Shahu Sambhaji Raje Bhosale Chhatrapati Maharaj (Marathi: शाहू संभाजी राजे भोंसले छत्रपती महाराज) (1682–1749) was the fourth ruler of the Maratha Empire created by his grandfather, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and was officially the Raja of Satara (now in the state of Maharashtra, India). More popularly known as Chattrapati Shahuji, he came out of captivity by the Mughals and survived a civil war to gain the throne in 1707. .[1]
He was the son of the second Chattrapati Sambhaji, who was killed by the Mughals in 1689.
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During Mughal-Maratha war of 27 years Shahuji was imprisoned by the Mughals at the age of 7 years after the fall of Raigad fort, the Maratha capital in Feb. 1689 when his parents were also captured.
During his captivity, Mughals had raised him as a prince and never compromised his honor or that of his mother. He spent his entire childhood and youth, from age 7 to age 25 in the custody of the Mughals. He had passed through hardships and all uncertainties of life. Born as a prince, he became a prisoner at the age of 7, became a Chattrapati at the age of 26 and saw the empire spreading all over the continent. These events strengthened him.
When Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb died in 1707 a war of succession ensued between his surviving sons. Shahu at the insistence of Mughal general Zulfiqar Khan and Nusrat Jang was freed from imprisonment by Prince Muhammad Azam Shah. After the Battle of Jajua, the victor and next Emperor Bahadur Shah also took the side of Shahuji against Tarabai at the insistence of his general Zulfiqar Khan but under conditions which rendered him a vassal of the Mughal Empire. His mother was still held captive to ensure good behavior by him and her release could be obtained only in 1719 when Marathas became strong enough.
After his release Shahuji had to contend with a competing claim by his aunt, Tarabai and her son, Raja Sambhaji II (son of Rajaram). She set up a competing Kingdom of Kolhapur. With the assistance of Balaji Vishwanath who was later appointed the Peshwa or Prime Minister and Sardar Khanderao Dabhade who was later appointed the ‘‘Senapati (Marathi for Commander-in-Chief), Shahuji outmaneuvered Tarabai in 1714 and consolidated his power.
It was under the Shahu when Marathas became largest empire in India during this time. The Maratha empire expanded in four directions, north under Peshwa and THE deputies Scindia, Holkar and Pawar, in the east by Bhonsle, in the west by Dabhades and Gaikwad and in the south by Fateh-Singh Bhosale and others.
1)Shahuji's primary accomplishment was in stabilising the fractured Maratha empire after the defeat of the Mughals by Marathas. During the War of 27 Years many Maratha nobles became powerful. He was the binding force of the Marathas.
2)Shahuji was instrumental in giving space to new talents irrespective of their background. During his tenure almost all sections of society rose to power. Perhaps Maratha empire was the most socially mobile empire which accommodated many new socio-economic groups which were hitherto miles away from the power that caused a socio-political revolution as below.
His reign saw rise of many like Balaji, Shinde and many more talented people who later became the strong support on which the Maratha empire expanded and flourished, especially Bajirao Peshwa and Holkars in North. He is credited with establishing the position of Peshwa, which later became a hereditary position who were from humble background.
He appointed a young Bajirao as Peshwa on April 17, 1719 after the premature death of his father Balaji Vishwanath in the teeth opposition of old nobles. After 20 years tenure of Bajirao, he appointed Nanasaheb, as Peshwa. These three Peshwas were extremely efficient and Shahu always acknowledged their efforts to enhance the Maratha Empire. He is also responsible for appointing Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre to the position of the first Maratha naval chief, in return for his moving loyalty from the Tarabai camp. Shahu appointed Sardar Khanderao Dabhade as his "Sarsenapati" or Commander-in-Chief.
Shahuji had four wives, and fathered two sons and four daughters. He adopted two sons, Meherban Shrimant Fatehsinh I Raje Sahib Bhonsle and Shrimant Rajaram II Raje Bhonsle Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib in 1745 (who succeeded him as the Raja of Satara).
After Shahuji's death in 1749 his adopted son, Rajaram II succeeded him, but he was largely incompetent. The Maratha empire was primarily governed by the Peshwas from then onwards, with the Chattrapatis remaining the titular head.
| Preceded by Rajaram Chhatrapati |
Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire 1707–1749 |
Succeeded by Rajaram II |
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