Chhatrapati

This article is about the imperial title of Chhatrapati. For the Tollywood film, see Chatrapati (film).

Chhatrapati (Devanagari: छत्रपती) is the Indian honorific title equivalent to the European Emperor. It is more formally written as Kshetrapati, from the Sanskrit kshetra- (meaning field or domain) and -pati (meaning lord). Contrastingly, the European titles of King, Crown Prince and Duke equate to the terms Maharaja, Yuvraj (or Rajkumar), and Senapati, respectively.

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

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

• Bhonsle

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

• ^ V.S. Kadam, 1993. Maratha Confederacy: A Study in its Origin and Development. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Delhi.
• D.B. Kasar, Rigveda to Rajgarh – Making of Shivaji the Great. Manudevi Prakashan, Mumbai.