Casata Maratha dei Bhonsle
Dalle aspre fortezze collinari del Maharashtra, la famiglia Bhonsle ha forgiato un impero che ha sfidato le potenze più potenti della loro epoca, lasciando dietro di sé un'eredità magnifica e turbolenta.
"प्रतिपच्चंद्रलेखेव वर्धिष्णुर्विश्व वन्दिता (Pratipacchandra-lekheva vardhiṣṇur viśva vanditā) — 'As the moon waxes from the first day, so shall our glory grow, revered by the world.'"
Quick Facts
- Years Active
- 1674–1818
- Founder
- Shivaji Bhonsle
- Region
- South Asia
- Religion
- Hinduism
Notable Rulers
Shivaji Bhonsle
Chhatrapati
Reign: 1674 – 1680
FounderShivaji Bhonsle, founder of the Maratha Empire, remains one of the most studied and debated figures in South Asian histo...
Sambhaji Bhonsle
Chhatrapati
Reign: 1681 – 1689
Sambhaji Bhonsle, the eldest son of Shivaji, inherited not only the Maratha throne but the unresolved anxieties of an em...
Rajaram Bhonsle
Chhatrapati
Reign: 1689 – 1700
Rajaram Bhonsle, the younger son of Shivaji, emerged as a pivotal yet often understated figure during one of the most pe...
Shahu I Bhonsle
Chhatrapati
Reign: 1707 – 1749
Shahu I Bhonsle, grandson of the Maratha founder Shivaji, emerged as a transformative yet enigmatic figure in the empire...
Raghoji II Bhonsle
Raja of Nagpur
Reign: 1788 – 1816
Raghoji II Bhonsle, the formidable yet ultimately beleaguered ruler of the Nagpur Bhonsle dynasty, embodied the complexi...
Documentary Chapters
Timeline
Birth of Shivaji Bhonsle
Shivaji Bhonsle, future founder of the Maratha Empire, is born at Shivneri Fort. His birth is later commemorated as a pivotal moment in Maratha history.
Coronation of Shivaji as Chhatrapati
In a grand ceremony at Raigad Fort, Shivaji is crowned as the first Chhatrapati, establishing the Bhonsle family as a royal house and legitimizing Maratha sovereignty.
Accession of Sambhaji Bhonsle
Sambhaji, Shivaji's eldest son, ascends the throne amidst internal disputes and external threats, marking the beginning of a tumultuous reign.
Execution of Sambhaji Bhonsle
After being captured by Mughal forces, Sambhaji is executed, leading to a period of crisis and resistance under his younger brother, Rajaram.
Death of Rajaram Bhonsle
Rajaram dies at Sinhagad, leaving the Maratha kingdom under the regency of his wife, Tarabai, and sparking further succession struggles.
Release and Coronation of Shahu I Bhonsle
Shahu, grandson of Shivaji, is released from Mughal captivity and crowned as Chhatrapati at Satara, ushering in a new era of expansion and consolidation.
Maratha Army Sacks Delhi
Under the leadership of Baji Rao I and with Bhonsle sanction, Maratha forces capture and sack Delhi, signaling the zenith of their military power.
Third Battle of Panipat
The Maratha confederacy suffers a catastrophic defeat at Panipat, resulting in massive casualties and the beginning of the dynasty's decline.
Treaty of Salbai
The Bhonsle and other Maratha leaders sign the Treaty of Salbai with the British East India Company, temporarily halting hostilities but ceding strategic advantage.
Second Anglo-Maratha War and Treaty of Deogaon
The Bhonsle house at Nagpur is defeated by the British and forced to sign the Treaty of Deogaon, losing significant territory and autonomy.
End of Maratha Sovereignty
The British defeat the last Maratha forces, abolish the Peshwa, and reduce the Bhonsle family to titular rulers, marking the end of their political power.
Annexation of Satara
The British annex the princely state of Satara under the Doctrine of Lapse, formally ending the last vestige of Bhonsle rule.
Connected Across The Archives
Explore specific connections to other archives—civilizations, conflicts, companies, and treaties that share history with this dynasty.
Civilization Archive
(6)Ahmednagar Sultanate
The Maratha House of Bhonsle and the Ahmednagar Sultanate's coexistence shaped South Asian power dynamics during a period of regional fragmentation.
Bijapur Sultanate
The Maratha House of Bhonsle's interactions with the Bijapur Sultanate were pivotal in shaping regional power dynamics and territorial boundaries in 17th-century South India.
Chola Civilization
The Chola Civilization's advanced governance and warfare tactics significantly influenced the Maratha House's strategic and administrative frameworks.
Golconda Sultanate
The Marathas' conflicts with the Golconda Sultanate were crucial in determining control over strategic trade routes and resources in South India.
Mughal Civilization
The Maratha Confederacy's frequent conflicts with the Mughal Empire during the 17th and 18th centuries significantly altered India's political landscape.
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire's administrative and military innovations provided a foundational model for the Maratha House's regional dominance.
Explore Related Archives
Royal dynasties shaped civilizations, waged wars, and built empires that influenced modern commerce. Continue exploring the interconnected tapestry of history.
