Prataprao Gujar
Prataprao Gujar (c. 1615–24 February 1674) was the Senapati of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army and an aristocratic general.[1][2][3] He defeated a large Mughal army at the Battle of Salher, a victory that was seen as a definitive turning point in the Maratha's military process against the Mughals.[4]
Pratap Gujar | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Prataprao Gujar | |
| Born | c. 1615 |
| Died | 24 February 1674 (aged 58–59) |
| Children | Jankibai |
A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gurjar was tasked with defeating an invading force led by the Adilshahi General, Bahalol Khan. The Maratha Army surrounded the camp of Bahalol Khan at the village of Nesari and succeeded in defeating and capturing Bahalol Khan in the battle. Despite Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's warnings, Prataprao later released Bahalol Khan, his troops, and his weapons in exchange for Bahalol Khan's promise not to invade Maratha territories again.[5]
Only days after Bahalol Khan's release, Bahalol Khan began preparing to invade Maratha. When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj heard of Prataprao's decision, he wrote a letter to Prataprao, refusing permission to see him until Bahlol Khan was re-captured.[6]
On 24 February 1674, Prataprao learned that Bahlol Khan was camping nearby. He decided to take a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari. Prataprao Gurjar, with 1,200 troops, was against Khan, with 15,000.[7]
Prataprao reasoned that there would be no point in taking his men with him, as it would likely end in a loss. He left without asking his cavalry to charge. Seeing their leader head to certain death, six other Maratha sardars joined him in the charge. They attacked the enemy camp and were slaughtered by the Mughal Army. Anandrao and Hansaji Mohite stayed back. It was an impulsive decision, and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a significant loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the Maratha Army to safer areas.[8]
The Maratha Army avenged the death of their general by defeating Bahlol Khan and looting his Jagir (fiefdom) under the leadership of Anandrao and Hambirrao Mohite. Hambirrao Mohite became the new Sarnaubat (commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces).
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was deeply grieved and saddened on hearing of Prataprao Gurjar's death at the hands of the Mughals.[9]
References
- Shrivastavya, Vidayanand Swami (1952). Are Rajput-Maratha Marriages Morganatic?. D.K. Shrivastava, 1952. p. 15,136.
- Bahadur, Mahadev Govind Ranade Rao (1900). Rise of the Maratha Power. Punalekar & Company. p. 17.
- Tod, James (1884). Annals and Antiquities of Rajastʼhan: Or the Central and Western Gurjar States of India. S.K. Lahiri.
- "Battle of Salher (1672): When the Marathas Defeated the Mighty Mughals in Open Field - Dharmayudh". dharmayudh.com. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
In the year 1671, Chhatrapati Shivaji decided to eradicate the Mughal presence from the Baglan region. For this purpose, he assembled a force of 20,000 under the command of Moropant pingle and Prataprao Gujar. They captured the forts of Aundha, and Patta and also took Salher and Mulher. These setbacks from the Maratha infuriated Alamgir and in return, he sent Diler Khan to stop the rapid rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
- "Chhatrapati shivaji maharaj | Biography, History, Jayanti, Birth, children, Family, Punyatithi, Death etc. - lookout info". 17 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
In 1674, Prataprao Gujar, the Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha forces, was sent to repel the invading forces led by Bijapuri Senapati Bahlol Khan. Prataparava's forces defeated and captured the opposing general in battle, besieged the strategic lake and cut off their water supply, causing Bahlol Khan to sue for peace. Despite Shivaji's specific warnings against doing so, Prataprao released Bahlol Khan, who began preparations for a new invasion.
- "Prataprao Gujar : बहलोल खान शरण यावा म्हणून जत तालुक्यातील नदीच अडवली; असा होता प्रतापरावांचा पराक्रम!". Sakal (in Marathi). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - says, Gargi (23 July 2021). "On the history trail: The Battle of Umrani and the sacrifice of Senapati Prataprao Gujar". Retrieved 14 May 2023.
On 24 February 1674, Prataprao Gujar fell fighting like a brave warrior proving how dearly he loved his king's cause in preference to his own life. The death of their leader paralysed the army that had been left behind and their flight became a rout. Bahlol Khan pressed the pursuit with great fury until the remaining men found shelter in the fort of Panhala.
- says, Gargi (23 July 2021). "On the history trail: The Battle of Umrani and the sacrifice of Senapati Prataprao Gujar". Retrieved 14 May 2023.
A heart-wrenching defeat was turned into a decisive victory and the former victors began to flee. Thousands of Bijapur Adil Shahis were overtaken and slain. The Battle of Nesari was won comprehensively by a brave commander Hansaji Mohite and Bahlol Khan headed back to Bijapur. Maharaj extolled the marvellous bravery of Hansaji Mohite and conferred the title of Hambirrao upon him and made him Chief Military Commander. Two illustrious warriors who proved their mettle under Hansaji's command were Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav whose sterling worth was first seen and admired by Maharaj.
- Ranade, Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Maratha Power. Read Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
Bibliography
- Ronald Cohn, Jesse Russell (2012). Prataprao Gujar. Book on Demand. ISBN 978-5-511-76747-5.
- Books, LLC (2010). Military History of Maharashtr: Battles Involving the Maratha Empire, Gaekwad Dynasty, Maharajas of Kolhapur, Maharajas of Nagpur. General Books. ISBN 978-1-155-98282-3.
- Pawar, Jaysingrao (2018). MARATHESHAHICHE ANTARANG. Mehta Publishing House. ISBN 978-9-387-78923-4.