# Yesubai Bhonsale

Yesubai Bhonsale (née Jivubai / Rajau / Rajasa Shirke) was the wife of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and referred to as Maharani of the Maratha Kingdom. She was second officially coronated Queen of Swarajya. She was also mother of Chhatrapati Shahu I. Later on she became Rajmata in Chhatrapati Shahu I's reign. Chhatrapati Sambhaji had shared his power with Empress Yesubai. When Chhatrapati Sambhaji was away from the maratha capital due to battles, all the political decisions were made by her.

## Life

Yesubai was born AD 1660–61. She was the daughter of Pilaji Shirkey, who the prominent chief of Shringarpur. After Shivaji defeated the Shirkey Sardars and captured Shringarpur, Shivaji's son Sambhaji married Yesubai.
After Jijabai, Yesubai is Kulmuktyar (one who can interfere in the case of justice) of Swarajya as per custom. After the execution of Sambhaji by the Emperor Aurangzeb, she announced Rajaram as the next chhatrapati of swarajya. For nearly two decades, Yesubai and Shahu were held captive in Mughal custody. During this time, she displayed immense patience and resilience, ensuring her son's survival and preparing him for his future role. Eventually, in 1707, after Aurangzeb's death, a succession struggle within the Mughal Empire led to Shahu being released by Bahadur Shah I. This event marked the beginning of Shahu's rise to power and the expansion of the Maratha Empire.

## In popular culture

Many actresses have portrayed Yesubai's life in various films and television shows produced in India. These include:
* Zillu in Chhatrapati Sambhaji (1925)
* Prajakta Gaikwad in Swarajya Rakshak Sambhaji (2017–2020)
* Mohini Potdar in Chhatrapati Sambhaji (2024)
* Ayesha Madhukar in Shivrayancha Chhava (2024)
* Amruta Khanvilkar in Dharmarakshak Mahaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj: Chapter 1 (2024)
* Rashmika Mandanna in Chhaava (2025)

## Citations

* ↑ (Vaidya 2000, p. 8-9, 101-127)
* ↑ Gate, Smita (1998). Development of Women: The Maharashtra Experience in Women's Policy Implementation. Yeshwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration.
* ↑ Joshi, Pandit Shankar (1980). Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 A.D. S. Chand.
* ↑ Mehta, Jl. Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-207-1015-3.
* ↑ G.S.Chhabra (2005). Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press. ISBN 978-81-89093-06-8.
* ↑ Mukherjee, Soma (2001). Royal Mughal Ladies and Their Contributions. Gyan Books. ISBN 978-81-212-0760-7.
* ↑ Parameswaran, Uma (2010-12-24), "Malgonkar, Manohar", The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Fiction, Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, doi:10.1002/9781444337822.wbetcfv3m004, ISBN 9781444337822, retrieved 2021-12-09
* ↑ (Vaidya 2000, p. 101)
* ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath (1947). Maasir I Alamgiri (1658-1707). pp. 199, 200. Before the capture of Sambha 'Itiqad Khan had been sent to conquer fort Rairi, the home and treasurehouse of this villain; on Saturday, the 19th October /15th Muharram he captured the fort and made the mothers, wives, daughters, and sons of Sambha and of Rama [Rajaram] prisoners.".... "The Emperor graciously ordered that tents fit for holding Sambha's mother (Shivaji's wife) and other relatives of the deceased should be set up in the gulalbdr and they should be made to alight there with all respect and privacy. Close to the misl of 'Umdat-ul-mulk, the misl of the Rani's bazar was located for her servants and dependants to live in. Annual pensions were fixed on all of them according to their position. Shahu, the nine year old elder son of Sambha, was given the mansab of 7-hazari (same tr.), the title of Raja, and a robe, a jewelled dagger, arsi, horse, elephant, kettledrums, and standard.
* ↑ Jaques, Tony; Showalter, Dennis Edwin (2007). Dictionary of battles and sieges: a guide to 8500 battles from Antiquity through the twenty-first century. Westport (Conn.): Greenwood press. p. 837. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Emperor Aurangzeb executed Maratha King Sambhaji then dispatched Geenral Zulfiqar Khan against the new teenage King Rajaram at Raigarh (Rayyagad), southwest of Poona. Rajaram escaped and fled to Gingee (5 April). When Raigarh fortress eventually fell by treachery, Sambhaji's widow Yesu Bao and son Shahu were captured and held for 17 years (25 March-19 October 1689).
* ↑ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish (1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. Internet Archive. London : British Film Institute. ISBN 978-0-85170-669-6.
* ↑ Naik, Payal (2024-10-04). "'धर्मरक्षक महावीर छत्रपती संभाजी महाराज' मध्ये अमृता खानविलकर साकारणार महाराणी येसूबाई; लूक होतोय व्हायरल". Marathi News Esakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 2024-11-04.
* ↑ "Rashmika Mandanna praises Chhaava co-star Vicky Kaushal, says he was 'warm and kind, except for the last day'; the Sam Bahadur actor reacts". The Indian Express. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-11-04.