Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev
Encyclopedia
Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev (1665 – 1707), 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. He was the founder of the princely state of Bhor
located in Pune
district.
family in or around 1665. His grandfather was an Officer-In-Confidence of Shahaji
and father Naro Mukund was a Sabnis of Fort Sudhagad during Shivaji’s regime. Being friendly and watchful since childhood, Shankraji became well conversant with the people and geography of the Maval
region of Maharashtra
at his very early age. In 1677 he started his career under Peshwa Moropant Pingale
and soon he was engrossed by Ramchandra Pant Amatya
for the purpose of some special assignments in the Maval region. During Sambhaji
’s regime he was awarded the post of ‘Rajadnya’ for his excellent performance in the area stipulated to him.
in 1689, Shankaraji gathered his soldiers in Maval and started attacking Mughal army nearby. Initially, he conquered the forts of Wai
and Rajgad
. Thereafter, jointly with Ramchandra Pant he captured forts of Pratapgad
, Rohida
, Torna
and Purandar
. Aurangzeb’s well known General Shaikh Nijam was also defeated by him near Sangameshwar. Jointly with Ramchandra Pant, Santaji and Dhanaji he attacked another Mughal General Sarjah Khan near Satara and vanquished his army. Rajaram was so delighted with his victories that he conferred on him the post of ‘Sacheeva’ i.e. Secretary in October1690 and additionally, he was given charge of entire Konkan
region. Thenceforth, Dhanaji was directed to work under his supervision. He was also made responsible to look after Rajaram’s Zanana (Queens) on the fort Karigad. As mentioned in the Jedhe Shakawali, he quickly shifted the Zanana to fort Sudhagad during the capture of Karigad by Alibaig, the Mughal Officer at Junnar
, and later on recaptured the fort. He also captured Fort Siddhgad located near Bhimashankar
through his subordinate Gunaji Sawant.
. Jointly with Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi
, he helped Tarabai to enable her son Shivaji II to occupy the vacant throne of Rajaram. In 1705, he captured fort Rohida
and re-annexed fort Rajgad
to the Maratha Empire
. In 1707 after Shahu’s release from Mughal camp civil war between Shahu and Tarabai commenced. Shahu appealed Shankaraji to join him or face the consequences. Shankaraji who was loyal to Tarabai was caught into a great perplexity and depression and ultimately committed suicide in November 1707 at Ambawde near Nagnath. A deeply moved Shahu appointed Shankaraji's orphan son Naro Shankar on his vacant post.
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...
rule is considered to be immensely supportive. He was the founder of the princely state of Bhor
Bhor
Bhor is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India.- Geography :Bhor is located at . It has an average elevation of 588 metres .- Demographics :...
located in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
district.
Early Life & Career
Shankaraji was born in a Deshastha BrahminDeshastha Brahmin
Deshastha Brahmins are the original and the oldest Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and some districts of northern Karnataka. The word Deshastha comes from the Sanskrit words Desha and Stha which mean inland or country and resident respectively...
family in or around 1665. His grandfather was an Officer-In-Confidence of Shahaji
Shahaji
Shahaji Raje Bhosle was an early exponent of guerilla warfare. He was the eldest son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul . He brought the house of Bhosle into prominence. The princely states of Tanjore, Kolhapur and Satara are Bhosle legacies...
and father Naro Mukund was a Sabnis of Fort Sudhagad during Shivaji’s regime. Being friendly and watchful since childhood, Shankraji became well conversant with the people and geography of the Maval
Maval
Maval or is a tehsil in Maval subdivision of Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Description:The word Maval is derived from a Marathi word Mavalati, meaning the direction in which the sun sets. This region is towards the west of Pune area. It is hilly terrain and part of the Sahyadri...
region of 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...
at his very early age. In 1677 he started his career under Peshwa Moropant Pingale
Moropant Pingale
Moreshwar Nilkanth Pingley , often referred as 'Moropant', was a senior RSS leader in India. He is merited as "हिन्दु जागरणाचा सरसेनानी", literally, "Commander of Hindu awakening"...
and soon he was engrossed 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...
for the purpose of some special assignments in the Maval region. During Sambhaji
Sambhaji
Sambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...
