Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe

Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe, the commander of the Delhi-based army of the Maratha Empire, was born in 1695 in the Supa province in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. He was from a common Farmer family. Due to the severe famine, he came to Kanauj in North India, for education and livelihood with his uncle. There he received his Weapon and Shastra education from Pt. Ramchandra Bhatt and Sufi music education from Haiti Baba.

In his youth, Shrimant Shahu Maharaj, the crown prince of the Maratha Empire and grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, saw his talent. When Shahuji became the successor of the Maratha Empire after his coronation in 1708, he enrolled Antaji in his personal service. In due course of time, Shrimant Shahu Maharaj again won over the throne of Chatrapati in battle with Shrimant Tararani and began his rule as Emperor. The Post of a Prime Minister (Peshwa) was created in Punavadi (Pune) for the expansion of the Maratha Empire. Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe was honoured with the post of “Sardar (Knight)” by Shahu Maharaj to expand the empire.

Under the guidance and patronage of Shahu maharaj, when the Peshwas expanded the Hindawi empire in India, Antaji Mankeshwar was appointed as Governor in Delhi and as per the famous Ahmadiyya Agreement of 1752, he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army of Delhi.

For over 21 years (from 1740 to 1761), Antaji was Governor of Maratha Empire. After the battle expert Prithiviraj Chauhan, only Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe, controlled Hindustan as a Governor for such long period of time. Antaji hoisted the saffron flag in the whole of North India and kept the administration of the emperor and the Marathas undisturbed by foreign invaders.

Near Ahmednagar, Antaji established Kamargaon for his administration and built Garhi fort. During his tenure as the commander-in-chief, Antaji won many important battles in India from 1729 to 1757 by performing brilliantly against the foreign invaders. His decisions in battle space and administration are still considered directional and ideal.

In 1754, after the martyrdom of his son, he first opposed the practice of Sati Pratha and issued orders against it. He asked his army and family to follow those orders. This is an important contribution of Antaji’s vision and ideas. He was honoured with the Saptahazari Mansab by the emperor. He also established his own coat of arms and seal for the administration.

Ahmadshah Abdali was driven twice across the border of Hindustan by Antaji. Antaji was proud of his bravery and he always fought for Hindustan and Maratha Empire. But on January 18, 1761, while coming towards Delhi from the third “Panipat War”, he was killed by the attackers near Farrukhnagar.