Yesubai Bhonsale

Chatrapati Maharani

Yesubai Bhonsale

Chatrapati Maharani
Queen consort of the Maratha Kingdom
Tenure| 20 July 1680 - 11 March 1689
Predecessor| Saibai
Soyarabai
Successor| Jankibai
Tarabai

Born| Jivubai Shirke
1658
Shringarpur, Konkan
Died| 1730
Satara, Maharashtra
Spouse| Sambhaji
Issue| Bhavani Bai
Shahu I
| Names

Yesubai Sambhaji Bhonsale
Regnal name
Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Yesubai Rani Saheb Bhosale
House| Shirke (before Marriage)
Bhonsle (by marriage)
Father| Pilajirao Shirke
Religion| Hinduism

Maharani Yesubai Bhonsale (née Jivubai Shirke) was the wife of Sambhaji, and referred to as Chatrapati Maharani of the Maratha Kingdom. She was also the mother of Shahu I. Sambhaji had shared with her his power as the emperor. When Sambhaji was away from the Maratha capital due to battles, all the political decisions were made by her.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] After Jijabai she is Kulmuktyar (one who can interfere in the case of justice) of Swarajya. After the execution of Sambhaji by Aurangzeb, she announced Rajaram as the next Chhatrapati of Swarajya. The Mughal Empire captured Raigad in November 1689 and arrested Maharani Yesubai and Shahu. The Mughals kept Maharani Yesubai captive to ensure that Shahu adhered to the terms of his release. She was released in 1719 when the Marathas became strong under Shahu and Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.

## In popular culture

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Many actresses have portrayed Yesubai's life in various films and television shows produced in India. These include:

* Zillu in Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1925)
* Prajakta Gaikwad in Swarajya Rakshak Sambhaji (2017–2020)[8]
* Mohini Potdar in Chhatrapati Sambhaji (2024)
* Ayesha Madhukar in Shivrayancha Chhava (2024)
* Amruta Khanvilkar in Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Part 1 (2024)[9]
* Rashmika Mandanna in Chhaava (2024)[10]

## References

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1. ^ Vaidya, Sushila (2000). Role of Women in Maratha Politics, 1620-1752 A.D. Sharada Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-85616-67-4.
2. ^ Gate, Smita (1998). Development of Women: The Maharashtra Experience in Women's Policy Implementation. Yeshwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration.
3. ^ Joshi, Pandit Shankar (1980). Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D. S. Chand.
4. ^ Mehta, Jl. Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-207-1015-3.
5. ^ G.S.Chhabra (2005). Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press. ISBN 978-81-89093-06-8.
6. ^ Mukherjee, Soma (2001). Royal Mughal Ladies and Their Contributions. Gyan Books. ISBN 978-81-212-0760-7.
7. ^ Parameswaran, Uma (2010-12-24), "Malgonkar, Manohar", The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Fiction, Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, doi:10.1002/9781444337822.wbetcfv3m004, ISBN 9781444337822, retrieved 2021-12-09
8. ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish (1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. Internet Archive. London : British Film Institute. ISBN 978-0-85170-669-6.
9. ^ Naik, Payal (2024-10-04). "'धर्मरक्षक महावीर छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज' मध्ये अमृता खानविलकर साकारणार महाराणी येसूबाई; लूक होतोय व्हायरल". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 2024-11-04.
10. ^ "Rashmika Mandanna praises Chhaava co-star Vicky Kaushal, says he was 'warm and kind, except for the last day'; the Sam Bahadur actor reacts". The Indian Express. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-11-04.