History often overlooks the warrior queens who shaped the destiny of Bharat. Among them, Maharani Tarabai stands as an indomitable force—an avenger who struck fear into the heart of the Mughal Empire. In an era of loss and betrayal, she refused to succumb to despair. Instead, she wielded her sword and strategy to reclaim Maratha pride, proving that true leadership transcends gender.
Maharani Tarabai: The Making of a Warrior
Tarabai was not merely Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s daughter-in-law—she was the daughter of Sarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite, a battle-hardened general. Born into a warrior family, she was trained in the arts of war, tactics, and governance from an early age. The Marathas, unlike many other societies, recognized the necessity of martial training for their women, and Tarabai embodied this legacy.
Her marriage to Chhatrapati Rajaram Bhonsle was not just an alliance—it was a preparation for war. When Rajaram passed away at the young age of 31, the Marathas faced an existential crisis. The brutal execution of Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj still haunted them, and now, yet another leader was lost. Many expected the Marathas to crumble.
Maharani Tarabai Unleashed A War Against Aurangzeb
But Tarabai did not mourn—she retaliated. She declared her infant son, Shivaji II, as the rightful heir and took charge as regent. She did not simply rule from behind palace walls; she rode into battle, leading her forces with fiery determination.
Aurangzeb, who had personally marched to the Deccan, believed that the Marathas were on the brink of collapse. Instead, he found himself locked in a relentless war of attrition. For 27 years, he remained in the Deccan, pouring vast resources into a war he could not win. And the reason? Tarabai.
Under her command, the Marathas perfected their guerrilla tactics. They struck at the Mughals’ supply chains, drained their resources, and shattered their morale. The siege of Ginjee fort, which lasted eight grueling years, became a masterclass in psychological warfare. Rather than a head-on clash, Tarabai’s forces waged a war of deception—luring the Mughals into exhausting battles, then demanding heavy ransoms to ‘surrender’ forts, only to recapture them later.
The Unbreakable Spirit
Even as Mughal forces crumbled, Tarabai did not relent. She knew that vengeance was not just about defeating an enemy—it was about ensuring that the Maratha Empire would never bow again. After Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, the Mughals were left weakened and humiliated, their imperial ambitions shattered. Tarabai had avenged the atrocities committed against her people.
The Inevitable Struggle for Power
Yet, within the Maratha ranks, politics brewed. The release of Sambhaji Maharaj’s son, Sahuji Maharaj, led to internal conflict. The powerful Balaji Vishwanath and other Sardars aligned with Sahuji, forcing Tarabai to step aside. Though placed under house arrest, she remained a revered figure, a living legend who had defied the might of the Mughals.
Legacy of a Fearless Queen
Tarabai lived to the age of 86, long enough to see the Marathas rise to even greater heights. Though power struggles pushed her out of active politics, her role in the empire’s survival was undeniable. Without her vengeance, without her unwavering defiance, the Marathas might not have endured. She was not just a queen—she was a force of nature, a warrior who turned loss into victory and fear into power.
Maharani Tarabai is a name that is etched in history as the woman who avenged the Marathas, making sure that Hindavi Swarajya did not just survive—but triumphed.