Vyankoji Bhosale

Last updated

Vyankoji Bhosale
Raja of Thanjavur Maratha kingdom
Vyankoji Raje Bhosale.jpg
ReignMaratha Empire
Predecessor Shahaji
Successor Shahuji
Born1632
Died1686
House Bhonsle
Father Shahaji
MotherTukabai
ReligionHinduism

Vyankojirajah Bhonsle (born 1632) or Ekojirajah I Bhonsle was the younger half-brother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and founder of Maratha rule in Thanjavur in modern day Tamil Nadu. [1] He was the progenitor of the junior branch (cadet branch) of the Bhonsle family which ruled Thanjavur until the formal annexation of the kingdom by the British East India Company in 1855.

Contents

Early career

Venkoji was the younger son of Shahaji, a military commander in service of the Sultan of Bijapur through his younger wife Tukabai Mohite. He succeeded to the Karnataka portion of Shahaji's jagir, that is Bengaluru and Thanjavur.

Conquest of Thanjavur

Interior of Durbar Hall, Thanjavur Maratha palace Thanjavur Maratha Palace Darbar Hall.jpg
Interior of Durbar Hall, Thanjavur Maratha palace

In 1673, the Nayak of Madurai invaded the kingdom of Thanjavur under the rule of the Thanjavur Nayaks and drove away the ruler. He then proceeded to place his younger brother Alagiri Nayak on the throne of Thanjavur. This was resented by Rayasam Venkanna, a high-ranking official in the court of Thanjavur who supported the cause of Chengamala Dasu, the deposed son of Vijayaraghava, the late Nayak of Thanjavur. He proceeded to the court of Ali Adil Shah II of Bijapur along with the minor Chengamaladas and requested his help.

The Adil Shah sent Venkoji to invade Thanjavur and restore the throne to the old line of nayaks. A Sanskrit manuscript Bosalavamsavali narrates how Venkoji conquered Arni and proceeded to Thanjavur to liberate it from the shackles of the Nayak of Tiruchirapalli. The manuscript further narrates that While camping at Tirumalapadi near Tiruvadi, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him not to leave for home. However, Wilkes assigns different reasons for the usurpation by the Maratha, Venkoji. He is of the view that Venkoji was not pleased with the conduct of Chengamaladas who refused to pay the war expenses.

Assisted by Rayasam Venkanna who had switched sides once more, Venkoji conquered Ayyampettai and defeated Alagiri who had now also fallen out with his brother Chokkanatha Nayak as well as Changamaldas and secured the throne for himself. On the death of the Sultan of Bijapur, he crowned himself as the independent king of Thanjavur.

Reign

Dates of Ekoji I's reign

The Marathi inscriptions of the Thanjavur temple dates the capture of Thanjavur to January 1676. The Madras Tamil manuscript assigns the dates 1675 and 1679 to the conquest and end of Ekoji I's reign respectively. Likewise, the Marathi inscriptions assigns Ekoji's death to 1684. However, Wilkes asserts that Ekoji was well alive in 1686-1687. The records of the British East India Company mention a king called Ekoji as late as 1699-1700.

However, Dharmakuta a commentary on the Ramayana suggests that Ekoji might have abdicated in the year 1684 in favor of his son Shahuji. However, it is quite unclear as to how many years he lived after the event.

