, to whose waist a cord was tied, refused to climb the fort, as if to warn Tanaji of the impending disaster. Tanaji expressed his rage, and the lizard got the message and terrified, scaled the hill top, which helped the Marathas to clamber the cliff.

Maratha-Baji Prabhu Deshpande

Baji Prabhu Deshpande (1615-1660) was a general and commander for Shivaji, the founder of the Marathi empire. The well celebrated legend of Baji Prabhu is intricately linked with an important rear guard battle enabling Shivaji's escape from Panhala fort; he was the hero who sacrificed his life for his king. Baji Prabhu had mastered the art of using a weapon called "Dand Patta".

        Baji Prabhu Deshpande was one of the famous general of Great king Shivaji Maharaj. He was command in Charge of famous battle of Pawankhind. The battle of Pawankhind is very similar to 300 Spartan fought against thousand of Persians. Baji Prabhu and his men blocked the Sultan's army cheasing king Shivaji at Pawankhind mountain pass. The battle was completely unmatched, the ratio of strength is 1:40, with one side army of 12,000, well prepared heavy armored infantry and other side 300 Shivaji’s light infantry. The battle was last man stand battle and lasted about 15 hours. The outcome of battle was all 300 soldiers died at battlefield and sultan lost 4,000 of his infantry and 8000 deadly injured. After shivaji reached at Vishalgad he counter attack on sultan’s army and forced them to retreat. After this decisive battle the Vazir of Sultan Siddi Jauhar get frustrated  ordered his army to withdraw from shivaji’s kingdom.

        Baji Prabhu Deshpande was one of the famous general of Great king Shivaji Maharaj. He was command in Charge of famous battle of Pawankhind. The battle of Pawankhind is very similar to 300 Spartan fought with thousand of Persians. Baji Prabhu and his men blocked the Sultan,s army cheasing king Shivaji at Pawankhind mountain pass. The battle was completely unmatched, the ratio of strength is 1:40, with one side army of 12,000, well prepared heavy armored infantry and other side 300 Shivaji’s light infantry. The battle was last man stand battle and lasted about 15 hours. The outcome of battle was all 300 soldiers died at battlefield and sultan lost 4,000 of his infantry and 8000 deadly injured. After shivaji reached at Vishalgad he counter attack in sultan’s army and forced them to retreat. After this decisive battle the Vazir of Sultan Siddi Jauhar get frustrated  ordered his army to withdraw from shivaji’s kingdom.This is the story of a military officer who started his career in the service of ChandraRao More, a feudal lord  that was a lifelong enemy of the Bhosale family and ended it as a captain who saved Shivaji and his vision of Hindavi Swarajya.

     When Shivaji defeated ChandraRao More and his clan at Jawali (near RaiGad), Baji Prabhu was a defending officer! Shivaji convinced Baji to join the cause of Hindavi Swarajya and thus gained a powerful ally. This is a credit to Shivaji’s powers of persuasion as well as to Baji’s acceptance of righteousness of the cause. Baji and his ancestors had been DeshPande’s (feudal lords) for many generations whereas Shivaji was a relative commoner. Indeed, throughout his career, Shivaji had to fight many feudal lords of Marathi origin (DeshPande, DeshMukh, Inamdar, etc.) as fiercely as he fought the dictators of Vijapur or Delhi because Shivaji was a commoner to these entrenched feudal lords. Baji was a notable exception  just like Kanhoji Jedhe  DeshMukh.
     Baji was Shivaji’s officer in the fight against AfzulKhan and in the many victorious battles after the defeat and death of that Khan. He was with Shivaji at Panhala and thus was, one of the officers defending Panhala against the siege by Siddi Jowhar, a brave and expert General from Vijapur. When it became clear that Shivaji and a select few must escape Panhala siege, Baji was the chief officer in charge of the escape attempt. With his 600 trusted soldiers, and with Shiva Kashid as a decoy, Baji led Shivaji out of Panhala in the darkness of a rainy night.
     Despite their best attempts at a quiet getaway, Siddi Jowhar’s soldiers became aware of the escape attempt, and despite the heroic martyrdom of Shiva Kashid, more time had to be purchased to enable Shivaji and his party to reach VishalGad safely. Unfortunately, that fort was also under siege by a Marathi officer  loyal to Vijapur! Shivaji needed time not only to reach VishalGad but to force his way into that fort. Baji Prabhu dispatched half of his 600 soldiers with Shivaji and stood ready to fight Siddi Masood with the other half at the entrance to GhodeKhind, a narrow mountain pass that the 12,000 army under Siddi Masood  must cross if they were to recapture Shivaji. Despite these 40-to-1 odds as well as the fact that they were already tired due to the stress of the secret escape attempt during a dark and rainy night, Baji Prabhu and his brave troops defended the mountain pass till they heard 3 consecutive shots of a cannon from VishalGad  the much anticipated signal that Shiavji had reached safely in that fort. Baji Prabhu and his loyal soldiers had blockaded Siddi Masood’s progress for over 15 hours! Though seriously wounded, Baji was holding on to life almost purely by his will power and died when he heard the cannon shots. Now that their goal was achieved, the rest of the Baji soldiers  left the mountain pass. 

