Netaji Palkar

Netoji Palkar(1620–1681), also known asNetaji Palkar, served as a prominentMarathageneral and held the esteemed position of the 2ndSenapatiof theMaratha Armyunder the leadership of ChhatrapatiShivaji, the visionary founder of theMaratha empire. He was also known as Prati-Shivaji (mr:प्रतिशिवाजी ; meaning Like-Shivaji) implying someone embodying traits or ideals similar to Shivaji Maharaj.
Netoji Palkar was born in the small village of Chouk inKhalapur, Maharashtra, India, into aMarathiChandraseniya Kayastha Prabhufamily.Netaji's father held a prominent position as a majorJagirdarin Western Maharashtra under theAdil Shahi dynasty.
Netoji was appointed asSenapatiin 1657, following the demise of Mankoji Dahatonde. Throughout the period of Shivaji's ascendancy from 1645 to 1665, Netaji was entrusted with the leadership of numerous expeditions, all of which he executed with remarkable success. His most notable achievement was the campaign against the Adilshah of theBijapur Sultanate, which ensued after the assassination ofAfzal Khan. His reputation among the local populace was so profound that he earned the moniker "PratiShivaji," signifying his embodiment of the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
He significantly disrupted the Mughal territories until the year 1665, and his failure to communicate the actions ofJai SinghandDilerkhanleft Shivaji deeply disappointed. Following theTreaty of Purandarin 1665, between Jai Singh and Shivaji, Shivaji was compelled to relinquish control of 23 forts to theMughalsand engage in hostilities against the Adilshah of Bijapur. During this period, Netaji Palkar switched allegiance to the forces of Adilshah, a strategic move orchestrated by Chhatrapati Shivaji to diminish his own military strength, asAurangzebsought Shivaji's support in his campaigns. Consequently, Shivaji's maneuvering successfully prevented the Mughals from subduing Adilshah, in line with his intended outcome.
After Shivaji's meeting with Aurangzeb inAgra, Netaji Palkar joined the service of Jai Singh. Subsequently, when Shivaji managed to escape from Agra, Mirza Raja fell out of favor with Aurangzeb.
AfterShivaji's escape fromAgra,Aurangzeb, seeking retribution, issued an order toJai Singhto apprehend Netaji Palkar. Netaji Palkar was subsequently detained atDharurFort for a brief period. It is also recorded that during this time,Jijabai, Chhatrapati Shivaji's mother, sent funds to Jai Singh in response to Shivaji's request for distributing sweets in Agra. Netaji Palkar, eventually, underwent a conversion toIslam. His wives were later transported toDelhiand similarly underwent conversion, enabling Netaji to remarry them according to Islamic customs. Assuming the name of Muhammad Quli Khan, Netaji Palkar was appointed as the garrison commander ofKandaharFort inAfghanistan. His attempt to escape was ultimately foiled, leading to his capture inLahore. Subsequently, on the battlefields of Kandahar andKabul, he fought on behalf of theMughalsagainst insurgent Pashtuns, thus earning the trust and favor of Aurangzeb. This resulted in his deployment to theDeccan, along with CommanderDiler Khan, with the aim of subduing Shivaji's territories.
After arriving in Deccan, Netaji joined forces with Shivaji's troops and traveled toRaigad. Consequently, following a decade of captivity under the Mughal rule, Netaji presented himself at the court of Chhatrapati Shivaji, requesting reintegration into theHindufaith. He underwent a formal re-conversion toHinduismby the orders of Shivaji.After 1666, he retired from involvement in the Maratha campaigns. In 1665, the position of Senapati was bestowed uponPrataprao Gujar.
He died in 1681, due to natural causes associated with old age in Tamsa village,Nanded.