Chhatrapati Shivaji

One of the most able administrators and ruler in India was undoubtedly Chhatrapati Shivaji. He was the founder of the Maratha Empire in India. With his flawless warrior skills and unlimited courage, he ruled the Deccan region, parts of central India and parts of modern day Pakistan with a firm hand. It was due to his efforts that the Mughals faced a decline in their empire. Using guerilla warfare techniques, he was successful in annexing a major portion of the Mughal Empire. Given here is a short biography about Chatrapati Sivaji that covers his life history briefly. So check out information on King Shivaji. Shivaji was born in Shivner on 10th April, 1627 to Jijabai and Shahji. His father Shahji was a nobleman in the royal court of Bijapur. Shivaji was named so after Lord Shiva of the Hindu mythology as his mother was an ardent Hindu devotee. Since childhood, Shivaji was brave and never feared anything. There are many instances in his childhood that show he was a born ruler. At the young age of fourteen, he had the dream of building his kingdom. At the age of 20, he took out his very first military attack and captured the Torna Fort of the kingdom of Bijapur. After that there was no stopping him and he went on to capture Kondana and Rajgad forts and exercised full control over the region of Pune. Around the year 1659, Shivaji took over the forts in Western Ghats and the ones near the Konkan coast. In order to disrupt Shivaji's series of triumphs, Adilshah arrested his father Shahji by unfair means and sent armies against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambhaji. However, the armies were no match for the two strong brothers and were defeated by them and their father was released. However, Afzal Khan later seized an opportunity to kill Sambhaji by deceit. Shivaji was an efficient ruler and administrator and ruled with a just and firm hand. His government had concepts that we know of now like the Cabinet known as Ashtapradhan Mandal, foreign affairs known as Dabir and also an internal intelligence wing. During Shivaji's reign the army was very efficient and dependable. Since Shivaji ruled a major part of the Western coast area, he also commanded a strong navy force. Shivaji is known for his protective and fatherly attitude towards his citizens. He is remembered till date as a hero who worked for the welfare of his subjects and state. Shivaji breathed his last in 1680 after suffering from fever for three whole weeks.

Encyclopedia of World Biography on Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya (died ca. 298 BC) was the founder of the Maurya dynasty and the first historical emperor of India.

According to the Puranic tradition, Chandragupta, also known as Sandracottus, was the illegitimate son of the last Nanda king of Magadha by the maid servant Mura, hence the name Maurya. Jain and Buddhist sources declare him to be a scion of the Moriya clan of Pippalivana. In his youth Chandragupta came under the influence of Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, a Taxilian Brahmin and the reputed author of Arthasastra, the celebrated work on Indian polity. Aided by Chanakya, Chandragupta conspired to usurp the Magadhan rule but failed in his first attempt. Exiled, he met Alexander in 326/325 B.C., studied the significance and success of the Greek invasion, and bided his time. After Alexander's death in 323 B.C., Chandragupta put an end to the Greek rule in northwest India, returned to Magadha, killed the Nanda king, and proclaimed the Maurya dynasty in 322. The attempt of Seleucus Nicator, a Greek satrap, to recapture Punjab in 304 was foiled, and Chandragupta obtained present-day Afghanistan as part of the peace treaty. Seleucus also gave his daughter in marriage to Chandragupta and appointed Megasthenes as ambassador to the Maurya court. Scholars owe much information about Mauryan India to a detailed account written by Megasthenes. The Magadhan state under Chandragupta was both opulent and totalitarian. The capital, Pataliputra, was a magnificent city, and the royal palace was, according to Megasthenes, filled with "wonders which neither Memnonian Susa in all its glory nor the magnificence of Ekbatana can hope to vie; indeed, only the well-known vanity of the Persians could imagine such a comparison." Having come to power through intrigue, the Emperor feared plots. He employed an army of secret agents, and no method was considered unscrupulous to destroy his enemies. The people enjoyed a reputation for honesty; lying and stealing were generally unknown, and the Greek ambassador notes that litigation was seldom resorted to. Much of this was no doubt due to the harsh penal

