Chhatrapati

Chhatrapati (Devanagari: छत्रपती) is the Indian title of nobility most equivalent to a European Emperor. It is more formally written as Kshetrapati (Sanskrit: kshetra- meaning "domain"/"field" and -pati meaning "lord").

In contrast, the Indian Maharaja or Raja, Yuvraj or Rajkumar, Kumar, Senapati, and Sardar most closely equate to the European titles King, Crown Prince, Prince, Duke, and Count, respectively.

The term is most commonly used in reference to Shivaji Raje Bhonsle, founder of the Maratha Empire, and his eldest son and heir Sambhaji. As described below, Shivaji's linear successors in the royal House of Bhonsle also held the title of Chhatrapati.

Contents

The Royal House of Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle

The following list details the Chhatrapatis of the House of Bhonsle, a royal family of Kshatriyas descending from the solar line of the Rajput Ranas of Mewar[1][2]:

  1. Shivaji (1630–1680)
  2. Sambhaji (1680–1689)
  3. Rajaram (1689–1700)
  4. Tarabai as a regent of Chhatrapati Shivaji II (1700–1708)
  5. Shahu (1708–1748)

The royal Bhonsle line then splits into two, the Chhatrapatis of Satara and the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur:

The Chhatrapatis of Satara

The following is the list of the Chhatrapatis of Satara[1]:

  1. Shahu (1708–1748)
  2. Ramraja (1749–1777)
  3. Shahu II (1777–1808)
  4. Pratapsingh (1808–1839)
  5. Shahaji (1839–1848)

The Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur

The following is the list of the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur[1]:

  1. Tarabai as a regent of Chhatrapati Shivaji II (1700–1708)
  2. Shivaji II (1700–1712)
  3. Sambhaji II (1712–1760)
  4. Shivaji III (1760–1812)
  5. Shambhu (1812–1821)
  6. Shahaji (1821–1838)
  7. Shivaji IV (1838–1866)
  8. Rajaram II (1866–1870)
  9. Shivaji V (1870–1883)
  10. Shahu IV (1883 – May 6, 1922)
  11. Rajaram III (May 21, 1922 – November 26, 1940)
  12. Shivaji VI (1942 – September 28, 1946)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Maheshwari, K.K. & K.W. Wiggins (1989). Maratha Mints and Coinage, Nashik: Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, pp.205–6
  2. ^ H. S. Sardesai (2002). Shivaji, the great Maratha, Volume 2. Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd. p. 428. ISBN 9788177552843.

References

Rulers
Shivaji I · Rajaram I · Sambhaji · Rajaram I restored · Tarabai · Shahu I · Rajaram II · Shahu II ·
Peshwas
Moropant Pingle · Ramchandra Pant Amatya · Bahiroji Pingale · Parshuram Tribak Kulkarni · Balaji Vishwanath · Bajirao · Balaji Bajirao · Madhavrao Ballal · Narayanrao · Raghunathrao · Sawai Madhavrao · Baji Rao II  · Amrutrao  · Nana Sahib
Maratha Confederacy (Subsidiary or Feudatory states)
Battles
Wars
Adversaries
Forts