Shahaji

Shahaji Bhosale (c. 1594 – 1664) was a Maratha military leader of the 17th century in India, who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate and later the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. He is primarily known as the father of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.

Shahaji inherited a jagir (feudal land grant) near Pune and Supa. He initially served under Malik Ambar of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. After Malik Ambar's death, Shahaji attempted to revive the ailing Ahmadnagar Sultanate against the Mughal Empire. His efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and the Ahmadnagar Sultanate was conquered by the Mughals.

Subsequently, Shahaji entered the service of the Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. He was granted extensive lands in present-day Karnataka, including Bangalore, which became his administrative headquarters. He skillfully navigated the complex political landscape of the Deccan, balancing his loyalty to Bijapur with his ambition to carve out an independent territory for his family.

Shahaji's contributions lay not only in his military prowess and political acumen but also in the foundation he laid for his son, Shivaji Maharaj. He ensured that Shivaji received a proper education and training in warfare and administration, and instilled in him the ambition to create an independent Maratha kingdom. Shahaji's legacy is thus inextricably linked to the rise of the Maratha Empire under his son's leadership. He died in 1664 while hunting.