Clash with Shivaji

In 1676–1677, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj made an expedition to the Carnatic to claim his portion of the jagir, also desiring to bring the whole of South India under Maratha rule. With this aim in mind, he made a treaty with Golconda, took Gingee and proceeded to Thanjavur after conquering all the lands north of the Coleroon river. Shivaji camped on the north bank of Kollidam River 10 miles north of Thanjavur and invited Ekoji for discussions. Shivaji didn't try to cross this distributary of Kaveri, to give a clear signal to his brother that he wanted to settle the matters of inheritance amicably. Shivaji claimed a right to Shahji's inheritance. It was a Ekoji's minister Raghunath Pant Hanumante who had brought this matter of inheritance to Shivaji's notice. Although Shivaji was initially quite unwilling to state a claim on his father's jagir, but eventually he accepted the idea to achieve higher goals for Swarajya. Before visiting, Shivaji sometime in January 1677 at Satara, Raghunath Pant Hanumante had visited Golconda and had drawn out a golden leaf of diplomacy. He met Qutub Shah's brahmin ministers Akanna and Madanna and all three had a consensus on the expansion of Swarajya. Raghunath Pant's brother Janardan Pant Hanumante was in Shivaji's service. He pressed upon Qutub Shah to have a friendship treaty with Shivaji. Qutub Shah was much willing as he was under pressure from both Bijapur and the Mughals. Shivaji's approach to Tanjore was thus preceded by a long circuitous march through Bijapur territory to Golconda and then directly southwards. The two brothers stayed together more than a week and had lengthy discussions. While Shivaji pressed for a division of jagir, Ekoji remained tight lipped and noncommittal. One night he secretly arranged for a barge and fled the camp. Pained Shivaji decided to turn back to Raigad avoiding an open conflict with his brother. Administration and control of the newly conquered territories was left with his Sarnaubat Hambir Rao Mohite and others like Harji Raje Mahadik, Santaji Ghorpade, Vitthal Pildev Atre and Raghunath Pant Hanumate himself; with Gingee as the centre of new territories. Ekoji I reacted by launching regular military campaigns into Santoji's territory with the intention of driving him away. However, Shivaji's army handed him a crushing defeat taking many prisoners. Ekoji himself fled. This confrontation took place near Valikandapuram on 16 November 1677. Shivaji got this news, when he was at Gadag on his way back. He wrote a letter of retribution, but still expressing his will for a reconciliation on 1 March 1678. Meanwhile, he had a correspondence with Raghunath Pant. A very hesitant Ekoji succumbed to his weak military position and his wife Deepabai's strong persuasion. Ultimately, Ragunath Pant was invited from Gingee for discussions. Raghunath Pant enjoyed full confidence of Shivaji and knew his heart and mind and his future plans and intentions. Accordingly, a 19 point treaty was drafted and sent to Shivaji for his ratification. Shivaji signed the same. The core of this treaty was (1) All the Bijapur territory claimed to be under Shahji's jagir and which was recently won by Shivaji was returned back to Deepabai (territories around Bangalore with a annual revenue of 2 lac hons) and Ekoji (region of 7 lac hons around Tanjor). (2) Ekoji was weaned away from the Bijapur's Adilshahi and his Muslim advisers as he was forbidden from Harbouring any anti Hindu element in his realm (Article 6). Article 17 stated that Raghunath Pant would have ancestral jagir of 1 lac hons; underlining Raghunath Pant's vital role in Dakshin Digvijay. However, in 1680, Bijapur succumbed to the invasions of Shivaji Maharaj and handed over the administration of all lands to the north of the Coleroon river to Shivaji Maharaj. Ekoji I was forced to become a vassal of Shivaji Maharaj and pay him tribute. On the death of Shivaji Maharaj, however, the tribute was stopped and Thanjavur retained its independent existence. [2] [3]

Alliance with Ramnad

The chiefs of Ramnad had been vassals of the Nayaks of Madurai. However, the new ruler, Kilavan desired to become independent. With this aim in mind, he concluded an alliance with Ekoji and rebelled against his overlord. The battle ended in the victory of Shahuji I, the defeat of Madurai and the liberation of Ramnad.

Literature

Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu literature flourished during this period. Venkoji himself is said to have composed a Telugu version of the Ramayana.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shivaji</span> Indian king and founder of the Maratha Empire (r. 1674–80)

Shivaji I was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned the Chhatrapati of his realm at Raigad Fort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahaji</span> Father of Shivaji Bhonsle and eldest son of Maloji Raje Bhonsle (1602–1664)

Shahaji Bhosale was a 17th century Indian military leader who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire at various points in his career. As a member of the Bhonsle dynasty, Shahaji inherited the Pune and Supe jagirs (fiefs) from his father Maloji, who previously served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. During the Mughal invasion of the Deccan, Shahaji joined the Mughal forces and served under Emperor Shah Jahan for a short period. After being deprived of his jagirs, he defected to the Bijapur Sultanate in 1632 and regained control over Pune and Supe. In 1638, he received the jagir of Bangalore after Bijapur's invasion of Kempe Gowda III's territories. Afterwards, he became the chief general of Bijapur and oversaw its expansion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gingee</span> Special Grade Town Panchayat in Tamil Nadu, India

Gingee, also known as Senji or Jinji and originally called Singapuri, is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Gingee is located between three hills covering a perimeter of 3 km, and lies west of the Sankaraparani River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjavur Nayak kingdom</span> 16th-17th century rulers of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The Thanjavur Nayakdynasty were the rulers of Thanjavur in the 15th and 17th centuries. The Nayaks, who belonged to the Telugu-speaking Balija social group were originally appointed as provincial governors by the Vijayanagara Emperor in the 15th century, who divided the territory into Nayak kingdoms which were Madurai, Tanjore, Gingee and Kalahasthi. In the mid-15th century they became an independent kingdom, although they continued their alliance with the Vijayanagara Empire. The Thanjavur Nayaks were notable for their patronage of literature and the arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chokkanatha Nayak</span> King of Madurai Kingdom

Chokkanatha Nayak (1662—1682) succeeded his father Muttu Alkadri Nayak, as the ruler of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, when he was sixteen years old. Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj embarked on a South campaign in 1677. He visited Golkonda and had a friendly treaty with Qutbshah. Thereafter he proceeded against Bijapur Sultanate's southern realm. After capturing Ginjee and laying siege on Velore fort, he humbled Sherkhan Lodi of Valikandpuram. Chokkanath also agreed to pay Shivaji 6 lakh hons, after much hesitation. Shivaji's half brother Ekoji Raje resisted Shivaji and asked for help from his neighbours. Although Chokkanath agreed to send his forces as did the ruler of Mysore, but eventually none of them turned up. It was obvious that none of the rulers wanted an open confrontation with the now well reputed Maratha army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vellore Fort</span> 16th-century fort in India

Vellore Fort is a large 16th-century fort situated in heart of the Vellore city, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India built by the Emperors of Vijayanagara. The fort was at one time the imperial capital of the Aravidu Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort is known for its grand ramparts, wide moat and robust masonry.

