Legacy of Raghuji Bhosale I, Senasahibsubha of the Maratha Empire

He was the founder of the Bhosale family of Nagpur and an important commander in the Maratha army during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

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Raghuji Bhosale I Latest News

The Maharashtra government recently reclaimed the iconic sword of legendary Maratha warrior Raghuji Bhosale I.

Raghuji Bhosale I (1695–February 14, 1755) was the founder of the Bhosale family of Nagpur and an important commander in the Maratha army during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj had bestowed the title of ‘Senasahibsubha’ on Raghujiraje for his bravery and war strategy.
Raghujiraje Bhosale I led military campaigns against the Nawab of Bengal in 1745 and 1755 and expanded the Maratha empire to Bengal and Odisha.
Along with this, he established his dominance over the regions of Chanda, Chhattisgarh, and Sambalpur during his reign.
He also defeated the Nawabs of Cuddapah and Kurnool and established his military and political dominance in South India.
Raghujiraje Bhosale is also considered the most courageous Maratha warrior of the 18th century.

Like the Peshwe, Holkar, Gaikwad, and Scindia families, the Nagpur Bhonsle family also played a significant role in expanding the Maratha Empire.
The Nagpur branch of the Bhonsle dynasty was founded by Raghoji Bhonsle I in the early 18th century.
He expanded Maratha influence in central and eastern India, including parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
The family was one of the royal or Kshatriya clans of the Marathas, and considered itself as the descendant of Udaipur’s Sisodia Rajputs.
The Bhonsles of Nagpur were known as Hinganikar as one of their ancestors — who was probably a contemporary of Maloji, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — rehabilitated the village Beradi near Hingani in the present district of Pune.
The Nagpur Bhosales ruled over a mineral-rich region abundant in iron and copper, which were skillfully used to craft both everyday items and formidable weapons.
The quality and artistry of the weaponry crafted by the Bhosales are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship.