The Maratha Empire was one of the most prominent and influential empires in the history of India.
Its founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in Indian history.
Shivaji Maharaj’s family tree played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the Maratha Empire.
In this article, we will delve into the intricate details of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s family tree and its impact on the Maratha Empire.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Family Tree (Image: Source)
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Early Years
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630 in the hill-fort of Shivneri, near Pune.[1]wikipedia
His father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a prominent Maratha general and his mother, Jijabai, was the daughter of a powerful Maratha aristocrat.
Shivaji was trained in the art of warfare from an early age and was known for his bravery and military skills.
The Bhonsle Clan
The Bhonsle clan, to which Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged, was one of the most influential clans in the Maratha Empire.
Shahaji Bhonsle, Shivaji’s father, was a prominent general in the Adil Shahi Sultanate, which ruled parts of present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka.
After Shahaji Bhonsle’s death, Shivaji took over the reins of the Bhonsle clan and expanded its territories through his military campaigns.
The Shivneri Fort
The Shivneri Fort, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born, was a strategically important fortification in the Pune region. The fort was located on a hilltop and had natural defences, making it an ideal location for a military stronghold.
Shivaji spent his early years at the Shivneri Fort and later used it as a base for his military campaigns.
The Maratha Empire
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. The empire grew rapidly under his leadership and expanded to encompass much of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and parts of central and northern India.
The Maratha Empire was a formidable military power and was known for its guerrilla tactics and strategic alliances.
Shivaji’s Life, Death, and Legacy
Shivaji was a warrior king who carved out a vast empire in Western India during the 17th century.[2]culturalindia
His death in 1680 at the age of 52 was a significant turning point in Indian history. In this article, we will discuss Shivaji’s life, his death, and his legacy.
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Shivaji’s Life and Achievements
- Shivaji was born in 1627 in the town of Shivneri, located in present-day Maharashtra. He was the son of Shahaji Bhonsle, a Maratha general who served under the Adil Shahi dynasty.
- From a young age, Shivaji was trained in military tactics and soon showed a natural talent for warfare.
- He went on to establish the Maratha empire, which covered much of present-day India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
- Shivaji’s military campaigns were marked by his strategic genius and his ability to outmaneuver his opponents. He is credited with pioneering the guerilla warfare tactics that later became popular in India’s struggle for independence.
- Shivaji’s conquests were not limited to military victories.
- He was also a skilled administrator who established a system of governance based on local councils or Panchayats. This system ensured that the local population had a say in the running of their own affairs.
1.#Thread on genealogy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
This thread will investigate into the myth, popularised by Jadunath Sarkar:- ‘Genealogy of Shivaji Maharaj was fabricated for Coronation’#ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj pic.twitter.com/YleOs6DUIL
— Hindu History (@HindutvaItihas) March 6, 2021
Shivaji’s Death and Succession Crisis
- Shivaji died on April 3, 1680, at the Raigad Fort, after suffering from a bout of dysentery. His death led to a succession crisis, with his eldest son Sambhaji and his third wife Soyrabai vying for control of the empire.
- Soyrabai had a 10-year-old son, Rajaram, whom she wanted to see on the throne. Sambhaji, however, had other plans. He dethroned Rajaram and ascended the throne himself on June 20, 1680.
- After Shivaji’s death, the Mughal-Maratha conflicts continued, and the Maratha glory declined greatly. The Mughals took advantage of the succession crisis and launched a series of attacks on the Maratha empire.
- Sambhaji was eventually captured and executed by the Mughals in 1689, leaving the empire in a state of chaos.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Family Tree
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s family tree played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the Maratha Empire. Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai, was the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav, a powerful Maratha aristocrat.
Jijabai was known for her bravery and leadership skills, and she played an important role in shaping Shivaji’s personality and character.
Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhonsle, was a prominent general in the Adil Shahi Sultanate.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Image: Source)
He played a key role in establishing the Bhonsle clan as one of the most influential clans in the Maratha Empire. Shahaji Bhonsle’s second wife, Tukabai, was the mother of Shivaji’s half-brother, Ekoji.
Ekoji Bhonsle was an important figure in the Maratha Empire and played a significant role in its expansion.
He was appointed as the ruler of Thanjavur in present-day Tamil Nadu and was responsible for the Maratha Empire’s conquest of the region.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s wife, Saibai, was the daughter of a Maratha nobleman. She played an important role in Shivaji’s life and supported him in his military campaigns.
Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji, succeeded him as the ruler of the Maratha Empire after his Death.