system. The death penalty was imposed for evasion of taxes, and maiming was inflicted for perjury. The empire was divided into three provinces, each under a viceroy, usually a member of the royal family. Chandragupta had an army of 600,000, but it is likely the number also included camp followers. A palace guard of foreign Amazons kept watch over the Emperor, and Chandragupta seldom appeared in public. Chandragupta's rule lasted 24 years. According to Jain tradition, in 298 he abdicated his throne, retired to the Jain retreat at Sravana Belgola in Mysore, and eventually fasted to death.

Mahapadma Nanda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mahapadma Nanda (450 BCE 362 BCE) was the first king of the Nanda dynasty. He was the son of a Kshatriya father Mahanandin with a shudra wife, Sons of Mahanandin from his Kshatriya wives oppose the rise of Mahapadma Nanda on which he eliminated all of them to claim the throne.[1][2]The Nandas, under Mahapadma Nanda, established the first great North Indian empire with its political centre in Magadha, which would in the following years lead to the largest empire in ancient India, to be built by the Mauryas. Mahapadma Nanda vanquished the old dynasties of North, not as was customary, to extract tribute from them and to be recognized as the most powerful, the samrat or the chakravartin, but rather in order to dethrone them and declare himself as an "ekachhatra", the only emperor in the entire land. The collapse of the old Ksatriya dynasties under the rigorous power politics of Mahapadma Nanda, who is explicitly denigrated as the son of a Shudra, and the support extended to followers of non-Vedic philosophies, all has been described as negative signs in the Puranas, which often identify Mahapadma Nanda's rise as a mark of Kaliyuga. Tradition has it that he reigned for 88 years. However, his sons did not prove capable of retaining power, and were soon overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya. The Indologist F. E. Pargiter dated Nanda's coronation to 382 BCE, and R. K. Mookerji dated it to 364 BCE.[3] Annexed parts of Kalinga, central India, Anga, and the upper Ganges Valley. He was the first Shudra king of Magadha.
[edit]

Vikramditya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For Gupta king Chandragupta II Vikramditya, see Chandragupta II. For 16th century Hindu king also known as Hemu, see Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya. For the aircraft carrier, see INS Vikramaditya.
This article may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (March 2011)

Vikramaditya (Sanskrit: ) (102 BCE to 15 CE) was a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" was later assumed by many other kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II and Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (popularly known as 'Hemu'). The name King Vikramaditya is a Sanskrit tatpurusha, from (vikrama) meaning "valour" and

ditya, son of Aditi. One of the most famous sons of Aditi,

or Adityas, was Surya the sun god; hence, Vikramaditya means Surya, translating to "(One) Of valour equal to the Sun". He is also called Vikrama or Vikramarka (Sanskrit arka meaning the Sun). Vikramaditya lived in the first century BCE. According to the Katha-sarita-sagara account, he was the son of Ujjain's King Mahendraditya of the Paramara dynasty. However this was written almost 12 centuries later. Furthermore, according to other sources Vikramaditya is also recorded to be an ancestor of the Tuar dynasty of Delhi.[1][2][3][4][5]

Contents
[hide]

1 In Bhavishya Purana 2 Greatness 3 Birth of Vikramaditya 4 Vikramaditya's Family 5 Historical Proofs and achievements

5.1 Other Historians opinion

6 The Jain monk account 7 The legend of Vikramaditya 8 Vikrama and Shani 9 The Vikrama Samvat (Vikrama Era) 10 See also 11 References 12 Note

