Prataprao Gujar
Encyclopedia
Prataprao gujar, born Kudtoji gujar, was the third royal Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) of Shivaji's army, which was probably the most successful guerilla force in 17th century India. He was given the pseudonym of Prataprao (The brave) by Shivaji in acknowledgement of his bravery in the war against Mirza raje Jaisingh.
He was a highly gifted aristocratic general, who enjoyed the trust of his king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated mughals in a famous battle of Salher.This was a major battle between mughals and marathas. His major drawback was his impulsive emotional nature.
A few months before Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Bargujar 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 Naesari. Prataprao's forces defeated and captured the opposing general in the battle. In spite of specific warnings against doing so by Shivaji, Prataprao released Bahalol Khan along troops and the seized war material, when Bahalol Khan promised not to invade Shivaji's territories again. Days after his release Bahalol Khan started preparing for a fresh invasion.
When Shivaji heard of about Prataprao decision, he was incensed and wrote an angry letter to Prataprao refusing him permission to see him till such time, 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.
One day, he learnt of Bahlol Khan camping nearby. Prataprao decided to make a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari near Kolhapur. Prataprao Gujar with 1200 troops versus 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 over-reacting 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, though, stayed back. The seven Marathas were Prataprao Gujar, Visaji Ballal, Dipoji Rautrao Vithal, Pilaji Atre, Krishnaji Bhaskar, Siddi Hilal and Vithoji Shinde. It was an impulsive decision and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a big loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the army to safer areas.
Shivaji's army avenged the death of their general, by defeating Bahlol Khan and looting his jagir (fiefdom) under the leadership of Anandrao and Hambirao Mohite.
Hambirrao Mohite became the new Sarnaubat(Commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces).
Shivaji was deeply grieved on hearing of Pratprao's death. He married his second son, Rajaram, to the daughter of Prataprao Gujar; who was later to be the Queen of the Maratha Empire,Maharani Jankibai. This event has been retold in the form of a Marathi poem "Vedaat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat" . The poem is written by famous poet Kusumagraj
. This poem has also been sung by Lata Mangeshkar
.
He was a highly gifted aristocratic general, who enjoyed the trust of his king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated mughals in a famous battle of Salher.This was a major battle between mughals and marathas. His major drawback was his impulsive emotional nature.
A few months before Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Bargujar 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 Naesari. Prataprao's forces defeated and captured the opposing general in the battle. In spite of specific warnings against doing so by Shivaji, Prataprao released Bahalol Khan along troops and the seized war material, when Bahalol Khan promised not to invade Shivaji's territories again. Days after his release Bahalol Khan started preparing for a fresh invasion.
When Shivaji heard of about Prataprao decision, he was incensed and wrote an angry letter to Prataprao refusing him permission to see him till such time, 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.
One day, he learnt of Bahlol Khan camping nearby. Prataprao decided to make a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari near Kolhapur. Prataprao Gujar with 1200 troops versus 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 over-reacting 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, though, stayed back. The seven Marathas were Prataprao Gujar, Visaji Ballal, Dipoji Rautrao Vithal, Pilaji Atre, Krishnaji Bhaskar, Siddi Hilal and Vithoji Shinde. It was an impulsive decision and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a big loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the army to safer areas.
Shivaji's army avenged the death of their general, by defeating Bahlol Khan and looting his jagir (fiefdom) under the leadership of Anandrao and Hambirao Mohite.
Hambirrao Mohite became the new Sarnaubat(Commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces).
Shivaji was deeply grieved on hearing of Pratprao's death. He married his second son, Rajaram, to the daughter of Prataprao Gujar; who was later to be the Queen of the Maratha Empire,Maharani Jankibai. This event has been retold in the form of a Marathi poem "Vedaat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat" . The poem is written by famous poet Kusumagraj
Kusumagraj
Vishnu Vāman Shirwādkar , popularly known by his pen name, Kusumāgraj , was an eminent Marathi poet, playwright, novelist, short story writer, apart from being a humanist, who wrote of freedom, justice and emancipation of the deprived, In a career spanning five decades starting in...
. This poem has also been sung by Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
.