Shahu I
Shahu I | |
---|---|
Hindupati Padshah | |
5th Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire | |
Reign | 12 January 1708[1] –15 December 1749[2][3] |
Coronation | 12 January 1708, Satara[4] |
Predecessor | Shivaji II |
Successor | Rajaram II |
Peshwa |
|
Born | Shivaji Sambhaji Raje Bhosale 18 May 1682 Mangad Fort, Maratha Empire[5] (present-day Mangaon, Maharashtra, India) |
Died | 15 December 1749[6] Rangmahal Palace, Satara, Maratha Empire[6] (present-day Maharashtra, India) | (aged 67)
Spouse | |
Issue |
|
Bhonsale | |
Father | Sambhaji I |
Mother | Yesubai[8] |
Religion | Hinduism |
Signature |
Shahu I (Shivaji Sambhaji Raje Bhosale; Marathi pronunciation:
Under the reign of Shahu, Maratha power and influence extended to much of North-Western, Central and Western India, which had then created a strong
Early life
In 1689, at the age of seven, Shahu was taken prisoner along with his mother by Mughals after the
Shahu was married to two daughters of high ranking Maratha Sardars in the Mughal service. Aurangzeb gifted Shahu the Bhavani sword of Shivaji, the sword of Afzal Khan, and another gold-hilted sword. Aurangzeb also granted him Sanads to lands and revenue rights around Parganas of Akkalkot, Supa, Baramati, and Nevase for his maintenance. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, one of his sons, Prince Azam Shah, released Shahu in the hope of starting an internecine conflict between the Marathas, and also to have Shahu on his side for his own succession battle for the Mughal throne.[13][14] At that time, his aunt Tarabai, who governed the Maratha realm in the name of her son (also named Shivaji), denounced Shahu as an impostor substituted by the Mughals for the son of Sambhaji. Shahu then waged a civil-war against Tarabai to gain the Chhatrapati's throne in 1708 and emerged victorious.[15][16]
Accession
Early Reign
Following the death of Aurangzeb, Shahu grew impatient about returning to his homeland. He was advised by
Kolhapur Succession
Early Conflicts
After reaching Maharashtra, Senasahibsubha Parsoji Bhonsle, commander of 15,000 troops, pledged himself to Shahu. Parsoji’s example was quickly followed by Sardar Nimaji Shinde, Sarlashkar Haibatrao Nimbalkar, Rustamrao Jadhavrao (Shahu’s father-in-law), and Chimnaji Damodar who were all operating in Baglana and Khandesh. The forces of Tarabai assembled near Kudas Khed for a confrontation.
On 3 August 1707, Jotyaji Kesarkar received the formal sanads for Raja Shahu at Burhanpur from Bahadur Shah, who had finally killed Azam Khan in the Battle of Jajau. Shahu and his successors were recognized by the Mughal Emperors as the rightful heirs to Shivaji.[19] The Mughals of Delhi yielded a quarter of their total revenue as Chauth tax, and an additional 10% for their protection to Chhatrapati Shahu. They would later become a puppet government of the Marathas.