[edit]In

Bhavishya Purana

Main article: Bhavishya Purana Vikramadithya is the first great Hindu King among the ten great kings. Vikramadithya was a son of Gandharva Sena. Gods showered flowers at his birth. At the age of five, he went to do austere penance (Thapasya) for 12 years. Bethala or Vethala became his assistant as he sacrificed a treacherous mantrika to Kalika Devi. He received a throne from Indra as he settled a dispute between Rambha and Urvasi. In his Judgement Urvasi's dance was superior to Rambha's because Rambha lost confidence and her garland flowers became pale as she worried about victory while dancing. He received a boon that he and his descendants would rule the kingdom for 1000 years. His grandson was King Shalivahana of Paithan(Pratisthan). Vikramadithya performed a Yagna attended by all the gods except the Moon god. Hence he went to the Moon world (Chandra Loka) and asked for the reason. The Moon God replied that he did not come as it was Kaliyu
[edit]Greatness

See also: Navaratnas in the court of Vikramaditya The Vikramarka Shaka era (or Vikrama era) is attributed to him. Many Indian kings took him as ideal and kept his name as their title. The Bethala Pachisi and Dwathrimshathi

are popular stories about him. Vikramaditya, Shalivahana and Boja Kings are detailed in Bhavishya Purana. The first two kings had independent sakas or eras, while Shalivahana eracontinues to be followed in the Indian Calendar. Among these kings, Vikramaditya stands first.
[edit]Birth

of Vikramaditya

"Vikramaditya" was one of the sons of Gandharva Sena, son of Lord Indra. Lord Indra cursed Gandharva Sena to become a donkey as he had obstructed the way of "Mohini apsara" while she was on her way to meet Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash. Lord Indra offered to restore Gandharva Sena to his human state if he married a Princess. Gandharva Sena, in the form of a donkey sent a proposal to the King of Dhara through a potter. The King hesitated, but he agreed on condition that Gandharva Sen had to construct a Bronze wall around his Kingdom with a silver Gate within a single night. Gandharva Sena suceeded in completing the task with the assistance of Lord "Viswa Karma". The Princess agreed to marry Gandharva Sen on the condition that he would return to Indra Loka only after her death, as he was immortal. Gandharva Sena, through his marriage with a princess, had three sons. They were Vikramaditya, Barthruhari and Parbatha.
[edit]Vikramaditya's

Family

King Vikramaditya had one son namely Aditya Vardana and a daughter. His Grand son name is Shalivahana whose name also mentioned in Bavishya Puran.
[edit]Historical

Proofs and achievements

Vikramarka Era or Vikramarka Shakam or Vikramarka Samvat Dwa trimshati- 32 live stories Pancha pachisi - 25 Vikram Bethal live stories

[edit]Other

Historians opinion

The title "Vikramaditya" has been assumed by many kings in Indian history, notably Vikramaditya who beat the Saka's in 1st century AD, the Gupta King Chandragupta II and Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (popularly known as 'Hemu') amongst others. The name King Vikramaditya is a Sanskrit tatpurusha, from (vikrama) meaning "valour" and

ditya, son of Aditi. One of the most famous sons of Aditi, or Adityas,

was Surya the sun god; hence, Vikramaditya means Surya, translating to "(One) Of valour equal to the Sun". He is also called Vikrama or Vikramarka (Sanskrit arka meaning the Sun).

Vikramaditya (Sanskrit: ) (102 BCE to 15 CE) was a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. Vikramaditya lived in the 1st century BCE. According to the Katha-sarita-sagara account, he was the son of Ujjain's King Mahendraditya of the Paramara dynasty. However this was written almost twelve centuries later and Agnikund yagnya from where the Agnikula (including Parmar's) originated happened around 4th century A.D. The Parmara - Vikramaditya probably was king of Ujjain in the 4th century A.D. and not in 1st century AD. According to other sources Vikramaditya is recorded to be an ancestor of the Tuar dynasty of Delhi.[6][7][8][9][10] Some stories also say that Samrat Vikramaditya was caretaker king for Mahendraditya's son and bravely defended the territories against Saka rulers. Later in life he relinquished his powers over Malwa once his young nephew and grandson of Mahendraditya came of age. He continued to rule over part of the kingdom from Ujjain. The increasingly common naming of Hindu children by the name Vikram can be attributed in part to the popularity of Vikramaditya and the two sets of popular folk stories about his life.
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Prithviraj Chauhan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2010)
This article is about ruler of the kingdom of Ajmer. For Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, see Prithviraj Chavan. For more information, see Prithviraj Chauhan (disambiguation).