          That mountain pass has since been renamed Pawan Khind  meaning a holy mountain pass. There Baji enabled Shivaji & the Hindavi Swarajya to survive and prosper against heavy odds

Maratha-Rajmata Jijau

        

        Rajmata Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598 and a daughter of Lakhoji Jadhav in present-day Buldhana  district of Maharashtra State. she was wed at an early age to Shahaji Bhosale, a nobleman and military commander under the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur in present-day Karnataka. She wholeheartedly supported her husband's cause. Shahaji had tried to establish a Maratha state on the ruins of the erstwhile Nizamshahi sultanate. However he was defeated by the combined forces of the Mughals and Adilshahi. Shahaji became a sardar in Adilshaha's army. He settled in Karnataka and got married again. As per the treaty he was forced to move south. In order to continue the struggle, he deputed her as queen regent.The elder son Sambhaji remained with their father. Shivaji left Bangalore along with his mother, a council of ministers and chosen military commanders. When they arrived in Pune it was full of jungles and wild beasts.She encouraged cuiltivators to settle. She renovated the kasaba ganapati temple. A Red sandstone palace of moderate size known as lal mahal was also built. She has given a number of decisions in legal and administrative matter known as majhars.
         Rajmata Jijabai was a very pious and intelligent person with great vision for independent Hindu kingdom. She inspired Shivaji by telling stories from Ramayan , Mahabharat. Inspired by her, Shivaji took Oath of Independence (SWARAJYA) in fort temple of lord Raireshwar in 1645 when he was 17.In Shivaji,s impeccable , spotless character and courage Jijabai,s contribution is enormous. Jijabai's elder son Sambhaji was killed while on a military expedition in Karnataka by Afzal Khan. When Shahaji died, Jijabai tried to commit sati - committing suicide by burning oneself in the husband's pyre, but Shivaji stopped her from doing so by his request. Jijabai is widely credited with raising Shivaji in a manner that led to his future greatness. She died soon after coronation of Shivaji Maharaj.

        Rajmata Jijabai was a religious personality better known as the mother of Chatrapathi Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the first wife of Shahaji Bhosale, a nobleman and military commander under the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur. She is known for her support to both her husband and sons in establishing Hindu empire in the country, when it was fully dominated by Mughals. She also played a pivot role in bringing up young Sivaji in a religious atmosphere.
       She wedded at a younger age to Shahaji Bhosle and had 8 children of whom only 2 sons survived. She was unhappy that both her father and her husband were serving under Muslim sultans. In those days all Hindu leaders were forced to work under Nizam. Jijabai was one of the main administrators of the city and
she was well educated as well. She was very religious and young Shivaji was very much attached to his mother. He was brought up in a religious background by his mother who taught him both the great epics. He was deeply interested in Hinduism and was closely associated with saints during his life time. She wholeheartedly supported her husband’s intensions to establish a Hindu empire.But when he was defeated by the combined forces of Mughals and Adilshahi, he was forced to leave Pune. He married again and deputed her as queen regent.Shivaji lived with his mother in Pune. It was under the deep influence of his
mother and great stories of warriors she taught him, Shivaji took oath of ‘Swaraj’ and conquered many forts establishing the Maratha empire. However she died soon after coronation of Shivaji on 17 June 1674.
       She was crowned Rajmata but could not savour the fruits of her labour as after twelve days of the coronation in the year 1674 she passed away relieved that her dream of a Hindu Rajya upholding the principles of peace and justice had come into existence.