Thanjavur Marathi, also spelled as Tanjore Marathi, is a dialect of Marathi spoken by Thanjavur Maharashtrians who migrated south, along with Shivaji's half brother Venkoji, to the areas surrounding the city of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India back in the 17th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sangagiri Fort</span>

Sankagiri Fort is a historical fort maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is located 22 km from the city of Erode and 38 km from Salem. Sankari or Sankagiri is the town located around this place. The fort is 707 meters high and covers an area of 558.58 acres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pratap Singh of Thanjavur</span> Raja of Thanjavur Maratha kingdom from 1739–1763

Pratap Singh Bhonsle or Pratapsinha was the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur of the Bhonsle dynasty from 1739 to 1763. His rise to power followed three years of anarchy and civil war and restored the state to its previous greatness. His reign witnessed the Carnatic Wars and the Seven Years' War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tukkoji</span> Raja of Thanjavur Maratha kingdom from 1728–1736

Tukkoji Bhonsle (1677–1736) was the fourth Maratha ruler of Thanjavur, located in South India. He was from the Bhonsle dynasty and was the son of Ekoji I as well as the younger brother of Shahuji I and Serfoji I. Tukkoji ruled Thanjavur from 1728 to 1736.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serfoji I</span> Raja of Thanjavur Maratha kingdom from 1712–1728

Serfoji I Bhonsle (1675–1728), also spelt as Sarabhoji I Bhonsle, was the son of the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur Ekoji I and the Raja of Thanjavur from 1712 to 1728. He was the third Raja of the Bhonsle dynasty of Thanjavur. He consolidated the hold of Marathas over Thanjavur and patronised arts and literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahuji I</span> Raja of Thanjavur Maratha kingdom from 1684–1712

Shahuji I Bhonsle (b.1672) also called Shahji of the Bhonsle dynasty was the second Maratha ruler of Thanjavur. He was the eldest son of Ekoji I, who was a half brother of Shivaji, the first Maratha ruler of Thanjavur. He reigned from 1684 to 1712.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanjavur Maratha kingdom</span> Principality of Tamil Nadu

The Thanjavur Maratha kingdom ruled by the Bhonsle dynasty was a principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their native language was Thanjavur Marathi. Venkoji was the founder of the dynasty.

Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire in the Indian subcontinent. This article describes Shivaji's life from his birth until the age of 19 years (1630–1649).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Jinji</span> 1690–1698 siege

The siege of Jinji,, began when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb appointed Zulfiqar Ali Khan as the Nawab of the Carnatic and dispatched him to besiege and capture Jinji Fort, which had been sacked and captured by Maratha Empire troops led by Rajaram, they had also ambushed and killed about 300 Mughal Sowars in the Carnatic. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb then ordered Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung I to protect the supply routes leading to Jinji Fort and to support and provide reinforcements to Zulfiqar Ali Khan when needed.

Alagiri Nayak was the younger brother of the Madurai Nayak king Chokkanatha Nayak and the last Nayak king of Thanjavur. In 1675, Thanjavur was conquered by Ekoji I, the half-brother of Shivaji who founded the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.

Arni Jagir was a Jagir (estate) and a permanently settled zamindari estate that existed in the North Arcot subdivision of the North Arcot district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency in British India from 1638 to 1948.

Battle of Trichinopoly (1682) was fought between the Maratha Empire and the Kingdom of Mysore. The Maratha forces under Sambhaji and his allies, besieged and captured the city of Tiruchirappalli.

The Maratha–Mysore War (1682) was a series of battles fought between the Maratha Empire and the Kingdom of Mysore in Southern India, both of which were attempting to establish supremacy in Southern India. The Maratha forces were led by Sambhaji and the Mysore forces were led by Chikka Devaraja. The conflict resulted in the defeat of the Mysore forces by Marathas, leading to a conclusion at the Treaty of Srirangapatanam, where Chikkadevraja paid 1 Crore Honas as a war tribute to Sambhaji.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhonsle dynasty</span> Indian Marathi house

The Bhonsle dynasty are a prominent Indian Marathi royal house. They claimed descent from the Rajput Sisodia dynasty, but were likely Kunbi Marathas.

References

Vyankoji Bhosale
Preceded by Raja of Thanjavur
1675-1684
Succeeded by