The Maratha Period Raghuji Bhosle

By suppressing the recalcitrant Kanhoji, Raghuji gained the fovour of Chatrapati Sahu. As already observed Sahu conferred on him the title of Senasaheb Subbha and the right to collect cauthan from Berar, Gondavana, Chattisgad, Allahabad, makasudabad (BengaL) and Patna. According to Grant Duff on the occasion of granting these rights Raghuji gave a bond which stated:

1. That he would maintain a body of 5,000 horse for the service of the State,
2. Pay an annual sum of Rs. 9 lacs,
3. Pay half of the tribute, prizes, property and other contributions excluding the Ghasdana,
4. Raise 10, 000 horse when required and accompany the Pesva or proceed to any lace he might be ordered.

These terms of the bond are important in determining Chatrapati-Raghuji and Pesva - Raghuji relations.
Details of Raghuji's early life are not available. It seems that shortly after his birth his father Bimbaji died and he was brought up by his mother Kasibai and grandmother. Bayabai at Pandavavadi near Wai ( District Satara). The child, it is said, was born by the grace of one Ramajipant Kolhatkar, a pious devotee of Rama and was, therefore, named Raghuji. There seems to be much truth in this story. Raghuji was a devotee of God Rama though the family deity was Mahadev. He installed the new idol of Rama at Ramtek and was responsible for reviving the religious importance of this ancient place. In this letter-head he incorporated the word ' sitakanta' meaning, the Lord of Sita in honour of his favourite God Rama.
When Raghuji attained manhood he served in the army of his uncle Ranoji. Later he was with his other uncle Kanhoji at Bham. Raghuji did not fare well with Kanhoji and entered the services of Cand Sultan of Devagad. For some time he was also with the Navab of Ellicpur. Finally Raghuji decided to serve Chatrapati Sahu at Satara. During his stay there he was asked to accompany Fatehsingh Bhosle to the Karnatak where he distinguished himself as a capable soldier. When Raghuji's qualities as a soldier and leader of men came to the notice of sahu, he appointed him against the disobedient Kanhoji.
In the early part of his career Raghuji appears to have been a freelance soldier, shifting his loyalty from his uncle to the weak Gond Rajas. This was rather than the time-honoured expedient resorted to by many an ambitious soldier. Raghuji was not slow to grasp the political situation prevailing in the area form the distant Karnatak to Gondavana and finally threw his lot with Sahu. Who was by then a well-settled Chatrapati. This was indeed a wise decision which benefited Raghuji as also the Maratha expansion.
After consolidating his position at Bham in Berar, Raghuji turned his attention to the Gond Kingdoms of Devagad, Gadha-Mandla, Chanda and Chattisgad. Internal dissensions in these Kingdoms and their wars with other States were the occasions availed of by Raghuji for establishing his sway over them. In 1739-1740 Raghuji was sent to Karnatak by Sahu. Raghuji distinguished himself in this expedition. Returning from Karnatak he made the necessary arrangement for the invasion of Bengal and dispatched a large army under the command of his General Bhaskarpant. Bengal invasion engaged Raghuji's attention for ten years. From 1741to 1751 A.D. the net gain was the province of Orissa. It was during these years that the historic dispute between Raghuji Bhosle and Balaji arose when their in the east clashed. Thus, broadly the chronological sequence of Raghuji's major exploits is:

• Securing Berar by defeating his uncle Kanhoji
• Extending his sway over the Gond Kingdoms;
• Karnatak expedition; and
• Incursions and incursions into Bengal.