Maratha-Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj

Birthdate:     February 24, 1670
Death:           March 3, 1700
age:               30
 Life

       Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj was the younger son of Shivaji Raje Bhosale. He was born on February 24, 1670. After the death of his brother, Sambhaji Maharaj, he become the king of Maratha empire in 1689. He was just 19 years old at that time. The mother of Rajaram Maharaj was Soyarabai, the second wife of Shivaji Maharaj. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had sent Zulfiqar Khan against the Maratha army of Rajaram Maharaj, to capture Raigarh. 

         The widow of Shambhuji Maharaj, Yesu Bai, advised Rajaram Maharaj to move to Pratapgarh for safety, while she herself boldly stood the siege at Raigarh. Under this lady’s inspiration the Maratha army started an unprecedented fight against the Mughal army. They tried to prevent reinforcements from reaching Zulfiqar Khan at Raigarh, but the Maratha capital fell through the treachery of one of their own officers. Suryaji Pisal opened the gates to Zulfiqar Khan on 13th November, 1689 on the promise of the grant to him of the Deshmukhi watan of Wai which he had coveted for a long time. Yesu Bai and her young son Shahu and many other notable persons were taken prisoner and carried away by Zulfiqar Khan to the Mughal camp. Thereafter, Aurangzeb captured many other forts, but his triumph was short lived, for now the Maratha war of independence took the turn of a people’s war.

          Rajaram Maharaj who was not a great organizing genius like his father. But he had support of many influential personalities, the most important among whom were Prahlad Niraji and Ram Chandra Nilkanth. They toiled hard to roll back the tide of the Mughal invasion. Under these two inspiring leaders, four lieutenants of exceptional abilities, namely, Paras Ram Trimbak Pratinidhi, Shankarji Narayan Sachiva, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav, worked wonders, frustrated Aurangzeb’s schemes and secured Maratha independence which had been lost by the capture of Shambhuji and the fall of their capital Raigarh.

        After the capture of Raigarh, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj shifted the Maratha capital to Jinji. Aurangzed again sent the Mughal army under the leadership of Zulfiqar to Khan to capture Jinji. Though Maratha army was strong and enthusiastic, Jinji was finally captured by the Mughals in 1698.

        The siege lasted for eight years, but Rajaram Maharaj had already escaped to Maharashtra. The struggle continued and Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav inflicted unspeakable misery on the imperialists, hovered round Aurangzeb’s own camp and plundered it more than once.

        Chhatrapati Rajaram moved to Vishalgarh early in 1698. He established his court at Satara, and although it was lost soon afterwards, the Marathas recovered it in 1704. Rajaram Maharaj made a tour of his country and cheered up his officers in the various forts. The Maratha spirit by that time had risen high and they were gradually becoming confident of rolling back the tide of the Mughal invasion.But Rajaram Maharaj soon after fell ill and died on March 2, 1700 at Sinhagad fort. He died at the early age of thirty.

Conclusion

      Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj was barely ten years of age at the time of Shivaji’s death. He had not been given proper education. His great virtue as a ruler was that he gave his confidence and support to his ministers and rarely interfered with their work. Sambhaji’s capture and death, however, raised him to the throne. He was fortunate in having two advisers, Ramchandra Pant and Prahlad Niraji, of exceptional ability and two brave warriors, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav, to carry out his plans and policy.

         Though, Rajaram Maharaj did not possessed the military genius of his father,  his reigh is considered as the turning point in the history of Maratha war of Independence.

 

Maratha-Shahji Raje Bhonsle

Birthdate:     March 18, 1594
Death:          January 23, 1664

Shahji Bhonsle (also Shahji Raje Bhonsle, Shahaji Raje Bhonsle) was the father of Shivaji Maharaj. He was the first to raise the prestige of Bhonsle family ( to which Shivaji Maharaj belongs) to acquire military distinction. Shahji acquired practical experience of war under his father Maloji and Malik Ambar.

