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Posted: 13 years ago

Originally posted by: Historylover


๐Ÿ˜† yes khushi..i know...koi mujhe bhi mere sasural ki sair karwa do yaaron...i want to visit Rome once๐Ÿ˜›


he he he dnt wrry personal time macchine ready karwati hu saare chalenge apne apne unke paas๐Ÿ˜†
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Maratha Empire Part 1

Shahji's Birth

Maloji Bhonsale, son of Babaji Bhonsale, was married to Umabai Nimbalkar. She belonged to the respected Nimbalkar family from Phaltan. Her brother, Vangoji Naik Nimbalkar, was a high ranking sardar in the Adilshahi court. They did not have a child few years into their marriage. Umabai was a pious lady and had offered prayers at many temples for getting a child.

They had also offered prayers at the Shahsharif dargah at Ahmadnagar. Soon after, they were blessed with a son. He was named Shahaji. He was born on 13th March 1599 AD. Couple of years after that they had another son who was named Sharifji. Both were named after the Shahsharif Pir at Ahmadnagar. Maloji was working for Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar during this time. He and his brother Vithoji were granted a collective jahgir of Verul, Derhadi, Kannad and few other parganas in that region.

Emperor Akbar dies
Mughal Emperor Akbar died in Delhi on 15th October 1605 AD. His death was followed by the ascent of his son Salim, better known as Jahangir, to the throne of Delhi. Salim spent couple of years in taking over the mantle from where his father had left it. This gave short relief to the people in Deccan from incessant attacks and war on the Mughal front.

Maloji Bhonsale dies
Maloji Bhonsale died few years after Shahaji was born. The records do not have a clear reference to the date of this event. Shivabharat mentions that Shahaji was about 5 years old when Maloji died. This comes to around 1604 AD considering Shahaji's birth in 1599 AD. However, other references point out that Maloji was alive till 23rd May 1610. As per available records, he was killed in a battle near Indapur sometime before 11th November 1611.

Maloji's wife Umabai did not walk on his funeral pyre as was the practice in that time. Possibly it was due to her two sons who were just around 10 yrs at that time. Maloji's brother Vithoji looked after Shahaji and Sharifji as a guardian. They were granted Maloji's jahgir by Nizamshahi court. Vithoji was appointed as the caretaker of their jahgir as they were too small to take up that responsibility.

Shahaji weds Jijabai
Shahaji Bhonsale married Jijabai when he was around fourteen years old. Shahaji's father Maloji Bhonsale had passed away few years back. Shahaji's uncle Vithoji Bhonsale, made arrangements for the marriage. Jijabai's father, Lakhuji Jadhav of Sindkhed, was a renowned Sardar of the Nizamshahi court. Jijabai was about 10-12 years old at that time. The exact year of this marriage is not known but it can be deduced to be around 1612 AD.

Mughal invasions in Deccan
After the death of Akbar, his son Jahangir continued the offensive to expand Mughal territories in Deccan. He took a couple of years to stabilize his rule in the northern provinces. Once that was ensured, he dispatched his armies to Deccan in 1608 AD. This war continued for around eight years till 1616 AD. Nizamshahi and Adilshahi forces came together to face the Mughal attack during this period.

The notable battles in these two forces were in the last two years 1615 and 1616 AD. Malik Ambar, the Vazir of Nizamshahi sultanate brought together his forces near Jalna in December 1615 AD. Mughals were represented by Asafkhan, Shahnavazkhan, Mansingh and other leading sardars. Adilshahi forces had joined hands with Nizamshahi in this battle at Roshangaon near Jalna.

The battle took place on 4th February 1616 AD. Nizamshahi and Adilshahi forces were defeated in this battle. Mughals reached upto Khadki, former name of Aurangabad city, ransacked it and entire surrounding region. They moved to Balapur fort taking along with the war booty. During this time, Nizamshahi capital had moved to Devgiri as Ahmadnagar was also under the control of Mughals.

Few years after this battle, Prince Khurram alias Shahjahan again invaded Deccan. He reached Khadki on 5th May 1621 AD and ransacked it.

These unrelenting wars were impacting life in this region to a huge extent. Any Mughal, Adilshahi or Nizamshahi invasion meant unparalleled loot, plunder, rape and people taken captive to be sold as slaves. It did not matter for whom the Maratha chiefs fought. This infighting always brought death and destruction to them and their families.

