Prataprao Gujar

Commander-in-chief under Shivaji Maharaj

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Prataprao Gujar

Statue of Prataprao Gujar at Nesari, Maharashtra

3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire
Monarch| Shivaji I
Prime Minister| Moropant Trimbak Pingle
Preceded by| Netaji Palkar
Succeeded by| Anandrao
Personal details
Born| c. 1615
Died| 24 February 1674(1674-02-24) (aged 58–59)
Children| Jankibai[1]
Occupation| Commander-in-chief
Military service
Allegiance|  Maratha Empire
Branch/service|  Maratha Army
Years of service| 1666 - 1674 AD
Rank| Senapati, Sarnaubat
Unit|  Maratha cavalry
Battles/wars|

* Maratha raid of Khandesh (1670)[2]

* Battle of Salher
* Plunder of Hubli[3][4]
* Battle of Umrani
* Battle of Nesari †

Prataprao Gujar (c. 1615 – 24 February 1674) also known as Kudtoji Gujar was a Maratha general and held the position of the 3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.[5] Prataprao Gujar led Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army until 1674.

## Military career

[edit]

Prataprao Gujar raided Khandesh in 1670 and captured some forts in Baglan. He plundered Bahadurpur and riding into Berar, looted the city of Karanja.[6] From this time, Shivaji began levying chauth from the Mughal territories through which he passed.[7]

Victory at Salher

Main article: Battle of Salher

At the Battle of Salher, Prataprao Gujar routed a sizable Mughal army. The Maratha victory at Salher is seen as a watershed in their military campaigns against the formidable Mughal army.

### Confrontation with the Adil Shahis

[edit]

Main articles: Battle of Umrani and Battle of Nesari

Prataprao Gujar was later dispatched to confront the Adil Shah's invading army under the command of Bahlol Khan. During the battle, Bahlol Khan was besieged by the Maratha army and taken as a prisoner.[8] However, upon Khan’s promise not to invade Maratha territory again, Prataprao released Bahlol Khan[9] (around 15 April 1673).

However, Bahalol Khan returned again with a larger army which enraged Prataprao Gujar and he decided to attack Bahalol Khan on 24 February 1674. According to the description given by Krishnaji Ananta and the letter of the English interpreter Narayan Shenvi, dated 4 April 1674, “Prataprao attacked Bahalol Khan’s camp in Nesari with only six of his trusted battle-hardened commanders. It was a daring surgical strike which killed many in the enemy camp and demoralised the Bahlol's army. During this daring raid, Prataprao and his six lieutenants also got martyred but only after inflicting huge damage to the enemy camp”.

## Popular culture

[edit]

Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat Drama 1st Show 1977

The song "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" written by marathi poet Kusumagraj & sung by Lata Mangeshkar and the commercial drama "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" written by Bashir Momin (Kavathekar) are based on this heroic battle. The inaugural performance of the play ‘Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat’ was staged by Malganga Natya Niketan on 19th May 1977. Seeing the encouraging response to the play, Bashir Momin (Kavathekar) converted the play into a shorter version called Vaganatya, which was then performed & popularized by various Tamasha Troupes in rural Maharashtra.[10][11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Mangolkar, Manohar (1971). Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur. Popular Prakashan. p. 37.
2. ^ Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1964). The History of India, 1000 A.D-1707 A.D. Shiva Lal Sharma. p. 697.
3. ^ Sarkar, Sir Jadunath (1920). History of Aurangzib: Based on Original Sources Volume 4. Longman, Green and Company. p. 207.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
4. ^ Karandikar, Shivaram Laxman (1969). Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power. Sitabai Shivaram Karandikar. pp. XVI.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
5. ^ Ranade, Mahadeo Govind; Ranade,  Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Marathapower. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
6. ^ Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1964). The History of India, 1000 A.D-1707 A.D. Shiva Lal Sharma. p. 697.
7. ^ Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1959). The Mughal Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. p. 408.
8. ^ Sardesai, H. S. (2002). Shivaji ,The Great Maratha: Volume 2. Cosmo Publications. p. 366\. ISBN 9788177552867.
9. ^ Gupta, Pratik (August 2014). Maratha Generals and Personalities. Pratik Gupta. p. 79.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
10. ^ Dr. Sheshrao Patahde. "लोकमान्य लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर Lokamnya Lokshahir Momin Kavathekar", "Punya Nagari- a Marathi Daily", Mumbai, 28-Nov-2021
11. ^ अवलिया लोकसाहित्यिक "Sakal, a leading Marathi Daily", Pune, 20-Nov-2021

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