Rani Yesubai

''Yesubai'' was the wife of Sambhaji, a Maratha emperor.She was the daughter of Pilajirao Shirke, an illustrious Maratha Sardar, who was in the services of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.Yesubai was by various accounts extremely beautiful, wise and prudent. She was fiercely loyal to the goals of her father-in-law, Shivaji maharaj, of establishing and perpetuating the Maratha empire. It is said that she aided her husband, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the daily affairs of state, giving just and wise suggestions. She was extremely loyal to her husband Sambhaji and was very proud of his audacity and other qualities. She did not hesitate to go against her own brother when he unjustly demanded of Sambhaji Maharaj a vatan. She was the most favourite wife of Sambhaji Maharaj, and was his lifelong faithful companion, friend and beloved.They had a son called Shahaji, but he was renamed by Aurangzeb as 'Shahu' to obliterate any memories of his grandfather, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.