Vithoji Bhonsale dies
ithoji Bhonsale had survived his brother Maloji by around ten years. After Maloji's death, he took care of Maloji's two sons, Shahaji and Sharifji. He took up the responsibility of Maloji's jahgir and mukasas as a caretaker for his nephews. He then arranged for Shahaji's marriage with Jijabai, daughter of the respected sardar Lakhuji Jadhav from Sindkhed. Sharifji was also subsequently married to Durgabai, daughter of Vishwasrao.

Vithoji had eight sons from his wife Aaubai. They were named Sambhaji, Kheloji, Maloji, Mambaji, Nagoji, Parsoji, Tryambakji and Kakkaji. Few years after Shahaji's and Sharifji's marriage, Vithoji Bhonsale died. Though the exact date of his death is not known, it can be deduced to have occured between 24th May 1621 AD and 23rd February 1623 AD.



Edited by BhartiKhushi909 - 13 years ago
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Jadhav Bhonsale Feud
One incident at the Nizamshahi court gives us an insight about the mindset of Maratha chiefs during that time. As courtiers were moving out after a normal day at the Nizamshahi court, an elephant belonging to Sardar Khandagle went beserk. He started trampling people coming in his way. It was a chaotic situation as no one dared to confront the mad elephant.

Dattaji Jadhav, son of Lakhuji Jadhav, reached the place and ordered his men to chain the elephant. But the elephant was unmanagable and injured few of Dattaji's men. It was looking impossible to control the beast. Dattaji was enraged by this and pulling out his sword, he confronted the elephant. By this time, Sambhaji Bhonsale, Vithoji Bhonsale's son, arrived at the scene and tried to stop Dattaji from attacking the elephant.

But Dattaji pounced on the elephant with his sword. Sambhaji continued his request but it went unheard. With one clean sweep of his sword, Dattaji slashed the elephant's trunk. It started bleeding profusely and crying out loud in pain. Still enraged, Dattaji shifted his attack to Sambhaji for trying to prevent him from attacking the elephant.

This started a fight within their supporters and soon the area was converted into a small battlefield. Dattaji attacked Sambhaji with a vengence, forgetting that Sambhaji was his brother-in-law's cousin. Having no choice, Sambhaji had to engage himself in the battle. In the duel, Dattaji was killed at the hands of Sambhaji. This was a huge blow on Jadhav family.

Dattaji's father, Lakhuji Jadhav, had left before all this activity had started. But the news of his son's death reached him within minutes. The clashes were still on when he reached the spot. He was enraged as he spotted Shahaji fighting in the crowd. He attacked Shahaji and dealt a heavy blow on his shoulder. Shahaji fell unconscious but luckily was saved from his wrath.

Lakhuji then moved towards Sambhaji who was fighting nearby. A fierce duel followed in which Sambhaji was killed. One brave man from the Bhonsale family was dead for another brave man from the Jadhav family. And all this for an elephant which had gone mad ! By this time, news had reached Nizamshah and he intervened to pacify both parties. The battle subdued after this and both parties carried the respective dead bodies to their camp.

What can one say about this bizzare incident ! Here was this raw courage to confront a beserk elephant and cut his trunk with a slashing sword. But unfortunately, it was coupled with rage so blind that it did not distinguish between a friend and a foe. This event totally alienated Jadhav-Bhonsale families. Jijabai's parents were distanced from her forever.

Jijabai gives birth to Sambhaji
Just after the unexpected and unfortunate skirmish between the Jadhav-Bhonsale family, Jijabai gave birth to a son who was named Sambhaji. Shahaji's cousin by the same name had been killed by Lakhuji Jadhav in that unfortunate incident. It was a custom to name a son after his uncle but only when the uncle was no longer alive. So it is likely that the Jadhav-Bhonsale feud occured sometime before Jijabai's son Sambhaji was born.

The birth year of Sambhaji cannot be stated exactly but most of the references give a date around 1623 AD. Shivadigvijay Bakhar mentions that he was born in Shak 1545 i.e., 1623-24 AD. The inscription at Thanjavur places the event in Shak 1547 i.e., 1625-26 AD. But these references are not fully reliable in this context.

The place of birth also cannot be deduced due to want of supporting record. Shahaji's family birth record from Thanjavur mentions his birthplace as Daulatabad or Devgiri. Shedgavkar Bakhar mentions the place as Verul which is also close to Daulatabad. Apart from Sambhaji and Shivaji, Jijabai gave birth to four sons but all those were probably short-lived. As of now, no information is available about them.