It was in course of the wards of Malik Ambar that Shahji learnt how a small force could exploit local topography to inflict defeats on much larger armies by the use of guerilla tactics. Shahji remained loyal to the states of the Deccan and fought against the Mughals on the side of Malik Ambar.

Shahji now settled down with a number of Maharashtrian Brahmins and Marathas in this jagir and acquired great fame and renown not only as a capable administrator but also as a patron of arts and letters.

Early life

 Shahaji was the son of Maratha warrior Maloji Bhosale.Maloji was a capable soldier and eventually became Sar Giroh and was awarded independent Jagir (Fief) of Pune & Supe districts in the court of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. Maloji was childless for a long time. After seeking blessings from a Sufi muslim pir called Shah Sharif, two sons were born to him. Maloji named his sons Shahaji and Sharifji in honour of the pir. Shahaji married Jijabai,the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav,another Maratha general in the service of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar when both of them were children.

The Bhosale clan ,despite being from Maharashtra region claimed to be Rajput.Shahaji, in his letter to Adil Shah, called himself a Sisodia Rajput

Jagirdar of Bangalore

         In Bangalore, the second phase of Shahaji's life started. He sent his wife Jijabai and their younger son, Shivaji to Pune to manage his jagir of Pune. The couple's elder son, Shambuji and another son Venkoji from his second wife stayed with him at Bangalore.Shahji was virtually the king of the territory under his control.the Sultan trusted him and called him the a son and pillar of the state.In Bangalore, Shahaji patronizedmen of learning

        Meanwhile young Shivaji started capturing territory controlled by Adilshah around Pune. AdilShah, alarmed by the activities of Shivaji in particular, deceitfully captured Shahaji and imprisoned him as he suspected that Shahaji encouraged Shivaji. Two expeditions were sent simultaneously against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambhaji, who defeated Adilshahi forces. Shivaji meanwhile approached the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan, seeking help against Adilshah. Fearing another Mughal campaign against Bijapur, Adilshah released Shahaji from prison. However, the elder son Sambhaji was killed during an expedition due to the treacherous role of Afzal Khan. Later Shivaji killed Afzal Khan.

         Thus these events proved that Shahaji had taken a sensible decision in keeping Shivaji in the original stronghold of Pune barring which, like Shahaji, Shivaji would have been imprisoned or killed like his elder brother. This period of crisis was overcome by sacrifice and personal bonds of the family. Shahaji actively supported Shivaji in his earlier enterprises, like the campaign against Afzal Khan. Sensing treachery by Afzal khan, Shahaji was waiting near Bijapur with his army of 17,000. He had warned Badi Begum of Adilshah that, if Afzal Khan and his Adilshahi forces killed Shivaji by deceit, then there wouldn't remain even a brick of the Adilshahi kingdom.

          

         Shahaji had two sons by Jijabai, Sambhaji and Shivaji. Sambhaji was killed by Afzal Khan. He was cremated in town of Channagiri Taluka of Davanagere district of Karnataka. Shahaji had one son Venkoji (Ekoji I) by his second wife, who came from the Mohite family. Venkoji later ruled over the independent Maratha kingdom of Thanjavur. Shahaji groomed all his sons as good administrators and men of culture and taste, Shivaji in the Pune region, Sambhaji in Banglore and Venkoji in Thanjavur region. Shivaji encouraged farming and cultivation, similarly Venkoji also dug canals in Thanjavur and promoted farming activities. Both were good administrators. Like Shahaji, they were scholars and warriors. Shahaji had causeed a champukavya. At Bangalore, literary activities were promoted by him. His court poet Jayram Pindye composed Radha Madhav Vilas Champu in flowery Sanskrit. His literary traditions were carried on by his sons and had strong influence on the mind of Shivaji and the Thanjavur branch.Shahaji samadhi/tomb is at Hodigere near Channagiri (Davangere Taluka) in Karanataka. Shahaji's dream of an independent kingdom was made a reality by his both sons, the great Shivaji Maharaj in Deccan and Ekoji I in Thanjavur

Shahaji died around 1664, after falling off his horse during a hunt.