TARABAI BHOSALE

The lineage of Maratha(n) bravehearts have reflected their ability to take over the ruthless foreign powers. However as a reader read the various anecdotes of Maratha warriors, quite rarely does the account of Tarabai Bhosale's war against Mughals is glorified. Very few know of her bravery, that outshine the reckless ambition of Aurangzeb to step down on Deccan during the 1700's.

THE STORM UNFOLDS IN DECCAN

After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj breathe his last at Raigarh, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj succeeded him after a series of conflicts. Aurangzeb considered it as an opportunity to step down on Deccan. After 9 years of rule, Sambhaji Maharaj was caught and tortured to death at Tulapur by Aurangzeb. Under the chaos that unfolded, Sambhaji's wife Yesubai and his son Shahu were taken as hostage to Agra.

Raigarh (capital of Maratha empire) fell under the Mughal army of over 15,000. During this instability instigated by Aurangzeb, Rajaram (2nd son Shivaji Maharaj) flee the capital with his wife Tarabai and his son Shivaji II via Pratapgarh, Vishalgarh and Keladi to Gingee fort. Aurangzeb followed his track, but faced a huge blow from Rani Chennamma of Keladi which made his progress to Gingee slow. After 3 attempts he successfully caught Gingee fort under his control, but by then Rajaram had swiftily fled his way to the Satara fort. From there, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav tried to reclaim back the lost territories of Maratha empire.

THE RESOLUTION TO DEFEND THE EMPIRE

After a short rule of 2 years Rajaram passed away, thus creating a vacuum in the empire. Shivaji II was considered as the heir of the throne, but his age did not deemed fit for the condition. So, Tarabai Bhosale stood up for taking up the administration of the Maratha empire. Aurangzeb considered this situation, an opportunity to not be lost. The colossal Mughal army stepped down their way towards Satara. The pace of giant Mughal army was quite slow, which ignited a chance for speedy Maratha army to take actions. Under the leadership of Tarabai the army slowed down the movement of Mughals and started gaining territories at Hyderabad.

Tarabai then observed weakening of Mughal control in North India and immediately steered her way towards key territories. Unable to capture Satara, Aurangzeb earned quick gains from grabbing Torna fort and Rajgarh fort by bribing. But while his forces were fighting in the south, Tarabai lead forces till Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh! By 1705, Maratha empire got hold of rich regions; Khandesh and Surat. To quench the thirst of the ever needed fundings, she strategically designed exclaves in Mughal empire whose revenue feeded the Marathas. Aurangzeb tried to threaten Marathi sovereignty by attacking the forts with his juggernaut army, but Tarabai's calculation of penetrating in Mughal territories like the important trading centres of Bharuch and Burhanpur simply outweighed his ambition to see the dissolving Maratha empire. Aurangzeb tried to attack Naik rulers, but his soaked up army failed to defeat an alliance of Naiks and Marathas. Under this process Aurangzeb lost over 1/5th of his army, fighting a war without any strategy or with a fixed aim. Aurangzeb was exhausted after almost 25 years of struggle against the Marathas. He somehow managed his way to escape till Ahmednagar, still facing attacks by Marathas en-route and finally died due to illness.

THE LEGACY

Mughal king, Bahadur Shah let Shahu Maharaj free. From there, Shahu received support from Maratha commanders and successfully became Chhatrapati by defeating Tarabai at Battle of Khed. She set up rival court in Kolhapur but was disposed by Rajasbai. Finally she was given residence in Satara fort. She even led a proxy-rule at Satara after Shahu passed

away. Finally Peshwas accepted her respected post in return to the acceptance of Peshwa rule across the Maratha empire. She saw the Marathas at pinnacle of their power as they ruled almost the whole India. Finally she breathed her last at 1761; few months after the 3rd battle of Panipat.

Her sword had the power to protect the Maratha empire from the Mughals, and ever thankful can be the further expansion of Maratha empire across the nation due to her abled leadership.

"She won the heart of her officers, and for all the struggles and schemes, the campaigns and sieges by Aurangzeb up to the end of his reign, the power of Marathas increased day by day" ~Khafi Khan