Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder king of the great Maratha Empire, that holds the true fame of abolishing Mughal rule from India and thus adds value to our great Indian History.
Shivaji Maharaj has been an epitome of a secular ruler that Indian history can boast of. And therefore his entire journey has been a source of inspiration and motivation for generations now.
Shahaji Bhosle, a Maratha general is the proud father of Shivaji. His mother Jijabai had been his greatest inspiration. Although, the Maharashtra State Government holds 1630 as his birth year; some say that he was born around 1627. However, his birth place - hill fort of Shivneri, located near Pune district remains unquestioned and unanimously accepted.
Ancestors of Shivaji:
Shivaji Raje Bhosle is the progenitor of the royal Bhosle family. His earliest known ancestor is his great grandfather, Babaji Bhosle, who was a renowned village headman of Pune District. His two sons Maloji Bhosle and Vithoji settled in Verul, state Maharashtra and worked in the army of Lakhojirao Jadhav and excelled with every passing day. Jadhavs served the Ahmednagar Sultanate.
Maloji and his wife Umabai were blessed with Shahaji, who was then married to Jijabai - the daughter of Lakhoji Jadhav. Maloji, along with his brother, then joined the services of Ahmadnagar Sultanate, under Murtaza Shah I. After much display of his courage and valor, Maloji passed away in a battle against Bijapur Sultanate. The five year old Shahaji was then looked after his uncle Vithoji.
Shahaji inherited Jagirs under Ahmadnagar from his father. He served Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for a period of time during Mughal invasion of India. Later, he joined Adil Shah I of Bijapur. Shahaji owned a territory in Bangalore and also retained his estates in Pune and Supa.
Shahaji was a prominent ruler, not only for his leadership and bravery; but also as a man who always kept his words. He remains as an undefeated Maratha warrior and thus a true legend. At around 1665, he fell from his horse during a hunt and thereby lost his life.
Shahaji’s legacy was then carried forward by his sons. Shivaji, being the most prominent of all.
The Royal Bhosle family and the controversial origin:
The Bhosle lineage has been confirmed and accepted only from Babaji’s period. The ancestral history before Babaji has different beliefs but no definite proof to clarify the origin of this prominent and royal clan.
Some say that, Shahaji in his letter to Adil Shah called himself a Sisodiya Rajput. There’s a strong belief that the Royal Bhosle lineage is somehow connected to Sisodiyas of Mewar. But there’s no definite evidence to back it. Scholar Jadunath Sarkar, however refers this letter as a fabrication required during his period of coronation.
Some say that ancestors of Shivaji had a Kannada origin and Bhosale is just a verbal distortion of “Hoysala.” A popular name dynasty of Kannada. Again, there’s not sufficient evidence to back this belief.
The Nagpur Bhosales governed by Raghuji also claim Sisodiya origin. They are considered to have no connections with the royal Bhosale clan by some; whereas, another group proclaims a common lineage. There have been tales that the last rites after Shivaji’s death were performed by Sabaji Bhosale, who belonged to the Nagpur Bhosale clan. And therefore, Nagpur Bhosale and royal Bhosales were assumed to have connections.
Whatsoever is the lineage, the royal Bhosale have contributed a lot to ’ Swarajya’, India and therefore this legendary clan shall remain celebrated till the end of times.
Shivaji Maharaj has been an epitome of a secular ruler that Indian history can boast of. And therefore his entire journey has been a source of inspiration and motivation for generations now.
Shahaji Bhosle, a Maratha general is the proud father of Shivaji. His mother Jijabai had been his greatest inspiration. Although, the Maharashtra State Government holds 1630 as his birth year; some say that he was born around 1627. However, his birth place - hill fort of Shivneri, located near Pune district remains unquestioned and unanimously accepted.
Ancestors of Shivaji:
Shivaji Raje Bhosle is the progenitor of the royal Bhosle family. His earliest known ancestor is his great grandfather, Babaji Bhosle, who was a renowned village headman of Pune District. His two sons Maloji Bhosle and Vithoji settled in Verul, state Maharashtra and worked in the army of Lakhojirao Jadhav and excelled with every passing day. Jadhavs served the Ahmednagar Sultanate.
Maloji and his wife Umabai were blessed with Shahaji, who was then married to Jijabai - the daughter of Lakhoji Jadhav. Maloji, along with his brother, then joined the services of Ahmadnagar Sultanate, under Murtaza Shah I. After much display of his courage and valor, Maloji passed away in a battle against Bijapur Sultanate. The five year old Shahaji was then looked after his uncle Vithoji.
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| Shivaji Maharaj Family Tree |
Shahaji inherited Jagirs under Ahmadnagar from his father. He served Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for a period of time during Mughal invasion of India. Later, he joined Adil Shah I of Bijapur. Shahaji owned a territory in Bangalore and also retained his estates in Pune and Supa.
Shahaji was a prominent ruler, not only for his leadership and bravery; but also as a man who always kept his words. He remains as an undefeated Maratha warrior and thus a true legend. At around 1665, he fell from his horse during a hunt and thereby lost his life.
Shahaji’s legacy was then carried forward by his sons. Shivaji, being the most prominent of all.
The Royal Bhosle family and the controversial origin:
The Bhosle lineage has been confirmed and accepted only from Babaji’s period. The ancestral history before Babaji has different beliefs but no definite proof to clarify the origin of this prominent and royal clan.
Some say that, Shahaji in his letter to Adil Shah called himself a Sisodiya Rajput. There’s a strong belief that the Royal Bhosle lineage is somehow connected to Sisodiyas of Mewar. But there’s no definite evidence to back it. Scholar Jadunath Sarkar, however refers this letter as a fabrication required during his period of coronation.
Some say that ancestors of Shivaji had a Kannada origin and Bhosale is just a verbal distortion of “Hoysala.” A popular name dynasty of Kannada. Again, there’s not sufficient evidence to back this belief.
The Nagpur Bhosales governed by Raghuji also claim Sisodiya origin. They are considered to have no connections with the royal Bhosale clan by some; whereas, another group proclaims a common lineage. There have been tales that the last rites after Shivaji’s death were performed by Sabaji Bhosale, who belonged to the Nagpur Bhosale clan. And therefore, Nagpur Bhosale and royal Bhosales were assumed to have connections.
Whatsoever is the lineage, the royal Bhosale have contributed a lot to ’ Swarajya’, India and therefore this legendary clan shall remain celebrated till the end of times.
Very Informative !!
ReplyDeleteYogi, Thank you for comment. :)
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