Jijabai

Jijabai Shahaji Bhonsale (née Jadhav; 12 January 1598 – 17 June 1674), referred to as Rajmata Jijabai, was the mother of Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Kingdom. She was a daughter of Lakhujirao Jadhav of Sindkhed Raja. He belonged to the lineage of Devagiri Yadavas.

Jijabai was born on 12 January 1598, to Mhalasabai Jadhav and Lakhuji Jadhav at Sindkhed Raja in present-day Buldhana district of Maharastra. Jijabai was married at an early age to Shahaji Bhosle, son of Maloji Bhosle of Verul village, a military commander serving under the Nizam. She was a skilled horse rider, sword fighter, academician and administrator.

Scholar James Laine states that Shivaji was imbued with the dream of re-establishing a Hindu kingdom by his mother, Jijabai, who was aware of her Yadava heritage and considered her husband "a collaborator of low birth." She taught him the nuances of tactics, administration and politics right from an early age.

She died on 17 June 1674 at Pachad village near Raigad Fort. This was only eleven days after the coronation of Shivaji.