Dhanaji Jadhav
Encyclopedia
Dhanaji Shambhusinha Jadhav (1650 – 1708), popularly known as Dhanaji Jadhav, was one of the great warriors of the Maratha Empire
. His name became inseparable from the name of Santaji Ghorpade
with whom he made terrifying campaigns against Mughal Army
continuously from 1689 to 1696. After Santaji, Dhanaji became the chief of the Maratha army in 1696 and remained on the post until his death in 1708.
family from Sindkhed claiming to have been descended from the Yadavas of devagiri. Dhanaji’s grandfather Santaji was brought up by Shivaji’s mother Jijabai after assassination of his father Achloji who was Jijabai’s brother. Santaji’s son Shambhusinha (Sambhaji) also was brought up by Jijabai with her son Shivaji after his death during the battle at Pavan Khind, He sacrificed his life. He was one more great Maratha whose name is not much known in history. (This was the battle where Veer Baji Prabhu Deshpande also sacrificed his life.)
.
In the battles at Umbrani and Nesari, Dhanaji’s performance attracted attention of Shivaji for the first time.
He was named by Shivaji on his death bed among six pillars of Maratha Empire who would save the kingdom in hard times.
In September 1689 along with Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji attacked Aurangzeb
’s General Shekh Nizam who had blockaded Maratha fort in Kohlapur Panhala
. Nizam was dealt a severe beating and most of his supplies, horses and elephants were captured.
During 1689 – 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji were directed to prevent the Mughal
army in Maharashtra
to enter into Karnataka
after Rajaram’s flight to Gingee
. On 25 May 1690, Sarjahkhan alias Rustamkhan was defeated and captured near Satara by Ramchandra Pant Amatya
, Shankaraji Narayan, Santaji and Dhanaji and this defeat proved to be a big blow to Aurangzeb
.
In the month of December in the same year, Santaji and Dhanaji were promoted and were placed respectively under the supervision of Ramchandra Pant Amatya
and Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev
.
In the last quarter of 1692, Dhanaji and Santaji were sent to Karnataka
to beat back the Mughal blockade of the new Maratha capital of Gingee
.
On the way south to Karnataka
on 8 October 1692, Dharwad
was captured and annexed by 7000 Maratha
soldiers under both of them.
In December 1692, the Mughal army under Zulfikhar Ali Khan around fort Gingee
was beaten soundly by Santaji and Dhanaji as a result of which Zulfikhar Ali Khan had to approach to king Rajaram for accommodation and compromise.
On 9th January 1693, Dhanaji captured Aurangazeb’s General Ismailkhan Makha, arrested him and took him to Gingee
.
After lengthy negotiations with Rajaram, Zulfikhar Ali Khan was granted a safe passage out in March 1693 which Santaji did not like. He argued with Rajaram and left the place without his permission as a result of which Dhanaji was given tentative charge of the army chief. Santaji, however, soon resumed his duties.
In September 1695 during a great battle against the Mughals at Chandan Vandan, Dhanaji lost one of his sons on the battlefield.
On 20 November 1695, Kasimkhan; Aurangzeb’s powerful General in Karnataka
, was attacked, defeated and killed by Santaji and Dhanaji at Doderi near Chitradurga
.
In December 1695, Dhanaji was defeated in a battle near Vellore
by Zulfikhar Ali Khan.
In June 1696, by order of Rajaram, Dhanaji attacked Santaji for his rebellion near Vriddhachalam but was forced to retreat.
Soon thereafter Santaji was officially sacked and his charge was given to Dhanaji again.
In March 1697, Dhanaji defeated Santaji at Dahigaon with the help of Hanmantrao Nimbalkar.
In November 1703, Aurangzeb opened talks with Dhanaji through his son Kambaksh to handover Shahu to him. The talks, however, could not succeed due to the so-called extravagant demands by Dhanaji made on behalf of the Maratha king.
