Chattrapati Shahu
| Shahu I | |
|---|---|
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 5th Maratha Chhatrapati
|
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| Reign | January 12, 1708–December 15, 1749 |
| Coronation | January 12, 1708, Satara |
| Predecessor | Shivaji II |
| Successor | Rajaram II of Satara |
| Born |
18 May 1682 Ganguli Fort, Mangaon |
| Died | 15 December 1749 (aged 67) Rangmahal Palace, Satara |
| Spouse | Savitribai Ambikabai |
| House | Bhonsale |
| Father | Sambhaji |
| Mother | Yesubai |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Shahuji Bhosle (1682–1749 CE) was the fourth Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire created by his grandfather, Chhatrapati Shivaji. More popularly known as Chatrapati Shahu, he came out of captivity by the Mughals and defeated his aunt Tarabai in an internecine conflict to gain the throne in 1708. After the death of Aurangzeb, leading Mughal courtiers released Shahu with a force of fifty men, thinking that a friendly Maratha leader would be a useful ally.
He was son of the second Chhatrapati Sambhaji and grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
It was under Shahu and his Bhat-Deshmukh family Peshwas(prime-ministers) that the Maratha empire became the largest in India. The Maratha empire expanded in four directions, in the north by Scindia family, Holkar, in the east by Bhonsle in the west by Dabhade and Gaekwad and in the south by Fateh-Singh Bhosale with Peshwa Bajirao himself.
Shahu had four wives and fathered two sons and four daughters. He adopted two sons, Fatehsinh I and Rajaram II of Satara (who succeeded him as the Raja of Satara). Rajaram II had been brought to her by Tarabai, who initially claimed that the young man was her grandson and a descendant of Shivaji, but later disowned him as an imposter.
Shahu died a natural death in 1749. His adopted son Rajaram II of Satara, claimed to be Tarabai's grandson succeeded him, but the actual power was held by others: first by Tarabai and then by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.
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