Mohite is a Maratha clan.
History
Early mention of the Mohite name is in Shivabharat, a Sanskrit poem from the 17th century. The Mohite at that time served various Deccan sultanates such as the Nizamshahi or the Adilshahi of Bijapur like other Maratha clans such as Bhosale, Ghorpade, More, Shirke etc. One of Shahaji’s wives, Tukabai, came from the Mohite family. Their son, Venkoji, ruled the Maratha kingdom of Tanjore. Tukabai’s niece (her brother’s daughter), Soyarabai (d. 1680), became the second wife of Shivaji.The famed female maratha warrior Tarabai (1675–1761), the wife of Rajaram, was also from the Mohite clan. With the rise of Shivaji, the Mohite became his trusted generals. In the internecine conflict between members of the Bhosale family after Shivaji’s death in 1680, Soyarabai’s own brother and army chief Hambirrao Mohite switched sides to support the claims of Sambhaji for the Maratha throne.Bhavanji Mohite was the commander of the Maratha naval base at Malvan in the early years of the 18th century.
In the 18th century, Burhanji Mohite had great influence over his sister’s husband, Raghuji Bhosale, the ruler of the Nagpur kingdom. Burhanji’s other sister, Sagunabai, was married to Maratha Chhatrapati Shahu
Modern times
A number of Mohite clan members have been at the forefront of politics in the state of Maharashtra. During the period of 1960–1990, route to power in the state was through local institutions, and the cooperative sugar mills. The two Mohite who achieved influence in the state politics through this route were Shankarrao Mohite-Patil and Yashwantrao Mohite.Many members of Shankarao’s family have been active in Maharashtra politics. His son, Vijaysinh Mohite–Patil served as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra in 2004.
Notables
- Shankarraoji Mohite, King Shivaji’s comrade, who was present at Pratapgad when Shivaji killed Afzalkhan
- Pilaji Mohite, King Shivaji’s comrade, who was present at Pratapgad when Shivaji killed Afzalkhan
- Sambhajirao Mohite, Maratha sardar and ruler of Talbid
- Hambirao Mohite, Commander in Chief of the Maratha Army and Soyarabai’s brother. His descendants dwell in Talbid.
- Shankarrao Mohite-Patil -One of the cooperative sugar barons and Congress party legislature. He attracted a lot of notoriety for his daughter’s opulent wedding ceremony at the time of severe drought in Maharashtra in the early 1970s.
- Vijaysinh Mohite–Patil (1944-) -Former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. Son of Shankarrao Mohite-Patil.
- Yashwantrao Mohite (1920–2009) – Indian Freedom fighter, activist of Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Cooperative sugar baron, Congress party minister