Shahu I

Shahu I
5th Maratha Chhatrapati
Reign January 12, 1708–December 15, 1749
Coronation January 12, 1708, Satara
Predecessor Shivaji II
Successor Rajaram II of Satara
Born (1682-05-18)18 May 1682
Ganguli Fort, Mangaon
Died 15 December 1749(1749-12-15) (aged 67)
Rangmahal Palace, Satara
Spouse Savitribai, Ambikabai
House Bhonsle
Father Sambhaji
Mother Yesubai
Religion Hinduism

Shahuji Bhonsle (1682–1749 CE) was the fifth Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire created by his grandfather, Shivaji. Shahu, he was taken prisoner with his mother in 1689 by Mughal General,Nusrat Jang.[1] He came out of captivity by the Mughals and defeated his aunt Tarabai in an internecine conflict to gain the throne in 1708.[2][3] After the death of Aurangzeb, leading Mughal courtiers released Shahu with a force of fifty men, thinking that a friendly Maratha leader would be a useful ally.[4]

He was son of Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son and successor. Under his reign, Maratha power and influence extended to all corners of the Indian subcontinent by Peshwas. However his period saw the power moving from the ruler to his ministers (the Peshwas) and the generals who had carved out their own fiefdoms such as the Shindes, Holkars, Gaekwad and Bhonsle of Nagpur.

Expansion of the Empire

Early in his reign, Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as his Peshwa. Over the next fifty years, Balaji followed by his son, Bajirao I and grandson Balaji Bajirao with help of capable military leaders such as Shinde, Holkar, Gaekwad, Pawar and Bhonsle of Nagpur expanded Maratha power in all directions of the Indian subcontinent.[5][6].

Family

Shahu had four wives and fathered two adopted sons and four daughters. He adopted two sons, Fatehsinh I and Rajaram II of Satara (who succeeded him as the Raja of Satara). Rajaram II had been brought to her by Tarabai, who initially claimed that the young man was her grandson and a descendant of Shivaji, but later disowned him as an imposter.[7] After his death the powers were indirectly shifted to the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao.

Death

Shahu died in 1749. His adopted son Rajaram II of Satara claimed to be Tarabai's grandson and succeeded him. But the actual power was held by others: first by Tarabai and then by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.[7]

Preceded by
Shivaji II		 Chhatrapati of the
Maratha Empire
1707–1749 		Succeeded by
Rajaram II of Satara

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/rukaatialamgirio00aurarich#page/152/mode/2up%7C Rukaat-i-Alamgiri page 153
  2. ↑ A. Vijaya Kumari; Sepuri Bhaskar. "Social change among Balijas: majority community of Andhra Pradesh". MD. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  3. ↑ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 201–202. ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
  4. ↑ Manohar, Malgonkar (1959), The Sea Hawk: Life and Battles of Kanoji Angrey, p. 63
  5. ↑ Stein, B. (2010). A history of India (Vol. 10). John Wiley & Sons page= 187
  6. ↑ Gordon, S. (1993). The Marathas 1600–1818 (Vol. 4). Cambridge University Press, pages 121–130.
  7. 1 2 Biswamoy Pati, ed. (2000). Issues in Modern Indian History. Popular. p. 30. ISBN 978-81-7154-658-9.
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