Maharani Saibai
| Saibai | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1633 Phaltan, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 5 September 1659 (aged 26) Rajgad Fort, Pune, India |
| Spouse | Shivaji |
| Issue | Sakhubai Nimbalkar Ranubai Jadhav Ambikabai Mahadik Sambhaji |
| House |
Nimbalkar Bhosale |
| Father | Mudhoji Rao Naik Nimbalkar |
| Mother | Reubai |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Sai Bhosale (née Sai Nimbalkar; 1633 – 5 September 1659) was the first wife and chief consort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the mother of her husband's successor and the second Chhatrapati, Sambhaji.
Saibai was a member of the prominent Nimbalkar family, whose members were the rulers of Phaltan from the era of the Yadava dynasty and served the Deccan sultanates and the Mughal empire. She was the daughter of the fifteenth Raja of Phaltan, Mudhojirao Naik Nimbalkar, and the sister of the sixteenth Raja, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar. Saibai's mother Reubai was from the Shirke family.
Saibai and Shivaji were married while still in their childhood on 16 May 1640 at Lal Mahal, Pune . The marriage was arranged by Shivaji's mother, Jijabai, but was evidently not attended by Shivaji's father, Shahaji nor his brothers, Sambhaji and Ekoji. Thus, Shahaji soon summoned his new daughter-in-law, Shivaji and his mother, Jijabai, to Bangalore, where he lived with his second wife, Tukabai.
Saibai and Shivaji shared a close relationship with each other. She is said to have been a wise woman and a loyal consort to Shivaji. By all accounts, Saibai was a beautiful, charming, good-natured and an affectionate woman. She is described having been a "gentle and selfless person." All of her endearing personal qualities, however, were a sharp contrast to her husband's second wife, Soyarabai, who was an intriguing lady. Yet, there is no record of any friction or mutual differences between Saibai and Shivaji's other wives. As long as Saibai was alive, she was an asset to Shivaji, not only regarding the affairs of the State, but also regarding the household affairs. She also had significant influence over her husband and the royal family as well. During her lifetime, the entire household of Shivaji bore a homogeneous atmosphere despite the fact that most of her husband's marriages were performed due to political considerations.
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