Sambhaji, also known as Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Kingdom, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Abyssinians of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore and the Portuguese Empire in Goa. After Sambhaji's execution by Aurangzeb, his brother Rajaram I succeeded him as the next Chhatrapati and continued the Mughal–Maratha Wars.
Pratapgad is a mountain fort located in Satara district, in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra. The fort is situated 24 kilometres from the Mahabaleshwar hill station. The fort is now a popular tourist destination.
The battle of Pavan Khind was a rearguard last stand that took place on 13 July 1660, at a mountain pass in the vicinity of fort Vishalgad, near the city of Kolhapur by the Maratha general Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Shambhu Singh Jadhav against Siddi Masud of the Bijapur Sultanate. The engagement ended with the destruction of the Maratha forces, and a tactical victory for the Bijapur Sultanate that failed to achieve a strategic victory.
Soyarabai Bhosale née Mohite was second wife of Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was mother of Shivaji Maharaj's second son, Rajaram. She was the younger sister of Maratha army chief Hambirrao Mohite.
Saibai Bhosale was the first wife and chief consort of Chattrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. She was the mother of her husband's successor Chattrapati Sambhaji.
Shahu II is the 12th descendent of Shivaji and the great-grandson of Shahu I of Kolhapur and the son and heir to Shahaji II of Kolhapur. He is the current Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha from Kolhapur constituency and is a member Indian National Congress. He studied at the Bishop Cotton School, Bangalore and later on graduated from the Indore Christian College in 1967 with History, Economics and English literature. He became the ceremonial Maharaja of Kolhapur in 1962.
Khanderao Ballal, popularly known as ‘Khando Ballal Chitnis or Khandoji’, was a diplomat in Maharashtra during the late 17th century and the early 18th century. He was also the personal Assistant of Rajaram and Shahu. He is remembered for his support of Chatrapati Rajaram Maharaj as well as his support for Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. There is a story that Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj had gone to war in Goa, but his horse started suddenly drowning in a river, but Khanadoballal chitnis bravely got off his horse and saved the Chhatrapati.
Chinmay Mandlekar is an Indian actor, writer and stage director, mostly active in the Marathi entertainment industry. He is known for his work in Zenda, Morya, Farzand (2018), Fatteshikast (2019), The Kashmir Files (2022) and Pawankhind (2022). He has also completed many episodes of a crime series as SI Rajesh Jadhav. Chinmay has been praised as a brilliant actor for the versatility of roles picked by him.
Fatteshikast is a 2019 Indian Marathi-language historical drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced under the banner of Almonds Creations in association with AA Films. The film stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Sameer Dharmadhikari, along with Ankit Mohan and Mrunmayee Deshpande in supporting roles. The music of the film is composed by Devdutta Manisha Baji and the soundtrack includes devotional song of Sant Tukaram. A sequel to Farzand (2018), it is the second film in Lanjekar's Shri Shivraj Ashtak film series in an eight movies series on Maratha Empire. It was followed by the Pawankhind (2022).
Farzand is a 2018 Indian Marathi-language historical drama War film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced by Anirban Sarkar under the banner of Swami Samarth Creations LLP. The film was co-produced by Sandip Jadhav, Mahesh Jaurkar and Swapnil Potdar. The film stars Prasad Oak, Ankit Mohan, Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Neha Joshi and Sameer Dharmadhikari. It's the first film of the Shri Shivraj Ashtak film series by Lanjekar in an eight part series based on Maratha Empire. It was followed by Fatteshikast in 2019.
Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale was the wife of Sambhaji, and referred to as Chatrapati Maharani of the Maratha Kingdom. She was also the mother of Shahu I. Sambhaji had shared with her his power as the emperor. When Sambhaji was away from the Maratha capital due to battles, all the political decisions were made by her. After Jijabai she is Kulmuktyar of Swarajya. After the execution of Sambhaji by Aurangzeb, she announced Rajaram as the next Chhatrapati of Swarajya. The Mughal Empire captured Raigad in November 1689 and arrested Maharani Yesubai and Shahu. The Mughals kept Maharani Yesubai captive to ensure that Shahu adhered to the terms of his release. She was released in 1719 when the Marathas became strong under Shahu and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.