’s regime he was awarded the post of ‘Rajadnya’ for his excellent performance in the area stipulated to him.
Contribution to the Maratha War of Independence
After elimination of Sambhaji by AurangzebAurangzeb
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 1689, Shankaraji gathered his soldiers in Maval and started attacking Mughal army nearby. Initially, he conquered the forts of Wai
Wai
Wai or WAI may refer to:*Wai, Maharashtra, a town in India*Wai, an alternative name for the Nuristani people, speakers of the Waigali language*NO WAI, a phrase that is part of the O RLY? Internet meme.*Wai, a form of Thai greeting...
and Rajgad
Rajgad
Rajgad , literally meaning King of forts, one of the forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Pune district, the fort is approximately 1326 meters above sea level....
. Thereafter, jointly with Ramchandra Pant he captured forts of Pratapgad
Pratapgad
Pratapgad is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.-Geography:...
, Rohida
Rohida
Rohida is a village in Sirohi district of Indian state of Rajastan.Rohida is birth place of the historian Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha. In 1922 Motilal Tejawat organized Eki Movement to unit tribals at Rohida.- References :***...
, Torna
Torna
Torna may refer to:* Turňa, county of the former Kingdom of Hungary* Torna Hundred, administrative division of Skåne, Sweden* Torna Fort in Pune District, Maharashtra, India...
and Purandar
Purandar
Purandar may refer to:* Purandar tehsil - for a tehsil in Pune, Maharashtra* Purandar fort - for a fort in Pune, Maharashtra...
. Aurangzeb’s well known General Shaikh Nijam was also defeated by him near Sangameshwar. Jointly with Ramchandra Pant, Santaji and Dhanaji he attacked another Mughal General Sarjah Khan near Satara and vanquished his army. Rajaram was so delighted with his victories that he conferred on him the post of ‘Sacheeva’ i.e. Secretary in October1690 and additionally, he was given charge of entire Konkan
Konkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
region. Thenceforth, Dhanaji was directed to work under his supervision. He was also made responsible to look after Rajaram’s Zanana (Queens) on the fort Karigad. As mentioned in the Jedhe Shakawali, he quickly shifted the Zanana to fort Sudhagad during the capture of Karigad by Alibaig, the Mughal Officer at Junnar
Junnar
Junnar is a city with thousands of years of history in the Pune district of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a taluka headquarter. Situated at the base of the Sahyadri mountains, it is around 100 km east of Mumbai and 94 km north of Pune...
, and later on recaptured the fort. He also captured Fort Siddhgad located near Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar
Bhimashankar Temple is located in the village of Bhorgiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune, in India. It is located 127 km away from shivaji nagar in the Ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. It takes four hours to reach there. Bhimashankar is also the source of the Bhima river, which...
through his subordinate Gunaji Sawant.
Later Career & Death
After Rajaram’s death in 1700, Shankaraji became one of the closest advisors of Rajaram's Queen TarabaiTarabai
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...
. Jointly with Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi
Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi
Parshuram Tryambak Kinhaikar , popularly known as Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi, was a diplomat and warrior of Maratha Empire during Rajaram and Tarabai’s regime. His contribution to the Maratha war of Independence is considered to be of vital importance...
, he helped Tarabai to enable her son Shivaji II to occupy the vacant throne of Rajaram. In 1705, he captured fort Rohida
Rohida
Rohida is a village in Sirohi district of Indian state of Rajastan.Rohida is birth place of the historian Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha. In 1922 Motilal Tejawat organized Eki Movement to unit tribals at Rohida.- References :***...
and re-annexed fort Rajgad
Rajgad
Rajgad , literally meaning King of forts, one of the forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Pune district, the fort is approximately 1326 meters above sea level....
to the Maratha Empire
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....
. In 1707 after Shahu’s release from Mughal camp civil war between Shahu and Tarabai commenced. Shahu appealed Shankaraji to join him or face the consequences. Shankaraji who was loyal to Tarabai was caught into a great perplexity and depression and ultimately committed suicide in November 1707 at Ambawde near Nagnath. A deeply moved Shahu appointed Shankaraji's orphan son Naro Shankar on his vacant post.