In 1705, Maratha army containing about 40,000 soldiers headed by Dhanaji, Dado Malhar and Rambhaji Nimbalkar smashed into Surat
and looted entire region of Gujrat
up to Bharoch.
Dhanaji also vanquished the Mughal army under Nazar Ali, the Nawab of Baroda, at Ratanpur and brought huge treasure to Maharashtra
.
In 1708, with mediation by his assistant Balaji Vishwanath
(who would later become Peshwa in 1713) Dhanaji left Tarabai
and joined hands with Shahu at Khed.
Soon thereafter he died.His Monument is in pethvadgaon,Dist-Kolhapur. Subsequently, his son Chandrasen was placed on his post.
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
. His name became inseparable from the name of Santaji Ghorpade
Santaji Ghorpade
Santaji Mhaloji Ghorpade, popularly known as ‘Santaji’ or ‘Santaji Ghorpade’, was one of the greatest warriors and the chief General of the Maratha Empire during Chhatrapati Rajaram’s regime. His guerrilla technique of war is supposed to be the best besides that of Shivaji and Bajirao...
with whom he made terrifying campaigns against Mughal Army
Mughal Army
The Mughal Army was the army of the Mughal Empire.Mirza Najaf Khan was commander in chief of the Mughal Army from 1772 till his death in April 1782.The art of Mughal warfare brought about a complete change in the way wars were fought in the Indian...
continuously from 1689 to 1696. After Santaji, Dhanaji became the chief of the Maratha army in 1696 and remained on the post until his death in 1708.
Background
Dhanaji was born in or around 1650, to the historical JadhavJadhav
Jadhav is the name of a Maratha clan located largely in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and other regions of north-western India.- Origin :...
family from Sindkhed claiming to have been descended from the Yadavas of devagiri. Dhanaji’s grandfather Santaji was brought up by Shivaji’s mother Jijabai after assassination of his father Achloji who was Jijabai’s brother. Santaji’s son Shambhusinha (Sambhaji) also was brought up by Jijabai with her son Shivaji after his death during the battle at Pavan Khind, He sacrificed his life. He was one more great Maratha whose name is not much known in history. (This was the battle where Veer Baji Prabhu Deshpande also sacrificed his life.)
Early career
At an early age, Dhanaji joined Maratha army under Shivaji’s Military Chief Prataprao GujarPrataprao Gujar
Prataprao gujar, born Kudtoji gujar, was the third royal Sarnaubat of Shivaji's army, which was probably the most successful guerilla force in 17th century India...
.
In the battles at Umbrani and Nesari, Dhanaji’s performance attracted attention of Shivaji for the first time.
He was named by Shivaji on his death bed among six pillars of Maratha Empire who would save the kingdom in hard times.
Contribution to the Maratha War of Independence
At the beginning of the Rajaram’s regime, Dhanaji was a Pancha Hajari, a chief of 5,000 soldiers.In September 1689 along with Santaji Ghorpade, Dhanaji attacked Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
’s General Shekh Nizam who had blockaded Maratha fort in Kohlapur Panhala
Panhala
Panhala is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council 18 km northwest of Kolhapur, in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharastra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the Panhala fort commands...
. Nizam was dealt a severe beating and most of his supplies, horses and elephants were captured.
During 1689 – 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji were directed to prevent the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
to enter into Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
after Rajaram’s flight to Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
. On 25 May 1690, Sarjahkhan alias Rustamkhan was defeated and captured near Satara by Ramchandra Pant Amatya
Ramchandra Pant Amatya
Ramchandra Neelkanth Bahutkar , also known as Ramchandra Pant Amatya, was the youngest member of the Council of Ministers to Emperor Shivaji dating from 1674 to 1680. He also served as the Imperial Regent to Chhatrapati Sambhaji, Rajaram, Shivaji II and Sambhaji II...
, Shankaraji Narayan, Santaji and Dhanaji and this defeat proved to be a big blow to Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
.