Prithviraj Chauhan

Statue of Prithviraj Chauhan at Ajmer

Born

1149

Died

1192 (aged 43)

Other names

Prithvi Raj III

Occupation

12th century king of Ajmer andDelhi

Prithvi Raj III, commonly known as Prithviraj Chauhan (1149-1192 CE), was a king of the Hindu Chauhan (Chauhamana) dynasty, who ruled the kingdom of Ajmer and Delhi in northern India during the latter half of the 12th century. Prithviraj Chauhan belonged to the Chauhan clan, which according to a legend mentioned in later manuscripts of Prithviraj Raso was part of Agnikula Rajputs, derived it's origin from a sacrifical firepit.However a number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign him a Gurjaraorigin.[1][2]Chauhan was the last independent Hindu king to sit upon the throne of Delhi.[citation needed] He succeeded to the throne in 1169 CE at the age of 20, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi which he received from his maternal grandfather Ballal Sena of theSena Dynasty in Bengal. He controlled much of presentday Rajasthan and Haryana, and unified the Rajputs against Muslim invasions. His elopement in 1175 with Samyukta (Sanyogita), the daughter of Jai Chandra Rathod, the Gahadvala king of Kannauj, is a popular romantic tale in India, and is one of the subjects of the Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem composed by Chauhan's court poet and friend, Chand Bardai. Prithviraj Chauhan defeated the Muslim ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191. Ghauri attacked for a second time the next year, and Prithviraj was defeated and captured at the Second Battle of Tarain (1192). Sultan Ghauri took Prithviraj toGhazni, where he was executed. After his defeat Delhi came under the control of Muslim rulers.

Contents
[hide]

1 Biography

o o

1.1 Lineage 1.2 Early battles

o o

1.2.1 The battle against Bhimdev Solanki of Gujarat 1.2.2 The battle against Mahoba

1.3 First Battle of Tarain, 1191 1.4 Defeat and death in the Second Battle of Tarain, 1192

2 References

Biography
Prithviraj Chauhan's succession was not secure since the death of Vigraha Raja in 1165; Prithviraj reconsolidated control over the Chauhan kingdom and conquered several neighboring kingdoms, making the Chauhan kingdom the leading Hindu kingdom in northern India. He campaigned against the Chandela Rajputs of Bundelkhand. His kingdom included much of present-day northwest India including Rajasthan, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. The princely state of Nabha had close relations with Chauhan.

Krishnadevaraya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sri Krishna Deva Raya

Emperor of Vijayanagara Empire

A bronze statue of emperor Krishnadevaraya, at Tank Bund in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Reign

July 26, 15091529

Kannada

Telugu

Titles

Mooru Rayaraganda Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana Andhra Bhoja Malla Rayer

Birthplace

Hampi, Karnataka

Died

1529

Predecessor

Viranarasimha Raya

Successor

Achyuta Deva Raya

Consort

Chinnambike Thirumalambike

Dynasty

Tuluva Dynasty

Father

Tuluva Narasa Nayaka

Mother

Nagala Devi

Vijayanagara Empire
Sangama Dynasty Harihara Raya I Bukka Raya I Harihara Raya II Virupaksha Raya Bukka Raya II Deva Raya I Ramachandra Raya Vira Vijaya Bukka Raya
Recently excavated Vishnu temple, Hampi

13361356 13561377 13771404 14041405 14051406 14061422 1422 14221424 14241446 14461465 14651485 1485

Deva Raya II Mallikarjuna Raya Virupaksha Raya II Praudha Raya Saluva Dynasty

r Kriha Devarya (Tulu: , Kannada: , Telugu: ) also known as Krishna Rai in some inscriptions was the famed Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire who reigned from 1509 1529 CE.He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. Presiding over the empire at its zenith, he is regarded as an icon by many Indians. Emperor Krishna Deva Raya earned the titles Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana ( ), Mooru Rayara Ganda ( : meaning King of three ).

Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya 14851491 Thimma Bhupala Narasimha Raya II Tuluva Dynasty Tuluva Narasa Nayaka Viranarasimha Raya Krishna Deva Raya Achyuta Deva Raya Sadasiva Raya Aravidu Dynasty Aliya Rama Raya Tirumala Deva Raya Sriranga I Venkata II Sriranga II Ramadeva Venkata III Sriranga III 15421565 15651572 15721586 15861614 1614 16171632 16321642 16421646 14911503 15031509 15091529 15291542 15421570 1491 14911505

kings) and Andhra Bhoja (

Krishna Deva Raya was one of the greatest statesmen which medieval South India had produced. Telugu people especially consider him as the greatest king ever to rule the ndhradea(Telugu land) as his period is considered as Swarnayuga (Golden period or Zenith) in the

cultural and literary history of Telugus.[citation needed] Much information about his reign comes from the accounts of Portuguese travelers Domingo Paes and Fernao Nuniz. Krishna Deva Raya benefited from the able prime minister Timmarusu, who was regarded by the emperor as a father figure and was responsible for his coronation.

Krishna Deva Raya was the son of Nagala Devi and Tuluva Narasa Nayaka,[1] an army commander under Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, who later took control of the empire to prevent its disintegration and became the founder of the Tuluva Dynasty, the third Hindu Dynasty to rule Vijayanagara. The emperor's coronation took place on the birthday of Hindu God Krishna, and his earliest inscription is from July 26, 1509 CE. He built a beautiful suburb near Vijayanagara called Nagalapura in memory of his mother, Nagala.
Contents
[hide]

1 Personality 2 Foreign affairs

o o o o

2.1 Success in Deccan 2.2 War with Feudatories 2.3 War with Kalinga 2.4 Final conflict

3 Internal Affairs 4 Art and literature

o o o

4.1 Kannada literature 4.2 Telugu literature 4.3 Amuktamalyada

o o

4.3.1 Visit to Andhra Vishnu Temple 4.3.2 Lord's Instruction to commence work in Telugu 4.3.3 Content

4.4 Tamil literature 4.5 Sanskrit literature

5 Religion and culture 6 References 7 Notes 8 External links

[edit]Personality

Much information about swetha Raya is obtained from inscriptions and from the accounts of foreign travelers.[2] The king was of medium height, had a cheerful disposition, and was reputed to be respectful to foreign visitors, ruthless in maintaining the law, and prone to fits of anger. He maintained himself to a high level of physical fitness through daily exercises. Travelogues indicate that the king was not only an able

administrator, but also an excellent general, leading from the front in battle and even attending to the wounded.
[edit]

