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| Prataprao Gujar | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Prataprao Gujar at Nesari, Maharashtra | |
| 3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire | |
| Monarch | Shivaji I |
| Prime Minister | Moropant Trimbak Pingle |
| Preceded by | Netaji Palkar |
| Succeeded by | Anandrao |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1615 |
| Died | 24 February 1674(1674-02-24) (aged 58–59) Nesari |
| Children | Jankibai |
| Occupation | Commander-in-chief |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Maratha Empire |
| Branch/service | Maratha Army |
| Years of service | 1666 - 1674 |
| Rank | Senapati, Sarnaubat |
| Unit | Maratha cavalry |
| Battles/wars |
|
Prataprao Gujar (also Kudtoji Gujar, Marathi pronunciation: [pɾət̪aːpɾaːʋ ɡud͡ʒəɾ]; c. 1615 – 24 February 1674) was a Maratha general who served as the 3rd Senapati of the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji. He commanded the Maratha Army until 1674.
Military career
Prataprao Gujar raided Khandesh in 1670 and captured some forts from the Mughals in Baglan. He plundered Bahadurpur and, riding into Berar, looted the city of Karanja. From this time, Shivaji began levying chauth from the Mughal territories through which he passed.
Victory at Salher
Main article: Battle of SalherAt the Battle of Salher, Prataprao Gujar routed a sizable Mughal army. The Maratha victory at Salher is seen as a watershed in their military campaigns against the formidable Mughal army.
Confrontation with the Adil Shahis
Main article: Battle of UmraniSee also: NesariPrataprao Gujar was later dispatched to confront the Adil Shah's invading army under the command of Bahlol Khan. During the battle, Bahlol Khan was besieged by the Maratha army and taken as a prisoner. However, upon Khan's promise not to invade Maratha territory again, Prataprao released Bahlol Khan (around 15 April 1673).
However, Bahalol Khan returned again with a larger army which enraged Prataprao Gujar and he decided to attack Bahalol Khan on 24 February 1674. According to the description given by Krishnaji Ananta and the letter of the English interpreter Narayan Shenvi, dated 4 April 1674, "Prataprao attacked Bahalol Khan's camp in Nesari with only six of his trusted battle-hardened commanders. It was a daring surgical strike which killed many in the enemy camp and demoralised the Bahlol's army. During this daring raid, Prataprao and his six lieutenants also got martyred but only after inflicting huge damage to the enemy camp".
Popular culture
Them Marathi poet Kusumagraj wrote the song "Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat" about this heroic battle, which was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The commercial drama Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat written by Bashir Momin ("Kavathekar") was also based on it. The inaugural performance of the play Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat was staged by Malganga Natya Niketan on 19 May 1977. Seeing the encouraging response to the play, Kavathekar converted the play into a shorter version called Vaganatya, which was then performed and popularized by various Tamasha Troupes in rural Maharashtra.
References
- Mangolkar, Manohar (1971). Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur. Popular Prakashan. p. 37.
- Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1964). The History of India, 1000 A.D-1707 A.D. Shiva Lal Sharma. p. 697.
- Sarkar, Sir Jadunath (1920). History of Aurangzib: Based on Original Sources. Vol. 4. Longman, Green and Company. p. 207.
- Karandikar, Shivaram Laxman (1969). Rise and Fall of the Maratha Power. Sitabai Shivaram Karandikar. pp. XVI.
- Ranade, Mahadeo Govind; Ranade, Mahadeo Govind (2006). Rise of the Marathapower. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4067-3642-7.
- Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1964). The History of India, 1000 A.D-1707 A.D. Shiva Lal Sharma. p. 697.
- Srivastava, Ashirvadi Lal (1959). The Mughal Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. p. 408.
- Sardesai, H. S. (2002). Shivaji, The Great Maratha. Vol. 2. Cosmo Publications. p. 366. ISBN 9788177552867.
- Gupta, Pratik (August 2014). Maratha Generals and Personalities. Pratik Gupta. p. 79.
- Dr. Sheshrao Patahde (28 November 2021). "लोकमान्य लोकशाहीर मोमीन कवठेकर Lokamnya Lokshahir Momin Kavathekar", Punya Nagari "a Marathi Daily", Mumbai
- अवलिया लोकसाहित्यिक Sakal, "a leading Marathi Daily", Pune, 20 November 2021
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