Raghoji I (Raghoji Bhonsle; ; 1695 – February 1755) or Raghuji the Great, was a Maratha general of the Bhonsale dynasty who established the Nagpur Kingdom in much of east-central India during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu I. His successors ruled the kingdom until 1853.
Origin
The Bhonsale family branch of Raghoji were known as Hinganikar as they were originally chiefs from Berdi near Hingani in Pune District established by Bimbaji Bhonsle. Raghoji's great granduncle Rupaji I, great grandfather Mudhoji and grandfather Bapuji with two brothers Sabaji and Parsoji had fought in the armies of Shivaji Maharaj. Mudhoji resided in Pandavgad, ruling over a Mauza near Wai in Maharashtra, which Shivaji had granted to him as Jagir for his spectacular exploits, while his brother Rupaji I resided at Bham in the district of Yavatmal. Rupaji I was childless therefore his property also passed over to Raghoji's great grandfather Mudhoji which gave Hinganikar Bhonsles a foothold in east Maharashtra for future conquests. Chhatrapati Shivaji entrusted high military command and the collection of chauth (tribute) in Berar to the most distinguished of them. Mudhoji's son Sabaji was given villages of Rakhswari and Poorkikotar however it was Parsoji who attained highest position in the family.
During Mughal-Maratha Wars the title of Senasahibsubha (meaning Master of provinces and armies) was bestowed on Parsoji Bhonsle by Chhatrapati Rajaram Bhonsle along with rights to regions of Devgad, Gondwana, Chanda and Varhad from where he could exact tribute. Bapuji only had one son Bimbaji who was the father of Raghuji I. Parsoji had three sons; Santaji, Kanhoji and Ranoji each with a distinguished career. Santaji was part of various campaigns of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the other commanders, till his murder in Delhi during the 1719 campaign to depose Farrukhsiyar led by Senapati Khanderao Dabhade. Ranoji was given title of Sawai Santaji (meaning Superior Santaji) along with other compensations for the loss of his brother's life. In 1722, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj presented Badnera and Amravati to Ranoji Bhonsle, further extending presence of Hinganikar Bhonsles in east. Kanhoji went on to secure the family title of Senasahibsubha and paved the way for future conquests by ruling for 20 years. The lesser prominent Bimbaji Bhonsle was without a son until one was finally born, who Bimbaji believed to be a result of prayers of a pious Vaishnava saint Ramajipant. On those grounds Bimbaji named his son Raghuji (Raghava) after the avatar of Vishnu Rama.
Rise to power
Bimbaji died shortly after his son was born, and Raghuji grew up with his mother Kashibai and grandmother Baijabai at the same Pandavavadi near Wai. On attaining maturity Raghuji served under his uncle Ranoji as a Shiledar (cavalryman) at Amravati, participating in various military operations. His uncle Senasahibsubha Kanhoji Bhonsle based at Bham, sixteen miles south of Yavatmal, invited him to his fief as he was heirless up to that point.
Senasahibsubha Kanhoji looked after and mentored Raghuji, who was the son of his cousin Bimbaji, with hopes of gradually passing his duties to him. But after the birth of his son Rayaji Bhonsle, his plans for adopting Raghuji ended and their relations were disrupted. Raghuji then left his uncle and travelled with 100 horsemen to offer his services to Gond Kingdom of Devgad, then under rule of Chand Sultan, where he fought for many years and familiarised himself with local politics. Eventually Raghuji returned to Satara to directly serve the Chhatrapati Shahu Bhonsle. Raghuji's status dramatically escalated when he bravely slew a maneater tiger which threatened Shahu's life during a hunting expedition. Following this Shahu bestowed many rewards on Raghuji, most importantly arranging the marriage of his own Shirke clan wife Rani Sagunabai's sister Salubai to Raghuji. This further bound the Chhatrapati Bhonsle and the Senasahibsubha Bhonsle families.
This was simultaneously followed with the Senasahibsubha Kanhoji Bhonsle's downfall who had entered into talks with the Nizam. For further examination he was invited by Chhatrapati Shahu to Satara. On 23rd August 1725 Kanhoji left Satara without permission, fleeing the officers sent after him. After 3 years of distant correspondence, Chhatrapati Shahu finally appointed Raghuji Bhonsle as the new Senasahibsubha in 1728.
Following Raghuji's appointment to the post of Senasahibsubha, Chhatrapati Shahu granted him the sanads for Berar and Gondwana and the right to extend the levy of chauthai to Chhatisgarh, Patna in Bihar, Allahabad in Awadh Subah and Maksudabad in Bengal Subah serving as directives for his conquests.