maharani tarabai biography in english

Tarabai Biography

Birthday: April 14 , 1675 ( Aries )

Born In: Satara

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Also Known As: Tarabai Bhosale

Died At Age: 86

Spouse/Ex-: Rajaram I

father: Hambirao Mohite

children: Shivaji II

Born Country: India

Empresses & Queens Indian Women

Died on: December 9 , 1761

Cause of Death: Lung Disease

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Preserving the Unheard & the Untold

Rani Tarabai – The Savior of the Maratha Empire

5 mins read

“Tarabai was a stronger ruler than her husband. She became all in all and regulated things so well that not a single Maratha leader acted without her order”. Bhimsen’s memoirs – an officer in the Mughal Army

An artist’s depiction of Rani Tarabai Bhonsle

Throughout the course of Indian history, very few names that belong to women have sprung up. While we know of women like Rani Laxmi Bai, Sarojini Naidu, and Indira Gandhi , we often forget other such women who fought for a cause, and managed to find their place in a list which is otherwise filled with names of only kings and other male soldiers. Women like Anandibai Joshi, Madam Bhijaki Cama, Rani Durgawati, Nur Jahan, Chand Bibi and Rani Abbakka Chowta , were also women of immense valour and courage. In an effort to remember such woman, I bring to you the story of yet another woman who, despite being recently widowed with an infant son, broke all barriers to save the great Maratha Empire – Rani Tarabai Bhonsle .

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – Founder of the Maratha Empire

Born in 1675 CE , to the famous commander-in-chief of the Maratha army, Hambirrao Mohite , Tarabai was married off at the early age of 8 years to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s second son – Rajaram I . Barely 5 years after her marriage to Rajaram , Shivaji passed away in 1680 CE at the age of 52 , leaving no able heir to the mighty Maratha throne. Shivaji’s eldest son Sambhaji was held captive at Panhala Fort , by the emperor himself before his death. Now this is where the whole trouble began. Rajaram’s mother, Soyarabai , who also happened to be Hambirrao Mohite’s sister and thus Tarabai’s aunt, very cleverly installed her young 10-year-old son to the throne before Sambhaji had the chance to do so. But, as soon as the ambitious Sambhaji received the news, he plotted his escape by killing the commander of the Panhala fort and soon captured Raigad Fort (the capital of the vast Maratha Empire) . He ascended the throne in 1680 CE , but the trouble was far from over.

Statue of Sambhaji at Tulapur

Soyarabai had always been an extremely greedy and ambitious woman herself, and that is probably why there were several allegations against her stating that she poisoned Shivaji to install her son to the throne. Despite Sambhaji ascending the throne in 1680 CE, Soyarabai did not accept defeat. Sambhaji, recognizing the threat, had Soyarabai , her son Rajaram and his first wife Janki Bai imprisoned. After her foiled attempt to get rid of her stepson, Sambhaji by poisoning him, she was executed in August, 1681 . In February 1689 , Sambhaji and 25 of his advisors were captured by Aurungzeb. Sambhaji was tortured and killed by the Mughal Emperor, post which Tarabai’s husband Rajaram I ascended the throne as the Third Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire . However, the chaos was just beginning to brew.

Chhatrapati Rajaram I (seated on the horse), husband of Tarabai Bhonsle

Soon the Mughals, who were well aware of the recent execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji, decided to take advantage of the situation and laid siege on the Maratha capital – Raigad . The young 19-year-old Rajaram was sent to stronghold the Pratapgad Fort . However, the strong Mughal army of over 15,000 soldiers got the better of them, and fortunately, Rajaram managed to escape with his wife Tarabai under a disguise. What’s even more surprising is that the couple managed to make it all the way to the Fort of Gingee in Tamil Nadu , which is approximately a 160 kms from Chennai ! Gingee was the southernmost part of the Maratha Empire, at the time, that Shivaji had carved out. It’s location, far away from the centre of the troubles that plagued the Marathas, was ideal for the newly crowned king. Or so they thought…

Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu

The Mughals refused to leave their trail till the time they had killed the Chhatrapati and subsequently, ensured the downfall of the great Maratha Empire. The Mughal General Zulfiquar Ali Khan followed them all the way to Gingee , laying siege to the Gingee Fort as well. For 8 long years , between September 1690 and January 1698 , the Mughals continued the military blockade around the fort. This siege, at Gingee , was by far the longest by a Mughal army at any fort in recorded history .

Raigad Fort – The Capital of the vast Maratha Empire

It was during this period that Tarabai was forced to take control of the Maratha army, owing to her husband’s frail and deteriorating health. It was the Maratha Queen who was, in reality, directing the Maratha troops not just in the Fort of Gingee, but also in far off Maharashtra where they were being troubled yet again, by the Mughals. Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav , two extremely able generals who have been immortalized in Maratha history for their guerilla exploits , helped the young and relatively inexperienced Tarabai in fending off the invaders.

A 1927 depiction of Tarabai in battle by noted Marathi painter M. V. Dhurandhar

After holding off the Mughal siege for 8 years, Tarabai and her husband Rajaram managed to escape the Gingee Fort quietly and safely, and make it back to Maharashtra in 1698 CE . But, like I said before, the trouble was far from over and chaos had just started brewing. Two years into a relatively peaceful reign, Rajaram I , Tarabai’s husband passed away due to a lung disease on 3 rd March, 1700 , at the age of 30 years . While Tarabai took over the reins of the Maratha Empire as the regent after his death, Rajaram’s other wife Janaki Bai committed Sati on his funeral pyre. Despite being widowed at the young age of 25 , Tarabai Bhonsle did not lose hope and continued to fight the invaders in a desperate attempt to save the Empire that her late father-in-law had established after much trouble.

A memorial atop Sinhgad Fort marking the place of death of Rajaram.

And so, began the next phase in Rani Tarabai’s life – becoming Queen Regent , for her minor 4-year-old son – Shivaji II . During this time Mughal onslaught upon the Marathas was particularly very harsh, owing to the fact that it was Emperor Aurungzeb himself who led the Mughal army. Knowing that there was no one else more able than her to defend the powerful Maratha Empire, Rani Tarabai took command of the Maratha Army. While the idea of a female leading them irked some of the senior Maratha officials, what they didn’t realise was how well versed their new Queen was in both – military, civil and political affairs . In fact, the Mughals were extremely relieved upon hearing that the Chhatrapati’s wife, Tarabai had taken control of the Maratha Empire. They assumed that a woman and an infant king would not be able to offer much resistance.

A family chart of Shivaji’s lineage

But alas, the young Queen proved them wrong yet again! Khafi Khan , the Mughal court chronicler writes about her in his book Muntkhab al-Lubab –

[The Mughals felt] that it would not be difficult to overcome two young children and a helpless woman. They thought their enemy weak, contemptible and helpless; but Tara Bai, as the wife of Ram Raja [i.e. Rajaram] was called, showed great powers of command and government, and from day to day the war spread and the power of the Mahrattas increased. Khafi Khan in his book Muntkhab al-Lubab

He goes on to say that after Rajaram I’s death in 1700, Aurungzeb and his officers “ordered the drums of rejoicing to be beaten” .

Emperor Aurungzeb, the last able Mughal Emperor

When the Mughals realised that it was not possible for them to sideline Tarabai using their military prowess , they used a very clever political strategy instead. As counterstrike, the Mughals released Shahu , Sambhaji’s son, with a force of 50 men , thinking it would be beneficial to them to have a friendly face in the Maratha Kingdom. Shahu had been taken captive as a child along with his mother in 1689 , by the Mughals. By the time he was finally released, the year was 1707 and the last prominent Mughal Emperor – Aurungzeb , was already dead . Releasing Shahu was a very clever move made by the Mughals as it now meant that there was a new claimant to the Maratha throne and one who was not a minor . Therefore, this would mean that Shahu would become the new Chhatrapati , albeit a puppet in the hands of the Mughals, and Tarabai and her 11-year-old son would be sidelined.

Chhatrapati Shahu, Tarabai’s nephew

And thus, ensued yet another battle for the throne, between Tarabai Bhonsle and her nephew Shahu . The latter won the battle owing to the fact that he had support from Balaji Vishwanath who later went on to become the Sixth Peshwa of the Maratha Empire . But, as most of you must have realised by now, Tarabai was not one to give up so easily. She established a rival court at Kolhapur in 1709 , but yet again tragedy struck and Tarabai and her son were deposed by her another one of her husband’s (Rajaram I) widow – Rajasabai , who put her own son Sambhaji II to the throne in 1714 . For the next 16 years , Tarabai remained in a prison, along with her son who passed away on 14 March 1726 . With 4 more years left in prison, Tarabai held on to a very important secret – the existence of her grandchild, Rajaram II .

A painting of Maharani Tarabai

Finally, in 1730 things changed when Chhatrapati Shahu defeated the ruler of Kolhapur – Sambhaji II and released Tarabai and her grandson from prison. According to Richard Eaton , a prominent historian,

“For 18 more years she was kept under house arrest in Satara’s palace. Confined first by her co-wife and then by her nephew, this former ‘Queen of Marathas’, once so hyperactive, spent her next 34 years reduced to a political non-entity. Yet her story was not over.” Historian – Richard Eaton

At the age of 73 , when most women of the royal family would retire and enjoy life, Tarabai Bhonsle stepped out of the shadows once again. With the death of Shahu in 1749 , she installed her grandson Rajaram II to the throne, in hopes that he would simply be a puppet in her hands and that she would retain the actual powers. She had presented the child as her grandson, and thus, a direct descendant of Shivaji. Shahu adopted the son since he did not have any son of his own. Tarabai claimed that his existence had been concealed due to security purposes and that he had been raised by a Rajput soldier’s wife. Delighted at Shahu’s death, Tarabai aimed at finally gaining control of the Maratha Empire, albeit through a puppet. However, Rajaram II did not meet his grandmother’s expectations at all and himself wielded all the control with the support of Balaji Baji Rao (8 th Peshwa of the Maratha Empire) .

Shrimant Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath

When Tarabai asked her grandson to remove the Peshwa from his position, he refused. And with yet another twist in the story, a furious Tarabai suddenly declared that Rajaram II wasn’t actually her grandson but an imposter from the Gondhali caste and she had falsely presented him as her grandson to Shahu . Saying this, she imprisoned him in a dungeon at Satara , on 24 November 1750 . When the Peshwa heard of this news, upon his return the next year from a Mughal campaign, he surrounded the Satara Fort and asked Tarabai to release the Chhatrapati from prison. Rajaram II’s , physical and mental condition had deteriorated considerably during the interim period of a few months. Tarabai refused at first but then realised and admitted, very grudgingly, that she would not be able to fight a war against the Peshwa . So, the two reached a pact that both would acknowledge each other’s authority, in 1752 .

