Shahaji Bhonsle

Shahaji
Raje
Predecessor	Maloji Raje Bhonsle
Successor	Ekoji I Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle
Born	18 March 1594 or 1602
Died	23 January 1664 Hodigere near Channagiri Davanagere Dist
Spouse	Jijabai Tukabai Narsabai
Issue	Sambhaji Shivaji Ekoji Koyaji Santaji
House	Bhonsle
Father	Malojiraje Babaji Bhonsle

Shahaji (18 March 1594/1602 – 23 January 1664) was a Maratha general from the 17th century. The eldest son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul, Shahaji inherited the Pune and Supe jagirs, under the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. During the Mughal invasion of Deccan, he joined the Mughal forces and served Emperor Shah Jahan for a brief period. After being deprived of his jagirs, he defected to the Bijapur Sultanate in 1632 and regained control over Pune and Supe. In 1638, he also received the jagir of Bangalore, after Bijapur's invasion of Kempe Gowda III's territories. He eventually became the chief general of Bijapur, and oversaw its expansion.

An early exponent of guerrilla warfare, he brought the house of Bhonsle into prominence. He was father of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The princely states of Tanjore, Kolhapur and Satara are also Bhonsle legacies.

Shahaji's father, Maloji was childless for a long time. After seeking blessings from a Sufi pir called Shah Sharif two sons were born to him. Maloji named his sons Shahaji and Sharifji in honour of the pir. Maloji was a capable soldier and eventually became Sar Giroh and was awarded independent Jagir (Fief) of Pune & Supe districts in the court of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. Shahaji was an extremely ambitious and capable general. At a young age, Shahaji had achieved a lot. He was well known not only for his military and leadership skills but also as a man who kept his word. He had not lost a single battle in his entire life which made him the prominent Maratha legend who was treated even at par with Nizam and Adilshah..

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