Prataprao Gujar

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Pratap Gurjar
Prataprao Gujar.jpg
Statue of Prataprao Gurjar
Bornc. 1615
Khatav
Died24 February 1674(1674-02-24) (aged 58–59)
Nesari

Prataprao Gurjar (c. 1615–24 February 1674) was the senapati of the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army.[1][2][3] He was an aristocratic general who enjoyed the trust of the king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated a large Mughal Army at the Battle of Salher. The victory of the Marathas at Salher is seen as a definitive turning point in their military process against the mighty force of the Mughals.

A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji'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 with 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 Prataprao's decision, he wrote an angry letter to Prataprao, refusing permission to see him until Bahlol Khan was re-captured.

On 24 February 1674, Prataprao learnt that Mughal's general Bahlol Khan was camping nearby. He decided to take a stand against Balol Khan at Nesari. Prataprao Gujar with 1,200 troops was against Khan with 15,000.

Prataprao reasoned that there was no point in taking 1,200 men to suicide with him. He left alone without asking his cavalry to charge. It was his personal honour at stake, not his army. Seeing their leader head to certain death, six other Maratha sardars joined him in the charge. They attacked the enemy camp and were slaughtered by the Mughal Army. Anandrao and Hansaji Mohite stayed back. It was an impulsive decision, and the loss of Prataprao Gujar was a significant loss to the Marathas. Anandrao Mohite managed to take the Maratha Army to safer areas.

The 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 at the hands of the Mughals.[4]

References

  1. ^ Shrivastavya, Vidayanand Swami (1952). Are Rajput-Maratha Marriages Morganatic?. D.K. Shrivastavya, 1952. p. 15,136.
  2. ^ Bahadur), Mahadev Govind Ranade (Rao (1900). veer gurjar pg=PP17 Rise of the Maratha Power. Punalekar & Company. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ Tod, James (1884). Annals and Antiquities of Rajastʼhan: Or the Central and Western Gurjar States of India. S.K. Lahiri.
  4. ^ Ranade, Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Maratha Power. Read Books. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
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