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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Pratap Rao Gujar ( Gurjar )
| name              = Pratap Gurjar
| image              = Prataprao Gujar.jpg
| image              = Prataprao Gujar.jpg
| caption            = Statue of Prataprao Gurjar
| caption            = Statue of Prataprao Gurjar
| birth_date        = 1615
| birth_date        = {{circa|1615}}
| birth_place        = [[Khatav]]
| birth_place        = [[Khatav]]
| death_date        = 24 February 1674
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|1674|02|24|1615|df=y}}
| death_place        = [[Nesari]]
| death_place        = [[Nesari]]
}}
}}
'''Prataprao Gujar/Gurjar''' born in [[Khatav]] which is located in [[Satara district]] to a Gurjar family. He was [[Senapati]] of [[Shivaji|Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's]] army. After his death, his daughter was married with the second son of [[Shivaji |Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] named [[Rajaram I|Rajaram]], who was later to be the [[Empress]] of the [[Maratha Empire]], [[Maharani]] [[Jankibai]] .
'''Prataprao Gurjar''' ({{circa|1615}}–24 February 1674) was the [[Senapati]] of [[Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]]'s army.<ref>{{cite book|first=Vidayanand Swami |last=Shrivastavya |title=Are Rajput-Maratha Marriages Morganatic? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l7w9AAAAIAAJ |year=1952 |publisher=D.K. Shrivastavya, 1952 |page=15,136}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bahadur)|first=Mahadev Govind Ranade (Rao|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Xouqxapyj8C&q=prataprao%20gurjar%20descend%20from%20 veer gurjar pg=PP17|title=Rise of the Maratha Power|date=1900|publisher=Punalekar & Company|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Tod|first=James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-VnUAAAAMAAJ&dq=prataprao%20gujar%20descend%20from%20Badgujar%20rajput&pg=PR3|title=Annals and Antiquities of Rajastʼhan: Or the Central and Western Gurjar States of India|date=1884|publisher=S.K. Lahiri|language=en}}</ref> 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 Mughals.
 
Prataprao Gujar was born as Kudtoji Gujar into a Gurjar family which is classified amongst immigrant family (clan) stock in [[Marathas]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Vidayanand Swami |last=Shrivastavya |title=Are Rajput-Maratha Marriages Morganatic? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l7w9AAAAIAAJ |year=1952 |publisher=D.K. Shrivastavya, 1952 |page=15,136}}</ref> 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 [[Jai Singh I|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 [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] and the [[Maratha Empire|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's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with an  invading force led by the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|Adilshahi]] General, Bahalol Khan. The Maratha Army surrounded the camp of Bahalol Khan at the village 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.


A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with the invading force led by the [[Adil Shahi dynasty|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 Prataprao's decision, he wrote an angry letter to Prataprao, refusing permission to see him until Bahlol Khan was re-captured.  


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, Prataprao learned that 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.  


On 24 February 1674, he learnt that [[Mughal Empire|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.
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.


[[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).
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. <ref>{{cite book |title=Rise of the Marathapower |last=Ranade |first=Mahadeo Govind |year=2006 |publisher=Read Books |isbn=978-1-4067-3642-7 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmhYdpc_HkUC&q=%22Prataprao+Gujar%22&pg=PA35 |access-date=2008-09-22}}</ref>
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was deeply grieved and saddened on hearing of Prataprao Gujar's death at the hands of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Rise of the Maratha Power |last=Ranade |first=Mahadeo Govind |year=2006 |publisher=Read Books |isbn=978-1-4067-3642-7 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmhYdpc_HkUC&q=%22Prataprao+Gujar%22&pg=PA35 |access-date=2008-09-22}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*[http://www.shivchhatrapati.com/warriors.php?id=Prataprao_gujar Read about Prataprao Gujar]
*[http://www.shivchhatrapati.com/warriors.php?id=Prataprao_gujar Read about Prataprao Gujar]
{{Shivaji}}
{{Maratha Empire}}


[[Category:Indian military leaders]]
[[Category:Indian military leaders]]
[[Category:People of the Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:People from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:People from Maharashtra]]

Latest revision as of 19:49, 19 December 2022


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

Prataprao Gurjar (c. 1615–24 February 1674) was the Senapati of 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 Mughals.

A few months before Chatrapati Shivaji's coronation in 1674, Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with an invading force led by the Adilshahi General, Bahalol Khan. The Maratha Army surrounded the camp of Bahalol Khan at the village 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 learned that 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[edit | edit source]

  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.

Further reading[edit | edit source]