Saibai Bhonsale (''née'' Nimbalkar) ( 1633
– 5 September 1659) was the first wife and chief consort of
Shivaji
Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adils ...
, the founder of the
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern Indian confederation that came to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. Maratha rule formally began in 1674 with the coronation of Shi ...
. She was the mother of her husband's successor
Sambhaji
Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...
.
Family
Saibai was a member of the prominent
Nimbalkar
Nimbalkar is a Maratha clan, which derives its surname from the forest of Nimbalak in Phaltan taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra, India.
Some Nimbalkars served as head of the deshmukhs (''sardeshmukhs'' or ''sardars'') during the period of t ...
family, whose members were the rulers of
Phaltan
Phaltan () is a town, a tehsil, and a municipal council in the Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The town is about northeast of the city of Satara and about 110 km from Pune.
History
Phaltan was one of the non-salu ...
from the era of the Pawar dynasty and served the
Deccan sultanates
The Deccan sultanates were five Islamic late-medieval Indian kingdoms—on the Deccan Plateau between the Krishna River and the Vindhya Range—that were ruled by Muslim dynasties: namely Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda. Th ...
and the
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Quote: "Although the first two Timurid emperors and many of their noblemen were recent migrants to the subcontinent, the d ...
. She was a daughter of the fifteenth Raja of Phaltan, Mudhojirao Naik Nimbalkar and a sister of sixteenth Raja,
Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar
Bajajirao Mudhoji Naik Nimbalkar was a Maratha nobleman and sixteenth Raja of Phaltan Jagir during 1644–1676. He was ''sardar'' of Deccan Sultanates and Maratha nobleman.
Life
He succeeded throne of Phaltan after his father Naik Nimbalkar Mu ...
. Saibai's mother Reubai was from the
Shirke
The Shirke, or Shirkhe is a clan ( Gotra) of Koli caste and Marathas (a group of several castes who served in Maratha Empire), found largely in Maharashtra and bordering states of India.
History
The Shirke clan held Deshmukhi rights in th ...
family. Ravali from Andhra Pradesh being the current last grand daughter of Shivaji and Saibai.
Marriage
Saibai and
Shivaji
Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adils ...
were married while still in their childhood on 16 May 1640 at
Lal Mahal
The Lal Mahal (Red Palace) of Pune is one of the most famous monuments located in Pune, India, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire spent his childhood.
History
In the year 1630 AD, Shivaji Maharaj's Father Shahaji ...
,
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...
. The marriage was arranged by his mother,
Jijabai; but was evidently not attended by his father,
Shahaji
Shahaji Bhonsale (Pronunciation: əɦad͡ʒiː c. 1594 – 1664) was a military leader of India in the 17th century, who served the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire at various points in his career. As a membe ...
nor his brothers,
Sambhaji
Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...
and
Ekoji. Thus, Shahaji soon summoned his new daughter-in-law, son and his mother, Jijabai, to
Bangalore
Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...
, where he lived with his second wife, Tukabai. Shahaji held a grand wedding ceremony at Bangalore.
Saibai and Shivaji shared a close relationship with each other. She is said to have been a wise woman and a loyal consort to him. By all accounts, Saibai was a beautiful, good-natured and an affectionate woman. She is described as having been a "gentle and selfless person."
All of her endearing personal qualities, however, were a sharp contrast to Shivaji‘s second wife,
Soyarabai
Soyarabai Bhosale (née Mohite) (died 1681) was one of the eight wives of Shivaji, the founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was mother of Shivaji's second son, Rajaram. She was the younger sister of Maratha army chief Hambirrao Mohi ...
, who was an intriguing lady.
She also had significant influence over her husband and the royal family as well. Saibai is reported to have acted as a counsel to Shivaji when he was invited by
Mohammed Adil Shah, the king of
Bijapur
Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural ...
, for a personal interview.
During Saibai's life time, the entire household of Shivaji bore a homogeneous atmosphere despite the fact that most of his marriages were performed due to political considerations.
[
After Saibai's untimely death in 1659 followed by Jijabai's death in 1674, Shivaji's private life became clouded with anxiety and unhappiness. Although Soyarabai had gained prominence in the royal household following their deaths, she was not an affectionate consort like Saibai, whom Shivaji had dearly loved.
Saibai remained Shivaji's favourite till he died. A great source of inspiration to him, legend has it that "Sai" was the last word he uttered on his deathbed.]
Issue
During the course of their nineteen years of marriage, Saibai and Shivaji became parents of four children: Sakavarbai (nicknamed "Sakhubai"), Ranubai, Ambikabai and Sambhaji
Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...
. Sakhubai was married to her first-cousin, Mahadji, the son of Saibai's brother, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar. Ranubai married into the Jadhav
Jadhav is an Indian surname. Notable people with the name include:
*Bharat Jadhav (born 1973), Indian theatre and film producer
*Bhaskar Jadhav, Indian politician
*Dhanaji Jadhav (1650–1708), warrior of the Maratha Empire
* Kedar Jadhav (born 19 ...
family. Ambikabai married Harji Raje Mahadik in 1668. Saibai's fourth issue was her only son, Sambhaji, who was born in 1657 and was Shivaji's eldest son and thus, his heir-apparent
An heir apparent, often shortened to heir, is a person who is first in an order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person; a person who is first in the order of succession but can be displaced by the b ...
