Chattrapati Shahu

Chattrapati Shahu

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.

Contents

Imprisonment

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.

Expansion of the empire

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.

Socio-political revolution

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.

Family

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).

Death

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

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of Marathi people — This page is a list of Marathi people. The Marathi people are an Indo Aryan ethnic group that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Historical Marathas, prior to 1818. Rulers * Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Founder of the… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Indian monarchs — The following list of Indian monarchs is one of several lists of incumbents.Rulers and dynasties who ruled a portion of the Indian subcontinent and were based in South Asia will be included in this list.For more information, see History of South… …   Wikipedia

  • Balaji Vishwanath — Bhat (1680 – April 2, 1719), better known as Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, was the first of a series of hereditary Peshwas (Marathi for Prime Minister) hailing from the Brahmin family who gained effective control of the Maratha Empire during the… …   Wikipedia

  • Peshwa — The Peshwa (Marathi:पेशवा, plural Peshwe, Marathi:पेशवे) were Brahmin Prime Ministers to the Maratha Chattrapatis (Kings), who began commanding Maratha armies and later became the hereditary rulers of the Maratha empire of central India from 1749 …   Wikipedia

  • 18th century — The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini/Common Era numbering system. However, historians sometimes specifically define the 18th century otherwise for the purposes of their work. For… …   Wikipedia

  • Nanasaheb Peshwa — For the Nana Saheb of Bithur, see Nana Sahib. Nanasaheb Peshwe Peshwa Peshwa Balaji Bajirao …   Wikipedia

  • Nana Fadnavis — Nana Phadnavis (also Fadanvis and abbreviated as Phadnis) (February 12, 1742[citation needed] – March 13, 1800), born Balaji Janardan Bhanu, was an influential minister and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration in Pune …   Wikipedia

  • List of Hindus — This is an incomplete list, which can or may never satisfy any subjective standard for completeness. Revisions and additions are welcome. A list of prominent and famous people who are Hindus. Religious Figures / Philosophers*Adi Shankara :… …   Wikipedia

  • Shaniwar Wada — Shaniwarwada (Marathi: शनिवारवाडा) is a palace fort in the city of Pune in western Maharashtra, India. It covers six and a quarter acres in central Pune. It was constructed in 1732 as the seat of the Peshwa (prime ministers of the Maratha Empire) …   Wikipedia

  • Chitpavan — Chitpavan/Kokanastha Brahmins Classification Brahmin Religions Hinduism Languages Marathi, Chitpavani Konkani Populated States Maharashtra, Konkan (Goa and coastal Karnataka); some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat Migration to India …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”