Queens Of Shivaji Maharaj
- Saibai (Nimbalkar)[3]go4prep
- Soyarabai (Mohite)
- Putalabai (Palkar)
- Gunwantabai (Ingle)
- Sagunabai (Shirke)
- Kashibai (Jadhav)
- Lakshmibai (Vichare)
- Sakwarbai (Gaikwad)
Shivaji Maharaj: Children
Saibai
- Sambhaji (Son)
- Sakhubai (Daughter)
- Ranubai (Daughter)
- Ambikabai (Daughter)
Soyarabai
- Rajaram (Son)
- Deepabai (Daughter)
Sagunabai
- Rajkunvarbai (Daughter)
Sakwarbai
- Kamlabai (Daughter)
Rajmata Jijabai
Jijabai Shahji Bhosle has been the mother of Shivaji, the Maratha king, who built one of the largest empires in the history of India. A ruthless warrior and administrator himself, he was instrumental in Shivaji’s efforts to start that Maratha empire.
She acted as queen regent in her child’s kingdom for which she is commonly called Rajmata Jijabai.
A winner of Hind Swaraj who went against the Mughal Empire that woman is one of the most inspiring historical figures of the country. Upon her birth, let’s recall some interesting details about Rajmata Jijabai.
Rajmata Jijabai
Jijabai was born from Sindhkhed town in Maharashtra on 1-2 January 1598 to a distinguished Maratha chieftain and Malasa Bai Lakhuji Jadhavrao. Jadhavrao was a proud Maratha who served the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar.
Jijabai was married at a very early age to Shahji Bhonsle, son of Maloji Shieldar. Her husband served Nizam Shah. They had eight children, six daughters and 2 sons. One was Shivaji.
Shahajiraje Bhosale
Shahaji was that the son of Maloji Bhosale, who was the famous Maratha warrior. He was born in 1594 or in 1602 and expired on January 23, 1664 AD.
Bhosale participated in several wars in favor of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. So that he awarded Jagir of Pune and Supe districts. Maloji as a Hindu, Fantastic devotee of Sufi Muslim pir Shah Sharif.
He telephoned his sons Shahaji and Sharifji to honor the pir. His mother was the daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav, the another famous Maratha general.
Shahajiraje Bhosale
Ekoji
Venkoji Bhonsle (born 1629) or Ekoji I Bhonsle was the younger half-brother of Shivaji and founder of Maratha ruler in Thanjavur.
He had been the progenitor of the junior branch of the Bhonsle family that ruled Thanjavur until the official annexation of this kingdom by the British at 1855.
Venkoji was Younger son of Shahji Bhonsle, also a military Commander operating of the Sultan of Bijapur during his spouse Tukabai Mohite. He triumphed on the jagir of Bangalore to the departure of his dad while his eponymous elder brother had chased an empire of his own.
Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s senior brother Sambhaji had been Born in the year 1619 at Verul. While he had been growing up, he was accompanying his dad Shahaji Raje, who was a sardar at Adilshahi.
In addition, he utilised to assist his dad in the management of this territory of Bangalore and Kolar which were under Shahaji Raje’s get a grip on.
When a number of the Adilshahi sardars conspired against Shahaji Raje, being a consequence of that he had been imprisoned by Adil Shah, Sambhaji valiantly defended Bangalore.
Sambhaji Shahaji Bhosale
In 1654, Aap khan of Kanakgiri revolted against Adil Shah. Afzal Khan has been requested to quell this revolt. Sambhaji was also accompanying Afzal Khan. He attacked Kanakgiri with a platoon of troops.
They failed to receive any help which Afzal Khan was supposed to let them have. Sambhaji lost his life from the attack on Kanakgiri. Subsequently Shahaji Raje succeeded in taking over Kanakgiri.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – the great Maratha warrior king. Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the Bhonsle clan and has been born on 19th February 1627.
Shivaji Maharaj assembled the Hindawi Swaraj – that the Self-rule of Indians as against the of the Mughals who identified themselves as figures in Tamerlane of Mongolia and of Turcik – Central Asian (Chagtai) bloodline.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj died on 3rd April 1680 however also in His lifetime, he set the foundation for the genesis of the Maratha empire – a solid bulwark against offenses.
His son Sambhaji Maharaj needed a massive task cut before him – to defend the Maratha empire against the might of the Mughals in Delhi who were later subdued and ravaged from the Maratha armies) also to carry on the policies and vision of Shivaji Maharaj.
