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This story is a fictitious representation of the life of Saibai Nimbalkar. There is very little historical information on her except that she was the first wife of Shivaji Raje and the mother of his heir, Shambhaji.
Saibai Nimbalkar came into the prominent household of the Bhosales as a gratitude gift from her father to his for saving his life. She was a nine-year-old girl being married to the eleven-year-old warrior son of a noble. Her Sasubai (mother-in-law) always treated her like a daughter and helped her learn her duties in the household. She was the ultimate word in his life, and she spent her days helping her son run the state as well as managing the household.
He was learning to become a warrior. He was waiting for the day he could join his father and brother on the battlefield. Her dreams were smaller. Decorating the Palace with colourful rangoli or helping her sasubai braid and decorate her hair could make her happy. She waited for him patiently with the food every day as he practised his sword skills and told her tales of his father's bravery. She often got amused at his wise behaviour and laughed to make him angry. They slowly became friends, he her Raje and she his Sai.
" Do you know what Swaraj is, Sai?" He asked her one day while returning home from the temples. She looked at him, clueless.
"It is the dream of my mother. It is our rule over our forefathers' land without any emperor's influence, without the emperor's torturing our villagers." His eyes lit up as he looked at her. Her face looked tense.
"Raje, is that really possible? Many have tried and failed and lost their kingdoms and lives."
"I will make it possible. I will dedicate my life to my country and its freedom from slavery."
"Raje, your dreams are too big...." She was smiling. Indeed, her man was special.
Years passed by with his dedication towards becoming a warrior, she's towards his household. They were in their teens. His sword skills were praised everywhere, and her kindness was blessed. Friends became partners. Their silly fights and quarrels, he pulling her leg, her angry nose flare, and his apologies. Everything lit up the palace.
He used to go out at night with her help to help the villagers in distress. The poor and needy loved their knight. He helped his mother with state affairs in his father's absence. Any stress or good news, his first call was "Sai..."
That was a time when polygamy was prevalent among royals. His mother thought it was the right time for a second bride. Soyara Bai was younger than her. The palace rejoiced at the arrival of another Laxmi. Saibai accepted her as a sister. But he... His heart already belonged to Saibai. He knew she was hurt and helpless, yet ever smiling. The teenage boy who was too busy with plans of taking lives had fallen in love with his childhood companion and first wife. She fed him when tired, caressed his wounds and supported him without expectations. While all other girls her age desired jewellery and love, she stood by him through thick and thin and advised and encouraged his dreams.
Despite having five other marital alliances, she was his only wife. Her positive and good nature brought peace to the household. He carried out many operations across the Deccans and captured forts. He was thus called Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale by his subjects and a mountain rat by his enemies. He knew the mountains like a child knows its mother. She fasted and prayed for him while he was away in the wars.
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| Shivaji and Saibai Paintings from the 18th century. |
Finally, they were old enough, and their mother decided it was time to consummate their marriage. She travelled from the room she shared with his other wives into his Palace Chambers.
His dreams, thoughts and aspirations did not need to be told to her in words. He understood her just like his mother. Their affection was not that of any political union but that of love and respect. She gave him three beautiful daughters and a son, the future king.
She died at the age of twenty-six, leaving behind her two-year-old son in the care of his grandmother, Jijabai. Their nineteen years of marriage not only shaped his character but also his political decisions. After her death, he shunned himself from love again, although he unwillingly consummated his marriage with Queens, he could not love like he loved her. He died aged fifty-three, facing dysentery problems. He suffered for a few days before breathing his last, and such was their love that his last word was "Sai".
She was that part of his warrior self that helped him remain generous and humble. She was the luck in his life. The string that tied his household together with love. Her prayers spelt his success, and her smile made his days. Saibai was Shivaji Raje's personal life.
Political turmoil, wars, marriages, children and responsibilities at such young ages gave them no time to confess their untold love to each other. She was his one and only love, and yet somewhere the story remains incomplete. Their love remains unspoken and ignored.