Pawankhind ; is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language historical action drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced under the banner of Almonds Creations in association with AA Films. The film based on the life of Maratha warrior, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, stars Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Ajay Purkar, Sameer Dharmadhikari, along with Ankit Mohan, Prajakta Mali and Kshitee Jog in supporting roles.
Sher Shivraj is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language historical action drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced by Chinmay Mandlekar, Digpal Lanjekar, Nitin Keni, Pradyot Pendharkar and Anil Warkhade. The film based on the life of Maratha king, Shivaji I where he defeated Afzal Khan with brilliant tactics and courage stars Chinmay Mandlekar in title role, Mrinal Kulkarni, Ajay Purkar, Mukesh Rishi along with Bipin Surve and Rohan Mankani in supporting roles. The film was released theatrically on 22 April 2022.
Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat is an unreleased Indian Marathi-language period drama film directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and produced by Vaseem Qureshi under the banner of Qureshi Productions. The film stars Pravin Tarde, Hardeek Joshi, Vishal Nikam, Jay Dudhane, Utkarsha Shinde and Virat Madke as the seven great Maratha warriors who playing important role to achieve the dream of Swaraj, while Hindi film actor Akshay Kumar in a extended cameo role who marks his Marathi film debut as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Digpal Lanjekar is an Indian film director and writer who is known for the Shri Shivraj Ashtak film included Farzand (2018), Fatteshikast (2019), Pawankhind (2022), Sher Shivraj (2022). He continued the series with Subhedar was released on 25 August 2023. He planned the film titled "Bhadrakali" team up with Prasad Oak based on Sarsenapati tarabai Dabhade Umabai.
Subhedar is a 2023 Indian Marathi-language historical drama film written and directed by Digpal Lanjekar, a fifth installment of Shivraj Ashtak tracing the life of Subedar Tanaji Malusare starring Chinmay Mandlekar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Ajay Purkar in the leading roles. The film is produced by Mulakshar Productions, Raajwarasa Productions, Prithviraj Productions, Rajau Productions, Parampara Productions, and it is distributed by AA Films and Everest Entertainment.
Chhaava is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language historical epic film based on the life of Maratha king Sambhaji, played by Vicky Kaushal. It is an adaptation of the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant. Directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna.
Shri Shivraj Ashtak is an Indian Marathi-language historical drama film series created by Digpal Lanjekar. The franchise started off with an eight-part film series written and directed by Lanjekar based on Maratha Empire. The first film Farzand released on 1 June 2018 and was followed by 6 films: Fatteshikast (2019), Pawankhind (2022), Sher Shivraj (2022), Subhedar (2023), Shivrayancha Chhava (2024).
Chhatrapati Sambhaji is an Indian Marathi-language historical drama film traces the real life story of Sambhaji, the second chatrapati of the Maratha Empire. The film is directed by Rakesh Subesingh Dulgaj starring Shashank Udapurkar in the title role, and Pramod Pawar, Rajit Kapur, Mrinal Kulkarni in the other principal roles.
Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Part 1 is an upcoming Indian Marathi-language epic historical war film directed by Tushar Shelar and produced by Shekhar Mohitepatil, Saujanya Nikam, Dharmendra Bora and Ketanraje Bhosale under Urvita Productions. It features Thakur Anoop Singh in the title role alongside Amruta Khanvilkar and Kishori Shahane. It narrates the courageous journey of historic warrior, as he defends the Maratha Empire and Hindu faith against the Mughal Empire, showcasing his bravery, tactical genius, and unwavering spirit, solidifying his legacy as a revered protector of his people and culture.
