Prataprao Gujar
Prataprao Gurjar (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' military process against the Mughals.
Pratap Gurjar | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Prataprao Gurjar | |
| Born | c. 1615 |
| Died | 24 February 1674 (aged 58–59) |
| Children | Jankibai |
A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar 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.
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.
On 24 February 1674, Prataprao learned that Bahlol Khan was camping nearby. He decided to take a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari. Prataprao Gujar, with 1,200 troops, was against Khan, with 15,000.
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.
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 Gujar's death at the hands of the Mughals.[4]
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.
- Ranade, Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Maratha Power. Read Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7. Retrieved 22 September 2008.