Raghoji I of Nagpur

The Bhonsale family branch of Raghoji were known as Hinganikar as they were originally chiefs from Berdi near Hingani in Pune District established by Bimbaji Bhonsle. Raghoji's great granduncle Rupaji I, great grandfather Mudhoji and grandfather Bapuji with two brothers Sabaji and Parsoji had fought in the armies of Shivaji Maharaj. Mudhoji resided in Pandavgad, ruling over a Mauza near Wai in Maharashtra, which Shivaji had granted to him as Jagir for his spectacular exploits, while his brother Rupaji I resided at Bham in the district of Yavatmal.[6] Rupaji I was childless therefore his property also passed over to Raghoji's great grandfather Mudhoji which gave Hinganikar Bhonsles a foothold in east Maharashtra for future conquests. Chhatrapati Shivaji entrusted high military command and the collection of chauth (tribute) in Berar to the most distinguished of them. Mudhoji's son Sabaji was given villages of Rakhswari and Poorkikotar however it was Parsoji who attained highest position in the family.

During Mughal-Maratha Wars the title of Senasahibsubha (meaning Master of provinces and armies) was bestowed on Parsoji Bhonsle by Chhatrapati Rajaram Bhonsle along with rights to regions of Devgad, Gondwana, Chanda and Varhad from where he could exact tribute. Bapuji only had one son Bimbaji who was the father of Raghuji I. Parsoji had three sons; Santaji, Kanhoji and Ranoji each with a distinguished career. Santaji was part of various campaigns of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the other commanders, till his murder in Delhi during the 1719 campaign to depose Farrukhsiyar led by Senapati Khanderao Dabhade. Ranoji was given title of Sawai Santaji (meaning Superior Santaji) along with other compensations for the loss of his brother's life. In 1722, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj presented Badnera and Amravati to Ranoji Bhonsle, further extending presence of Hinganikar Bhonsles in east. Kanhoji went on to secure the family title of Senasahibsubha and paved the way for future conquests by ruling for 20 years. The lesser prominent Bimbaji Bhonsle was without a son until one was finally born, who Bimbaji believed to be a result of prayers of a pious Vaishnava saint Ramajipant. On those grounds Bimbaji named his son Raghuji (Raghava) after the avatar of Vishnu Rama.[7][8]

Bimbaji died shortly after his son was born, and Raghuji grew up with his mother Kashibai and grandmother Baijabai at the same Pandavavadi near Wai. On attaining maturity Raghuji served under his uncle Ranoji as a Shiledar (cavalryman) at Amravati, participating in various military operations. His uncle Senasahibsubha Kanhoji Bhonsle based at Bham, sixteen miles south of Yavatmal, invited him to his fief as he was heirless up to that point.

Senasahibsubha Kanhoji looked after and mentored Raghuji, who was the son of his cousin Bimbaji, with hopes of gradually passing his duties to him. But after the birth of his son Rayaji Bhonsle, his plans for adopting Raghuji ended and their relations were disrupted. Raghuji then left his uncle and travelled with 100 horsemen to offer his services to Gond Kingdom of Devgad, then under rule of Chand Sultan, where he fought for many years and familiarised himself with local politics. Eventually Raghuji returned to Satara to directly serve the Chhatrapati Shahu Bhonsle. Raghuji's status dramatically escalated when he bravely slew a maneater tiger which threatened Shahu's life during a hunting expedition. Following this Shahu bestowed many rewards on Raghuji, most importantly arranging the marriage of his own Shirke clan wife Rani Sagunabai's sister Salubai to Raghuji. This further bound the Chhatrapati Bhonsle and the Senasahibsubha Bhonsle families.[9]

This was simultaneously followed with the Senasahibsubha Kanhoji Bhonsle's downfall who had entered into talks with the Nizam. For further examination he was invited by Chhatrapati Shahu to Satara. On 23rd August 1725 Kanhoji left Satara without permission, fleeing the officers sent after him. After 3 years of distant correspondence, Chhatrapati Shahu finally appointed Raghuji Bhonsle as the new Senasahibsubha in 1728.

Following Raghuji's appointment to the post of Senasahibsubha, Chhatrapati Shahu granted him the sanads for Berar and Gondwana and the right to extend the levy of chauthai to Chhatisgarh, Patna in Bihar, Allahabad in Awadh Subah and Maksudabad in Bengal Subah serving as directives for his conquests.[10]

Raghuji's first campaign as Senasahibsubha was to bring his uncle Kanhoji to justice and restore centralization in the eastern provinces for which he was deployed with an army of 30,000 cavalry. Raghuji's armies roved in all directions exacting the pending Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, which served as return of central authority over the lands. In 1731 Raghuji Bhonsle killed Isa Khan and seized all the villages in Kherla as well as the Fort of Salbardi.[11] Raghuji followed this by defeating Shujayat Khan of Akola, the deputy of the Nawab of Ellichpur and subjugated his territory. In this duration Kanhoji and prepared countermeasures by fortification of his base at Bham. Raghuji received the aid of his uncle Sawai Santaji Ranoji Bhonsle of Amravati. The two armies jointly besieged the fort of Bham and killed Kanhoji's general Tukoji Gujar. The death of Kanhoji's general Tukoji Gujar broke Kanhoji's patience and he fled from the fort, closely pursued by cavalry of Senasahibsubha and Sawai Santaji. Raghuji and Ranoji overtook Kanhoji at Mandar near Yavatmal and defeated him in the fight. Kanhoji was imprisoned in the fort of Satara while his son Rayaji continued at Bham.[12]

The tensions regarding Rayaji and Raghuji's rights over Senasahibsubha post ended only by 1748 when Rayaji died childless ensuring the supremacy of Raghuji Bhonsle's line. Shahu Chhatrapati then bestowed the authority to impose chauthai and mokasa of prominent Mughal cities and regions like Lucknow, Allahabad in Awadh, Murshidabad in Bengal Subah, Berar (claimed by Nizam), Bitia in Malwa Subah, Hajipur and Patna in Bihar Subah (under Nawab of Bengal Subah) and of the Gond Kingdoms of Devagad, Gadha, Bhavargad and Chanda. This ensured the direction of Raghuji's future expansions.[13]

Main entrance of the Nagardhan fort, Nagardhan Fort near Nagpur city, commissioned by Raghoji Bhonsale.

Bold and decisive in action, Raghuji was the archetype of a Maratha leader; he saw in the troubles of other states an opening for his own ambition, and did not even require a pretext for invasion. Twice his armies occupied Bengal, and it was he who attained the conquest of Cuttack. Chanda, Chhattisgarh, and Sambalpur were added to his dominions between 1745 and 1755, the year of his death. He was succeeded by his son Janoji Bhonsle.[8]

King of Nagpur Raghuji Bhonsle died on February 14, 1755. Six wives and seven concubines of Raghuji Bhonsle are said to have immolated themselves on his funeral pyre. Other chronicles record 8 of his 13 wives and innumerable concubines conducted Sati.[29] He left behind four legitimate sons Janoji, Mudhoji, Sabaji and Bimbaji and one known natural son Mohansingh.

• Hunter, William Wilson, Sir, et al. (1908). Imperial Gazetteer of India 1908-1931; Clarendon Press, Oxford.

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