The Bhonsle family branch of Raghoji was known as Hinganikar as they were originally chiefs of Berdi near Hingani in
Pune District, established by Bimbaji Bhonsle I. The earliest prominent historically relevant members of the branch were the two brothers Rupaji I and Mudhoji Bhonsle. They served under
Shivaji Maharaj, a fellow Bhonsle clansman of the Verulkar branch. Mudhoji was bestowed with Pandogarh mauza in Maharashtra as a jagir for his spectacular exploits and his brother Rupaji I resided at Bham in the district of
Yavatmal. Though Chhatrapati Shivaji favoured Rupaji, as Rupaji I was childless, his fiefdom passed over to his brother Mudhoji, which gave Hinganikar Bhonsles a foothold in
east Maharashtra for future conquests. Mudhoji had three sons, Bapuji, Sabaji, and Parsoji who were entrusted with high military command and the forcible collection of
chauth (tribute) in the Mughal territories of
Berar. Mudhoji's son Sabaji was given the villages of Rakhswari and Poorkikotar; however, it was Parsoji who attained the highest position in the family during the
Mughal-Maratha Wars. The title of "
Senasahibsubha" (meaning Master of provinces and armies) was bestowed on Parsoji Bhonsle by
Chhatrapati Rajaram, along with rights to regions of
Devgad,
Gondwana,
Chanda and
Varhad from where he could exact tribute and effectively settle. Bapuji only had one son Bimbaji who was the father of Raghuji I. Parsoji had three sons; Santaji, Kanhoji and Ranoji each with a distinguished career. Senasahibsubha Parsoji Bhonsle was among the first Maratha lords to pledge himself and his army of 20,000 to Chhatrapati
Shahu I after his escape from Mughal camp. In recognition of these acts of loyalty, Shahu had the title of
Senasahibsubha reconfirmed in 1708, along with various sanads for Parsoji. Parsoji's son, Santaji Bhonsle, was part of various campaigns of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the other commanders, until his murder in Delhi during the 1719 campaign to depose
Farrukhsiyar led by Senapati
Khanderao Dabhade. Ranoji was given the title of Sawai Santaji (meaning Superior Santaji) along with other compensations for the loss of his brother's life. In 1722,
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj presented Badnera and
Amravati to Ranoji, further extending the presence of Hinganikar Bhonsles in the east. Kanhoji went on to secure the family title of Senasahibsubha after the death of Parsoji in 1709 or 1710. Senasahibsubha Kanhoji ruled for twenty years and laid the foundation of a strict rule in east Maharashtra. the ==Ascension to power==