Pratap Singh (Raja of Satara)

Pratap Singh Bhonsale (18 January 1793 – 14 October 1847) was the eighth and last Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire from 1808 to 1818, when he surrendered to the British during the Third Anglo-Maratha War. He was also the Raja of Satara from 1818 until 1839, when he was replaced with Shahaji of Satara by the British.

Descent
He was born in the Bhonsle clan of Maratha caste.

Early life
Pratap Singh was the eldest son of Shahu II of Satara, whom he succeeded, and a descendant of Chatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire.

Raja
After signing a treaty with East India Company in 1818, he ruled as the Raja of Satara from 1818 until 1839, when he was replaced with Shahaji of Satara by the company. On being dethronned the company in 1839, he was exiled to Benares and granted an allowance for his maintenance. Rango Bapuji Gupte, a loyal Sardar to him, long fought unsuccessful legal battles in London on his behalf.

He was succeeded by his brother, Appa Saheb, under the title Shreemant Maharaj Shaji Raja Chhatrapati of Satara. Appa Saheb then became known as Raja Shahaji.