Shahaji
Shahaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: शहाजी राजे भोसले) was a Maratha general. He was an early exponent of guerilla warfare. He was the eldest son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul (present-day Ellora, Maharashtra). He brought the house of Bhosle into prominence. The princely states of Tanjore, Kolhapur and Satara are Bhosle legacies. He was father of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
Islamic ruler Ibrahim Adil Shah of Bijapur, appointed Hindus to key positions and changed the official court language from Persian to Marathi.
Maloji was childless for a long time. Two sons were born to him after seeking blessings from a famous Sufi pir of the time, named Hazrat Shah Sharifji. In honour of the pir, Maloji named his sons Shahaji and Sharifji. Maloji was a capable soldier and eventually became Sar Giroh and was awarded independent Jagir of Pune & Supe districts in the court of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar.
Read more about Shahaji: About Shahaji, Battle of Bhatvadi, Setting Up An Independent Maratha Kingdom, Crisis Phase, Legacy