| SenapatiAnandrao | |
|---|---|
 4th Senapati of the Maratha Empire | |
| In office 24 February 1674 – 6 June 1674 | |
| Monarch | Shivaji I |
| Preceded by | Prataprao Gujar |
| Succeeded by | Hambirrao Mohite |
| Personal details | |
| Children | Prayagji Makaji |
| Parent |
|
| Military career | |
| Service |  Maratha Army |
| Rank | Senapati |
| Unit | Senapati's Cavalry |
| Battles / wars |
See list
|
Anandrao (also Anandrau, Marathi pronunciation: [aːnənd̪ɾaːʋ]; was a Maratha general who briefly held the position of Senapati. He led several successful Maratha raids and military campaigns in the territories of the Mughal Empire and the Bijapur Sultanate, demonstrating his military skills and prowess. He assisted Prataprao Gujar in various campaigns and accompanied Chhatrapati Shivaji on numerous expeditions. In 1674, he avenged the death of Prataprao Gujar by defeating Bahlol Khan near Bankapura and looting his jagir.Later, he assisted Shivaji maharaj in Maratha southern conquest.
Early life
Little is known about the early life of Anandrao. According to Sabhasad Bakhar, he initially served Shahaji, the father of Shivaji. Later, along with Venkaji Datto, Anandrao entered the service of Shivaji himself. Shivaji appointed him as Hapt Hazaari, placing him in command of seven thousand cavalry. The Bakhar also refers to Anandrao as the "Palalela Farzand" (fostered son) of Shahaji. In a 1674 letter, he is mentioned in an assembly as "Anandrao bin Lakhmoji Naik" (meaning Anandrao, son of Lakhmoji Naik), suggesting that Lakhmoji Naik was his father. Lakhmoji Naik, who held the title of Dinkarrao, was initially in Shahaji’s service and later served Jijabai. He is sometimes referred to as Lakhmoji Raje. It is also believed that Raghoji Mitra, mentioned in the Sabhasad Bakhar, was none other than Lakhmoji Naik himself, who accompanied Shivaji to Agra. The titles "Dinkarrao" and "Mitra" both symbolize the Hindu sun god, Surya.
Military campaigns and wars
Battle of Devrukh
Military campaign of Khandesh
In August 1668, following the Treaty of Purandar, Chhatrapati Shivaji dispatched Anandrao and Prataprao Gujar with cavalry forces to serve under the Mughal prince stationed in Aurangabad. However, the treaty did not last long, and in December 1669, both commanders returned to Rajgad without informing the Subahdar of Aurangabad.
After the treaty with the Mughals was broken, Shivaji launched a large-scale military campaign against the Mughal Empire in 1670, which he had been preparing for some time. Anandrao accompanied Shivaji in this campaign. The Marathas first attacked Junnar in August 1670 and then advanced north through Nashik towards Baglan. The Maratha forces under Anandrao, successfully raided Mughal camps and outposts in the Baglan and Khandesh regions.
Second sack of Surat
Battle of Salher
Main article: Battle of SalherBattle of Umrani
Main article: Battle of UmraniSack of Sampgaon
Battle of Bankapura
Appointed as Senapati
Conquest in southern India
Main article: Shivaji's Southern CampaignSiege of Vellore
Siege of Balapur
Legacy
Several branches of the Thorat clan trace their lineage to Anandrao or assert their affiliation with his ancestral line.
References
- ^ English Records on Shivaji - 1659 to 1682, Letter of British lawyer Narayan Shenvi (Original). Shiva Charitra Karyalaya. 1931. pp. 327–330.
- ^ Apte, D. V.; Divekar, S. M. (1925). Shivcharitra Pradip, Jedhe Chronology. Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal. pp. 44–69.
- Bendrey, Vasudeo Sitaram (1967). Mahārashṭretihāsācī sādhanē, Volume I. Mumbaī Marāṭhī Granthasaṃgrahālaya.
- ^ Joshi, Shankar Narayan (1930). Shivkalin Patra Sar Sangrah, Volume II, Letter of British lawyer Narayan Shenvi (Marathi translation). p. 108-109.
- Shivaram Laxman Karandikar (1969). The Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power. Sitabai Shivram Karandikar.
- Joshi, Shankar Narayan (1960). Marāṭhekālīna samājadarzana. Itihāsa samśodhaka Saṅkarar-ava Jośī satkāra samiti. p. 95.
- Rajwade, V. K. Marāṭhyāñcyā Itihāsācī Sādhane, Volume II, Letter no. 414. Vol. XV.
- Rajwade, V. K. Marāṭhyāñcyā Itihāsācī Sādhane, Volume II, Letter no. 373. Vol. XV.
- Thorat, M. B. (1973). Aitihāsika sanadā va patre. Itihāsa Sas̃́odhana Maṇḍaḷa.