Prataprao Gujar

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Pratap Rao Gujar ( )
Prataprao Gujar.jpg
Statue of Prataprao Gurjar
Born1615
Khatav
Died24 February 1674
Nesari

Prataprao Gujar/ born in Khatav which is located in Satara district to a Marathi family. He was Senapati of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. After his death, his daughter was married with the second son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj named Rajaram, who was later to be the Empress of the Maratha Empire, Maharani Jankibai .

Prataprao Gujar was born as Kudtoji Gujar into a Maratha Kshatriya family which is classified amongst immigrant family (clan) stock in Marathas.[1] He was the third royal Senapati of King Chatrapti's army . He was given the title of Prataprao (the brave) by King chatrapti in acknowledgement of his bravery in the war against Mirza Jai Singh.

He was a highly gifted aristocratic general, who enjoyed the trust of his king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated a large Mughal Army at the famous Battle of Salher. Salher was a major battle between the Mughals and the Marathas, and the first large-scale pitched battle between the two in open field. The victory of the Marathas at Salher is seen as a definitive turning point in their military prowess against the mighty force of the Mughals. Prataprao Gujar's major drawback was his impulsive emotional nature.

A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with the invading force led by the Adilshahi General Bahalol Khan. The Maratha Army surrounded the camp of Bahalol Khan at the place of Nesari. Prataprao's forces defeated and captured the opposing general in the battle. In spite of specific warnings against doing so by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Prataprao released Bahalol Khan along troops and the seized war material, when Bahalol Khan promised not to invade Maratha territories again. Days after his release, Bahalol Khan started preparing for a fresh invasion.

When Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj heard of about Prataprao decision, he was incensed and wrote an angry letter to Prataprao refusing him permission to see him till such time, until Bahlol Khan was re-captured. Prataprao realised his mistake and was so upset about what he had done that he now wanted to capture Bahlol Khan at any cost.

On 24 February 1674, he learnt that Mughal general Bahlol Khan was camping nearby. Prataprao decided to make a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari. Prataprao Gujar with 1200 troops were against Khan with 15000. So, Prataprao reasoned that there was no point in taking 1200 men to suicide with him. So, in a fit of anger and overreacting to the letter, he left alone, without asking his cavalry to charge. It was his personal honour at stake, not his army. On seeing their leader head to certain death, 6 other Maratha sardars joined him in the charge, they attacked the enemy camp, and were slaughtered. Anandrao and Hansaji Mohite stayed back. It was an impulsive decision and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a big loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the Maratha Army to safer areas.

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).

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was deeply grieved and saddened on hearing of Prataprao Gujar's death. [2]

References[]

  1. ^ Shrivastavya, Vidayanand Swami (1952). Are Rajput-Maratha Marriages Morganatic?. D.K. Shrivastavya, 1952. p. 15,136.
  2. ^ Ranade, Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Marathapower. Read Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
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