Battle of Khed
On his march from Pune to the field of Khed Kudus, Shahu faced resistance from the town of Parad, which had a small fortress from which a feeble cannonade was directed upon his forces by the Patil Sayaji Lokhande. The fortress was stormed and levelled to the ground, and the besieged were put to the sword. The Patil Sayaji's widow placed her son Ranoji in Shahu's palanquin. Shahu, who regarded this as his first victory, named the boy Fatesinh and adopted him as his own son.[20] Upon reaching Khed, Shahu sneaked into Dhanaji Jadhav's camp in disguise and had an interview with Dhanaji's comptroller Naroram Ranga Rao, who held favor of his master.[21] Naroram represented the legitimacy of Shahu's claims to the Maratha throne and persuaded Dhanaji to espouse the right cause at the right time. Thereafter, Dhanaji also pledged his allegiance to Shahu. The Battle of Khed then took place on 12th October 1707 between the forces of Tarabai and Raja Shahu, who personally commanded his contingents. Tarabai's forces were led by Pratinidhi Parshuram Trymbak and Sarsenapati Khanderao Dabhade and suffered major casualties, while Dhanaji Jadhav only engaged in nominal skirmishes due to his prior oath of allegiance to Shahu. Shahu thus achieved a resounding victory causing Parshuram Trymbak Pratinidhi to flee to Satara Fort. Following the battle, Shahu visited the Khandoba Temple at Jejuri to pay homage and assumed the title "Kshatriyakulavatansa Sriyut Raja Shahu Chhatrapati".[22][23]
Shahu, riding on a wave of success, went on to capture Raigad, Torna, Vichitragad, and Chandan-Vandan forts, along with a few minor ones, in record time. Within a month of the Battle of Khed, he then appeared before Satara. Camped at the foot of Satara Fort, in almost the exact place where Aurangzeb had camped seven years earlier, Shahu sent off a peremptory demand to Tarabai's Pratinidhi to surrender the fort without resistance. However, since the latter would not yield, Shahu laid siege to it. Determined to conquer it in eight days, Shahu discovered that the military commander (Havaldar) of the fort, Sheikh Mira, had kept his family in Wai, a village not far from his camp. Shahu decided to apply a judicious ploy and threatened Sheikh Mira, saying that he would blow off the Sheikh's wife and children from the mouth of cannons if he did not surrender the fortress. Sheikh Mira then showed his readiness to do the bidding of Shahu. However, since the Pratinidhi resisted, Sheikh Mira, in a minor coup, threw him into prison and opened the gates to Shahu on 1 January 1708. It is said that even Dhanaji Jadhav, who had seen Aurangzeb’s vast army battering against the fort of Satara for nine months before it capitulated, is said to have expressed surprise at the ease and rapidity with which Shahu managed to conquer it. Satara thus became the capital of Shahu's realms.
Expansion of the Maratha Empire
Consolidation
Upon the death of Athani's Maratha lord Himmat Bahadur Vithoji Chavan, his son
An open field known as the Jakhinwadi plain was chosen as the meeting place of the two cousins. Jakhinwadi was bedecked with pavilions and equipage of the nobles of Maharashtra, who on this occasion, vied with each other in the splendour of their trappings and the profusion of their jewelry. There were over 200,000 soldiers, alone with horses and countless baggage trains. On the appointed day, Shahu and Sambhaji set out from their respective camps on elephants with jewel-studded howdahs. When they came in sight of each other, their elephants kneeled and their riders left them to mount richly saddled Arab steeds. When the horses met, the two princes alighted. Sambhaji put his head on Shahu’s feet as a visible token of submission.[27] Chhatrapati Shahu bent down and lifting up his cousin and embraced him. Then, Shahu and Sambhaji decked each other with golden coins and garlands of flowers bringing the ceremony to a close. The formal treaty was concluded two months later at Satara known as "Treaty of Warana", which terminated the Maratha Civil War, and made Kolhapur a firmly subordinate sector of Satara Chhatrapati's empire. Fatehsingh Bhonsle was ordered to escort Sambhaji back to Panhala. Shahu accompanied Sambhaji for eight miles, and the path was set ablaze with the jewels and silks of the Maratha nobles in the train of the two monarchs. According to scholar C. A. Kincaid: "Even the splendours of the French nobles, when Henry met Francis on the Field of the Cloth of Gold, would have paled before the magnificence of Sambhaji’s reception by Shahu."[28]
Reign of Chhatrapati Shahu
Over the next fifty years, Peshwa Balaji's son,
.Shahu advanced the interests of the ryots and brought barren tracts under cultivation, encouraged the plantation of trees, and relieved the suffering of the poor classes by abolishing irksome taxes.[33]
Shahu, widely regarded as "Bhola Shankar" (benevolent incarnation of Shiva),[34] was reputed for his proverbial equitable disposition, and freely socialised with civilians. During festivals, celebrations, dinners, and marriage ceremonies, Shahu was famous for taking an active role and observing how his people fared. People across all classes felt entitled to invite him for their intimate life events like marriages or other celebrations, and he heartily joined them, spent for them, and aided them whenever help was needed. Shahu was titled "Punyashloke" (of pious legacy) by more than one contemporary writer. He was extolled for appointing qualified officers and delegating due authority while also censuring misdeeds appropriately. He appeared in public dressed in the same plain white garments as in private life, with long grey hairs which hung down gracefully on his shoulders. There was virtually nothing private about his life and he was approachable for any civilian. He travelled around his empire on horseback, or his palanquin with a slender retinue, with his secretary and clerks always accompanying him.[35]
