Santaji Ghorpade

Santaji Mhaloji Ghorpade, popularly known as ‘Santaji’ or ‘Santaji Ghorpade’, was one of the greatest warrior and the chief General of the Maratha Empire during Chhatrapati Rajaram’s regime. His guerrilla technique of war is supposed to be the best besides that of Shivaji and Bajirao. His name became inseparable from the name of Dhanaji Jadhav with whom he made terrifying campaigns against Mughal army continuously from 1689 to 1696.

Early life

Santaji belonged to the historical Ghorpade family which was the elder branch of the same clan to which Bhosale family belonged. His year of birth is not known, however, it should have been around 1660.He along with his younger brother Bahirji accompanied Shivaji in his Karnataka campaign in 1678. He was named by Shivaji on his death bed among six pillars of Maratha Empire who would save the kingdom in hard times.His father Mhaloji died in the battle of Sangmeshwar while fighting with the Mughals who had captured Sambhaji.

Contribution to the Independence War

In the beginning of the Rajaram’s regime in 1689, Santaji had attained the rank of "Pancha Hajari" officer i.e.Commander of 5,000 soldiers. Immediately after Sambhaji’s brutal torture and assassination by Aurangzeb, Santaji attacked his camp at Tulapur with the help of Vithoji Chavan and 2000 soldiers of Dhanaji, cut the ropes of Aurangzeb’s tents and captured the golden pinnacles and fled away. This incidence regained confidence of the Maratha warriors to fight back with the Mughal army that had occupied Maharashtra.

In September 1689 along with Dhanaji, Santaji attacked Aurangzeb’s General Shekh Nizam who had blocked fort Panhala. Nizam was severely beaten and his treasure, horses and elephants were captured. During 1689 – 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji were directed to prevent Mughal army in Maharashtra to enter into Karnataka after Rajaram’s flight to Gingee.In December 1690, Santaji and Dhanaji were promoted and were placed respectively under the supervision of Ramchandra Pant Amatya and Shankraji Narayan Sacheev.

On 25th May 1690, Sarzakhan alias Rustamkhan was defeated and captured near Satara jointly by Ramchandra Pant Amatya, Shankraji Narayan, Santaji and Dhanaji which proved to be a big blow to Aurangzeb. In July 1692, for his great performance Rajaram rewarded him the Deshmukhi of Miraj.

In the last quarter of 1692, Santaji along with Dhanaji was sent to Karnataka to release the Mughal pressure around Gingee.On the way to Karnataka on 8th October 1692, Dharwad was captured by 7000 Maratha soldiers under both of them.On 14th December 1692, Santaji defeated Aurangzeb’s General Alimardan Khan, captured him and moved him to fort Gingee.In December 1692, the Mughal army under Zulfikhar Ali Khan around fort Gingee was blocked and beaten by Santaji and Dhanaji as a result of which Zulfiquarkhan had to approach to Rajaram for compromise. On 5th January 1693, Santaji attacked the Mughal camp at Desur and looted their treasure, weapons and livestock.

In 1693, after lengthy negotiations with Rajaram, Zulfiquarkhan was granted a safe way out which Santaji did not like. He argued with Rajaram and left the place without his permission as a result of which Dhanaji was given tentative charge of the army chief. Santaji, however, soon resumed his duties. On 14th November 1693, Mughal General Himmat Khan defeated Santaji near Vikramhalli in Karnataka. Santaji, however, attacked him back on 21st November and defeated him.

In July 1695, Santaji trapped the Mughal army camping near Khatav and highly harassed it. On 20th November 1695, Kasimkhan; Aurangzeb’s powerful General in Karnataka, was attacked, defeated and killed by Santaji at Doderi near Chitradurga.

In December 1695, Dhanaji was defeated in a battle near Vellore by Zulfiquarkhan.On 20th January 1696 near Baswapattan, Santaji attacked, defeated and killed the Mughal General Himmat Khan. On 26th February 1696, Mughal General Hamiduddin Khan defeated Santaji in a tussle. In April 1696, Santaji was also defeated by Zulfikhar khan at Arani in Karnataka.On 8th May 1696, Santaji met Rajaram at fort Gingee, argued with him on certain issues and left Gengee without closing the differences.

In June 1696, by order of Rajaram, Dhanaji attacked Santaji for his rebellion near Vriddhachalam but had to run away back. Soon thereafter Santaji was officially sacked and his charge was given to Dhanaji again.

In March 1697, Dhanaji defeated Santaji at Dahigaon with the help of Hanmantrao Nimbalkar.In July 1697, a Maratha General called Nagoji Mane who was seduced by Aurangzeb, killed Santaji in the forest of Karkhala while he was meditating under a tree.

Legacy

Santaji’s son Yeshoji & Tukoji continued his militaey activities by shifting their base to Sandur near Bellary & Guti in Karnataka. With help of Telangi-Berads, they sided with Tarabai faction of Kolhapur during civil wars fought between Shahu & Tarabai. After Peshwas rose to power granted by Chatrapati’s of Satara in 1749 ,Ghorpades concentrated their activities in Karnataka.

Murarrao Ghorpade grandnephew of Santaji, made an alliance with Muhammed Ali and helped him Muhammed Ali to defeat Chanda Sahib in famous Battle of Arcot fought in 1751. This battle is known in history of English East India Co. as Carnatic wars fought between Robert Clive led forces of English East India Co. v/s Dupleix led French East India Company between 1751 to 1758 also known as 7 years war. English historians tend to highlight & Threat from Nizam of Hyderabad-Hyder Ali-Tipu Sultan kept them engrossed in Karnataka-Tamilnadu away from politics of Pune Darbars. Ghorpades maintained working relationship with English East India Co. in their Karnataka-Tamilnadu operations maturing from the cordial relationship established with Robert Clive during siege of Arcot in 1751. Descendents of Santaji still live in Sandur & Guti, Karnataka.

References

*‘Marathi Riyasat Volume II’ (Marathi) by Govind Sakharam Sardesai
*‘Marathyanche Svatantra Yuddha’ (Marathi) by Setu Madhavrao Pagadi
*‘Aurangzeb’ (English) by Sir Jadunath Sarkar