Jivbadada Kerkar
Jivbadada Kerkar, also known as Jivbadada Ganesh and Bakshi Bahadur Jivbadada Kerkar, was a prominent military administrator and diplomat who served the Maratha Empire under the Shinde dynasty. He is particularly noted for his service to Mahadji Shinde and played a crucial role in the Maratha politics of the late 18th century.
Early life
Jivbadada was born in 1740 in the village of Keri, located in the Ponda taluka of Goa. He belonged to a family originally from Pedne. His grandfather was Vithal Shenvi Sanzgiri and his father was Ganesh. Jivbadada was the eldest of three brothers, the others being Balwant and Ramkrishna. Following the death of his father, he was raised by his uncle, Balwant. He spent his early childhood in Keri and received his primary education at home. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Kolhapur for further studies, where he learned Sanskrit and developed an interest in physical exercise.Career
Around 1761, Jivbadada moved to Pune and began working for the Barve family, who were sardars under the Peshwa. He was later appointed as the head of the Barve infantry. His military career saw significant action during the Peshwa campaigns. At the age of 21, he accompanied Sadashivrao Bhau during the northern campaigns and fought in the Third Battle of Panipat.Following the battle, Nanasaheb Peshwa sent him to assist Mahadji Shinde. Shinde, recognizing Jivbadada's bravery and administrative skills, eventually appointed him as his Commander-in-Chief. Jivbadada played a vital role in several military engagements involving the Rajputs, Jats, and the forces of Tipu Sultan. He was instrumental in defending Delhi against Ghulam Kadir. His successes earned him titles from the Mughal Emperor, including "Bakshibahadur Fatehjung" and "Samshherjang Bahadur."
As a trusted advisor and the "right hand" of Mahadji Shinde, Jivbadada managed the administration of the Shinde estates and handled diplomatic relations. He was also involved in the Maratha conflicts with the Nizam of Hyderabad. In the court of Madhavrao II (Sawai Madhavrao), he was honored with a jeweled sword for his services. Following the death of Sawai Madhavrao, he supported the installation of Bajirao II as the Peshwa.
Death and legacy
Jivbadada Kerkar died on 6 January 1796 at Jambgaon. Records indicate that he participated in approximately 175 battles during his lifetime. He is remembered as a loyal and capable general who helped consolidate Shinde power in North India.The Bakshi Bahaddar Jivbada Kerkar award, Goa's highest state award for sports, is named after him.