Dhanaji Jadhav

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Dhanaji Jadhav

Background

Dhanaji was a member of the

During the conflict, the Marathas utilized both infantry and cavalry to effectively engage and disrupt the Mughal forces. Following the fall of Bijapur and Golkonda, a significant number of horsemen found themselves unemployed. As a result, they sought employment with the Maratha forces under the leadership of Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav. In the absence of central authority, these two commanders acted on their own initiative and swiftly developed expertise in coordinating cavalry movements over extended distances.[2]

Queen Tarabai praised Dhanaji and his colleague Santaji, for their daring attack on Aurangzeb's camp. A marathi drama 'Bhangale Swapn Maharashtra' written by Bashir Momin Kavathekar depicts the thrill and adventures raid on Aurangzeb's camp at Tulapur and also brings out how stringently the guidelines laid down by Shivaji Maharaj were being followed by maratha soldiers (which spared Aurangzeb's life because he was offering religious prayers).^[3][4]

In November 1703, Aurangzeb initiated negotiations with Dhanaji through his son,

In 1708, through the mediation of his assistant Balaji Vishwanath, who would later assume the position of Peshwa in 1713, Dhanaji disassociated himself from Tarabai and aligned with Shahu I at Battle of Khed. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, he passed away due to a leg injury at Vadgaon, Kolhapur. Subsequently, his post was assumed by his son, Chandrasen Jadhavrao.

References