Now, Rani Tarabai settled into the final role of her life. In the words of historian Richard Eaton –

“Tarabai settled into her life’s final role –that of a powerful quasi sovereign dowager. At Satara she maintained a regular court and conducted business of state, issuing orders, conferring grants, and receiving Maratha sardars, while the Peshwa at least publicly acquised to her will or sought her advice.” Richard Eaton – A Prominent Historian

Despite being 77 years old at this time, Tarabai continued to play a huge role in the politics and administration of the Maratha Empire and wielded considerable power and authority.

“….in 1752 she ordered a Maratha chief to supply fodder for the cavalry horses at specified rates. The same year, the superintendent of Pratapgarh fort asked her to have some roofs in a temple compound re-thatched. And the next year, we find her settling a divorce case involving her Muslim maid.” Richard Eaton – A Prominent Historian

The story and life of Rani Tarabai is a testimony to the fact that age and poor conditions do not determine how one lives their life. In her life span of 86 long years , Tarabai Bhonsle was a witness to the rise of the Maratha Empire, it’s glorious years, the decline of the Empire and its revival. Above all this, Tarabai was also a witness to the Third Battle of Panipat , which was a huge blow to the once glorious Maratha Empire. Just a few months after this battle (fought on 14 th January, 1761 ) , Maharani Tarabai Bhonsle passed away. Sadly, very few remember her name now and the condition of her tomb, located in Mahuli in the Satara district , is pitiable.

Maharani Tarabai Bhonsle’s Samadhi (Tomb) in the Satara District of Maharashtra

The Queen without whom the downfall of the Maratha Empire was guaranteed, surely deserves a better place in our history. This is an attempt, on my behalf, to ensure that the names of such valiant and courageous woman remain etched in our minds and our history.

The Forgotten Story of Rani Tarabai, The Indomitable Warrior Queen of the Marathas – The Better India

Rani Tarabai – A Formidable Maratha Warrior – Feminism in India

Tarabai: Saving the Maratha Empire – Live History India

[HerStory Flashback] Tarabai – YourStory

Tarabai – Wikipedia

Rajaram I – Wikipedia

Shivaji – Wikipedia

Sambhaji – Wikipedia

Shahu I – Wikipedia

Shivaji II – Wikipedia

Rajaram II of Satara – Wikipedia

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Rani Tarabai Bhonsle

Tarabai Bhonsle was the wife of Rajaram Bhonsale, the third Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. Following the death of Rajaram, she became the regent of the empire from 1700 to 1708.

She is widely known for role in keeping alive the flame of Maratha resistance against the invading Mughal Empire. Her actions ensured that the Marathas would not only survive but endure, going on to become a predominant force in the Indian subcontinent.

This article about Tarabai would be useful in the Indian History segment of the IAS Exam .

Rani Tarabai – Download PDF Here

Early Life of Tarabai

Tarabai was born in 1675 to Hambir Rao Mohite, who was the commander-in-chief of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army.

Born in 1675, Tarabai was the daughter of Hambir Rao Mohite, the famed Sar Senapati (commander-in-chief) of Shivaji’s Maratha army. As a child she was well-trained in the art of sword fighting, archery, horsemanship, diplomacy and other subjects of statecraft.

Growing up during a time of constant warfare between the Mughal and Maratha Empires , these skills would serve her well in the coming years.

At the age of 8 Tarabai was married to Rajaram I, the second son of Shivaji. Rajaram I was also the step-brother of Sambhaji, the elder son of Shivaji. Sambhaji succeeded Shivaji as the Chhatrapati  following the latter’s death in 1680.

Sambhaji himself would later be captured and executed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb on 11 March 1689. His death would lead to a crisis in the Maratha Kingdom which would be duly taken advantage of by the Mughals. Although Rajaram I succeeded his brother and tried to mitigate the situation, it would be for naught as he would pass away in 1700, leaving behind an infant son – Shivaji II – and his widow Tarabai. Shivaji II would be declared as the ruler of the Maratha Kingdom and his mother as the regent.

The Mughals were glad that all that stood in their way of a complete destruction of the Marathas was an infant and his mother. In short, they thought that Tarabai would be a pushover and yield ground easily. However, they would find out the hard way that their notions would be proven false.

Tarabai in Command

In her capacity as regent, Tarabai took command of the Maratha forces at a time when Aurangzeb’s Mughal army was pressing hard towards the Maratha heartland. She personally led the war against the Mughals in many pitched battles against them. Not one to play the role of a grieving widow for long, she quickly organised a rigorous resistance that threw Aurangzeb off guard.

She traveled from one Maratha to another forging crucial alliances and mobilising resources and men. Tarabai personally led her armies from the front, inspiring her commanders to emulate her.

By 1705, Marathas had crossed the Narmada River and made small incursions in Malwa, retreating immediately. In 1706, Tarabai was captured by Mughal forces for a brief period of 4 days but she escaped after the Mughal camp – in which she was being held – was ambushed by the Marathas.

Tarabai’s greatest strength was that she never stopped learning, even from her enemies. Aurangzeb had a particular strategy in bribing the commanders of the enemy army. Tarabai did the same against the Mughals and as a result her army penetrated into Mughal territory as far as Malwa and Gujarat.

Although the Mughals captured certain vital forts, including her own, she still had control of resources from other territories in the Mughal domain.

In her seven year role as the regent, Tarabai single-handedly ensured that the Maratha resistance not only endured against the Mughals but would also rise to become a dominant force in the Indian subcontinent long after her death.

Eventually it would not be the war with the Mughals that would be her undoing but the political machinations of those who she considered allies.

Find more notes about UPSC Medieval History in the given link

War with Shahu

Auragzeb would die in 1707, but his death would not be the end of the Mughal Maratha wars. Instead it would be the beginning of its next stage. Knowing well that the Marathas would be difficult to defeat in war, the Mughals resorted to intrigue. They released Shahu I from captivity. He was the son of the late Sambhaji. The Mughals knew that this would cause a succession crisis as Shahu I had a far more legitimate claim on the Maratha throne than Tarabai had.

This distraction would severely weaken the Maratha onslaught against the Mughals. In fact, the Mughals released Shahu with certain conditions in place, one of them being that he would challenge Tarabai for the Maratha throne. And challenge he did.

Tarabai refused to acknowledge Shahu as the sovereign. Her reason being that a long period of captivity under the Mughals had made him unfit to sit on the throne. Soon the dispute gave way to full-scale war.

The war quickly went downhill for her because Shahu had a legal claim on the throne and this caused most of Tarabi’s chieftains to defect to his side. What’s More, skillful diplomatic manoeuvring by Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath further made her situation precarious.

In the end Shahu I was crowned the Maratha sovereign at Satara, completely sidelining Tarabai. She instead established a rival court at Kolhapur, but she was deposed soon by Shahu and Rajasabai (Rajaram’s second wife). Rajasabai had collaborated with Shahu to put her son Sambhaji II on the Kolhapur throne.

Tarabai was imprisoned as a result and she was imprisoned with her son Shivaji. Her son would die in the 16 years they spent in prison. But her role in Maratha polity would be far from over.

Find NCERT Notes on Ancient Indian History for UPSC in the given link

Later Years of Tarabai

Sambhaji II would turn hostile towards Shahu, forcing him to release her but under house arrest at Satara. In the 1740s, when Shahu felt seriously ill, she introduced a young man who she claimed to be her grandson Ramraja. His existence was kept a secret as she feared assainiston either by Rajasabai and Sambhaji II. Since Shahu did not have children of his own, he designated Ramraja as his successor.

With Tarabai’s help, the young prince ascended the Maratha throne. However, later when he became close to the powerful Peshwa, Nana Sahib, and refused to accede to her wishes, Tarabai denounced him as her grandson.

Nonetheless, in 1752, Tarabai had to settle for a pact that acknowledged Nana Sahib’s authority in return for the freedom to settle “into her life’s final role – that of a powerful quasi-sovereign dowager”.

She agreed to dismiss her lieutenant Baburao Jadhav, whom Balaji Baji Rao disliked. In return, Balaji Baji Rao forgave her. On 14 September 1752, the two took oaths at Khandoba temple in Jejuri, promising mutual peace. At this oath ceremony, Tarabai also swore that Rajaram II was not her grandson. Nevertheless, Balaji Baji Rao retained Rajaram II as the titular Chhatrapati and a powerless figurehead.

Tarabai breathed her last at the age of 86 in 1761. Her demise happened a few months following the disastrous third battle of Panipat , where the Maratha army was annihilated  by Ahmad Shah Abdali. Historians agree that the same disaster at Panipat would have been visited upon the Marathas had Tarabai not taken charge in 1701. The survival of the nascent Maratha kingdom was her enduring legacy.

Find NCERT Notes on Medieval Indian History for UPSC in the given link

Frequently Asked Question about Tarabai

Who is tarabai in history, what is tarabai known for.

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Main Sources

Majumdar, R C - Ancient India , Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Ltd, 1987

Prasad, L - Studies in Indian History , Cosmos Bookhive, Gurgaon, 2000

Thapar, Romila - Penguin History of India, Volume 1 , Penguin Books, London, 1990

Text copyright © Abhijit Rajadhyaksha. An original feature for the History Files.

Rani Tarabai Bhosale Information – The Maratha Wall

by Ashish Salunke Jan 8, 2023

Introduction

Rani Tarabai’s bravery, courage, and leadership are written in golden words in the history of India. She was not only famous in her kingdom, but colonial rulers like Portuguese gave her the title of “Maratha Queen.” This made her different from other women of her time.

She was one of the few women at her best, such as Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal and Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, who has preserved her name in history due to her dedication to face every hardship and worked for the betterment of the empire. Rajaram Bhosale, a son of Chhatrapati Shivaji got married to Tarabai.

Rani Tarabai Rajaram Bhosale was her after-marriage name. She was the daughter-in-law of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhosale. Rajaram was the son of Soyarabai and step-brother of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Bhosale.

As the elder son, prince Sambhaji became the king. Rajaram Bhosale ascended to the throne after the unfortunate capture and death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji.

Upon Rajaram’s sudden death in seventeen hundred (1700), his four-year-old son Shivaji ll became the ruler, but actually, Tarabai became the de facto ruler of the mighty Maratha Empire . People know less despite her glorious rule and fantastic story.

