Bimbaji Bhonsle

Subahdar

Bimbaji Bhonsle

Subahdar
King of Ratanpur
Chhattisgarh Subah
Reign| 1758–1787
Predecessor| Mohan Singh
Successor| Chimnaji (second son of Mudhoji Bhonsle)[1]

Died| 1787
Spouses| Anandibai[2]
House| Bhonsles of Nagpur
Father| Raghoji I Bhonsle

Bimbaji Bhonsle was the youngest son of Raghoji I Bhonsle,[2] the Maratha ruler of Nagpur. Bimbaji was the ruler of Chhattisgarh on behalf of the Maharaja of Nagpur. However, he was only nominally subordinate to the Maharaja of Nagpur, as he had a separate army and court with ministers at his capital of Ratanpur.[3][4]

## Career

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Bimbaji was the youngest son of Raghoji I Bhonsle,[2] the Maratha ruler of Nagpur. Bimbaji married Anandibai, who continued to wield her influence in Chhattisgarh after her husband's death and caused small-scale unrest.[5] Raghoji I Bhonsle appointed him as the governor of Chhattisgarh in 1758. When Mohan Singh, the Haihayavanshi ruler of Chhattisgarh on behalf of Nagpur learnt about this, he prepared an army at Raipur to oppose Bimbaji but suddenly fell ill and died. Thus Bimbaji faced no opposition in assuming rule of the region.[6][7]

Bimbaji maintained order in Chhattisgarh militarily by great oppression[8] Bimbaji used to collect excess revenue to maintain the government, as well as to pay an annual tribute of Rupees 7,000 to Nagpur. But this had disadvantageous effects as the revenue of the region dropped considerably from 8 lakhs.[9] Bimbaji was constantly quarrelling with his nominal overlord at Nagpur who was also his brother. He was always chafing at his isolated.[10] On the time of First Anglo-Maratha War a Khilat was sent from Peshwa to the Mudhoji Bhonsle to invade Bengal and conquer East India Company's capital of Kolkata despite having all required assistance Raja of Nagpur was reluctant to receive the khilat however when bimbaji learnt about this he expressed his desire to invade and burn city of Calcutta but he never received any khilat in his life time.He reigned in Chhattisgarh from 1758 to 1787.[3][2] After his death, the suba system was adopted in the region.[11]

## References

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1. ^ The Nagpur State In The 18th Century.
2. ^ a b c d Jha, Makhan (1998). India and Nepal: Sacred Centres and Anthropological Researches. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-7533-081-8.
3. ^ a b Dube, Saurabh; Dube, Professor of History Center for Asian and African Studies Saurabh (1 January 1998). Untouchable Pasts: Religion, Identity, and Power among a Central Indian Community, 1780-1950. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-3687-5.
4. ^ Pradesh (India), Madhya (1965). Madhya Pradesh: Durg. Government Central Press.
5. ^ Provinces (India), Central (1909). Raipur district. Printed at the Pioneer Press.
6. ^ Pradesh (India), Madhya (1978). Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: West Nimar. Government Central Press.
7. ^ Nelson, Sir Arthur Edward (1909). Raipur District: Volume A, Descriptive. Printed at the British India Press, Byculla.
8. ^ Sevartham. St. Albert's College. 1988.
9. ^ Pradesh (India), Madhya (1965). Madhya Pradesh: Durg. Government Central Press.
10. ^ Institute, Deccan College Post-graduate and Research (1959). Monograph Series (in Marathi).
11. ^ Gajrani, S. (2004). History, Religion and Culture of India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8205-064-8.