Senapati ( Sanskrit: सेनापति; ''sena-'' meaning "army", ''-pati'' meaning "lord") is a title in ancient India denoting the rank of military commander or general of the army. It was a hereditary title of nobility used in the Maratha Empire. During wartime, a ''Sardar Senapati'' or ''Sarsenapati'' (also colloquially termed ''Sarnaubat'') functioned as the Commander-in-Chief of all Maratha forces, coordinating the commands of the various '' Sardars'' in battle. Ranking under the heir-apparent crown prince and other hereditary princes, the title ''Senapati'' most closely resembles a British Duke or

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

'' Herzog'' in rank and function. On occasion, the title ''Mahasenapati'' ( Sanskrit: महा ''maha-'' meaning "great") was granted; this best equates to a

Grand Duke Grand duke (feminine: grand duchess) is a European hereditary title, used either by certain monarchs or by members of certain monarchs' families. In status, a grand duke traditionally ranks in order of precedence below an emperor, as an approxi ...

or a German ''Großherzog''. Unlike ''Sardar'', ''Senapati'' is a

primogeniture Primogeniture ( ) is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn legitimate child to inherit the parent's entire or main estate in preference to shared inheritance among all or some children, any illegitimate child or any collateral relativ ...

hereditary title that passes on to the eldest son. There are several royal ''Senapati'' families alive today, including the Ghorpade and Dabhade families.

Outside of India

In Cambodia, the term ''sena padei'' ( km, សេនាបតី) means "military commander". It used in the title of the current Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen. In ancient Philippines, this title was used by ''Sang pamegat senāpati di Tundun'', the "Commander-in-chief" of Tondo represented by Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pailah mentioned in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription circa 900 AD. In Indonesia, the term ''senapati'' has been absorbed into Old Javanese and eventually

Javanese language Javanese (, , ; , Aksara Jawa: , Pegon: , IPA: ) is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, Indonesia. There are also pockets of Javanese speakers on the northe ...

to refer to "general" or "army commander". In Javanese it can be rendered as ''Senapati'' or ''Senopati''. For example, the title of Sutawijaya, the founder of 16th century Javanese

Mataram Sultanate The Sultanate of Mataram () was the last major independent Javanese kingdom on the island of Java before it was colonised by the Dutch. It was the dominant political force radiating from the interior of Central Java from the late 16th centu ...

, was ''Senapati ing Alaga'', which means "general of battle".

Examples

* Sarsenapati Yesaji Kank * Mankoji Dahatonde *

Prataprao Gujar Prataprao Gurjar (–24 February 1674) was the Senapati of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. He was an aristocratic general who enjoyed the trust of the king and the loyalty of his troops. He defeated a large Mughal Army at the Battle of Sal ...

* Vira Pasi Senapati of Rae Bareli * Hambirrao Mohite * Santaji Ghorpade, ''Senapati'' of Kolhapur * Dhanaji Jadhavrao * Chandrasen Jadhav * Khanderao Dabhade, ''Senapati'' of Satara

Other people

* Senapati Bapat, (1880–1967) *

Fakir Mohan Senapati Fakir Mohan Senapati ( Odia: ଫକୀର ମୋହନ ସେନାପତି; 13 January 1843 – 14 June 1918), often referred to as Utkala Byasa Kabi (''Odisha's Vyasa''), was an Indian writer, poet, philosopher and social reformer. He played ...

, (1843–1918)

References

{{reflist Hindi words and phrases Military history of India Honorifics Men's social titles Feudalism in Asia

Outside of India

Examples

Other people

See also

References