Tarabai was the daughter in law of chatrapati shivaji maharaj. Wife of rajaram, the younger brother of sambhaji maharaj.
After shivaji maharaj died, his oldest son sambhaji maharaj took over the maratha empire and fought the Mughals for years strengthening themselves and weakening the Mughals. When sambhaji maharaj bravely died 1689 while fighting aurangzeb. His younger brother took over the empire. Sambhaji maharaj’s wife and son were captured.
When even rajaram died and maratha empire didn't have any male heir while fighting the dominant Mughal Empire. Rajarams wife TARABAI took over maratha empire and bravely fought for years. Not only she weakened the Mughal Empire, she regained the lost territories of Marathas . She bravely fought battles after battles.
Under her leadership, Marathas carried out guieralla warfare harrassing the Mughal army. By 1707 aurangzeb died and under tarabai’s leadership maratha empire became the dominant power in India.
Tarabai remains one of the greatest female rulers in Indian history. Her leadership helped keep the Maratha Empire alive during its most challenging times. She is remembered as a warrior queen who defied the odds and ensured the survival of her people.
Between 1702 and 1705, the Marathas launched aggressive campaigns that weakened the Mughal hold in the Deccan. Aurangzeb, who had personally led the campaign, faced severe setbacks
Tarabai proved that even in a male-dominated society, a woman could lead an empire in wartime. She not only kept the Marathas united but also led them to victories that ensured their survival.
Tarabai didn't just defend Maratha territory—she expanded it. Under her leadership:The Marathas attacked Mughal strongholds in Gujarat, Malwa, and Central India.They continued pressing into the Mughal territories, forcing the emperor to shift focus from offense to defense.
Tarabai is the unsung queen of our history, without her the maratha empire would have fallen in hands of Mughal Empire. She rised like a ray of hope for every maratha, every hindu in crucial times.
