Tanaji Kaloji Malusare | |
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![]() Bronze bust of Subhedar Tanaji Malusare at Sinhagad | |
Born | Godavli, Mahabaleshwar taluka , Satara, Maharashtra[ citation needed ] |
Died | 4 February 1670 Sinhagad, Maharashtra, India |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service | Maratha Army |
Years of service | c. 1646–1670 |
Rank | Subedar [1] |
Known for | |
Battles / wars | Capture of Torna fort [2] Battle of Pratapgarh Battle of Jawali [3] Battle of Sinhagad † |
Relations | Kaloji Malusare (father) Savitri Bai (wife) Raybaji Malusare (son) |
Tanaji Kaloji Malusare [4] or Subedar Tanaji Malusare was a military commander of the Maratha kingdom and a companion of Shivaji Maharaj.
local poet Tulsidas, [a] wrote a powada describing Subhedar Tanaji's heroics and sacrifice of life in the Battle of Sinhagad, which has since made him a popular figure in Indian folklore. [5] [6] [7] [b]
According to the historian David Hardiman, Kolis were the early helpers of Shivaji in a revolt. Tanaji Malusare is one such prominent example whose name is memorizalized due to his act of capturing the fort of Singhad and handing it to Shivaji. [9] Tanaji's father's name was Kaloji Malusare.[ citation needed ]
When Shivaji began his revolt in the following decade, the Kolis were amongst the first to join him under the leadership of the Sirnayak Khemi and they played a leading role in helping Shivaji to consolidate his power. The Koli Tanaji Malusare, is remembered in Maharashtra to this day for his courage in capturing the almost impregnable fort of Singhad for Shivaji.