Fact and Information

Early life and girlhood

There was a strong commander in Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army called Hambir Rao Mohite. Mohite was well known for his good fighting skills on the battlefield. In 1975, his wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl by name, Rani Tarabai.

When she was a child, she learned about politics, war tactics, horse riding, and swordsmanship. Those were the skills that would later be used against the hostile Mughal Empire and to save the mighty Maratha Empire. She came, prepared, many would say.

After the death of Sambhaji Raje on 11th March 1689, the war between Maratha and Mughal empires began. His sudden death greatly weakened the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire took full advantage of it.

After that, Rajaram I tried hard to restore the dignity of the umpire, but he also died suddenly in 1700. His wife Turabai and son Shivaji II were left without a father.

The Maratha Empire became an orphan after those bitter incidents, increasing Turabai’s responsibilities greatly.

At a young age, Shaviji ll became the ruler of the Maratha Empire and his mother took over as governor.

The Mughal ruler believed that the Maratha Empire no longer had that power and would not stand again.

According to the Mughals, only a small child and a helpless woman can stop us from the destruction of the Maratha Empire.

But her excellent administration, skills, dedication and leadership qualities proved all those myths and folk tales wrong. [1]

Military Career of Rani Tarabai

Resistance and Opposition to Mughals

Widowed at the age of 25, Tarabai provided excellent leadership to the Maratha Empire after Shivaji’s death.

She concentrated all her attention on rebuilding the army with the best strategy against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

She was an excellent warrior, and during her husband’s rule, she studied civics and was involved in various political affairs.

She was also skilled in javelin, cavalry women, carabiner and horsemanship.

Patriarchal mindset dilemma for women

Some influential people and prominent administrators in the Maratha Empire did not accept the commandership of a woman.

They disliked and detested it strongly. Nevertheless, Tarabai had all the qualities of a commander.

After Rajaram’s death, Aurangzeb and his commanders said that the weak and despicable Tarabai posed no threat to the mighty Mughal Empire.

His commander Khafi Khan said that the shattered and weak Maratha Empire could no longer stand.

At the age of 25, she placed her four-year-old son Shivaji ll on the throne and made him king and began to compete with the people of her own kingdom.

Consequently, Rajasbai and her son Sambhaji were kept under house arrest by Tarabai. But through bribe, she got support from important courtiers and generals.

She bribed, promoted and encouraged various generals and administrators to support her.

From 1700 to 1707, she led the Maratha army against Aurangzeb, the strongest ruler in the world at that time.

She learned and defended the tactics of Aurangzeb to buy military leadership and bribe enemy generals.

She had prepared the best strategy at that time. In her leadership, Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade attacked Mughal camps; she took special care of arms supplies, timely arrival and distribution of rations and visiting wounded soldiers. [2]

And this earned her praise from both friends and foes. A Mughal historian, Khafi Khan described her as an intelligent and far-sighted woman.

She started taking part in military matters from the time of her husband’s rule.

She made Ajinkyatara Fort her capital. Tarabai used to manage all work from there. Despite being a woman, not a single court member objected to her jurisdiction.

She won the hearts of the soldiers and commanders with her excellent strategy. Despite Aurangzeb’s fierce battles and sieges, the Maratha Empire progressed and became stronger.

Wars fought against the Shahu

The enmity between the Mughal and Maratha umpires had reached such an extent that it continued even after Aurangzeb’s death. The 6th ruler of the Mughals died due to terminal illnesses in 1707 at the age of 88.

Mughal king Azamshah thought the release of Shahu Maharaj would result in conflict for succession. He believed it ultimately decreased Maratha power, which could be beneficial to them.

The Mughals were well aware of the transition of rule and its issues. This infighting in Maratha territory weakened the Maratha Empire. So their attacks on the Mughal Empire became very few and fragile. [3]

Fierce resistance by Rani Tarabai

She refused to accept Shahu as the ruler of the Maratha Empire and justified it as a representative of the Mughals.

This opposition and rivalry led to a major war. Shahu had external support and some of Tarabai’s own people deserted her.

Similarly, the war turned against her and the situation worsened due to some diplomatic people lobbying against her.

However, she started a resistance but was eventually overthrown. Consequently, she was removed from the throne due to internal conspiracy and external interference by the Mughals.

Active Political role and heartbreaking ending

Despite the defeat, she tried hard to regain her stand but failed. A court was also established at Kolhupar in 1709, but it did not last long. Rajram’s second wife overthrew her because she wanted her son Sambhajill to be the ruler.

Similarly, Tarabai’s son Shavijill died in prison in 1726, and she was deeply traumatized. In 1930, Shahu agreed and allowed her to do some limited social work. She secretly continued to work in the politics and public sector, but she did not tell anyone she was doing this.

When Shahu died, he wanted to appoint a new king by himself. Suddenly, Tarabai surprised everyone by revealing her grandson Ramraja. So ultimately, Ramraja became the new king.

Although he was the adopted son of Chhatrapati Shahu, after his death, Ramraja became his ultimate successor.

After the death of Shahu in 1749, Ramraja became the sole successor. Tarabai wanted Ramraja to relieve the mighty Peshwas, but he refused to do so. And because of his actions, she said that Ramraja is not her genuine grandson but an imposter. [3] [4]

Rebellion against Rani Tarabai

Peshwas started a rebellion against her, and she did not know how powerful they were. She successfully crushed the revolt that had started initially in Satara. But in the end, she bowed down to the Peshwas because the administration did not support her.

She alone raised a rival in Kolhapur court. However, Rajasbai and Shahu I made an alliance and put Sambhaji II on the throne of Kolhapur.

Then, Tarabai and her son Shivaji II were both put into prison for 16 years until her son died. This, however, did not deter Tarabai; he rather remained influential in Maratha politics.

Conflict arose with Balaji Baji Rao

Shahu’s rule remained stable, but he had no heir. Not having an heir was his great weakness.

In 1740, Tarabai gave him a young man claiming to be her grandson and a famous member of the Shivaji.

The boy was named Rajaram ll and Shahu brought him up as he had no son of his own. Tarabai claimed to have hidden him (Rajaram ll) as a child for his safety and was raised by the warrior’s wife.

After Syahu’s death in 1749, Rajaram ll became the ruler and again, Tarabai became influential and powerful. Tarabai’s enmity with Paswas was old, and she wanted to overthrow Balaji Baji Rao Peshwa through Rajaram ll.

Tarabai made contact with another enemy of Balaji named Umabai. Umabai also had enmity and many grievances with Peshwa. He sent a 15,000-strong army under Commander Damaji Rao and a terrible battle was fought in the north of the Satara.

On the other hand, the Peshwa sent a 20,000-strong army under the leadership of Trimbakrao Purandare. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but defeat was written in Purandare’s fate.

After that, the conqueror Damaji Rao proceeded to Satara where Tarabai welcomed him. Meanwhile, Purandare again reorganized his army and attacked Damaji Roa’s army. At that time, Damaji’s army was encamped on the bank of the Vienna River.

After suffering a lot of losses in this battle, Damaji was defeated and fled. [5]

Negotiations between arch rivals: Balaji Rao and Tarabai

The situation turned so dramatically that the two worst enemies sat down for negotiations.

On 24th April, after having a series of battles, Balaji Rao reached Satara where he was welcomed after some skirmishes.

When Rao reached Satara, he conquered Yavateshwar’s stronghold and overran the weak Tarabai army outside the castle.

Nevertheless, she was still present inside the castle with her special and trusted soldiers.

She confined Rajaram ll in the castle where his mental and physical condition deteriorated. Rao pleaded to release the prisoner (Rajaram ll) but she refused.

A siege of the fort was attempted but failed as it was a strong and well-supplied one. So he went to Pune disappointed. And at that time, the Pashwas were so strong that they detained both Gaekwad, Umabai and their family members and loved ones.

Meanwhile, some of her troops rebelled against her inside the castle, and she left the fort and went to Pune, where Balajai Baji Rao was already residing.

She went to negotiate with him and make a peace treaty. The negotiations between the two were successful, and she recognized his authority.

Both Rani Tarabai and Balajai Baji Rao took oath to live in peace and harmony at Jejuri Khandoba Shrine. Tarabai admits Rajaram II was not her grandson and took oath on September 14, 1752.

Ascendancy and profound influence of Rani Turabai

If anyone studied any of tarabai’s life riddles, then such a person will get a deep lesson. She was a warrior, an excellent soldier, a mother and a brilliant administrator.

Charismatic personality and best leadership

Tarabai’s personality was so diverse that even her enemies failed to recognize her. That unique personality was her best asset, and she used it everywhere.

She had understood the tricks of the enemies just as Aurangzeb used to buy the officers of the enemy’s army with money.

She and her companions ventured into the Mughal Empire using different tactics. She hired or appointed people called Kamaishdars to collect taxes for income purposes.

She tried to protect Forts from the hands of the Mughals, keeping resources under control. If failed, then resources should be extracted from it on time.

Tarabai led Maratha’s struggle against the vast army of Aurangzeb during her seven years of reign. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was considered as the most powerful tyrant during her time.

Last years and Legacy of Tarabai Bhosale

The never-ending war between the Marathas and the Mughals ended when Aurangzeb died in 1707. After that, the Maratha empire started fighting among themselves (civil war), leaving it very weak and irreparably damaged.

Mughals had a hand in those civil wars, and they supported the opposite parties. With that intention, the Mughals freed Sambhaji’s son Shahuji. After defeating Tarabai in 1708, Shahuji became the Maratha ruler. That war is known as the “Battle of Khed”.

After that defeat, Tarabai and her son were kept in prison for more than 20 years. During that imprisonment, she endured all kinds of hardships.

At the age of 86 years, Tarabai died at Satara in the year 1761. People always remembered her services to the Maratha Empire.

She saw many ups and downs in her life and made very useful decisions for the empire. She played a very vital role in saving the Maratha Empire from the wrath of Aurangzeb. Without her interference and leadership, it could have been quite a hard time for the Maratha Empire to survive. [6]

Personality of Rani Tarabai

Tarabai Bhosale was a brave, aspirational, energetic, good decision-maker, and warrior lady, who never compromises on her principles.

And because of that, the commanding position was taken away from her several times and her government was also overthrown. She thought more than her personal gain and tried to end the Mughal rule.

She took active part in politics till the last part of her life. After her husband’s death, she took over the Maratha kingdom at a time when her son was only four years old.

Perhaps the empire would have fallen long ago if she had not played that important role. However, due to external and internal conspiracies, she was not successful in her mission and was defeated several times.

Turabi thought ahead of her time and hence Peshwa Balaji and Shahu used to come to her for negotiations and different treaties.