Lalitaditya Muktapida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lalitaditya Muktapida was an emperor of the Karkota dynasty (625-1003 CE) from Kashmir, India. He ruled from (724 to 760 CE), during this period he conquered most of Northern Indiaand Central Asia. He was the son of emperor Durlabhvardhana, a Kayastha. According to the historian Mazumdar, Lalitaditya concentrated his attention on the areas in the north after important victories in the south, thus his empire reached the remote corner of the Karakoram mountain range. In the beginning of the 8th century, the Arab invasion had started knocking at the door of the Kabul valley. Simultaneously after the end of Tang reign in China, many Central Asian states that had come under the Chinese rule had disintegrated because of civil wars. During this period, the Muslim power in Sindh was trying to march towards the north. While the empires of Kabul and Gandhar were occupied by these invasions, Lalitaditya used the opportunity to establish his foothold in the north, moving with his victorious army from Dardistan to Turkestan. The entire area was rich in Kashmiri traditions and education, due to the efforts of Buddhist monks and Kashmiri people in towns of Central Asia.[1] Kashmir, at that time, was the most powerful state in the Indian Subcontinent. During the time of Lalitaditya, its boundaries covered an area from Tibet in the east to Iran in the west and from Turkestan in the north to Orissa and the seashores of Dwarka in the south. He successfully checked the expansion of contemporary Arab Empire and Tibetan Empire, and thus saved the Indian subcontinent from these powerful invasions. Lalitaditya expressed interest in other areas besides his military campaign. Art and trade gained importance during his reign, religious festivals were held, and special facilities as well as encouragement were provided to support painters and sculptors. He was a successful writer and a Veena player. Bamzai wrote that Lalitaditya's war victories have received special place among different accounts of his reign. He was later made a hero of Kashmiris. Lalitaditya is considered to be the greatest ruler of Kashmir due to his encouragement of art, great work in human welfare, love of education, protection of scholars, and kindness.

Military campaigns
Kalhana in his Rajatarangini credits king Lalitaditya with leading an aggressive military campaigns in Northern India and Central Asia. He conquered most of Aryavarta, while defeatingYasovarman of Kanyakubja and conquering Bengal, Kalinga, Karnataka, the Kaveri Valley, Mount Malaya, the Konkan, Dvaraka, Avanti and Gauda. He then broke into the Uttarapathaand defeated the rebellious tribes of the Kambojas, Tukharas (Turks in Turkmenistan and Tocharians in Badakhshan), Bhautas (Tibetans in Baltistan and Tibet) and Daradas (Dards). His campaign then led him to subjugate the kingdoms of Pragjyotisha, Strirajya and the Uttarakurus.[2][3][4]

Ahilyabai Holkar
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725-1795) was a great ruler and the Queen of the Kingdom of Malwa. Popularly known as Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar and she was born in 1725 in the village of Chondi in Maharashtra, India. She was the daughter of Mankoji Shinde who belonged to the Dhangar community, serving as patil of the village. Her father educated her himself and she grew up living a humble pious life, when one day, her destiny changed forever to eventually see her become the ruler of Malwa in the 18th century. Young Ahilyadevi's character and simplicity impressed Malhar Rao Holkar, who then served under Peshwa Bajirao's army as a commander. So great was his liking for the girl, that she was married to his son, Khande Rao, thus becoming a bride in the esteemed Maratha community of the Holkars. After her husband's death in the battle of Kumbher in 1754, Ahilyabai was introduced to the administrative and military affairs of the state by her fatherin-law, which saw her perform brilliantly under his guidance. After Malhar Rao's death, she requested the Peshwa to grant her the power to lead the administration of the region. His approval saw Rani Ahilyadevi take hold of the reins of the state in 1766, to become ruler of Malwa, with Tukoji Holkar appointed as her new military head. Receiving the full support of her loyal army, Ahilyadevi led them into several wars, whilst, she being a brave warrior and skilled archer herself, fought with valor atop elephant-back, even protecting her kingdom from the plundering Bhils and Gonds. Rani Ahilyabai moved her capital to Maheshwar, constructing the splendid 18th century Maratha-architecture based, Ahilya Fort, on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Besides her capital being an industrial enterprise for textile, it was also a thriving destination for literary, sculpture, music and arts, which saw Moropant, the famous Marathi poet, the Shahir Anantaphandi and Sanskrit scholar, Khushali Ram, being patronized during her era. A wise, just and enlightened ruler who cared for her people, she was available to the aid of everyone holding a daily public audience in her court. During her glorious reign (1767-1795), Rani Ahilyadevi's innumerable contributions made her a beloved and respected queen amongst her people in a prospering kingdom. She wisely spent the governmental money building several forts, rest houses, wells and roads, celebrating festivals and donations to Hindu temples. Her feminine side saw her aid widows in retaining their husband's wealth and in adoption of a son. Besides her transformation of Indore from an erstwhile village into a prosperous and enchanting city, she is also accredited with renovating temples. Her most memorable activities include the construction of numerous temples and pilgrimage centers across an area extending from the Himalayas to South India, at sacred sites like Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Dwarka, Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri. Ahilyabai Holkar's magnificent and glorious rule ended when she passed away in 1795. In memory and honour of her greatness, the Republic of India issued a commemorative stamp on 25 August 1996. The citizens of Indore also instituted an award in her name in 1996, to be bestowed annually on an outstanding public figure, the first recipient of it being Nanaji Deshmukh.