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj: (February 24, 1670 – March 2, 1700). The youngest son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the third Chhatrapati of Maratheshahi.
He had been born on Rajgad into Shiva’s wife Soyarabai. Is. After the death of Shivaji Maharaj, the eldest son Sambhaji Maharaj was crowned. March 1 1, 1689. Sambhaji Maharaj was savagely murdered.
As a result of this incident, the full Marathi Swarajya was shaken. There are some folks who can think with good sense in such a difficult situation. Shivaji Maharaj had already got it.
These included Ramchandrapant Amatya, Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji Jadhav, Shankaraji Narayan, Pralhad Niraji, etc. All these congregations crowned Rajaram Maharaj (1689).
Shivaji Bhonsle II
Shivaji Bhonsle II or Shivaji Rajaram Bhonsle (9 June 1696 — 14 March 1726) was the son of the Maratha Chhatrapati, Rajaram I, along with also his spouse Tarabai.
Shivaji Bhonsle II
He had been born in Bhonsle family. Upon the death of his father, The baby Shivaji was installed as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire with his mum Tarabai serving because the regent in 1700.
His cousin, Chhattrapati Shahu up on his release from the Mughals in 1707 successfully contested Tarabai to turn into the following Chhatrapati. Tarabai then establish a rival court in Kolhapur.
Shivaji II functioned as Raja of Kolhapur from 1710 to 1714. At that time, he was again deposed by his own stepmother Rajasbai who installed her son, Sambhaji II on the Kolhapur throne.
Shivaji II posthumously became father of a boy, later called Rajaram II of Satara that was brought up in obscurity because of their own protection.
After Shahu, with out a male heir to succeed to his throne, wanted to adopt a son, Tarabai revealed that fact to him late 1740s. Shahu adopted Rajaram II who triumphed Shahu because the Chhatrapati following Shahu’s departure.
Shahu II (1777-1808), or Aba Sahib, was the adopted son and Programmer of Ramraja. He was adopted by Ramraja before his death in 1777.
Shahu II was born Vithoji Bhosale, his biological dad being Trimbakjiraje Bhosale of all Wavi. He was just a titular king and, as along with his predecessor, real power rested with the Peshwa. Shahu II died on 4 May 1808.
Pratapsinha
- Pratapsinha (1808-1839) was the eldest son and successor of Shahu II. Since he became king in a younger age, his affairs were handled by his mother, Anandibai.
- Her relations with the Peshwa, Bajirao II, were initially Cordial, barring letters of criticism regarding their allowable allowance. However, soon before the initial Anglo-Maratha war, Peshwa Bajirao II kept Pratapsinha a virtual prisoner in Fort Wasota in Satara.
- As per a treaty between Pratapsinha and also the East India Company in 1819, James Grant was made the resident of this British East India Company.
- He was able to coach the king at the intricacies of government, where he’d been retained deprived by the Peshwa.
- It was also decided that following the raja was sufficiently Trained in administration, power could be passed gradually to him.
- About 5 April 18-22, the king has been formally handed over his seal, and the fort of Pratapgad was ceded with him. James Grant additionally took leave of the king and left for Englan
- After Grant there were lots of more British governmental representatives: John Briggs at 1823, William Simpson in December 1826, A Robertson in June 1827, also Lodwick at 1832.
- Pratapsinha shared with a cordial relationship with these residents, most of whom who had only praise for this particular eager, congenial, well meaning young king.
- Company and also the king started to emerge. The king has been feeling dizzy and slighted over his own empowerment. Accusations began to be thrown straight back and forth between the parties, each charging the other with offenses of the understanding between them.
- The king was accused of running hostilities contrary to the organization, charges that the king vehemently refused.
- The king was also banished out of his kingdom and sentenced to Benaras. He along with his hometown managed to lead their lives to get a specified pension to take care of their sustenance.
- Pratapsinha died in Benaras on 14 October 1847.
Shahaji
Shahaji / Sayaji, also known as Appasaheb (1839-1848) has been He had a reign of seven years under the British resident, Charles Ovans, before his death on 5 April 1848.
Shahaji adopted a son, Venkoji (otherwise known as Bhauaheb Or Venkatji) on his deathbed. However, Venkoji was immediately deposed as the British refused to admit him because he had been perhaps not Shahaji’s child.
Shahaji hadn’t any natural son, so the kingdom of Satara had been Annexed to the British dominions in accordance with the short-lived Doctrine of Lapse. From that point onwards, their country of Kolhapur became the legitimate throne of the Marathas as recognized by the British.
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