His daily routine was a permanent fixture. The poor had free access to him and received quick and impartial justice. He never disregarded any impromptu lowest-class applicants, and on his tours he stopped his palanquin whenever he saw anyone making an appeal to him. As a rule, Shahu went out hunting every morning, which was his only exercise and mode of recreation. Breakfast was followed by office work, where the Chhatrapati carefully disposed of every matter that came before him, and patiently heard every petition that was submitted. At the lighting time in the evening, a full Court was held, after formal obeisance had first been made to Agni. Music and dancing concluded the day. It was computed that Chhatrapati Shahu passed orders on at least 500 matters or cases every day.[36]
-
Letter of Shahu I written after the Siege of Bhupalgad. Shahu enjoins Bhavani Shankar and Khandoji Jadhavrao to lead a determined assault on the side of the Bijapur gate, the Chaukadi, and the Bukhari sides having been attacked by Fatehsingh and Yesaji Bhonsle respectively. c. 1738-39
-
Siege of Bhupalgad letter
-
Handwriting of Chhatrapati Shahu I
Family
Shahu had four wives, two sons, and four daughters.[37]
His Shirke queens, Sakwarbai and Sagunabai, owned their own residences called 'Dareemi Mahal' and 'Dhakta Mahal', respectively. They had their own 'Chitnis/Chitnavis' ministers to look after their establishments. They derived their income from the 'Watans', certain privileges and trade revenue being carried on in ports of Colaba district called 'Khadi of Kundalika'. They had also received 'Sanads' from the Chhatrapati to carry on the trade in different precious commodities such as fish, salt, rice, spices, and cocoa-nuts to and from their tax-free ports of Roha and Ashtami. Disturbances, attacks, and onslaughts by Abyssinians, Europeans were frequent. The queens were often requested to check the nefarious activities of many upstarts with military support. Accounts reveal that the queens were well informed of the events taking place on the Western Indian coast, and that they maintained close contact with influential Maratha Sardars and other figures like Brahmendra Swami to maintain their hold over the political situation of Konkan sphere.[38]
Shahu adopted
Shahu had adopted Ranoji Lokhande, later known as Fatehsinh I Raje Sahib Bhonsle, the son of Meherban Sayaji Lokhande, the Patil of Parud. Sayaji Patil had died in Chhatrapati Shahu's sack of Parud during the Maratha civil war, and his mother handed him over to Shahu who was seated on his palanquin.
Legacy, death and succession
Satara (Sapta Tara) was the name of the citadel, while the capital city below the fort was actually named Shahunagar. Shahu shifted his throne from the citadel to the city's Rangmahal Palace in 1721. He supplied the new city with good drinking water brought in pipes from the Mahadara and Yavteshvar hills. There was also a mint established in the city.
Shahu was fond of sports such as hunting wild game and shooting birds, and used to have a daily ride outside Satara into the jungles for this purpose, thereby getting both fresh air and exercise. During the monsoon season this was accompanied by fishing. Shahu patronised singers, instrument-players, bards, and actors. He kept well-trained hounds and was particular about their pedigree. He was equally fond of well bred horses and birds, and knew their qualities and features. Rarities of various kinds such as candles, scents, knives, swords, tobacco, gunpowder used to be ordered by him through his admiral Kanhoji Angre from European traders. He also purchased elephant tusks. He was equally fond of good gardens, and ordered the planting of rare fruit and flower trees imported from different places.[41]
Chhatrapati Shahu died on 15 December 1749 in Shahunagar. In his records after Shahu's death, Malhar Chitnis states, "He was a father and protector to young and old, to man and woman, to nobles and servants, great and small. Such a King never lived before. Under his government even criminals were not harshly treated. He had no enemy. Unprecedented lamentations were heard."[42]
A statue of Chhatrapati Shahu was erected over his cremation spot.[43]
Many stories were told of Shahu's lavish generosity, and his court he used to compare him with Karna, a hero of the Indian epic Mahabharata.[44]
At that time of his death, his widow Sakvarbai and his concubines committed sati because of political intrigues between Tarabai and Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao regarding succession at the Satara court.[45] His adopted son Rajaram II of Satara, claimed by Tarabai to be her grandson, succeeded the Satara throne. However, actual power was held first by Tarabai, and then by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.[39]
References
- ^ Pī. E. Gavaḷī (1988). Society and Social Disabilities Under the Peshwas. National Publishing House. p. 5.