In the month of December in the same year, Santaji and Dhanaji were promoted and were placed respectively under the supervision of Ramchandra Pant Amatya
Ramchandra Pant Amatya
Ramchandra Neelkanth Bahutkar , also known as Ramchandra Pant Amatya, was the youngest member of the Council of Ministers to Emperor Shivaji dating from 1674 to 1680. He also served as the Imperial Regent to Chhatrapati Sambhaji, Rajaram, Shivaji II and Sambhaji II...
and Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev
Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev
Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev , also known as ‘Shankaraji Narayan’, was one of the most popular warriors and diplomats during Chhatrapati Rajaram’s regime. His contribution to the war of independence against Mughal rule is considered to be immensely supportive...
.
In the last quarter of 1692, Dhanaji and Santaji were sent to Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
to beat back the Mughal blockade of the new Maratha capital of Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
.
On the way south to Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
on 8 October 1692, Dharwad
Dharwad
Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
was captured and annexed by 7000 Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
soldiers under both of them.
In December 1692, the Mughal army under Zulfikhar Ali Khan around fort Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
was beaten soundly by Santaji and Dhanaji as a result of which Zulfikhar Ali Khan had to approach to king Rajaram for accommodation and compromise.
On 9th January 1693, Dhanaji captured Aurangazeb’s General Ismailkhan Makha, arrested him and took him to Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
.
After lengthy negotiations with Rajaram, Zulfikhar Ali Khan was granted a safe passage out in March 1693 which Santaji did not like. He argued with Rajaram and left the place without his permission as a result of which Dhanaji was given tentative charge of the army chief. Santaji, however, soon resumed his duties.
In September 1695 during a great battle against the Mughals at Chandan Vandan, Dhanaji lost one of his sons on the battlefield.
On 20 November 1695, Kasimkhan; Aurangzeb’s powerful General in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, was attacked, defeated and killed by Santaji and Dhanaji at Doderi near Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
.
In December 1695, Dhanaji was defeated in a battle near Vellore
Vellore
Vellore It is considered one of the oldest cities in South India and lies on the banks of the Palar river on the site of Vellore Fort. The city lies between Chennai and Bangalore and the Temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati...
by Zulfikhar Ali Khan.
In June 1696, by order of Rajaram, Dhanaji attacked Santaji for his rebellion near Vriddhachalam but was forced to retreat.
Soon thereafter Santaji was officially sacked and his charge was given to Dhanaji again.
In March 1697, Dhanaji defeated Santaji at Dahigaon with the help of Hanmantrao Nimbalkar.
Later career and death
In 1700 after the death of Rajaram, his illegitimate son Raja Karna was placed on his throne by his Ministers with the help of Dhanaji. However, Raja Karna died of smallpox within 3 weeks.In November 1703, Aurangzeb opened talks with Dhanaji through his son Kambaksh to handover Shahu to him. The talks, however, could not succeed due to the so-called extravagant demands by Dhanaji made on behalf of the Maratha king.
In 1705, Maratha army containing about 40,000 soldiers headed by Dhanaji, Dado Malhar and Rambhaji Nimbalkar smashed into Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
and looted entire region of Gujrat
Gujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
up to Bharoch.
Dhanaji also vanquished the Mughal army under Nazar Ali, the Nawab of Baroda, at Ratanpur and brought huge treasure to Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.
In 1708, with mediation by his assistant Balaji Vishwanath
Balaji Vishwanath
Balaji Vishwanath Bhat , better known as Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, was the first of a series of hereditary Peshwas hailing from the Brahmin family who gained effective control of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century...
(who would later become Peshwa in 1713) Dhanaji left Tarabai
Tarabai
Tarabai was a queen of the Maratha Empire in India. Her husband was Chhatrapati Rajaram, son of Shivaji. Tarabai was the daughter of the famed Maratha general Hambirao Mohite...
and joined hands with Shahu at Khed.
Soon thereafter he died.His Monument is in pethvadgaon,Dist-Kolhapur. Subsequently, his son Chandrasen was placed on his post.