The battle of Bhatavdi
In 1624 AD, Malik Ambar beseiged Ahmadnagar which was then under Adilshahi control. Mughals agreed to help Adilshahi army and the combined armies started moving towards Ahmadnagar. On receiving this news, Malik Ambar lifted the seige and moved towards Bhatavdi which is about 20 kms to the south-east of Ahmadnagar. The Nizamshahi army was smaller as compared to the combined forces of Mughals and Adilshahi. Lakhuji Jadhav had recently left Nizamshahi and had joined the Mughals.

The Mughal and Adilshahi forces totalled nearly 80,000. Malik Ambar, the Nizamshahi vazir prepared his army for the battle. Shahaji, Sharifji, Vithoji's eight sons, Hambirrao Chavan, Mudhoji Naik Nimbalkar, Vithoji Kate, Nrusinhapant Pingle and many other maratha sardar's were fighting to protect Nizamshahi. Mansurkhan, Yakutkhan, Fattekhan and a few other muslim sardar's were also present in the Nizamshahi army but the majority force belonged to Marathas.

A fierce battle followed and there were huge casualties on both sides. Shahaji fought bravely and with great vigour. He managed to turn the tide against the huge Mughal and Adilshahi army. His brother Sharifji was killed in the battle. It was an ironic fate for Shahaji as his father-in-law, Lakhuji Jadhav was fighting against him in the Mughal army. Nizamshah was impressed by the bravery of Shahaji and he was rewarded. The Mughal and Adilshahi army had to flee from the battle field. It was an unexpected defeat for them.

Shahaji joins Adilshahi
After the battle of Bhatavdi, Shahaji was honoured in the Nizamshahi court. His courage and valour were for all to see and this became a contentious issue between him and Malik Ambar, the Vazir. Shahaji's relationship with his cousins was strained and Malik Ambar sided with his cousins. A dejected Shahaji then decided to join Adilshahi. He was given a warm welcome in Adilshahi and was honoured with the title of Sarlashkar.

The exact date of this change is not known. The earliest evidence which suggests this change is a letter written by Shahaji on 28th July 1625 AD. In this letter, he mentions his title as Sarlashkar which is supported by two letters bearing dates after the one mentioned above. This clarifies that Shahaji had joined Adilshahi at the time of Ibrahim Adilshah.

Ibrahim Adilshah dies
On 11th September 1627, the Adilshahi ruler, Ibrahim Adilshah died in Bijapur. Before his death, he had expressed his will to throne his third son Muhammad instead of his first son Darvesh. His courtiers Mirza Muhammad Amin and Daulatkhan knew that such a move would be opposed by Shahnavazkhan and a few others. So after Ibrahim's death, Shahnavazkhan and a few of his supporters were imprisoned by Mirza and Daulatkhan.

The fifteen year old Muhammad Adilshah was coronated as the successor. In order to invalidate Darvesh and the other sons from claiming the throne, Darvesh was blinded and the other two sons ring finger was cut off. After all this was accomplished, Shahnavazkhan and his men were released. Mirza Muhammad was given the title of Mustafakhan and Daulatkhan was honoured as Khavaskhan.

Darvesh's sister was married to Burhan Nizamshah. This incident against Darvesh instigated a Nizamshahi campaign against the newly crowned Muhammad Adilshah. It led to a battle between the two armies near Dharur in the first year of Muhammad's reign. Thereafter in 1629 AD, Hamidkhan led an offensive against Adilshah and a battle took place at Kunnur, 22 kms to the north of Bijapur. In this battle, an Adilshahi sardar called Islamkhan was captured by Nizamshahi army.
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Malik Amber dies
On 13th May 1626 AD, Malik Amber, the Nizamshahi vazir died in Ahmadnagar. He was succeeded by his son, Fattekhan. His death was a big blow for the Nizamshahi rule. Malik Amber was an able administrator and his revenue system was praised even by his foes. After Malik Amber, his son Fatehkhan was appointed as his successor.

Jedhe Shakavali mentions Shak 1548 Kshayayanam Samvatsare Vaishakh Mase which translates to 16th April to 16th May 1626 AD. Shivapurkar Shakavali mentions it as Shak 1548 Kshaya Samvatsare Vaisakh Vaddya 12 which translates to 13th May 1626 AD. This is the only exact reference date available for this event. Basatinussalateen mentions the event in Hijri 1035 which translates to a day between 25th September 1625 to 11th September 1626 AD.