She played the best role in the men dominant and patriarchal society and as a result, some people were against her. Tarabai is a perfect model for women all over the world, especially for women of this region.

They were amazed at how a woman kept her name alive in the history books with hard work, dedication and bravery.

She closed her eyes forever when she was 86 years old. If she hadn’t, she would have witnessed the third battle of Panipat, which marked the end of the mighty Maratha Empire. This time, Tarabai was not present to resurrect the empire.

She had to battle society’s chauvinism and the savagery of her adversaries since she was a Maratha lady.

She surprised everyone by impressing both of them. Unfortunately, a name that ought to serve as an example of contemporary women’s empowerment appears to have been forgotten in the annals of time.

Bibliography

BYJU’S. (2020).  Rani  Tarabai Bhonsle.  BYJU’S, BYJU’S. BYJU’S. Retrieved from https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/tarabai-1675-1761/

FIRST, N. (2021).  TARABAI BHOSALE: VALOROUS MARATHA QUEEN.  NATION FIRST, NATION FIRST. NATION FIRST. Retrieved from https://yuvvabharat.com/tarabai-bhosale-valorous-maratha-queen/

Godbole, T. (2018).  Rani Tarabai – A Formidable Maratha Warrior.  Feminism In India, Feminism In India. Feminism In India. Retrieved from https://feminisminindia.com/2018/03/14/ rani -tarabai-maratha-warrior/

Pal, S. (2018, May 14). The Forgotten Story of Rani Tarabai, The Indomitable Warrior Queen of the Marathas.  the better India . Retrieved from https://www.thebetterindia.com/121097/ rani -tarabai-warrior-queen-maratha-shivaji-aurangzeb-inspiring-woman/

Prasher, D. (2018, July 20). GREAT INDIAN WOMEN.  RANI TARABAI ( 1675–1761), THE WINNER OF WARS AGAINST AURANGZEB, THE BARBARIC MUGHAL RULER . Retrieved from https://medium.com/@prasher/great-indian-women-3e121b9f3a2b

Sikarwar, D. (2020).  This is the Samadhi of Maratha Queen Tarabai Bhosale, who defeated Aurangzeb in a battle.  The Youth, The Youth. The Youth. Retrieved from https://www.theyouth.in/2020/02/07/this-is-the-samadhi-of-maratha-queen-tarabai-bhosale-who-defeated-aurangzeb-in-a-battle/

BYJU’S. (2020).  Rani Tarabai Bhonsle.  BYJU’S, BYJU’S. BYJU’S. Retrieved from https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/tarabai-1675-1761/

Prasher, D. (2018, July 20). GREAT INDIAN WOMEN.  RANI TARABAI ( 1675–1761), THE WINNER OF WARS AGAINST AURANGZEB, THE BARBARIC MUGHAL RULER . Retrieved from https://medium.com/@prasher/great-indian-women-3e121b9f3a2b

1. Prasher D. Great Indian women: [Internet]. Medium. Medium; 2018 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://medium.com/@prasher/great-indian-women-3e121b9f3a2b

 2. Pal S. The forgotten story of Rani Tarabai, the indomitable warrior queen of the Marathas [Internet]. The Better India. 2017 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://www.thebetterindia.com/121097/ rani -tarabai-warrior-queen-maratha-shivaji-aurangzeb-inspiring-woman

3. Godbole T. Rani Tarabai – a formidable Maratha warrior: #indianwomeninhistory [Internet]. Feminism in India. 2018 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://feminisminindia.com/2018/03/14/ rani -tarabai-maratha-warrior

4. Admin AA. Tarabi: Early life and later years [Internet]. BYJUS. BYJU’S; 2022 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/tarabai-1675-1761

5. First N. Tarabai Bhosale: Valorous Maratha queen [Internet]. Nation First. 2021 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://yuvvabharat.com/tarabai-bhosale-valorous-maratha-queen

6. The youth By Dharam Sikarwar Tyouth Tyouth. This is the Samadhi of Maratha queen Tarabai Bhosale, who defeated Aurangzeb in a battle: The youth [Internet]. The Youth | New Era Journalism !! 2020 [cited 2022Dec20]. Available from:  https://www.theyouth.in/2020/02/07/this-is-the-samadhi-of-maratha-queen-tarabai-bhosale-who-defeated-aurangzeb-in-a-battle

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Tarabai: Saving the Maratha Empire

• AUTHOR Akshay Chavan
• PUBLISHED 26 May 2017

There are few characters in history who have saved and revived an empire by sheer force, grit and will. Rarely remembered, and often eclipsed by the other Maratha greats, Queen Tarabai, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s younger daughter-in-law, deserves more than just a mention. Tarabai was instrumental in saving the Maratha empire from collapse. And she continued to fight, till the end, ensuring that the Maratha flag flew proud in Gingee, the last bastion of the Marathas in the south.

– Tarabai was instrumental in saving the Maratha empire from collapse

Tarabai was born in 1675 CE to Hambirrao Mohite, the famous commander-in-chief of the Maratha army. At an early age of 8, she was married off to Shivaji’s younger son Rajaram. Life was tough with the Mughals waging war. Tarabai’s brother-in-law and Shivaji’s heir, Chhatrapati Sambhaji was captured and killed by Aurangzeb in 1689 CE, following which her husband Rajaram became the King or Chhatrapati .

However soon after, the Mughal army laid siege to the Maratha capital of Raigad and Rajaram and Tarabai were forced to flee from Raigad near Pune, all the way to the fort of Gingee in Tamil Nadu, 160 kms from Chennai!

Gingee, was the southernmost post of the Maratha empire that Shivaji had carved out and given that it was so far to the south, it was perhaps the safest choice for Tarabai and her husband. But their troubles continued. Mughal general Zulfiquar Ali Khan hot on their pursuit, followed them all the way to Gingee laying siege to the Gingee fort . The siege went on for eight years between September 1690 and January 1698. This was by far the longest siege by a Mughal army of any fort in recorded history.

– The siege at Gingee was by far the longest by a Mughal army at any fort in recorded history

It is a testimony to Tarabai’s grit and will that the Maratha’s held off the Mughal seige for years. In fact, given that Rajaram Tarabai’s husband was of frail health, it was the queen who was in command through these difficult days. Not only did she hold fort, quite literally, she also directed the fight against the Mughals in far off Maharashtra. In this, she was aided by her very able Generals, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav who have been immortalised in Marathi folklore for their guerrilla exploits.

Tarabai and her husband who had held off the Mughal siege for 8 years , managed to quietly slip out of the fort and returned to Maharashtra in 1698 CE.

Sadly, Tarabai was widowed within two years in 1700 CE. She was just 25 at that time and she had already seen so much!

– Tarabai and her husband managed to hold off the Mughal siege till the death of Aurangzeb

But becoming Queen Regent, for her minor son was the beginning of the next phase of Tarabai’s life. As noted historian, Sir Jadunath Sarkar says, ‘During this period, the supreme guiding force in Maharashtra was not any minister but the Dowager Queen Tara Bai Mohite. Her administrative genius and strength of character saved the nation in that awful crisis.’

Shrewd guerrilla tactics used by Tarabai , helped the Maratha state push back the Mughals and help get back on its feet. Later, Tarabai had to face a war of succession from her nephew Shahu (son of her late brother in law Chhatrapati Sambhaji) forcing her to retreat to Panhala and create the kingdom of Kolhapur.

Tarabai died at a ripe old age of 86, in 1761 CE. In a single lifetime she had seen the rise, fall and revival of the Maratha empire, and its final blow - the Maratha rout at the 3rd battle of Panipat. Who knows how that would have gone, had she still been in her prime!

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• August 6, 2024
• Ancient history
• Rani Tarabai Bhonsale…

Rani Tarabai Bhonsale – The Warrior Maratha Queen

• Ancient history Asian history

• November 7, 2022

A true warrior, and a valiant queen, Rani Tarabai was one of the most courageous Maratha queens. She stood against the Mughals when they (Mughals) thought all that was in their way was a widow and her infant son. But little did they know that she would prove them all wrong.

Tarabai belonged to the Mohite clan. She was born to Hambir Rao Mohite, the commander-in-chief of Shivaji’s army. From her early years, she was trained in archery, horsemanship, sword fighting, and diplomacy. Growing up, she had witnessed a number of wars between the Mughals and the Marathas. At the age of 8, she was married to Rajaram I, the son of Shivaji. After Shivaji’s death Sambhaji his eldest son took over. But Sambhaji was captured by Aurangzeb and later executed. Following this startling incident Tarabai’s husband Rajaram I was crowned the next king. But fate had other plans in store.

Rajaram I passed away in 1700, leaving behind an infant Shivaji II and Tarabai. Shivaji II was then crowned king but with his mother Tarabai as regent. Tarabai and her husband Rajaram had survived an 8-year siege at the Gingee fort, in Tamil Nadu and due to Rajaram’s deteriorating health it was Tarabai along with Maratha guerrilla warfare experts Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadav who commanded the army troops and protected the Maratha throne.

This was the second phase of Tarabai’s life. She took command of the army. She was well versed in military, civil and political affairs. The Mughals were relieved that a woman was leading the Maratha empire. “The Mughals felt that it would not be difficult to overcome two young children and a helpless woman. They thought their enemy weak, contemptible, and helpless;but Tara Bai as the wife of Ram Raja[i.e.Rajaram] was called, showed great powers of command and government and from day to day the war spread and the power of the Mahrattas increased” wrote Khafi Khan, the Mughal Court Chronicler in his book Munthkab-Al-Lubab.

So how did Tarabai rise to power? What was it that made Mughal courtiers like Khafi Khan praise her rule? She personally led the war against the Mughals in many pitched battles against them. Not playing the role of a grieving widow for long, she quickly organised a rigorous resistance that threw Aurangzeb off guard. She travelled from one Maratha kingdom to another forging crucial alliances and mobilising resources and men. Tarabai personally led her armies from the front, inspiring her commanders to emulate her. By 1705, Marathas had crossed the Narmada River and made small incursions in Malwa, retreating immediately. In 1706, Tarabai was captured by Mughal forces for a brief period of 4 days but she escaped after the Mughal camp – in which she was being held – was ambushed by the Marathas.

Tarabai’s greatest strength was that she never stopped learning, even from her enemies. Aurangzeb had a particular strategy in bribing the commanders of the enemy army. Tarabai did the same against the Mughals and as a result, her army penetrated into Mughal territory as far as Malwa and Gujarat.

