Vyankoji Bhosale

The Marathi inscriptions of the Thanjavur temple dates the capture of Thanjavur to January 1676. The Madras Tamil manuscript assigns the dates 1675 and 1679 to the conquest and end of Ekoji I's reign respectively. Likewise, the Marathi inscriptions assigns Ekoji's death to 1684. However, Wilkes asserts that Ekoji was well alive in 1686-1687. The records of the British East India Company mention a king called Ekoji as late as 1699-1700.

However, Dharmakuta a commentary on the Ramayana suggests that Ekoji might have abdicated in the year 1684 in favor of his son Shahuji. However, it is quite unclear as to how many years he lived after the event.

Entre 1676 y 1677, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj emprendió una expedición al Carnático para reclamar su parte del jagir, con el deseo también de someter todo el sur de la India al dominio maratha. Con este objetivo en mente, firmó un tratado con Golconda , tomó Gingee y se dirigió a Thanjavur tras conquistar todas las tierras al norte del río Coleroon . Shivaji acampó en la orilla norte del río Kollidam, a 16 kilómetros al norte de Thanjavur , e invitó a Ekoji a dialogar. Shivaji no intentó cruzar este afluente del Kaveri, para dejar claro a su hermano que deseaba resolver los asuntos de herencia de forma amistosa. Shivaji reclamaba el derecho a la herencia de Shahji. Fue Raghunath Pant Hanumante, ministro de Ekoji , quien le había planteado este asunto a Shivaji. Aunque Shivaji inicialmente se mostró reacio a reclamar el jagir de su padre, finalmente aceptó la idea para alcanzar metas más elevadas para el Swarajya . Antes de visitar a Shivaji en Satara en enero de 1677 , Raghunath Pant Hanumante había visitado Golconda y había trazado una hoja de oro de diplomacia. Se reunió con los ministros brahmanes de Qutub Shah, Akanna y Madanna , y los tres coincidieron en la expansión del Swarajya . El hermano de Raghunath Pant, Janardan Pant Hanumante, estaba al servicio de Shivaji. Presionó a Qutub Shah para que firmara un tratado de amistad con Shivaji. Qutub Shah se mostró muy dispuesto, ya que estaba bajo presión tanto de Bijapur como de los mogoles . El acercamiento de Shivaji a Tanjore fue precedido, por lo tanto, por una larga y tortuosa marcha a través del territorio de Bijapur hasta Golconda y luego directamente hacia el sur. Los dos hermanos permanecieron juntos durante más de una semana y mantuvieron largas conversaciones. Mientras Shivaji presionaba por una división del jagir, Ekoji se mantuvo hermético y evasivo. Una noche, organizó en secreto una barcaza y huyó del campamento. Afligido, Shivaji decidió regresar a Raigad para evitar un conflicto abierto con su hermano. La administración y el control de los territorios recién conquistados quedaron en manos de su Sarnaubat Hambir Rao Mohite y otros como Harji Raje Mahadik , Santaji Ghorpade , Vitthal Pildev Atre y el propio Raghunath Pant Hanumate ; con Gingee as the centre of new territories. Ekoji I reacted by launching regular military campaigns into Santoji's territory with the intention of driving him away. However, Shivaji's army handed him a crushing defeat taking many prisoners. Ekoji himself fled. This confrontation took place near Valikandapuram on 16 November 1677. Shivaji got this news, when he was at Gadag on his way back. He wrote a letter of retribution, but still expressing his will for a reconciliation on 1 March 1678. Meanwhile, he had a correspondence with Raghunath Pant. A very hesitant Ekoji succumbed to his weak military position and his wife Deepabai's strong persuasion. Ultimately, Ragunath Pant was invited from Gingee for discussions. Raghunath Pant enjoyed full confidence of Shivaji and knew his heart and mind and his future plans and intentions. Accordingly, a 19 point treaty was drafted and sent to Shivaji for his ratification. Shivaji signed the same. The core of this treaty was (1) All the Bijapur territory claimed to be under Shahji's jagir and which was recently won by Shivaji was returned back to Deepabai (territories around Bangalore with an annual revenue of 2 lac hons) and Ekoji (region of 7 lac hons around Tanjor). (2) Ekoji was weaned away from the Bijapur's Adilshahi and his Muslim advisers as he was forbidden from Harbouring any anti Hindu element in his realm (Article 6). Article 17 stated that Raghunath Pant would have ancestral jagir of 1 lac hons; underlining Raghunath Pant's vital role in Dakshin Digvijay. However, in 1680, Bijapur succumbed to the invasions of Shivaji Maharaj and handed over the administration of all lands to the north of the Coleroon river to Shivaji Maharaj. Ekoji I was forced to become a vassal of Shivaji Maharaj and pay him tribute. On the death of Shivaji Maharaj, however, the tribute was stopped and Thanjavur retained its independent existence.^[2][3]

The chiefs of Ramnad had been vassals of the Nayaks of Madurai. However, the new ruler, Kilavan desired to become independent. With this aim in mind, he concluded an alliance with Ekoji and rebelled against his overlord. The battle ended in the victory of Shahuji I, the defeat of Madurai and the liberation of Ramnad.