. The birth of Sambhaji was an occasion of great joy and significance in the royal household for many different reasons.
Death
Saibai died in 1659 in Rajgad Fort
Rajgad (literal meaning ''Ruling Fort'') is a Hill region fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as ''Murumdev'', the fort was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji for ...
while Shivaji Maharaj was making preparations for his meeting with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad
Pratapgad is a mountain fort located in Satara district, in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra.The fort is situated 24 kilometres from the Mahabaleshwar hill station. The fort is now a popular tourist destination.
The fort's historical ...
. She was ill from the time she gave birth to Sambhaji and her illness became serious preceding her death. Sambhaji was taken care by her trustworthy Dhaarau. Sambhaji was two years old at the time of his mother's death and was brought up by his paternal grandmother, Jijabai. Saibai's samadhi
''Samadhi'' (Pali and sa, समाधि), in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools, is a state of meditative consciousness. In Buddhism, it is the last of the eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In the Ashtanga Yoga ...
is situated at Rajgad Fort.
In popular culture
*Literature - ''Shivpatni Saibai'', a biography of Saibai's life written by Dr. Sadashiv Shivade.
*Film- Umadevi Nadgonde, popularly known as Baby Shakuntala portrayed Saibai in the Marathi language 1955 film Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adilsh ...
*Film- Smita Patil
Smita Patil (17 October 1955 – 13 December 1986) was an Indian actress who worked in films, television series and theatres. She appeared in over 80 Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam and Kannada films in a career that spanned just o ...
played Saibai in the 1974 film Raja Shiv Chhatrapati
*Film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
- Isha Keskar
''Jai Malhar'' is Marathi mythological TV series being aired on Indian TV channel Zee Marathi. It is based on the legend of the Hindu god Khandoba, an avatar of Lord Shiva. The serial was re-ran in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
P ...
played Maharani Saibai in the 2022 Film Sher Shivraj
''Sher Shivraj'' is a 2022 Indian Marathi-language historical action drama film directed by Digpal Lanjekar and produced by Chinmay Mandlekar, Digpal Lanjekar, Nitin Keni, Pradyot Pendharkar and Anil Warkhade. The film based on the life of ...
directed by Digpal Digpal Lanjekar
*In Colors TV
Colors TV is an Indian general entertainment broadcast network owned by Viacom18. The network's programming consists of family dramas, comedies, youth-oriented reality shows, shows on crime and television films.
History
It was launched on 2 ...
's 2012 historical drama
A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...
, ''Veer Shivaji
''Veer Shivaji'' (English: ''Brave Shiva'') is an Indian historical drama series that aired on Colors TV. The show focuses on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century founder of the Maratha Empire. It premiered on 2 September 20 ...
'', Saibai was portrayed by actress Palak Jain
''Yeh Pyaar Nahi Toh Kya Hai'' (''What Is This, If Not Love?'') is an Indian romantic drama television series. Produced by Bindu and SJ Studio Productions, it premiered on 19 March 2018 on SET India and starred Palak Jain and Namit Khanna.
The ...
as a teenager and by Sonia Sharma as an adult.
*Television- Rujuta Deshmmukh portrays Saibai in the popular TV series, Raja Shivchatrapati
''Raja Shivchatrapati'' is a Marathi historical TV drama based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire. The serial was re-broadcast in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, born at ...
which aired on Star Pravah.
*Television- Poorva Gokhale
Poorva Gokhale (born 20 January 1978) is a Marathi TV actress known for her role as Anupriya in Zee TV's Tujhse Hai Raabta.
Personal life
Born as Poorva Gupte and then married to a businessman named Kedar Gokhale, she is the daughter of a th ...
played Saibai in Swarajyarakshak Sambhaji
''Swarajya Rakshak Sambhaji'' is an Indian historical drama based on the life of warrior king Sambhaji. The series is directed by Vivek Deshpande and Kartik Rajaram Kendhe and is written by Pratap Gangavane. It is produced by Amol Kolhe, Vilas ...
, based on the life of Sambhaji
Sambhaji Bhosale (14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689) was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing ...
*Television- Saibai is portrayed by Samira Gujar-Joshi while Gargi Ranade plays the young Saibai in Swarajya Janani Jijamata
''Swarajya Janani Jijamata'' is an Indian Marathi television biopic drama premiered on 19 August 2019 airing on Sony Marathi.
Plot
It is the story of Jijamata, mother of Maharashtra's idol Shivaji. It shows Jijamata's personal life since a ...
based on the life of Jijabai
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saibai
1633 births
1659 deaths
Indian female royalty
Women of the Maratha Empire
Indian queen consorts
Shivaji
17th-century Indian women
17th-century Indian people