Yesubai Bhonsale | |||||
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Maharani of Maratha Kingdom | |||||
Chief Queen Consort of the Maratha Kingdom | |||||
Tenure | 20 July 1680 – 11 March 1689 | ||||
Predecessor | Saibai Soyarabai | ||||
Successor | Jankibai Tarabai | ||||
Born | Jivubai Shirke 1658 Shringarpur, Konkan | ||||
Died | 1730 Satara, Maharashtra | ||||
Spouse | Sambhaji | ||||
Issue | Bhavani Bai Shahu I | ||||
| |||||
House | Shirke (by birth) Bhonsle (by marriage) | ||||
Father | Pilajirao Shirke | ||||
Religion | Hinduism |
Yesubai Bhonsale was the wife of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and referred to as Maharani of the Maratha Kingdom. She was second officially coronated Queen of Swarajya. She was also mother of Chhatrapati Shahu I. Later on she became Rajmata in Chhatrapati Shahu I's reign. Chhatrapati Sambhaji had shared his power with Yesubai. When Chhatrapati Sambhaji was away from the maratha capital due to battles, all the political decisions were made by her. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Yesubai was born AD 1660–61. She was the daughter of Pilaji Shirkey, who the prominent chief of Shringarpur. After Shivaji defeated the Shirkey Sardars and captured Shringarpur, Shivaji's son Sambhaji married Yesubai. [8]
After Jijabai, Yesubai is Kulmuktyar (one who can interfere in the case of justice) of Swarajya as per custom [ citation needed ]. After the execution of Sambhaji by the Emperor Aurangzeb, she announced Rajaram as the next chhatrapati of swarajya.[ citation needed ] For nearly two decades [ citation needed ], Yesubai and Shahu were held captive in Mughal custody. During this time, she displayed immense patience and resilience, ensuring her son's survival and preparing him for his future role [ citation needed ]. Eventually, in 1707, after Aurangzeb's death, a succession struggle within the Mughal Empire led to Shahu being released by Bahadur Shah I.[ citation needed ] This event marked the beginning of Shahu's rise to power and the expansion of the Maratha Kingdom. [9] [10]
Many actresses have portrayed Yesubai's life in various films and television shows produced in India. These include:
Before the capture of Sambha 'Itiqad Khan had been sent to conquer fort Rairi, the home and treasurehouse of this villain; on Saturday, the 19th October /15th Muharram he captured the fort and made the mothers, wives, daughters, and sons of Sambha and of Rama [Rajaram] prisoners.".... "The Emperor graciously ordered that tents fit for holding Sambha's mother (Shivaji's wife) and other relatives of the deceased should be set up in the gulalbdr and they should be made to alight there with all respect and privacy. Close to the misl of 'Umdat-ul-mulk, the misl of the Rani's bazar was located for her servants and dependants to live in. Annual pensions were fixed on all of them according to their position. Shahu, the nine year old elder son of Sambha, was given the mansab of 7-hazari (same tr.), the title of Raja, and a robe, a jewelled dagger, arsi, horse, elephant, kettledrums, and standard.
Emperor Aurangzeb executed Maratha King Sambhaji then dispatched Geenral Zulfiqar Khan against the new teenage King Rajaram at Raigarh (Rayyagad), southwest of Poona. Rajaram escaped and fled to Gingee (5 April). When Raigarh fortress eventually fell by treachery, Sambhaji's widow Yesu Bao and son Shahu were captured and held for 17 years (25 March-19 October 1689).
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