Tarabai didn’t accept Shahu’s claim as she thought he was unfit to rule given he was under the captivity of the Mughals. This hostility turned into a war that turned in favour of Shahu, as he also had the favour of the Peshwa-Balaji Vishwanath. Shahu was crowned the emperor. But Tarabai didn’t give up. Tarabai established a rival court at Kolhapur and but she was deposed soon by Shahu and Rajasabai (Rajaram’s second wife). Rajasabai had collaborated with Shahu to put her son Sambhaji II on the Kolhapur throne. Tarabai and her son Shivaji II were imprisoned, but whom she never exposed to the outside world was her grandson Ramraja.

Sambhaji II forced Shahu to keep Tarabai in house arrest at Satara. Since Shahu did not have children of his own, he designated Ramraja as his successor. With Tarabai’s help, the young prince ascended the Maratha throne. However, later when he became close to the powerful Peshwa, Nana Sahib, and refused to accede to her wishes, Tarabai denounced him as her grandson.

Nonetheless, in 1752, Tarabai had to settle for a pact that acknowledged Nana Sahib’s authority in return for the freedom to settle “into her life’s final role – that of a powerful quasi-sovereign dowager”. She agreed to dismiss her lieutenant Baburao Jadhav, whom Balaji Baji Rao disliked. In return, Balaji Baji Rao forgave her. On 14 September 1752, the two took oaths at Khandoba temple in Jejuri, promising mutual peace. At this oath ceremony, Tarabai also swore that Rajaram II was not her grandson.

Nevertheless, Balaji Baji Rao retained Rajaram II as the titular Chhatrapati and a powerless figurehead. Tarabai breathed her last at the age of 86 in 1761. Her demise happened a few months following the disastrous third battle of Panipat, where the Maratha army was annihilated by Ahmad Shah Abdali. Historians agree that the same disaster at Panipat would have been visited upon the Marathas had Tarabai not taken charge in 1701. The survival of the nascent Maratha kingdom was her enduring legacy. In her seven-year role as the regent, Tarabai single-handedly ensured that the Maratha resistance not only endured against the Mughals but would also rise to become a dominant force in the Indian subcontinent long after her death. ‘Rainha dos Marathas’ or the Queen of Marathas was undoubtedly the reason for the survival of the Maratha Empire. She came, she conquered she cared- This is the story of Rani Tarabai Bhonsle.

Sneha Shastri

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• Tuesday, August 6, 2024
• Special Articles

Rani Tarabai: The Mighty Maratha Woman Warrior Whom Mughal Tyrant Aurangzeb Could Never Defeat

A nation grows, reaches pride of place among the comity of nations, commands recognition and respect from everyone, not due to its natural wealth, physical size, population density but, on the quality and calibre of its citizens, their patriotic spirit, eagerness and enthusiasm to excel in every field, ability, acumen, probity and purity, virtues and veracity of its nonpareil leaders. To boost the morale and bolster the vitality of the people, to make them feel that they belong to a holy, honoured, hallowed heritage, they should be amply and adequately exposed to the history of the heroic deeds, conquests, exploits, triumphs of their past heroes like kings, monarchs, emperors, warriors etc.

Let us know a little about one such dashing and daring, gutsy and gallant warrior Maratha queen, Tara Bai.

Early Years

Tara Bai was born in 1675 as the daughter of Hambir Rao Mohite, commander-in-chief in the army of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. She lost her mother when she was just three years old and she grew up under the exclusive care of her father in the battle environment. At the tender age of eight itself she learnt horse riding, at ten, archery and at twelve, fencing and pistol shooting. Fiercely independent as a young girl and with the tutelage of her father, she was well-trained in sword fighting, archery, cavalry, military strategy, diplomacy and all other subjects of statecraft.

At the age of eight she was married to Shivaji’s younger son Rajaram.

The Scenario

After Chatrapati Shivaji, his eldest son Sambhaji ascended the throne in 1680. Unfortunately, he was betrayed by his own kinsmen, tortured and killed by Aurangzeb. His younger brother, Rajaram Maharaj became the king but he also died due to ill health in 1700.

The Maratha empire was orphaned and the moghul sultans of Delhi, Bijapur, Golconda, Bahmani, Ahmednagar gleefully joined together and on the third day of the demise of Rajaram Maharaj, they threatened the marathas to surrender.

Instead of surrendering thus, young widow Tara Bai made an announcement on the seventh day, inviting leaders to take over charge of the kingdom and protect it from the sultanates. None came forward. At that moment, without wasting time on tears, she herself volunteered forthwith and took charge of the regime.

Her Glorious Period

Agile, alert, active, astute that she was, she started taking aggressive and assiduous action against the enemy forces with such rapidity that, taken by complete surprise, they were flabbergasted and floored to failure in just three days!

An intelligent woman, Tara Bai had earned a reputation during her husband’s lifetime itself for her civil, diplomatic and military skills. She thus led from the front, travelling between forts, forging crucial partnerships, mobilizing resources and men. A skilled cavalry warrior herself, she motivated her commanders and soldiers by personally leading aggressive attacks on the enemy. She lived in the camps along with her soldiers, eschewing all the royal privileges.

She mastered the art of bribing the enemy commanders so that she could penetrate into the enemy’s camp to sabotage and subvert their strategies at their embryonic stage. While she was ruthless and relentless towards her foes, she was extremely affable and amiable towards her own subjects, as a result of which lot of youth volunteered to join her army.

Tara Bai, herself being a savvy, sharp, skilled warrior and a supreme strategist, accompanied the soldiers personally on the missions from the front. Some of her major military campaigns were:

In 1700, she sent a forces of 50000 soldiers in the region of west Chanderi (present day Madhya Pradesh)

In 1702 she invaded Khadesh (region of northwestern Maharashtra), Berar and Telangana.

In 1703, she attacked urban centers in Khandesh.

In 1705, the Marathas under Tarabai again attacked Gujarat and Khandesh. By extending war to Gujarat and Malwa, which the Mughal army had not anticipated, she gave a clear message to Aurangzeb that Marathas are equally determined for the fight to finish.

Thus the mighty Aurangzeb died in 1707, a defeated emperor by her at the age of 82.

She died at the age of 86 in 1761 after third battle of Panipat. To sum up her life, she was an extraordinary and inspirational figure. She led the Maratha Empire, in its existential crisis, from the front. By the time of her death in 1761, she witnessed the transformation of a nascent Maratha state in a Pan-India Empire.

Her courageous efforts alone saved the Maratha Empire from the wrath of Aurangzeb and the Marathas dream of Swaraj survived. Had she not taken charge of the Maratha Empire at the time she did, it would not have survived to reach the glory it did and Aurangzeb would have snuffed out Maratha rule, and the history of India would have been very different.

Why Indian History Needs To Be Re-Written

The above narration is a skeletal account of just one extraordinary warrior queen. If one pores through the hidden pages of history, one can discover hundreds and hundreds of such personages spread all over our motherland during different periods of history.

Now, a point for deep deliberation and necessary emendation.

While the foreign historians cannot be expected to sing paeans on efforts, enterprises and exploits of our heroes, yet, at the dawn of freedom, when the nation should have started feeling justifiably proud of such adventures of daring warriors like Tara Bai and consequently should have prominently highlighted their episodes in all history books so that the spirit of patriotism is sown and grown in the nascent hearts of the children so that they face the world with courage, confidence, composure, why did the pseudo historians of free India continue to repeat parrot-like for seven long decades, the false narration of the foreigner, glorifying their fake victories and never bothering to rewrite real history, presenting it in the proper perspective? What was their detestable, demoniac, damnable, diabolical intention in concealing and censoring the achievements and accomplishments of our own heroes and heroines? Did they, propelled by mordacity and malice, aim to continue to keep the mood and mindset of the masses in eternal mope and morbidity, with a permanent inferiority complex penetrating their psyche and pervading in all their transactions with the rest of the world?

The time has come to make amends. Let us start before it is too late; in fact, it is already late.

References:

Sudesi magazine August 2022.

https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Indian-History/Life-of-TARABAI,-the-Maratha-Warrior-Queen–1.aspx

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/tarabai-13313.php

Tarabai Bhosale-Maratha Queen who took charge of the empire at its lows and resisted Aurangzeb for 7 years against all odds

Rani Tarabai – A Formidable Maratha Warrior | #IndianWomenInHistory

The Forgotten Story of Rani Tarabai, The Indomitable Warrior Queen of the Marathas

Rani Tarabai – A Formidable Maratha Warrior | #IndianWomenInHistory

At a central junction in Kolhapur is the statue of a woman mounted on a horse, wielding a sword. This is Rani Tarabai, the daughter-in-law of Shivaji and an indomitable and shrewd queen.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Rani Tarabai was the wife of Rajaram, Shivaji’s son from his second wife Soyrabai. After Shivaji’s death in 1680, his first son Sambhaji took over the throne. As he was captured (and later killed), Rajaram was brought into power. He died an untimely death in 1700, leaving behind an heir – Shivaji II, who was only four years old at the time. In his name, Tarabai became the de facto ruler.

Conflict with the Mughals

The Maratha kingdom needed stable leadership after the death of Shivaji and Rani Tarabai was the answer to that. A widowed 25-year old Tarabai channelled all her energies into strategic military planning, to put up a front to Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. A skilled cavalry warrior herself, she had already started learning about civil and political affairs during her husband’s reign.

The idea of a woman leader irked some senior Maratha officials, but even they couldn’t deny her obvious capability. According to the chronicles of Khafi Khan, Aurangzeb and his officers “ ordered the drums of rejoicings to be beaten”  after the death of Rajaram. They never believed that the “weak, contemptible and helpless” queen could pose a threat to the powerful Mughal Empire.

Taking up the leadership rein

Under her leadership , the Marathas were able to recapture lost territories and also raided southern and western regions in Malwa and Gujarat. Rani Tarabai took lessons from Mughal warfare techniques and learnt to bribe commanders from the enemy camp. Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 happened to be a setback to the Mughal Empire.

To create disturbance among the consolidated Marathas, they released Shahu (Sambhaji’s son) from captivity, to weaken Tarabai’s stronghold. Initially, she opposed Shahu’s ascension. But after desertion from many of her strongest aides, who saw her only as a temporary ruler till Shahu came back, Tarabai reluctantly accepted the kingship of Shahu.

Scaling back and forth in political power

Image Credit: Speech Foodie

For a brief period in 1709, Tarabai even set up a parallel court in Kolhapur. She was deposed by Rajaram’s other widow Rajasabai, who wanted her own son Sambhaji II on the throne. Eventually, she and her son Shivaji II were imprisoned, where he died in 1726.

