Prataprao Gujar
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Prataprao Gujar ( actual name Kudtoji) was the second Sarnaubat ( General) of Shivaji. He was given the name of Prataprao ( The brave) by Shivaji in acknowledgement of his bravery in the war againt Mirza raje Jaisingh ( Rajput general sent by Aurangzeb).
A wise , gifted general , who enjoyed the trust of his king and the loyalty of his troops , whoes only drawback was an impulsive emotional nature.
During time of Shivaji's coronation , Prataprao Gujar was sent to deal with the invading force lead by Bahalo Khan. The Maratha army surrounded the camp of Bahalo Khan at the place of Naesari. Prataprao, feeling that the force under his command was not sufficient to defeat Bahalol Khan requested for more forces.
While rejecting his request , Shivaji, ordered his general to attack and defeat the enemy. In a fit of anger and over reacting to the letter , Prataprao and six of his men attacked the camp of Bhalol Khan alone. ( this event has been retold in the form of a marathi peom "Sat vede vir" ( Seven irrational braves).
The marathi army later extracted revenge for the death of their general , by defeating Baholol Khan and looting his jagir (fiefdom) under the leadership of Anaji and Hambirao Mohite.
Shivaji's second son , Rajaram , was later, married to the daughter of Prataprao Gujar.