About 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.
Who were Nagpur Bhonsles?
- Like the Peshwa, 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.