Rani Tarabai reconciled with Shahu in 1730, who allowed her to live in Satara only if she agreed to be stripped of all political powers. Nevertheless, she maintained a court in Satara and kept on working within the government by conducting state business, ordering grants and so on.

Also Read:  Uda Devi: Dalit Freedom Fighter In The 1857 Uprising | #IndianWomenInHistory

Shahu Maharaj was on his deathbed, looking for an able heir. Sambhaji II had turned hostile. Tarabai, at the age of 73, surprised everyone by revealing the existence of her grandson, Ramraja, who had been brought up by a soldier’s wife in secrecy.

His identity had been concealed because she feared Rajasabai and Sambhaji II would be after his life. Shahu agreed to have him take over the throne and make him his heir. He passed away in 1749, leaving Ramraja as the heir.

However , Ramraja defected to the side of the Peshwas. Tarabai denounced her grandson for this. She tried to get him to remove Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (acknowledged as the most influential Peshwa) from his position. When Ramraja refused, she imprisoned him in a dungeon. Due to his actions, she believed that this was an impostor sent to her and not her biological grandson.

In Satara, there was a rebellion against her. She managed to crush it but she was beginning to realise that Peshwa power had grown far too much. Unable to garner support among high ranking officials, she eventually gave in to the rulership of the Peshwas. In 1752, she and the Peshwa took oaths of mutual peace at the Jejuri temple. Balaji Baji Rao, in turn for her political passiveness, had to let her control her principality.

She died in 1761, at the age of 86. By then, Shivaji’s descendants were reduced to a titular role as the Peshwa dynasty exhibited ambitious campaigns to expand the Maratha confederacy.

Rani Tarabai’s Legacy

A statue of Rani Tarabai in Kolhapur. Image Credit: Wikimapia

Tarabai was a brave, ambitious and level-headed ruler, who put her kingdom above everything else. She concentrated on fighting the Mughals and was an earnest politician who never went against her own family to attain power. Even after her leadership was snatched away, she continued working in the government.

She refused to stand still and continued to influence politics until her death. Had she not stepped up after her husband’s death and taken over the reins, the Maratha Empire would have disintegrated long before. Had she been able to remain in power, her kingdom may have remained united.

Rani Tarabai was ahead of her times and was forced to kill her ambition despite being capable. The fact that Shahu and Peshwa Balaji had to reach treaties with her time and again is proof of how much influence she had on state politics. The only reason for this was that men in power did not have the sense and strength to accept an able ruler: just because she was a woman.

Also Read:  5 Women Warriors We Should Know About | #IndianWomenInHistory

Featured Image Credit: iDainik

Tanika Godbole is a writer/journalist based in Mumbai. She is interested in LGBT and women’s rights, and is keen on writing about those topics. She also makes terribly drawn comics on human rights and pop culture. They can be found on https://www.facebook.com/godbolet/

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Maharani Tarabai: Last Nail in the Coffin of Mughals

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Marathas ruled a big part of Bharat and their influence in many aspects of Hindu life is visible till now. When people talk about the backwardness of the Indian society, especially the medieval era, they evidently ignore many significant personalities. The great women who were behind the creation of the Hindu Empire and ruled from the front, are always ignored in the historical narrative. Matoshri Jijabai, Sai Rani Saheb, Soyra Rani Saheb, Maharani Yesubai and Maharani Tarabai(Tara Rani Saheb) were the stalwarts who made the great Maratha Hindu Empire what it was.

Tararani Saheb and the indomitable spirit displayed by her throughout her life, is a trait rarely seen in the world panorama. She embodies the brilliance and power of the highest feminine, Maa Durga, who protects her children and slays the demons.

Born During The Most Happening Times

Maharani Tarabai’s identity is not only the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaja’s daughter-in- law, rather she was the daughter of the great Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite. Sarsenapati was the real brother of Abhishikt Maharani Soyrabai and a devoted and vigilant general in Shivaji Maharaja’s army. Tarabai as a child got all her military and martial skill prowess from her father. She was given military training, as was the tradition among the Maratha Hindu girls during that time. And she was born at the peak of Maharaja’s rule, when the saffron flag was flying high. The upcoming generation was being prepared in order to take forward this mammoth task of Hindavi Swarajya and safeguard the legacy.

Tarabai was married to Maharani Soyrabai’s son Chattrapati Rajaram Bhonsle. Chattrapati Rajaram died at the very early age of 31, after fighting and winning so many battles against the Mughals. (Year 1700)

It was a bleak time for Hindus because consecutively they had lost their two great scions in a span of few years. Marathas could not even forget the gory murder of Dharmaveer Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj , and then they had to again go through the same pain.

At this moment Maharani Tarabai took the reins of Swarajya in her hands and crowned her infant son Shivaji II as the next Chattrapati. She became the patron of the throne and started to lead the Maratha Empire from the front. She had trusted advisors like Ramchandra Pant, Santaji and Dhanaji Jadhav who assisted her to devise a counterstrategy against the Mughals.

When Aurangzeb Was Frightened

Leaving his capital empty, Aurangzeb stayed at Deccan for 27 years which proved that how frightened he was of the Hindu Maratha power.

Maharani Tarabai made sure that the Mughal Emperor never took a sigh of relief. She never stopped fighting the war against Aurangzeb.

The battle for the siege of Ginjee fort went on for 8 years during which a large number of Mughal army was battling the against the guerrilla warfare of the Marathas and perpetually burning their vast resources in the process.

• Maratha army used to surprise attack the food supply convoys of the Mughal army and focused on prolonging the war as much as possible.
• At the time when the Mughal army was tired and running low on the food supplies, Maratha sardars negotiated with Mughal officers and asked for hefty bribes for the handover of the fort in lieu of saving their lives.

This worked as psychological tactics more than a full-fledged war, where they used the enemy’s weakness to their advantage. And thus, Rani Tarabai regained most of the important forts which Aurangzeb had captured.

She is an example of a bravery unmatchable and quick wit which Maharani possessed. She became the biggest catalyst in the breaking away of the Mughal authority.

After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the Mughals were highly demoralized. This gave Maharani Tarabai to bring the Maratha Empire into a stable condition and run the administration smoothly.

After a year, Sambhaji Maharaja’s son Sahuji Maharaj was released from the Mughal captivity and was given a huge welcome by the Maratha Sardars to reinstate him as the real heir of Chhatrapati Sambhaji. And eventually, a tussle among the two factions of the family began. Since, many sardars and the master strategist Balaji Vishwanath were on Sahuji’s side, Maharani Tarabai had to leave her authority. Maharani Tarabai was made sure to be kept under the house arrest. She lived a long life of 86 years and was revered as a great protector and daring queen of the Marathas.

• Life of TARABAI, the Maratha Warrior Queen (esamskriti.com)

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C hhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was one of the most progressive and sensible rulers in the history of our country. Tales of his bravery are countless and stories of his victories are numerous. There are other family members of Shivaji Maharaj who have made great contribution in fighting against Mughals but hardly have any mention, we all know Jhansi ki Rani but are unaware about Tarabai. Rani Tarabai the dowager Queen was the wife of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, and the daughter-in-law of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Incidentally, she was also the niece of Shivaji’s wife Soyarabai (Rajaram’s mother and her mother-in-law) and the daughter of Hambirao Mohite, the famed Sar Senapati (commander in chief) of the Maratha army. After the death of Rajaram, his widow Tarabai took over the reins of the Maratha kingdom and continued their resistance against the Mughal onslaught led by Aurangzeb himself. She offered the much needed leadership to the Maratha army at the crucial hour.

The Queen of Maratha Empire was a spirited lady who did not waste time or tears on the fall of the new Maratha capital Satara within a month of Rajaram’s death. She infused vigour in her people and organised a tough opposition to Aurangzeb. Tarabai exhibited wonderful powers of organisation and inspired the Marathas with a sense of devotion to their national cause. After the death of Shahu in 1749, Tarabai supported the succession of Ramraja (Tarabai’s putative grandson and later adopted by Shahu) to the Maratha throne. But Tarabai impressed upon Shahu, that her grandson, whom everyone had thought had died, was in fact alive, and that she had kept him hidden to ward of assassination attempts on him by her dead husband’s other wife, Rajasabai and her son Sambhaji. Tarabai thus presented Ramraja as a more direct descendent with greater right to succeed Shahu. Shahu also never wanted Sambhaji to succeed him (as Sambhaji himself was quite old and had no heir) and was keen on an adopted son instead.

Shahu, thus after much deliberation agreed and adopted Ramraja as his son. The Peshwa too decided to abide by his masters wishes and acquiesced the adoption of Ramraja, thwarting Sagunabai’s plans of grabbing power through the Bhosale’s of Nagpur and that of Sakwarbai through Sambhaji (Karveerkar). By doing so, he also kept his rivals like Dabhades (who were from the Sakwarbai camp) at bay. In fact it was impressed upon the council of ministers (mainly by Tarabai), that Sakwarbai as per tradition should attain Sati (which she eventually had to agree to).Through Ramraja, Tarabai tried to exercise control over the affairs of the Maratha kingdom. She even tried unsuccessfully to remove the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao from his post, as she found him an impediment challenging her power. Later, finding Ramraja out of control, Tarabai imprisoned him. She even declared that Ramraja was not really her grandson but someone whom she had pretended to be one to gain the throne.

There was a brief power struggle between the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao and Tarabai. But eventually the power of the Peshwas prevailed. The old queen agreed to a compromise whereby Tarabai will accept the power of the Peshwas, leaving them in sole control of the Maratha kingdom. In return, the Peshwa would allow Tarabai independent control over her principality. Ramraja remained Tarabai’s prisoner to her last.

Though the Marathas were perturbed by the unbridled ambition of the dowager queen, all grudgingly accepted that if Tarabai hadn’t intervened at the crucial juncture after Rajaram’s death, the hard fought kingdom of Shivaji would have disintegrated. So all her shortcomings were overlooked, after all, Tarabai , despite all her faults was one of the most fearless and competent leaders the Marathas had seen. She was the only lady capable of taking over six provinces of the Moghul Empire, a great feat indeed!

Sambhaji II was the second son of Rajaram from another wife Rajasabai. He succeeded to the Kolhapur throne after Rani Tarabai was imprisoned by Rajasabai (Shivaji II’s natural mother) and a coterie of ministers. He was initially supported by Shahu and his Peshwa. But his conspiracies along with Nizam Chin Quli Khan against Shahu (over territorial disputes) earned him Shahu’s wrath. Shahu’s armies defeated Sambhaji and forced on him a treaty in 1730, by which Sambhaji II was forced to give up all territories, north of river Warna. His sovereignty being acknowledged over the tract of country lying between the rivers Warna and Krishna on the north and north-east and the river Tungbhadra on the south, and over the part of the Konkan between Salsi and Ankola. He died at Vadgaon on December 18, 1760. His only issue being a daughter, a son was adopted to succeed him to the throne of Kolhapur.

Tarabai died old in 1761. Kolhapur was the seat of Rani Tarabai. Shivaji was the son of Chatrapati Rajaram and Rani Tarabai and the first king of Kolhapur. Installed on the throne at Vishalgad on March 10, 1700 reigned under the regency of his mother until October 12, 1707. He became Raja of the separate state of Kolhapur in 1710. He died young in 1712 by small pox in confinement at Panhala. Maharashtra history books have no chapter about this great Maratha warrior. Now Sambhaji Raje the direct 13th heir of the royal family of Shivaji and the erstwhile social reformer, Shahu of Kolhapur the elder son of the present Maharaja and 12th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shrimant Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, is insisting on restoring the forts where his ancestors belong, also asserting on including these forgotten great personalities of Maratha history to be included in school syllabus.

Note- Inputs about Tarabai are from various agencies

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on [email protected])

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Words and Swords

Extraordinary women of the maratha empire: women’s day special, part 1.

History has often been told as the story of men. But as those who have delved deep into it will know- history is equally the story of women- powerful, warlike, ambitious, crafty or honorable- women who have shaped the destinies of empires and nations! Just a look at Indian history will reveal thousands of formidable women who have achieved great renown- as leaders, warriors, administrators, influencers, as well as mothers and wives.

The Maratha Empire, which arose in 17 th century western India, and governed most of the Subcontinent in the 18 th century, also gave rise to several extraordinary women. This International Women’s Day, let’s look at some of those who played a key role in Maratha history. These are but a few among many, presented chronologically to properly show their achievements in the context of history. Shall we begin?

Rajmata Jijabai

Rajmata Jijabai (1598 – 1674 CE), also called Jijamata or Jijau, was the mother of the Founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj . As the chief guiding light of his life and the matriarch of the House of the Bhonsales, she played the greatest role in inspiring him to create the ‘Swarajya’.

In those days, the Deccan was divided between the Sultans- Adil Shah, Nizam Shah, and Qutub Shah, with the Mughal Emperor repeatedly invading from the north. Constantly warring against each other, these rulers perpetrated atrocities upon the common people, destroying temples and dishonoring women while the feudal lords fought for them without any thought of independence. With her innate intelligence, Jijabai, married to the mighty Shahaji Raje Bhonsale, realized that the people needed to be set free from their shackles. She encouraged Shahaji to create his own independent kingdom; however, his attempts resulted in failure due to the shifting loyalties of the Maratha Sardars.

The Woman who gave Birth to the Maratha Empire

Her vision later bore fruit through her son, Shivaji. Born in 1630, he grew up with her as his teacher, philosopher, and guiding light. She raised him lovingly yet firmly, imparting ancient wisdom through the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagwad Gita. She ensured his education in administration, warfare, and politics inculcating in him the values of self-respect, leadership, unity and compassion.

When Shivaji was 6, Shahaji Raje sent him and Jijabai to his fiefdom in Pune to govern it in his name. Upon reaching Pune, Jijabai found it to be utterly ruined due to the continuous wars. With advice from Shahaji’s deputy Dadoji Konddev, she took up the task of rehabilitating Pune, established the temple of Kasba Ganapati, and reinvigorated trade and farming. She commissioned the construction of the Lal Mahal as her residence, and ensured good governance and military security in the region. Inspiring Shivaji with the vision of Swarajya or ‘self-rule’, she wholeheartedly supported his dreams and ambitions. When his wife died leaving behind 2-year old Sambhaji, Jijabai took up the duty of raising him as well. Thus, she was responsible for raising not one, but two Emperors of the Marathas!

In 1674, she passed away after Shivaji was formally coronated as the ‘Chhatrapati’ of the Maratha Empire. In her lifetime, she fulfilled the dream of Swarajya through her son, rescuing millions of people from slavery and misery. She remains a celebrated and revered icon throughout Maharashtra even to this day!

Maharani Yesubai

Maharani Yesubai was the wife of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj , the 2 nd Emperor of the Marathas. Married at a young age, with her intelligence and steady resilience she soon found favor with her father-in-law Shivaji Maharaj, who considered her a good influence on his son. During her husband’s reign (1681-1689) the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb descended upon the fledgling Maratha Empire with an army of over 6 lakhs, aiming to conquer all of South India. As his wife and confidante, Yesubai counseled Chhatrapati Sambhaji in his administration as well as military plans. Once, Sambhaji Maharaj was devastated after finding out that he had mistakenly put his Royal Secretary or Chitnis, Balaji Awji to death due to a wrong suspicion of treachery. Yesubai advised him to right this wrong by giving the position to Balaji’s son Khando Ballal, who later ended up saving Sambhaji’s life!

In 1689, Sambhaji Maharaj was captured and executed by Aurangzeb. When the capital Raigad was besieged, Yesubai took charge even while dealing with her own grief and loss. Realizing that the Kingdom needed a strong leader at this critical juncture, she crowned her husband’s half-brother Rajaram as Chhatrapati instead of her own son who was only 7 years old. She sent Rajaram away to keep him safe, and defended Raigad till it fell. From there, her story got even worse.

Prisoner of the Mughals

For 30 years, from 1689 to 1719, she remained a prisoner of the Mughals. With barely any money and resources, she had to take care of all the family members, officers and servants who had been captured with her. Despite this, she acted with great patience and fortitude. Even though she could not teach her son Shahu to fight in Mughal captivity, she ensured that he became a learned, wise young man. How the former Queen must have lived, surrounded by enemies in a rough, hard, camp?

However, her story does have a happy ending. Her son, who had been released in 1708 and become Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, sent his Prime Minister, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath in 1719 to negotiate her release. By now, the Marathas were on the rise, and after 30 years in captivity, Yesubai returned to Maharashtra and reunited with her son. She lived for 11 years more, happy to see her son secure as Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. Her memory remains in history as a shining example of sacrifice and courage.

Maharani Tarabai

Maharani Tarabai (1675-1761) was the wife of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, 3 rd Emperor of the Marathas. Being the daughter of Sarsenapati (Commander-in-Chief) Hambirrao Mohite, she learned horse-riding, swordplay, and other skills of warfare at an early age. After Rajaram became the Emperor in 1689, Tarabai supported him in every situation, including the perilous journey from Mughal-occupied Maharashtra to Jinjee, Tamil Nadu; and assisted him in the war, working with his Council of Ministers. In 1700, Rajaram Maharaj passed away at Sinhagad, leaving behind two adolescent sons. Shahu, the true heir to the throne, was still in Mughal captivity. Who would rule the kingdom at this crucial juncture?

It was Tarabai who stepped up, seating her adolescent son Shivaji II on the throne and ruling in his name. Coordinating with the ministers, she personally led attacks and recaptured Maratha fortresses. For 7 years, she successfully continued the War, gaining fame as a warrior-general and an administrator. In 1707, Emperor Aurangzeb died, the Mughals returned north, and Tarabai was celebrated for having won the 27-year long Maratha War of Independence.

After the War

Tarabai was not only valiant, but also shrewd. Upon taking control of the kingdom, she had imprisoned Rajaram’s other wife Rajasbai and her son Sambhaji II. In 1708, when Shahu returned, she denounced him as an impostor and refused to hand over the kingdom. When most of the Sardars allied with him, she retreated to Kolhapur and established her son’s separate kingdom. Shahu accepted this demarcation and crowned himself at Satara. But when she repeatedly failed to make peace, her administrator Ramchandra Pant Amatya released Rajasbai, who seated her son Sambhaji II on the throne and imprisoned Tarabai! Thus, the Queen received a taste of her own medicine.

In 1731, Chhatrapati Shahu obtained her release from prison, and respectfully brought her to Satara. Since he had no sons, he adopted Tarabai’s grandson Rajaram II as his successor, thus making her the founder of the Kolhapur kingdom as well as a matriarch of the Satara kingdom! In 1752, she imprisoned her grandson and conspired to remove Peshwa Nanasaheb who had been appointed for life by Shahu himself. Upon being defeated, she resigned herself to a nominal role in her grandson’s administration, and passed away in 1761. Today, she is remembered as a symbol of female power for her bravery, resistance to the Mughals and founding her own kingdom.

Peshwin Radhabai

Radhabai Bhat or Radhabai Peshwa was the wife of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, and the mother of Peshwa Bajirao I and Chimaji Appa. During her life of over 70 years, she laid the foundation of the Peshwa power and lived to see the Marathas become the supreme power in the Subcontinent.

As the wife of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat, a lieutenant and accountant under Sarsenapati Dhanaji Jadhav, Radhabai shared in all his hardships in Mughal-occupied Maharashtra. Their fortunes turned in 1707 when Balaji succeeded in helping Shahu become Chhatrapati at Satara. Even after this, she was once imprisoned along with her entire family by a rebel Sardar, but she showed great fortitude and they were soon rescued by Shahu’s army. Balaji was appointed Prime Minister in 1713, and Radhabai became the matriarch of the new Peshwa family. Seasoned in politics, she ably counseled her husband in taking Maratha power up to Delhi . She encouraged her sons to take part in battles from an early age, ensuring they learnt literature and accounts as well as warfare, politics and administration. It was she who instilled in them the dream of fulfilling Chhatrapati Shivaji’s vision of Hindavi Swarajya!

Mother of ‘The Great Peshwa’

In 1720, upon Balaji’s passing, her elder son Bajirao was appointed Peshwa, and he expanded the Maratha Empire in all directions. Radhabai turned Pune into a great city and paid attention to the people’s welfare as seen when, during a drought, she ordered the wealthy citizens to stop using water in their gardens and instead give it to the poor.

In 1729, Bajirao married Mastanibai, an illegitimate Muslim daughter of King Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand. This was a political alliance to secure his power in Bundelkhand in the north from where he could target Delhi. However, the orthodox section of Brahmins in Pune were outraged and refused to conduct religious ceremonies for the Peshwas. Radhabai brought them in line by threatening to invite priests from Varanasi. While she accepted Mastani as a political necessity and even helped her during her pregnancy, she ensured that her presence caused minimal damage to the Peshwa reputation. In 1735 she made a long pilgrimage to North India, and used the opportunity to cement Bajirao’s new alliances with the Rajputs, Jats, Bundelas and some Muslim Nawabs. This helped Bajirao to soundly defeat the Mughals in the Battle of Delhi in 1737!

