Soyarabai was the second wife of Shivaji, founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was mother of second of Shivaji's son, Raja Ram.
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Early life
Born as Soyarabai Shirke, she got married to Shivaji in the year 1660 [1]. The marriage itself was following death of Saibai on 5th September 1659. Due to this Soyrabai got a lot of attention from Shivaji but it was not until 14th February 1670 did she give birth to Raja Ram[1].
Shivaji's death
After Shivaji's untimely demise in 1680 Soyarabai was rumored to have poisoned her husband because she thought he might give all of his kingdom to his favorite son, her own step-son Sambhaji, of whom she was jealous.[citation needed] She wanted her own son Rajaram to have an upper hand in the political structure of the Maratha empire, though he was neither as brave nor as prudent and wise as Sambhaji. Her only other child by Shivaji was a daughter, Balibai, who was older than Rajaram.
When Sambhaji became king, Soyarabai tried all means to dethrone him, but he overcame these attempts with the help of Hambirrao Mohite- Soyrabai's brother and commander-in-chief of the Maratha forces. Sambhaji executed all her followers.[citation needed]Finally, full of repentance, she killed herself by drinking poison.[citation needed] In spite of the cruel treatment meted out to him by Soyrabai, Sambhaji Maharaj performed her last rites with the greatest respect.[citation needed]
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See also
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