Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire and staunch practitioner of Hinduism, was one of the bravest, progressive thinking, and secular ruler of medieval India. He is one of those kings of India whose deeds made him earned a god-like stature. It was him who changed the course of the history with his farsightedness, administrative, and military skills. He was instrumental in sowing the seeds of “Swarajya,” and gave tough days and nights to the Mughals. While a lot has written about him, there is very less information on Shivaji Maharaj's wives. This post will throw a brief light on his personal life. We can say it as his wives are strong branches of Shivaji Maharaj family tree.
Saibai
Sai was born circa 1633 in Nimbalkar family in Phaltan near Satara, Maharashtra. She was born to Reubai and Madhojirao Naik Nimbalkar, the ruler of Phaltan since the Pawar dynasty. She had one sibling named Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar who ruled Phaltan as the sixteenth Raja. Her ancestors served the Deccan sultans and Mughal Empire.
Marriage
Saibai was the first and most-lovable wife of Shivaji Maharaj. She got married to Shivaji on May 16, 1640, at Lal Mahal, Pune. During the marriage, both she and Shivaji were still a child. The marriage wasn't a grand affair though. Shivaji's mother, Jijabai had the marriage rituals sanctified under her supervision in absence of her husband Shahaji Bhonsale since he was busy in Bangalore. So following the marriage, Jijabai, Saibai, and Shivaji had to leave for Bangalore to seek Shahaji's blessings.
Sai's influence on Shivaji
Saibai was the most beautiful, loving, and good-natured woman, and a loyal to Shivaji. Her endearing personality and knowledge of social issues and compassion had a deep influence on Shivaji. She managed both the state's and household's affair like an abled administrator. Her selfless attitude and keenness for the welfare of others had the entire royal family fall in love with her. She even provided suggestions and advice to Shivaji on crucial matters as and when required. Due to her good nature, she kept the household atmosphere harmonious.
Children
In 19 years of her marriage to Shivaji, Saibai gave birth to four children out of which three were girls and one boy. The girls were named Sakavarbai, Ranubai, Ambikabai; and the boy Sambhaji. Since Sambhaji was the first and only male child in the family, he was named after his uncle Sambhaji who died fighting against the Mughals.
Death
Saibai passed away in 1659 after suffering from illness for a long time. She breathed her last in the Raigad Fort. Unfortunately, during her death, Shivaji Maharaj was not with her due to being busy preparing for a meeting with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. At the time of her death, Sambhaji was just two years old. He was raised her by Shivaji's mother, Jijabai thereafter.
Soyrabai
Soyrabia was the second wife of Shivaji. She was born in Mohite family, and her elder brother was a chief of the Maratha army. She was young when she got married to Shivaji in 1659. The marriage happened on the insistence of Shivaji's father, step-mother, Tukabia, and Soyrabai's paternal aunt. She birthed two children – a daughter Balibai and son Rajaram. She was ambitious, unlike Saibai.
When Jijabai passed away in 1674, she started plotting for ascending his son, Rajaram to power. She even got Rajaram to sit on the throne soon after the death of Shivaji in 1680. At that time, Sambhaji was not in Raigad, and Rajaram was just ten years old. But later, Sambhaji got the throne back by throwing Rajaram out of the throne with the help of Soyrabai's brother, Hambirrao Mohite. She even made a failed attempt to kill Sambhaji with poison in August 1681.
Putalabai
Putalabai Palkar became Putalabai Bhonsale in 1653 after marrying to Shivaji. Being the eldest and childless among all the surviving wives of Shivaji Maharaj, she committed Sati by throwing herself to the funeral pyre of Shivaji Maharaj.
Sakvarbai
Sakvarbai was from the Gaikwad family who became Shivaji's fourth wife in January 1656 and gave birth to a daughter. She too wanted to commit Sati after Shivaji's death but had to restrain herself because of her daughter. She was imprisoned along with Sambhaji's family members by Aurangazeb and breathed her last in the captivity.
There is nothing much written or said about Shivaji's other four wives, who were (in ascending order):
Laxmibai (Vichare)
Kashibai (Jadhav)
Sagunabai (Shirke)
Gunvantibai (Ingale)
Saibai
Sai was born circa 1633 in Nimbalkar family in Phaltan near Satara, Maharashtra. She was born to Reubai and Madhojirao Naik Nimbalkar, the ruler of Phaltan since the Pawar dynasty. She had one sibling named Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar who ruled Phaltan as the sixteenth Raja. Her ancestors served the Deccan sultans and Mughal Empire.
Saibai was the first and most-lovable wife of Shivaji Maharaj. She got married to Shivaji on May 16, 1640, at Lal Mahal, Pune. During the marriage, both she and Shivaji were still a child. The marriage wasn't a grand affair though. Shivaji's mother, Jijabai had the marriage rituals sanctified under her supervision in absence of her husband Shahaji Bhonsale since he was busy in Bangalore. So following the marriage, Jijabai, Saibai, and Shivaji had to leave for Bangalore to seek Shahaji's blessings.
Sai's influence on Shivaji
Saibai was the most beautiful, loving, and good-natured woman, and a loyal to Shivaji. Her endearing personality and knowledge of social issues and compassion had a deep influence on Shivaji. She managed both the state's and household's affair like an abled administrator. Her selfless attitude and keenness for the welfare of others had the entire royal family fall in love with her. She even provided suggestions and advice to Shivaji on crucial matters as and when required. Due to her good nature, she kept the household atmosphere harmonious.
Children
In 19 years of her marriage to Shivaji, Saibai gave birth to four children out of which three were girls and one boy. The girls were named Sakavarbai, Ranubai, Ambikabai; and the boy Sambhaji. Since Sambhaji was the first and only male child in the family, he was named after his uncle Sambhaji who died fighting against the Mughals.
Death
Saibai passed away in 1659 after suffering from illness for a long time. She breathed her last in the Raigad Fort. Unfortunately, during her death, Shivaji Maharaj was not with her due to being busy preparing for a meeting with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. At the time of her death, Sambhaji was just two years old. He was raised her by Shivaji's mother, Jijabai thereafter.
Soyrabai
Soyrabia was the second wife of Shivaji. She was born in Mohite family, and her elder brother was a chief of the Maratha army. She was young when she got married to Shivaji in 1659. The marriage happened on the insistence of Shivaji's father, step-mother, Tukabia, and Soyrabai's paternal aunt. She birthed two children – a daughter Balibai and son Rajaram. She was ambitious, unlike Saibai.
Putalabai
Putalabai Palkar became Putalabai Bhonsale in 1653 after marrying to Shivaji. Being the eldest and childless among all the surviving wives of Shivaji Maharaj, she committed Sati by throwing herself to the funeral pyre of Shivaji Maharaj.
Sakvarbai
Sakvarbai was from the Gaikwad family who became Shivaji's fourth wife in January 1656 and gave birth to a daughter. She too wanted to commit Sati after Shivaji's death but had to restrain herself because of her daughter. She was imprisoned along with Sambhaji's family members by Aurangazeb and breathed her last in the captivity.
There is nothing much written or said about Shivaji's other four wives, who were (in ascending order):
Laxmibai (Vichare)
Kashibai (Jadhav)
Sagunabai (Shirke)
Gunvantibai (Ingale)
