Shivaji II


Shivaji Bhonsle II or Shivaji Rajaram Bhonsle was the son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Rajaram I and his wife Tarabai.

Biography

He was born in Bhonsle family. Upon the death of his father, the infant Shivaji was installed as the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire with his mother Tarabai serving as the regent in 1700. His cousin, Chhattrapati Shahu upon his release from the Mughals in 1707 successfully challenged Tarabai to become the next Chhatrapati. Tarabai then set up a rival court in Kolhapur. Shivaji II served as Raja of Kolhapur from 1710 to 1714. At that time, he was once again deposed by his step-mother Rajasbai who installed her own son, Sambhaji II on the Kolhapur throne. Shivaji died of smallpox on 14 March 1726.
Shivaji II posthumously became father of a son, later called Rajaram II of Satara who was brought up in obscurity for his own protection. When Shahu, without a male heir to succeed to his throne, wanted to adopt a son, Tarabai disclosed this fact to him in late 1740s. Shahu adopted Rajaram II who succeeded Shahu as the Chhatrapati following Shahu's death.