Soyarabai

In today's world, Soyarabai is a topic that has become relevant in different areas of society. From its impact on people's daily lives to its influence on the economy and politics, Soyarabai has become a fundamental element to take into account today. Over the years, Soyarabai has generated debates, controversies and different positions that have marked the way we perceive it and relate to it. In this article, we will delve into the different aspects surrounding Soyarabai, from its origin to its impact on today's society, analyzing its importance and the implications it has on our daily lives.

For 14th century Varkari saint, see Sant Soyarabai.

Soyarabai Bhonsale
Maharani
Chief Queen Consort of the Maratha Kingdom
Tenure6 June 1674 – 3 April 1680
PredecessorSaibai
SuccessorYesubai
BornSoyarabai Mohite
1634
Died1681
Raigad Fort, Maharashtra
SpouseShivaji
IssueDeepa Bai
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj
Names
Soyarabai Shivajiraje Bhonsale
Regnal name
Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Soyarabai Rani Saheb Bhosale
HouseMohite (before Marriage)
Bhonsle (by marriage)
FatherSambhaji Mohite
ReligionHinduism

Soyarabai Bhosale (née Mohite) was the second wife of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire in western India. She was the mother of Shivaji Maharaj's second son, Rajaram. She was the younger sister of the Maratha army chief, Hambirrao Mohite.

Early life

Soyarabai was the daughter of Sambhaji Mohite, whose sister Tukabai was the second wife of Shahaji. The precise date of Soyarabai's marriage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unclear, but various sources give the years as 1642, 1650 and 1660.[1][2] In all probability, Soyarabai was married before 1650.[3] The marriage took place when Shivaji visited his father Shahaji at Bangalore with his mother Jijabai. Tukabai, the stepmother of Shivaji and paternal aunt of Soyarabai, insisted on the marriage.

After the death of Saibai in 1659 and Jijabai in 1674, Soyarabai gained prominence in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's family and, by extension, in the politics of the Maratha court.[4] Soyrabai bore Shivaji two children: a daughter Balibai and son Rajaram.[citation needed]

After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's death

Contemporary Maratha court chronicles such as Parmananda relate that, in initial phases, Soyarabai herself was against the court ministers performing the coronation of her son Rajaram. Sambhaji is recorded as testifying that, "the ministers of Shivaji were against him (Sambhaji). They poisoned the mind of Empress Soyarabai by saying that the eldest son of Shivaji (Sambhaji) should not be allowed to inherit the throne".[5][6] Sambhaji was not informed of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's death by these ministers, and he was absent at Raigad when Shivaji was cremated. After Shivaji's death in 1680, with the help of those treacherous courtiers, Soyarabai finally got her son, the ten-year-old prince Rajaram, seated on the vacant throne on 21 April 1680.[7] Her stepson and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's heir apparent Sambhaji, was able to remove Rajaram and Soyarabai from power with the help of Soyarabai's own brother and the Maratha Sarsenapati (General) Hambirrao Mohite. He imprisoned the courtiers opposing him and formally assumed power as the Chhatrapati on 20 July 1680.[8] Soyarabai's henchmen tried to poison Sambhaji in August 1681, but he survived and executed the criminals, installing their sons on their posts instead.[citation needed]

In a letter dated 27 October 1681, written by British Bombay council to Surat, they claim that "Ramrajah's Mother (Soyra Bai) is dead by report, poisoned by Shambhuji Rajah's contrivance "[9] This has been declared a myth by various reputed scholars such as Dr. Sadashiv Shivade and Vasudeo Sitaram Bendrey, as Soyarabai died a year and a half after this date of her alleged murder and was cremated by Chhatrapati Sambhaji himself.[10][11]

After Sambhaji's death at the hands of the Mughals, Rajaram did become the next Chhatrapati, carrying forward the continuous war of the Marathas against the Mughals.

References

  1. ^ Jaswant Lal Mehta (1 January 2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. pp. 48–. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
  2. ^ PAWAR, Dr JAYSINGRAO (1 March 2018). SHIVCHATRAPATI: EK MAGOVA (in Marathi). Mehta Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-87789-16-6.
  3. ^ N C Kelkar. Shivaji Nibandhavali Vol.i.
  4. ^ Sushila Vaidya (1 January 2000). Role of women in Maratha politics, 1620-1752 A.D. Sharada Pub. House. ISBN 978-81-85616-67-4. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  5. ^ Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, C. 1675-1761 A.D.,Śālinī Pāṭīla, pg 22
  6. ^ Shivaji Maharaja Maratha Chhatrapati In Bharat-varsha, Anant V. Darwatkar, p.180
  7. ^ . Gordon, Stewart (1993). The Marathas 1600–1818 (1st publ. ed.). New York: Cambridge University. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-521-26883-7. Retrieved 5 June 2016
  8. ^ Jaswant Lal Mehta (1 January 2005). Advanced study in the history of modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  9. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir (1979) . The house of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Studies and documents on Maratha history, Royal period. Orient Longman. pp. 197, 198. ISBN 0-86131-086-1. OCLC 153928919.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ जिंजीचा प्रवास, VS Bendrey, pg. 6
  11. ^ ज्वलज्वलनतेजस संभाजीराजा by Dr Sadashiv Shivade
  12. ^ "Ashutosh Rana and Divya Dutta roped in for Laxman Utekar's 'Chhawa' - Exclusive!". The Times of India. 11 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Elakshi Gupta to reprise role of Soyarabai in 'Veer Murarbaji' after 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'; says, "I feel fortunate to portray it for the second time I feel now I resonate more deeply to it.."". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.

See also