| Saibai Bhonsale | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharani of theMaratha Empire ShrimantRajmata[citation needed] | |||||||||
 A 2012 artist's rendition of Maharani Saibai[1] | |||||||||
| Queen consort of theMaratha Kingdom | |||||||||
| Tenure | 16 May 1640 – 5 September 1659 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Position established | ||||||||
| Successor | Soyarabai | ||||||||
| Born | Saibai Nimbalkar c. 29 October 1633 Phaltan,Ahmadnagar Sultanate (present-dayMaharashtra,India) | ||||||||
| Died | 5 September 1659 (aged 26) Rajgad Fort,Pune,Maratha Empire (present-day Maharastra, India) | ||||||||
| Spouse | Shivaji I | ||||||||
| Issue | Sambhaji Sakhubai Ranubai Ambikabai | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | Nimbalkar(by birth) Bhosale(by marriage) | ||||||||
| Father | Mudhoji Rao Naik Nimbalkar | ||||||||
| Mother | Reubai | ||||||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||||||
Saibai Bhonsale (néeNimbalkar) (29 October 1633[1] – 5 September 1659) was the wife consort of ChattrapatiShivaji, the founder of theMaratha Empire. She was the mother of her husband's successor ChattrapatiSambhaji.
Saibai was a member of the prominentNimbalkar family, whose members were the rulers ofPhaltan from the era of the Pawar dynasty[2] and served theDeccan sultanates and theMughal Empire. She was a daughter of the fifteenth Raja of Phaltan, Mudhojirao Naik Nimbalkar, and a sister of the sixteenth Raja,Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar.[3] Saibai's mother Reubai was from theShirke family.
Rani Saibai andShivaji Maharaj were married while still in their childhood on 16 May 1640 atLal Mahal,Pune.[4][5] The marriage was arranged by his mother,Jijabai; but was evidently not attended by his father,Shahaji nor his brothers,Sambhaji andEkoji. Thus, Shahaji soon summoned his new daughter-in-law, son, and his mother, Jijabai, toBangalore, where he lived with his second wife, Tukabai.[6] Shahaji held a grand wedding ceremony at Bangalore.[7]
Rani Saibai and Shivaji Raje shared a close relationship with each other. She is said to have been a wise woman and a loyal consort to him.[8] By all accounts, Saibai was a beautiful, good-natured, and affectionate woman. She is described as having been a "gentle and selfless person."[9]
All of her endearing personal qualities, however, were a sharp contrast to Shivaji‘s second wife,Soyarabai, who was an intriguing lady.[10][11] 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 byMohammed Adil Shah, the king ofBijapur, for a personal interview.[12] 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.[11]
After Saibai's untimely death in 1659 followed by Jijabai's death in 1674, Shivaji's private life became clouded with anxiety and unhappiness.[13] 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.[14]
Saibai remained Shivaji's favorite till he died. A great source of inspiration to him, legend has it that "Sai" was the last word he uttered on his deathbed.[1]
During the course of their nineteen years of marriage, Saibai and Shivaji became parents of four children: Sakavarbai (nicknamed "Sakhubai"), Ranubai, Ambikabai, andSambhaji. Sakhubai was married to herfirst-cousin, Mahadji, the son of Saibai's brother, Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar[citation needed]. Ranubai married into theJadhav family. Ambikabai married Harji Raje Mahadik in 1668.[15] Saibai's fourth issue was her only son, Sambhaji, who was born in 1657 and was Shivaji's eldest son and thus, hisheir-apparent. The birth of Sambhaji was an occasion of great joy and significance in the royal household for many different reasons.[16][17]
Saibai died in 1659 inRajgad Fort while Shivaji Maharaj was making preparations for his meeting withAfzal Khan atPratapgad. 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.[18] Saibai'ssamadhi is situated at Rajgad Fort.[19]