In 1752 when Maharani Tarabai and Umbabai Dabhade conspired against her grandson Nanasaheb Peshwa and attacked Pune, it was Radhabai who defended it. When she passed away in 1753, the Marathas had just signed the Ahmadiyya Treaty, by which they became the protectors of the Mughals, and in effect the rulers of India. Though largely forgotten in history, Peshwin Radhabai must be credited with playing a key role in establishing and securing Maratha supremacy!

To Be Continued…

Well, these are just some of the great heroines and inspiring women leaders of the Maratha Empire. Hope you enjoyed their stories! Coming up in Part 2: the Queen who became a Saint, the greatest Rebel Queen in Indian history, and more! Stay tuned…

– Ashutosh Dixit

4 thoughts on “ Extraordinary Women of the Maratha Empire: Women’s Day Special, Part 1 ”

Truly inspiring article! Many times we celebrate the accomplishments of modern women, and rightly so, but it helps to remember those who came before.

Nice Article, on Women’s Day.

Good work !

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The Maharanis

Scindia maharanis.

The Marathas, and especially the Scindias, have always given queens who took up leadership roles if ever a crisis arose in their states. This majesty emerged from their upbringing, from the Maratha value system they followed.

Chimabai Raje Scindia Sahiba

Gangabai raje scindia sahiba.

Baizabai Raje Scindia Sahiba

Tarabai Raje Scindia Sahiba

Sakhya Raje Scindia Sahiba

Chinku Raje Scindia Sahiba

Vijaya Raje Scindia Sahiba

Madhavi Raje Scindia Sahiba

Priyadarshini Raje Scindia Sahiba

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Biography of Maharani Tarabai Bhosale: Legacy saviour

Table of Contents

Brief Introduction

Here , we will discuss about the biography of great Maharani Tarabai Bhosale which will definitely clear your ideas about the magnificent role of Maratha queen in building the Maratha empire.

Maharani Tarabai took the charge of the kingdom at a very declining phase of Maratha empire . It was the time when Maratha empire needed one of the strong and valorous leader after the death of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son Sambhaji Maharaj in 11th march 1689 and Rajaram in 1700 AD .

Maharani Tarabai was one of the most prominent Maratha queen of 18th century who protected and continued the legacy of the great Maratha empire after the death of his husband Chatrapati Rajaram ( son of Chatrapati Shivaji ) in 1700 AD against the army of Aurangzeb .

In Indian history, women’s power had played an important role in establishing the big empire and ruling it. One of the powerful names among them is the name of Maharani Tarabai.

She was the one credited for the Marathas’ emerging power out of the terrible and frightening war with Aurangazeb army who wanted to keep the rein of the country under his umbrella in the 18th century.

One of the major questions arises is ” what was Maharani Tarabai role in the Maratha empire? “

Tarabai had played a crucial role in the continuity of the Maratha empire. 

Other such names which played an important role in protecting our motherland from invaders were Maharani Lakshmibai, Jijabai, Durgavati, Rudramadevi etc. 

One of the most dejected parts is that these powerful personalities didn’t get any space in our history textbook. Mentioning of these names in our textbook will give a boost to the student’s mind towards their ancestors. 

Now let us focus our eyes on ” Maharani Tarabai ” who had played a major role in the continuity of the Maratha empire. 

According to some historians, she took the reign of the Maratha empire at such deserted time, when the throne was completely vacated from the powerful kings who could give a ruthless defeat to the Army of Aurangzeb.

She stood up to all expectations which her kingdom  wanted to have from her. She not just protected her Kingdom from the barbaric attacks of Aurangzeb but also expanded her authority to other regions. 

Tarabai was entitled to ” the queen of marathas ” by the Portuguese. She was the one who successfully restricted the Mughal Army from their brutal attack after 1700 A.D.

Maharani Tarabai was the daughter of the Maratha Army Chief, Hamir Rao Mohite , during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ‘reign.

She was born in April 1675 AD and  got married at the age of 8 year in 1682 AD   with  Chhatrapati Rajaram I . Chhatrapati Rajaram was the son of Shivaji Maharaj. 

Maharani Tarabai was the daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the second wife of Rajarama. Later on they were blessed with a son named Shivaji II on 9th June 1696

At a very young age Tarabai became the widow of Rajarama. Rajaram died of severe lung disease on 2nd March 1700 AD in Pune at Sinhagad fort .

Losing  husband at such a young age with the responsibility of a 4 year infant child was like a nightmare for her. But as she grew up in a very valorous and heroic family , she stood up strong and powerful in such a critical condition. 

Rise of Maharani Tarabai

After the death of Chhatrapati Rajaram in 1700 AD , the Maratha empire came at the verge of collapsing due to the dearth of fearless and heroic kingship. 

This was the time when pronounced Tarabai came forward to lead the Maratha empire. She made her 4 year old infant child Shivaji II as the king Chhatrapati of Maratha empire in 1701 AD in Vishalgad and she herself act as the regent of the great Maratha empire. 

Aurangzeb who wanted to take the advantage of vacant throne of Maratha empire won one fortress after another and also took the control of Parli , Panhala ,Rajgad and Torna by 1704 .

But his excitement was soon getting a shocked when he found a paramount queen had started to give him horrific defeat to rise up the glory of Maratha empire . She had built a great opposition to combat the army of Aurangzeb .

She was great in administering the empire. She appointed Parashuram Trimbak to the office of the Pratinidhi and gave the post of Pant Sachiv to Shankar Narayan Gandekar .

Girjoji Yadav, the protector of the Panhala fort, was her personal and confidential agent through whom her commands were communicated outside.

She was thoroughly proficient and skillful in leading the army from the forefront. She had mastery in swording and horse riding . She was excellent in cavalry movement. She was well acquainted with the tactics and techniques used in warfare and also had great expertise in Gorilla attack. 

War with Mughal

Tarabai was an excellent woman who put all her energy in going camp to camp to encourage her officers, giving them a plan to execute against the Mughal Army of Aurangzeb. Now the hard work of her became a great threat for the Army of Aurangzeb. 

Tarabai got the support of great ministers like Ramchandra pant, Parshuram Trimbak , Sukaa ji Narayan ,Ramchandra Bavdekar and Dhanaji Jadhav . These Maratha armies brilliantly reconquered all main territories from the Mughal .

In 1705, under the ruling of Tarabai , two Maratha armies crossed the Narmada river. One Army was headed by Nemaji Shinde and another was headed by khanderao Dabhade . 

These two breathtaking armies were so powerful that they crushed and annihilated the huge army of Mahmud Beg Khan. Gujarat then under the hands of Aurangzeb was ravaged brutally by the army of the Marathas.

The annihilation by two marathas armies were such that it broke all the spirit of the Mughal Army like a shattered mirror which couldn’t be reset again. 

The great vision of Tarabai successfully excuted. Multiple wars took place between the Army’s of marathas and the Army of Aurangzeb. Continuous victories of marathas made them much more fearless and striking. 

At one point in 1706 AD, Tarabai was arrested by the army of Aurangzeb and sent to the jail but within four days, she escaped from the jail by offering a bribe to the guard. Now again she took up the charge of her Kingdom and continued her job of protecting her people from the brutal attacks of Aurangzeb. 

The army of Maharani Tarabai defeated and instilled the fear in Aurangzeb to that much extent that when Aurangzeb reached the walls of the fort built by Ahmad Nizam Shah in January 1707 AD to take refuge , he realized and spoke that the dream of crushing Maratha empire was his foolishness .

Aurangzeb wasn’t expecting such a great woman with so much potential would come their way to resist them from their bloodthirsty attacks.

Seeing such a powerful lady sitting on the throne of Maratha broke the dream of Aurangzeb to subjugate the Maratha empire. Now, the subjugation of the Marathas was as distant a prospect as ever for the Mughal Army.

Finally on 3rd March 1707 , the death of Aurangzeb became a great news for marathas. Now, the marathas had a great chance to defeat the Mughal Army in the absence of a leading Mughal leader . Now the Mughal empire was like a body without soul .

Tarabai, The Regent of her son Shivaji II, took it upper hand and showed agility in assigning different parts of Deccan to her superior commanders like Parso ji Bhonsle, Chimnaji damodar, Kath singh, Kadam rao, Khanderao etc. 

Tarabai and Sahu Maharaj relationship

After the death of Aurangzeb, an internal war started among the three sons of Aurangzeb for the throne. But they also had the fear of losing war against the marathas. So to create an internal civil war among maratha’s family, Azam Shah on the advice of astute general, Zulfikar Khan , released Sahu ji . 

Sahu was the grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and was captivated in 1689 by the army of Aurangzeb. Releasing Sahu was a calculated master stroke played by Mughals to create a bigger turbulence in the Maratha empire. 

Tarabai was doing a phenomenal job in creating havoc among Mughal but releasing Sahu at such critical point when everything was going perfectly in favour of marathas created a fault line between the supporter of Sahu ji and Tarabai. 

She didn’t want to give up her throne but Sahu who was the legitimate grandson of Shivaji made it possible for himself with the support of top chieftains and commanders to become the king of Maratha empire. 

Though Sahu was released after 18 years of prisoning, his loyalty towards his Kingdom was still surviving in his spirit. This loyality of him made others to join him and support him. 

Shahu corronated in 1708 AD after winning the battle of Khed against Tarabai on 12 October 1707 AD with the help of Khando Ballal who was persuaded by Balaji Vishwanath, father of Peshwa Bajirao I.

After becoming the king of Maratha empire, Sahu took Satara under his control which was the seat of tarabai. After losing her seat, she was left with nothing. She was defeated but not crushed. 

Sahu tried his best for reconciliation with her aunt, Tarabai , by ceding the region to the south of warna to his son but the stand of Tarabai to recapture the seat with her own merit didn’t change which escalated the fight into a big civil war till 1731 .

Though the rise of the great Peshwa Bajirao had successfully brought back the glory of Maratha empire during this civil war , the differences between Tarabai and Shahuji never ended .

Jealousy and internal fighting for the power of reigning among maratha’s family devastated the spirit on which the foundation of Maratha empire was established by the great Shivaji Maharaj. Keeping self interest over Patriotism became one of the major reason of declining Maratha empire. 

She died on 9th December 1761 , when she was at the age of 86 in Satara. It was her natural death.

What was the battle between Tarabai and Shahuji Maharaj ?

Battle of khed was fought between Tarabai and Shahuji in 1707 on the bank of Bhima river for sustaining the throne of Maratha empire . This battle was won by Shahuji . Peshwa Vishwanath , father of Bajirao , had played a crucial role in winning the battle for Shahuji .

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