Lakhuji Jadhav

The Jadhav Rao family had hereditary possession of the Jagir of Sindkhed Raja. During the period of Lakhuji Jadhav Rao, Nizam Shah added some more territories to this Jagir. ==Mansabdar of Ahmadnagar Sultanate==

Lakhuji Jadhav was a prominent Maratha chief who played a pivotal role in the early development of guerrilla warfare tactics. Following his triumph in the Khandesh War and the subsequent control of the Khandesh region, Lakhuji Jadhav assumed the title of Maharao of Khandesh, with crucial support from Shinde's of West Khandesh hailing from Dhanur and Songir. He was appointed as Mansabdar with a mansab of 10,000 men by Ahmadnagar Sultanate. ==Mansabdar of Mughal Empire==

Towards the end of the 16th century, the influence and power of the Maratha chieftains experienced a significant growth. The Mughals, who had long been intent on subduing and asserting control over the Deccan Muslim kingdoms, recognized the Maratha chiefs as a formidable military asset in the region and sought to enlist their support. In 1621, in their bid to establish control over the Deccan, Mughal emperor Jahangir conferred upon Lakhuji an impressive mansab of 24,000 men and granted him Jagir in the Deccan region. ==Death==

Lakhuji Jadhav was assassinated at Devgiri Fort, along with his sons and a grandson, by the orders of the Burhan Nizam Shah III in 1629. Lakhuji's descendants built his Samadhi (mausoleum) at Sindkhed Raja in his memory. This Samadhi is a fine example of Maratha architecture. ==References==