At last Shahu emerged victorious and ascended the throne at Satara on 12th January, 1708.
- ^ Mehta 2005, p. 314.
- ^ Rameshwarprasad Ganeshprasad Pandey (1980). Mahadji Shinde and the Poona Durbar. Oriental Publishers & Distributors. p. 3.
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj ruled for about forty-two years from January 12, 1708, to December 15, 1749
- ^ Pī. E. Gavaḷī (1988). Society and Social Disabilities Under the Peshwas. National Publishing House. p. 5.
At last Shahu emerged victorious and ascended the throne at Satara on 12th January, 1708.
- ^ Mehta 2005, p. 51.
- ^ a b c Mehta 2005, p. 181.
- ^ a b Mehta 2005, p. 177.
- ^ "Ruka'at-i-Alamgiri; or, Letters of Aurungzebe, with historical and explanatory notes". 1908.
- ^ https://archive.org/stream/rukaatialamgirio00aurarich#page/152/mode/2up%7C Rukaat-i-Alamgiri page 153
- ^ Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Buldhana. Director of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State. 1976.
Shahu, the son of Sambhaji along with his mother Yesubai, was made a prisoner
- ISBN 978-81-85616-67-4.
- ^ New History of the Marathas Vol. I by G.S. Sardesai, p.361 [1]
- ^ Chatterjee, I. and Guha, S., 1999. "Slave-queen, waif-prince: Slavery and social capital in eighteenth-century India". The Indian Economic & Social History Review, 36(2), pp.165-186.
- ^ Manohar, Malgonkar (1959), The Sea Hawk: Life and Battles of Kanoji Angrey, p. 63
- ISBN 9788175330726. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
- ^ New History Of The Marathas Vol.2 by GS Sardesai, Govind Sakharam pg 12 [2]
- ^ Life And Times Of Shivaji-II (Chhatrapati Shahu) 1680-1749 A. D. by B. M. Wamanrao Pg 46[3]
- ISBN 9781343884571. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^ New History Of The Marathas Vol.2 by GS Sardesai, pg. [4]
- ^ Life And Times Of Shivaji II (Chhatrapati Shahu) 1680-1749 A. D. by B. M. Wamanrao, pg.49 [5]
- ^ Chhatrapatis Of Kolhapur by M. Malgonkar, pg. 65 [6]
- ^ Life And Times Of Shivaji II (Chhatrapati Shahu) 1680-1749 A. D. by B. M. Wamanrao pg. 50[7]
- ^ Kincaid & Parasnis, p.156
- ISBN 9781343884571. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^ A History Of The Maratha People Vol.II by C. A. Kincaid, pg 197 [8]
- ^ A History Of The Maratha People Vol.II by C. A. Kincaid, pg 198 [9]
- ^ A History Of The Maratha People Vol.II by C. A. Kincaid, pg 199 [10]
- ^ Stein, B. (2010). A history of India (Vol. 10). John Wiley & Sons page= 187
- ^ Gordon, S. (1993). The Marathas 1600–1818 (Vol. 4). Cambridge University Press, pages 121–130.
- ^ Tony Jaques (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: P-Z. Greenwood Press. p. 770.
- ISBN 978-81-89093-06-8.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. p. 277.
- ^ Burway Mukund Wamanrao (1932). Life And Times Of Shivaji II (Chhatrapati Shahu) 1680-1749 A.D. p. 171.
- ^ a b Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. pp. 276–277.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. pp. 276–278.
- ^ "Fatehsinh I Raje Sahib Bhonsle and Adoption (under India - Princely States: 1)". adoption.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- JSTOR 44140447.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7154-658-9.
- ^ "Fatehsinh I Raje Sahib Bhonsle and Adoption (under India - Princely States: 1)". Adoption Wiki. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. p. 279.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. p. 274.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2.
- ^ Burway Mukund Wamanrao (1932). Life And Times Of Shivaji II (Chhatrapati Shahu) 1680-1749 A.D. p. 172.
- ISBN 9780791428382. Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2018.
Bibliography
- Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers. ISBN 9781932705546.
External links
- Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 2, p. 441.
- Kasar, D.B. Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great, Mumbai: Manudevi Prakashan, Rs. 165 (2005).
- Akkalkot, Solapur district gazette