The Bhonsles of Nagpur were a Maratha royal house that ruled the Kingdom of Nagpur from 1739 to 1853. They were from the Maratha Bhonsle clan and were one of the most powerful Maratha chiefs in the Maratha Empire. The Bhonsale family were originally headmen from Deor or Deur, a village in Satara district, under the forts Chandan Vandan (now in Koregaon Taluka, District Satara and was under Deshmukhi rights of Bhoite Clan). Raghoji's grandfather and two brothers had fought in Shivaji's armies, and the most distinguished of them had been given a high military command as well as the collection of chauth in Berar. In this article, we will discuss The Bhonsles which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

The Bhonsles - Background

• The Bhonsle clan is one of the Marathas' royal or Ksatriya clans.
• The Bhonsle of Nagpur is known as Hinganikar because one of their ancestors was most likely a contemporary of Maloji, Chhatrapati Shivaji's grandfather.
• Raghoji I, the first Maratha ruler of Nagpur, reigned from 1734 to 1755 AD.
• He was a daring and decisive commander; he invaded Bengal twice and won the cession of Cuttack.
• Raghuji Bhonsle II was the dynasty's final great king.

The Bhonsles - Features

• The Nagpur Bhonsles were close relatives of Chhatrapati Shahu, who raised them to wealth and power.
• During the reign of Alivardi Khan, Raghoji I Bhonsle overran Bengal and Bihar, occupying Orissa from the Nawab.
• They did not, however, take part in the Third Battle of Panipat or the First Anglo-Maratha War, and thus fell to a secondary position in the Maratha Confederacy.
• Warren Hastings bribed them, so they only cooperated half-heartedly with the other Maratha chiefs.
• They were generally opposed to the Peshwa and claimed independent authority because they effectively controlled Nagpur's Gond king.

The Bhonsles - Reign

• Following the death of Chand Sultan, the Gond raja of Nagpur, in 1739, there were succession disputes, which resulted in the throne being usurped by Wali Shah, an illegitimate son of Bakht Buland Shah.
• In the interest of her sons Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah, Chand Sultan's widow sought the assistance of Maratha leader Raghuji Bhonsle of Berar. Wali Shah was executed, and the rightful heirs were installed on the throne.
• Raghoji Bhonsle I was sent back to Berar with a large reward for his assistance. By the magnificence of his reward, the Maratha general concluded that Nagpur must be a plentiful and rich country.
• However, disagreements between the brothers persisted, and the elder brother, Burhan Shah, sought the assistance of Raghuji Bhonsla once more. Akbar Shah was forced into exile and then poisoned in Hyderabad.
• Ragoji Bhonsle, on the other hand, did not have the heart to leave such a plentiful and rich country when it was within his grasp. He declared himself the Gond king's "protector."
• Thus, in 1743, Burhan Shah was effectively reduced to the status of a state pensionary, with real power remaining in the hands of the Maratha ruler. The history of the Gond kingdom of Deogarh is not recorded after this event.
• Following the fall of the Gonds from the throne of Nagpur, a succession of Maratha rulers rose to power, beginning with Raghoji Bhonsle.

Conclusion

When Raghuji Bhonsle III died without a male heir in 1853, the British annexed the kingdom under the doctrine of lapse. Until the formation of the Central Provinces in 1861, the territories of the former kingdom were administered as Nagpur Province by a commissioner appointed by the Governor-General of India.

FAQs

Question. Who were the Bhonsles of Nagpur?

Question. Who was Raghoji Bhonsle?

Question. What was the role of the Bhonsles in the Maratha Empire?

Question. What happened after Raghoji Bhonsle's death?

Question. What led to the rise of the Bhonsles of Nagpur?

MCQs

1. Who was the founder of the Bhonsle dynasty in Nagpur?

A) Raghoji Bhonsle I

B) Raghoji Bhonsle II

C) Bajirao I

D) Chhatrapati Shivaji

2. What was Raghoji Bhonsle I’s role in the succession of the Gond rulers of Nagpur?

A) He helped install the rightful heirs

B) He took control of the throne

C) He was defeated by the Gond king

D) He became a puppet ruler

3. Which Maratha ruler was closely associated with the Bhonsles of Nagpur?

A) Chhatrapati Shivaji

B) Chhatrapati Shahu

C) Bajirao I

D) Mahadji Scindia

4. Which region did Raghoji Bhonsle I help conquer during his reign?

A) Bengal and Bihar

B) Punjab and Gujarat

C) Rajasthan and Maharashtra

D) Madhya Pradesh and Odisha

5. When did the British annex the Kingdom of Nagpur?

A) 1805

B) 1818

C) 1853

D) 1900

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the Bhonsles in the Maratha Empire and their significance in the history of Nagpur.

Answer: The Bhonsles of Nagpur were integral to the Maratha Empire, contributing to the military and political expansion of the Marathas in the 18th century. Raghoji Bhonsle I played a pivotal role in consolidating Maratha power in central India. Under his leadership, the Bhonsles helped extend Maratha influence over regions like Bengal and Bihar. The Bhonsles were also key figures in the Maratha Confederacy, although they did not fully align with the Peshwa during key conflicts like the Third Battle of Panipat. Their reign in Nagpur marked the region’s rise as a significant Maratha state, with their involvement in both local politics and the broader Maratha power struggles of the time.

Q2: Analyze the reasons behind the fall of the Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur.

Answer: The fall of the Bhonsle dynasty of Nagpur came with the death of Raghoji Bhonsle III in 1853 without a male heir. The British, under the Doctrine of Lapse, annexed the kingdom and incorporated its territories into the British-controlled Nagpur Province. Although the Bhonsles had managed to maintain relative autonomy during their rule, their lack of a direct successor and the British policy of annexation led to the end of their rule. The political instability caused by succession disputes and the internal divisions within the Maratha Confederacy also weakened their position, making them vulnerable to British annexation.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Raghoji Bhonsle I’s military campaigns on the Maratha Empire.

Answer: Raghoji Bhonsle I’s military campaigns significantly strengthened the Maratha Empire's presence in central India. His campaigns in Bengal and Bihar expanded the Maratha territories, providing both strategic and economic benefits, including the acquisition of Cuttack. His military prowess and decisive leadership also solidified the Bhonsle family's control over Nagpur, ensuring their position as one of the prominent Maratha states. However, his expansionist policies and the lack of unity among the Maratha chiefs, particularly in relation to the Peshwa, led to their gradual decline in power after his death.

Previous Year Questions on Bhonsles 

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Question: "Explain the role of Raghoji Bhonsle I in the political consolidation of the Marathas in central India."

Answer: Raghoji Bhonsle I played a critical role in consolidating Maratha power in central India. By helping restore the rightful rulers of Nagpur, he gained control over the region and expanded Maratha territories into Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. His military expertise and strategic alliances strengthened the Maratha Confederacy, even though his relationship with the Peshwa was somewhat tenuous. His reign marked a period of significant Maratha influence in the Deccan and central India.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "Assess the reasons for the British annexation of the Kingdom of Nagpur under the Doctrine of Lapse."

Answer: The British annexation of Nagpur was a result of the Doctrine of Lapse, which applied when a ruler died without a male heir. Raghoji Bhonsle III died in 1853 without a direct successor, prompting the British to annex Nagpur and incorporate it into the British-ruled Nagpur Province. The absence of a male heir and the implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse led to the dissolution of the Bhonsle dynasty, despite their prior alliances with the British.