Santaji Mhaloji Ghorpade, popularly known as Santaji or Santaji Ghorpade, was one of the greatest warriors and the chief General of the Maratha Empire during ChhatrapatiRajarams regime. His guerrilla technique of war is supposed to be the best besides that of Shivaji and Bajirao. His name became inseparable from the name

of Dhanaji Jadhav with whom he made terrifying campaigns against Mughal Army continuously from 1689 to 1696.
Contents
[hide]

1 Early life 2 Contribution to the Maratha War of Independence 3 Legacy 4 References

[edit]Early

life

Santaji belonged to the historical Ghorpade family which was member of a branch of the Bhosale clan. His year of birth is not known, however, it is estimated to be circa 1660. He along with his younger brother Bahirji accompanied Shivaji in his Karnataka campaign in 1678. He was named by Shivaji on his death bed to be among six pillars of Maratha Empire who were tasked to carry out the war against Mughals and the Sultanates and to save the kingdom at all costs. His father Mhaloji died in the battle of Sangmeshwar while fighting the Mughals who then captured, tortured and killed Sambhaji.
[edit]Contribution

to the Maratha War of Independence

In the beginning of the Rajarams regime in 1689, Santaji had attained the rank of Pancha Hajari officer i.e.Commander of 5,000 soldiers. Immediately after Sambhajis brutal torture and assassination by Aurangzeb, Santaji attacked his camp at Tulapur with the help of Vithoji Chavan and 2000 soldiers from Dhanaji's troops, he cut the ropes of Aurangzebs tents and took the imperial golden pinnacles and fled. This incidence helped to boost the Maratha morale and restored their self confidence to resist and attack the Mughal menace that occupied Maharashtra. In September 1689 along with Dhanaji, Santaji attacked Aurangzebs General Shiekh Nizam who had blockaded Panhala fort. Nizam was severely beaten and his treasure, horses and elephants were captured. During 1689 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji were directed to prevent Mughal army in Maharashtra to enter into Karnataka after Rajarams flight to Jinjee. In December 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji

