Category:Maratha Chhatrapati

Chhatrapati (Devanagari: छत्रपती) is the Indian royal title equivalent to an Emperor. It is more formally written as Kshetrapati (Sanskrit: kshetra- meaning "domain"/"field" and -pati meaning "lord"). In contrast, the Indian Maharaja or Raja, Yuvraj, Rajkumar or Kumar, Senapati, and Sardar most closely equate to the European titles King, Crown Prince, Prince, Duke, and Count, respectively. The term is most commonly used in reference to Shivaji Raje Bhonsle, founder of the Maratha Empire, and his eldest son and heir Sambhaji. As described below, Shivaji's linear successors in the royal House of Bhonsle also held the title of Chhatrapati.