राजर्षी शाहू छत्रपती

by Dhananjay Keer

Shahu was born on June 26, 1874 as Yeshwantrao Ghatge, eldest son of Jaishinghrao Ghatge, chief of Kagal(senior) by his wife Radhabai, daughter of Raja of Karnataka. He was adopted by Anandibai, widow of Raja Shivaji VI, in March 1884. Several generations of inter-marriage had ensured that Shahu's family was connected intimately with the ruling dynasty of Kolhapur, which is apparently what rendered him a suitable candidate for adoption, despite his not being a male-line member of the Bhosale dynasty. He was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot. A council of regency was appointed by the British Raj to oversee affairs of state during Shahu's minority and during that time, he was tutored in administrative affairs by Sir Stuart Fraser. Shahu was invested with ruling powers upon coming of age in 1894.

648 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012