were promoted and were placed respectively under the supervision of Ramchandra Pant Amatya and Shankraji Narayan Sacheev. On 25 May 1690, Sarzakhan alias Rustamkhan was defeated and captured near Satara jointly by Ramchandra Pant Amatya, Shankraji Narayan, Santaji and Dhanaji and this proved to be a major setback to emperor Aurangzeb. In July 1692, for his great victory, King Rajaram rewarded him the Deshmukhi (fiefdom) of Miraj. In the last quarter of 1692, Santaji along with Dhanaji was sent to Madras to alleviate the Mughal pressure on Jinjee. On the way to Karnataka on 8 October 1692, Dharwad was captured by 7000 Maratha soldiers under both of them. On 14 December 1692, Santaji defeated Aurangzebs General Alimardan Khan, captured him and brought him back to fort Jinjee. In December 1692, the Mughal army under Zulfikhar Ali Khan around fort Jinjee was blocked and beaten by Santaji and Dhanaji as a result of which Zulfiquarkhan had to approach King Rajaram for sue for compromise. On 5 January 1693, Santaji attacked the Mughal camp at Desur and looted their treasure, weapons and livestock. In 1693, after lengthy negotiations with Rajaram, Zulfiquarkhan was granted a safe passage out which Santaji did not approve of. He argued with Rajaram and left the place without his permission as a result of which Dhanaji was given tentative charge of the army chief. Santaji, in spite of this insubordination, he soon resumed his duties, mainly due to his prowess on the battlefield. On 14 November 1693, Mughal General Himmat Khan beat back Santaji near Vikramhalli in Karnataka. Soon thereafter, Santaji regrouped his troops and reengaged Himmat Khan again on 21 November 1693 and avenged his earlier defeat. In July 1695, Santaji trapped the Mughal army camping near Khatav and harassed it with lightning strikes.[citation needed]. Italian visitor to the Mughal court, Minnucci, has listed details of the lightening fast and devastating Maratha attacks on the Mughal camps. High level of tension, stress and apprehension among the troops and camp followers, about the ever present Maratha threat were recorded. On 20 November 1695, Kasimkhan; Aurangzebs powerful General in Karnataka, was attacked, defeated and killed by Santaji at Doderi near Chitradurga.

In December 1695, Dhanaji was defeated in a battle near Vellore by Zulfiquarkhan. On 20 January 1696 near Baswapattan, Santaji attacked, defeated and personally killed the Mughal General Himmat Khan. On 26 February 1696, Mughal General Hamiduddin Khan defeated Santaji in a brief tussle. In April 1696, Santaji was also defeated by Zulfikhar khan at Arani in Karnataka. On 8 May 1696, Santaji met Rajaram at fort Jinjee, argued with him on certain issues and left Gengee without resolving their differences. In June 1696, by order of Rajaram, Dhanaji attacked Santaji for his rebellion near Vriddhachalam but had to turn back. Soon thereafter Santaji was officially sacked and his charge was given to Dhanaji again. In March 1697, Dhanaji defeated Santaji at Dahigaon with the help of Hanmantrao Nimbalkar. In July 1697, a Maratha General called Nagoji Mane who was seduced by Aurangzeb, killed Santaji in the forest of Karkhala while he was performing religious rites on banks of a local river. '
[edit]Legacy

Santajis son Yeshoji & Tukoji continued his military activities by shifting their base to Sandur near Bellary & Guti in Karnataka. With help of Telangi-Berads, they sided with Tarabai faction of Kolhapur during Maratha war of succession fought between Shahu & Tarabai. After Peshwas rose to power granted by Chatrapatis of Satara in 1749, Ghorpades concentrated their activities in Karnataka. Murarrao Ghorpade grandnephew of Santaji, made an alliance with Muhammed Ali and helped him to defeat Chanda Sahib in famous Battle of Arcot fought in 1751. This battle is known in history of English East India Co. as part of the Carnatic Wars fought between Robert Clive led forces of English East India Co. v/s Dupleix led French East India Company between1751 to 1758, also known as 7 years war. English historians tend to highlight & Threat from Nizam of Hyderabad-Hyder Ali-Tipu Sultan kept them engrossed in Karnataka-Tamil Nadu away from politics of Pune Darbars. Ghorpades maintained working relationship with English East India Co. in their Karnataka-Tamil Nadu operations maturing from the cordial relationship established with Robert Clive during

siege of Arcot in 1751. Descendents of Santaji still live in Sandur & Guti, Karnataka, his desandants are also part of the families of Bedag and Detwadd in Kolhapur and Sangli districts of Maharashtra Jadunath Sarkar the noted historian writes in his famous book namely Military history of India about Santaji "He was a perfect master of this art,which can be more correctly described asParthian warfare than as guerrilla tactics, because he could not only make night marches and surprises, but also cover long distances quickly and combine the movements of large bodied over wide areas with an accuracy and punctuality which were incredible in any Asiatic army other than those of Chengiz Khan and Tamurlane"
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