Shahaji II

Shahu I (also known as Rajarshi Shahu or Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj) GCSI GCIE GCVO (26 June 1874 – 6 May 1922) of .the Bhonsle dynasty, was the Raja 1894-1900 and first Maharaja (1900-1922) of the Indian princely state of Kolhapur.

Accession

Shahu was born on 26 June 1874 as Yeshwantrao Ghatge, eldest son of Jaishinghrao Ghatge, chief of Kagal (senior) by his wife Radhabai, a daughter of the Raja of Mudhol. He was adopted by Anandibai, widow of Raja Shivaji IV, in March 1884. Several generations of inter-marriage had ensured that Shahu's family was connected intimately with the ruling dynasty of Kolhapur, which is apparently what rendered him a suitable candidate for adoption, despite his not being a male-line member of the Bhosale dynasty. He was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot. A council of regency was appointed by the British government of India to oversee affairs of state during Shahu's minority and during that time he was tutored in administrative affairs by Sir Stuart Fraser. Shahu was invested with ruling powers upon coming of age in 1894.

Shahaji

Shahaji Raje Bhonsle 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.

Early Life

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..