Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi

Shriniwasrao Parshuram (1687 – 1746 CE), popularly known as Shripatrao Pratinidhi or Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi , was a General of the Maratha Empire. He served as Pratinidhi (Chief Delegate) during Chhatrapati Shahu I reign.[2] After the death of his father Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi in 1718, Shripat Rao won the favour of Shahu by his brilliant efforts as a soldier fighting many battles in the defence of the Maratha Empire. In 1718, he was appointed as the Pant Pratinidhi of Maratha Empire.[2][3]

Shrimant

Shriniwasrao Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi
Pratinidhi to the Emperor Shahu I of the Maratha Empire
In office
1718–1746
Preceded byParshuram Pant Pratinidhi
Succeeded byJagjivan Parshuram[1]
2nd Chief of Aundh
In office
1718–1746
Personal details
Born1687
Aundh, Satara
(Satara District, Maharashtra)
Died1746
Aundh, Satara
(Satara District, Maharashtra)
FatherParshuram Pant Pratinidhi

Shripatrao was not only a very able administrator and organizer, but a great statesman too. His work to consolidate the Maratha Raj has been praised by most of its historians. Shahu Maharaj depended upon the advice of Shripatrao. If owing to some unavoidable reasons Rao didn't present at the court at the usual hour the king would go to his house and inquire about him. Thus Shripatrao, unlike his father had no problem of loyalty to Chatrapathi [3]

Shripatrao was asked by peshwas to establish his headquarters at Poona. Rao consistently refused to do so. He wanted to be at the side of King of the Maratha Empire, and away from the intrigues pomp, pride, and debauchery of the Peshwa court.[3]

Early life

Shripatrao, was born in 1687 in the Deshastha Brahmin family of the Pant Pratinidhi, when Parshuram Trimbak was twenty- seven years old. He must have been deeply influenced by his father. He had lived a life of turmoil as well as of glory, and benefited from it. Shahu Maharaj had great respect and regard for Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi.[4]

Campaigns

Campaign against Khatav

Krishnaji Khatavkar had received the pargana of Khatav in 1689 A.D from the Mughal Emperor, Aurangazeb. He refused to accede to the Shahu's authority and had become overbearing. Shripatro marched towards Khatav and defeated him in battle. Submitting to Shahu's authority was appreciated by Shahu, who released Shripatrao's father.[5]

Karnataka expeditions

In between 1724 and 1727, the Marathas led two expeditions into the Karnataka, one led jointly by Shripatrao Pratinidhi, Peshwa Bajirao I and the Sarlashkar, and the other by Peshwa and Senapati.[6]

The first Karnatak expedition, which lasted for two years, from November 1724 and May 1726, led by Fateh Singh Bhonsale, accompanied by both Shripatrao Pratinidhi and Bajirao I, proved to be futile. The Nizam gave lukewarm support to Marathas. However he regarded the south as his sphere of influence and did not want Marathas to interfere with it. He therefore gave secret instructions to officers to thwart the plans of Marathas in Karnatak. The Maratha leaders who led this campaign could not shed their differences. The Marathas could not realize their objective in this campaign.[6]

The second Karnatak expedition was led by Bajirao him in October 1727. The Pratinidhi who was secretly negotiating with the Nizam, who was rewarded with a personal jagir i Varhad by Nizam. Bajirao therefore did not associate with Pratinidhi with this expedition. He besieged the fort of Serinaapatnam and succeeded in levying chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the rulers of Mysore and Arcot.[6]

Death

After the death of Shripatrao Pratinidhi in 1746 Shahu Maharaj made his younger brother, Jagjivan Parshuram the next Pratinidhi. Jagjivan parashuram was the youngest son of Parashuram Trimbak Pant. He was born in 1691 and became Pratinidhi at the age of fifty-five.[1]

See also

References
  1. Pant 1990, p. 9.
  2. Bond 2006, p. 773.
  3. Pant 1990, p. 8.
  4. Pant 1990, p. 7.
  5. Vaidya 2000, p. 144.
  6. Kulkarni 2008, p. contents.

Bibliography
  • Udgaonkar, P.B (1986). Political Institutions & Administration. Motilal Banarsidass Publications.
  • Bond, J.W (2006). Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey. Asian Educational Services.
  • Pant, Apa (1990). An Extended Family Or Fellow Pilgrims. Sangam Books.
  • Kulkarni, A.R. (2008). The Marathas. Diamond Publications.
  • Vaidya, Sushila (2000). Role of women in Maratha politics, 1620-1752 A.D. Sharada Publication House.
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