Following the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in April 1680, the fledgling Maratha Empire faced an intense internal succession crisis at its capital, Raigad Fort. Factions led by Soyarabai and senior court ministers briefly placed her young son Rajaram on the throne, bypassing Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son born to Chhatrapati Shivaji and his late first queen consort, Maharani Saibai.
Stationed at Panhala Fort, Sambhaji acted decisively to assert his legitimate right to the throne. Supported by key military commanders, including Commander-in-Chief Hambirrao Mohite, Sambhaji secured the army's loyalty and marched to Raigad. After stabilizing court politics and pardoning key conspirators, Sambhaji formally conducted his grand coronation (Rajyabhisheka) at Raigad Fort, officially ascending as the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha realm.
Sambhaji’s ascension fulfilled the royal legacy of Maharani Saibai and ensured continuous administrative leadership. His reign maintained the strategic trajectory established by his father, embarking on an unrelenting decade of military opposition against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's full-scale invasion of the Deccan, preserving Maratha independence during its most vulnerable operational phase.
Why it matters
Sambhaji Maharaj's ascension to the Maratha throne secured political continuity and preserved state stability during a perilous leadership vacuum following Shivaji's death. As the son of Maharani Saibai, Sambhaji carried forward his mother’s royal bloodline and demonstrated immense military prowess, effectively holding off the immense military might of the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb. His enthronement prevented the collapse of the young Maratha state, ensuring that the dream of Swarajya survived through aggressive, resilient resistance against foreign domination.
Interesting fact
Sambhaji Maharaj was not only a formidable military commander but also an accomplished scholar fluent in Sanskrit and several other languages, authoring the acclaimed Sanskrit treatise 'Budhabhushanam' in his youth.
People
- Sambhaji MaharajSecond Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, son of Saibai and Shivaji
- Hambirrao MohiteCommander-in-Chief (Senapati) of the Maratha army
- SoyarabaiStep-mother of Sambhaji Maharaj
- Rajaram IHalf-brother of Sambhaji Maharaj
- Kavi KalashKey advisor and scholar in Sambhaji's court
Gallery
Location
Raigad Fort · Raigad · India
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