The Bhonsle dynasty are a prominent Indian Marathi royal house. They claimed descent from the Rajput Sisodia dynasty, but were likely Kunbi Marathas.
Rajmudra (royal seal) of Shivaji I
Portrait of Shivaji Bhonsle, later known as Shivaji I, the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire.
Raigad Fort served as the initial capital of the Bhonsles.
Emblem depicting Chatrapati Shahu I of the Maratha Confederacy.
Chhatrapati is a royal title from Sanskrit used to denote a monarch or imperial head of state. The word "Chhatrapati" is a Sanskrit language compound word of chhatra and pati (master/lord/ruler). This title was used by the House of Bhonsle, between 1674 and 1818, as the heads of state of the Maratha Confederacy.
Image: Shivaji seal, reproduction
Image: Shivaji British Museum
Genealogy of Kolhapur Chhatrapatis
Image: Shivaji British Museum