About Maharaja Chhatrasal:
- Maharaja Chhatrasal (4 May 1649 – 19 December 1731) was a medieval Indian warrior who fought against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and established his own kingdom in Bundelkhand.
- He belonged to the Bundela clan of Rajputs, born under Mughal supremacy but died as an independent king of an independent kingdom.
- Maharaja Chhatrasal started a revolt at the age of 22 and formed a kingdom of his own at the age of 26 against Mughal dominance.
- During the first ten years of his revolt, he conquered a large tract of land between Chitrakoot and Panna on the east and Gwalior on the west.
- His victory march continued as far as Malwa, Punjab, Rajasthan, establishing the Bundela kingdom.
- Some of the Mughal generals who were defeated by him were Rohilla Khan, Kaliq, Munawwar Khan, Sadruddin, Sheikh Anwar, Sayyid Latif, Bahlol Khan and Abdus Ahmed.
- Alliance with the Marathas:
- In 1729, Chhatrasal sought help from Peshwa Baji Rao I against the Mughal commander Muhammad Khan Bangash.
- Baji Rao I defeated Bangash and helped Chhatrasal retain his kingdom.
- In gratitude, Chhatrasal granted a portion of his territory to the Marathas, strengthening Maratha influence in central India.
- As a sign of appreciation for the Peshwa, Chhatrasal gave his daughter Mastani as a bride to Baji Rao I.
- He was not only a great warrior but an able administrator too; his governance ensured his kingdom would always have a full treasury.
- Highly respected for his sense of honour and love for his people, he was given the title of 'Maharaja' by Sant Prannath.