Jahangir dies
On 29th October 1627, Mughal Emperor Jahangir died in Delhi. He was succeeded by his son Shahjahan. Before getting the Mughal crown, Shahjahan was posted as the incharge of Deccan region. He became well acquainted with the regional powers in Deccan. Naturally, he was interested in destroying Nizamshahi and Adilshahi as soon as he took up the throne in Delhi.

Shahaji rejoins Nizamshahi
After the death of Ibrahim Adilshah, there was internal strife and Muhammad Adilshah was coronated as the successor. It is not known whether Shahaji had some role to play in the internal politics which followed Ibrahim's death. Except for Shivabharat and Futtuhat-e-Adilshahi, no other contemporary reference mentions any reason for Shahaji's return to Nizamshahi.

The former reference mentions that as Shahaji was insulted by Muhammad Adilshah, he decided to quit Adilshahi. The latter document mentions that Shahaji thought that after Ibrahim Adilshah there would be no recognition for his services. The exact date of this event is not available but it happened somewhere between 8th March 1628 AD and 25th July 1628 AD.

Shahaji's letter dated 8th March 1628 AD mentions him with the title Sarlashkar. This title is not mentioned in the letter dated 25th July 1628 AD. Another aspect is that Malik Ambar had died 1626 AD. He was the reason why Shahaji left Nizamshahi and joined Adilshahi. So his death cleared the way for Shahaji to return back.

Lakhuji Jadhav is killed
After the death of Malik Ambar, the Vazir of Nizamshahi, his son Fatehkhan was appointed in his place. Later, on the behest of another sardar Hamidkhan, Fatehkhan was removed from his post and imprisoned by the ruler. Hamidkhan was given the post of Vazir and a short unofficial campaign against Fatehkhan loyalists began. Mukarrabkhan became the commander of armed forces. A few sardar's loyal to Fatehkhan were thinking of joining the Mughals because of this internal strife.

Lakhuji Jadhav was working for Nizamshahi during 1629 AD. He was camping near the Daulatabad fort which was the capital of Nizamshahi since the fall of Ahmadnagar. He was also thinking of leaving Nizamshahi and requesting Mughals for help. On 25th July 1629 AD, he called upon his sons to accompany him to meet Nizamshah. Lakhuji's intentions to go to Mughal camp were probably known to Nizamshah or at least he was suspecting it.

As Lakhuji entered the court with his three sons Achaloji, Raghuji and Yashwantrao, they were beheaded in a surprise attack. Lakhuji's wife, brother and fourth son Bahadurji survived as they were in the camp below the fort. On hearing this news, they fled for their life and reached Sindkhed.

Shahaji joins Mughals
When Lakhuji Jadhav and his sons were brutally killed in the Nizamshahi durbar, Shahaji was at Parinda. He immediately decided to quit Nizamshahi and moved to Pune and Chakan pargana which was under his control. Probably it being rainy season, there was no movement against him from Nizamshahi court. After the rains, Adilshahi launched an attack against regions under Nizamshahi control.

Since Shahaji was in control of Pune and the nearby regions, he had to suffer from the Adilshahi attack. Murar Jagdev attacked Pune, Shirwal and Indapur parganas and destroyed the walls which guarded Pune city. Shahaji then wrote a letter to Azamkhan conveying his wish to work for Mughals. Azamkhan forwarded his request to Shahjahan who approved it immediately.

Shahaji, along with his 2000 cavalry joined Azamkhan who was on his way to Shegaon. Shahaji was given a mansab of 5000 jat/5000 swar, his brother Mambaji 3000 jat/1500 swar and son Sambhaji 2000 jat/1000 swar. Ravirai Sathe, Maloji, Habaji and Shahaji's other relatives were also given appropriate mansabs.
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Shahjahan leaves Burhanpur
On 5th April 1632 AD, Shahjahan left Burhanpur and moved towards Agra. He appointed Mahabatkhan as the Subhedar of Deccan in place of Azamkhan. He ordered all mansabdars other than those from the Deccan region, to meet him at Agra. He reached Agra on 1st June 1632 AD. Asafkhan and all other mansabdars met him at Agra on 8th June 1632 AD.

Mumtaz Begum dies at Burhanpur
On 7th June 1631 AD Mumtaz Begum, Shahjahan's wife died at Burhanpur while delivering a baby girl in her fourteenth pregnancy. The girl survived and was named Guha-Ara Begum. Mumtaz was buried in Burhanpur after performing the last rites. Her mortal remains were moved to the much famous and widely debated Taj Mahal after fourteen years.

Adilshahi attack on Pune
While Pune was reeling under the impact of famine in 1630-31 AD, it was devastated by Adilshahi attack led by Murar Jagdev. Though people were dying of hunger and villages were deserted, Adilshahi and Nizamshahi armies were battling incessantly. To counter the recent Nizamshahi offensive, Murar Jagdev was sent with a huge army to loot regions controlled by Nizamshahi sardars. He reached Pune and burned all buildings in the heart of this town, presently known as Kasba Peth. Fortification wall around Pune was also demolished.

He did not stop by just looting the town. He ordered ploughing the fields using a donkey - which was seen as a bad omen by people in that time. An iron sheath (?????? ???) garlanded with footwear was fixed in the middle of the main crossroad. This implied that nobody should dare to rehabitate the town or village. It is uncertain whether the act of ploughing fields with a donkey actually took place or it was only a linguistic expression used to describe total devastation.

He then proceeded to destroy neighbouring Shirwal and Indapur regions. Though these parganas were a part of Shahaji's jahgir, it is not clear if the attack was intended against Shahaji or was a part of the offensive against Nizamshahi. Whatever it may be, the result was complete destruction of Pune and it's neighbouring regions. He then moved to Bhuleshwar and built a fort called Daulatmangal around the temple. The administration of Pune region was moved to this new fort.

Wide-spread famine of 1630
Amidst all Mughal, Adilshahi and Nizamshahi invasions a huge famine struck many parts of India in the year 1630-31 AD. In Pune and neighbouring regions, the devastation has been recorded in many contemporary references. People had to leave their houses and farms in search for food. Villages and towns were deserted. The famine took a heavy toll on population leaving about ten lakh dead. Those who survived the famine were killed by epidemics that followed.

People were forced to sell their land, jewellery or other assets for procuring food. The prices of foodgrain had scaled up to one and half Hon for one Man (??). Properties like house and farmland were being sold for 25 Hons. Shivabharat mentions that gold and jewellery prices fell to such an extent that people were trading a bag of jewels for a bag of foodgrains.

An English traveller Peter Mundy, left Surat in November 1630 AD to visit Delhi. He states that there were 21 Englishmen in the Surat factory when he left. When he returned back on 25th May 1633 AD, fourteen of them were dead. He mentions that of every ten people only one had managed to survive. In Gujarat this famine was ill-known by the name of Satasiya . The name comes from the year in which it started which is, Vikram Samvat 1687.

Shivaji is born at Shivneri
Shivaji Bhonsale was born to Jijabai, first wife of Shahaji Bhonsale on Phalgun Vadya 3, Shak 1551 which is 19th February 1630 AD. He was born on Shivneri, a fort near Junnar. This fort has a temple of goddess Shivai. It is a common belief that Shivaji was named after this goddess. It is also believed that he was named after Lord Shiva, hence the name Shivaji. The structure in the picture below was reconstructed later at the site believed to be the birthplace of Shivaji.

Shahjahan reaches Burhanpur
Shahjahan left Agra on 14th December 1629 AD on his campaign against Khanjahan Lodi and Nizamshahi. He was camping at Asirgadh on his way to Burhanpur. He assigned an army of fifty thousand troops which was headed by the Subhedar of Deccan Iradatkhan. He was felicitated with the title Azamkhan. On 23rd February 1630 AD, this army started its campaign against Lodi and Nizamshah. On 1st March 1630 AD, Shahjahan reached Burhanpur.

A smaller army of ten thousand troops was formed here under the leadership of Rav Ratan. This army was supposed to restrict the enemy on the Vashim front and at the same time try and conquer Telangana region. This army left Burhanpur on 17th March 1630 AD. Khaja Abul Hasan was assigned an army of eight thousand troops. He was to camp at the Laling fort where he would be joined by the Subhedar of Gujrat, Sherkhan.

After monsoon, he was to move into Baglan, take Bahirji, the king of Baglan with him, and capture the regions of Nasik, Trimbak and Sangamner. He left Burhanpur on 25th April 1630 AD.
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Part 1 of Maratha Empire is posted will post part 2 soon ๐Ÿ˜Š
njoy reading
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Posted: 13 years ago
Thanks 4 sharing khushi๐Ÿ˜ƒ
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pleasure bhargu but baaki saare kahan hai
har baar pm karu kya
its very bad๐Ÿ˜”
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Posted: 13 years ago
Awesome post khushi.
He was a true soldier proud of him.
The Leader of generation.
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are where are u guyz invite bheju kya sabko ๐Ÿ˜ก
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