Hambirrao Mohite

Hambirrao Mohite was the chief military commander of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. An able military general, he executed several campaigns for Shivaji and later served under Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.[1]

Hambirrao Mohite
Born1632
satara, Maharashtra
Died1687 (aged 57)
Wai, Maharashtra
AllegianceMaratha Empire
Service/branchMaratha Army
Years of service1670-1687
RankSenapati (Military general)
Hambirao Mohite Samadhi

Early life

Hambirrao was born to Sambhaji Mohite, a military chieftain. He grew up with 2 brothers Harifrao, Shankarji and 2 sisters Soyarabai and Annubai. Soyrabai later married to become the second wife of Shivaji, which made him the Chhatrapati's brother-in-law.

After Prataprao Gujar's death, Shivaji made Hambirrao his Sarsenapati (commander).[1]

Attack on Burhanpur
Main article: Sacking of Burhanpur (1681)

Burhanpur was a major trade center connecting southern and northern India and had a total of 17 trade centers in the city. On 30 January 1681, Hambirrao Mohite and Sambhaji suddenly attacked Burhanpur. At that time the Subedar of Burhanpur was Khanjahan. For the protection of Burhanpur there was only an army of 200 and Hambirrao had an army of 20,000. The Mughals did not even have the strength to oppose Hambirrao's army. The Marathas looted all the trade centres of Burhanpur for three days. Marathas got assets worth more than 1 crore hons in this battle.[2]

On 17 March 1683, Hambirrao defeated Ranamast khan, one of the most powerful chieftains of Aurangzeb, in Kalyan-Bhiwandi.

Death
Main article: Battle of Wai

In 1687, in a battle fought near Wai province, Hambirrao defeated Rustumkhan, but a cannonball hit Hambirrao leading to an accidental death.[3]

References
  1. Pratik Gupta (2014). Maratha Generals and Personalities. p. 43.
  2. Sawant, Indrajit. Marathyanche Swatantrayuddha Bhag 1 - Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
  3. Joshi, Pandit Shankar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand, 1980. p241
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