Commander in Chief of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Army Veer Maratha Prataprao Gujar
Prataprao Gujar was the third Commander in Chief(Sarnaubat) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. His actual name was Kudtoji Gujar, because of his bravery "Prataprao(brave)" pseudonym was given by Shivaji Maharaj.
Commander in Chief of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Army Veer Maratha Pratap Gujar
Prataprao Gujar was the third Commander in Chief(Sarnaubat) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army. His actual name was Kudtoji Gujar, because of his bravery "Prataprao(brave)" pseudonym was given by Shivaji Maharaj.
Prataprao was very emotional kind of person. Battle of Salher was an important battle between Mughals and marathas. He defeated Mughal Empire in a famous Battle of Salher.
One day Prataprao heard about Balol Khan's campaign. Balol Khan's campaign was at Nesari, Kolhapur. Prataprao decide to attack on Balol Khan. This is because of the letter sent by Shivaji. In this letter Shivaji Maharaj wrote angrily that, he will never see Prataprao's face until he captures Balol Khan. The reason for the letter was once Balol Khan was captured by Maratha, but it was released by Prataprao. This was reason for the attack on Balol Khan campaign. Balol Khan troop was of 15000 men, and Prataprao's troop was of 1200 men. So Prataprao decide to charge alone for stand against Balol Khan. On seeing this anger of Prataprao against Balol Khan, other six maratha leader joined the charge. Prataprao Gujar, Visaji Ballal, Dipoji Rautrao Vithal, Pilaji Atre, Krishnaji Bhaskar, Siddi Hilal and Vithoji were the seven Maratha's charged against 15000 men of Balol Khan. In this charge Pratap lost his life, and this was the big loss for Marathas.
Under the leadership of Anandrao Mohite maratha army defeated Balol Khan, and looted his jahgir. "Veedat Marathe veer Duadale saat" is the poem written by famous poet Kusumagraj on based this event. This was one of the bravest event in the history of Marathas. The place at which Prataprao lost his life, is know named as Prataprao Gujar Smarak which is near Nesari(Kolhapur).
