Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe, born in Kamaragaon (Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra), was a distinguished Maratha military commander and diplomat who became the first Maratha “mutasaddi” (envoy) in Delhi under Shahu Maharaj, serving from the 1750s until the fatal Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
Known for his linguistic fluency in Kannuaji, Persian, Hindi, and Sanskrit, Antaji was recognized early for both martial valor and administrative acumen. He earned his surname “Gandhe” when he ceremoniously applied sacred sandal paste (‘gandha’) on the forehead of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who thereafter appointed him the Marathi Delhi envoy commanding 7,000 cavalry.
In the Battle of Narela (1757), Antaji led approximately 3,400 Maratha cavalrymen against Ahmad Shah Abdali’s forces outside Delhi. Despite heavy odds, he displayed tactical bravery. His resistance delayed Abdali’s progress, enhancing Maratha prestige.
Previously, he joined Chimaji Appa and Peshwa Bajirao I’s expeditions, including the capture of Bundelkhand, where his recommendation elevated Govindpant Bundela to leadership—a key administrative victory.
In 1754, deeply disturbed by Sati practices (the self-immolation of widows), Antaji issued edicts banning it across his jurisdiction in Kamaragaon and its estates—years before broader social reformers took action.
At Panipat (1761), Antaji fought valiantly. Though wounded, he managed to retreat before being ambushed and killed near Farukhnagar by opposing forces. His death was chronicled as a devastating blow to Maratha leadership.
In modern recognition, India Post issued a ₹5 commemorative stamp on 4 July 2023 honoring Sardar Antaji’s role in repelling Durrani forces at Narela and his service in Delhi.
Despite his monumental contributions to Maratha expansion, Antaji remains under-recognized in mainstream historiography. His ancestral Gadhi (fortified wada) and turrets still stand in Kamaragaon, awaiting proper restoration and memorialization.
🔍 15 Facts About Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe
- Born in Kamaragaon, Maharashtra.
- Appointed by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj as envoy to Delhi.
- Commanded 7,000 Maratha cavalry.
- Led the Battle of Narela against Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1757.
- Issued orders to ban Sati in 1754.
- Granted jagirs in Etawah and Pufundh by the Mughal emperor.
- Skilled in Kannauji, Persian, Sanskrit, and Hindi.
- Fought in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
- Died after being ambushed near Farukhnagar.
- Known for his signature gesture of applying sandal paste (Gandha) on royal foreheads.
- Participated in the campaigns of Chimaji Appa and Bajirao I.
- Credited with recommending Govindpant Bundela for Bundelkhand leadership.
- Recognized posthumously by the 2023 India Post stamp.
- His ancestral home Gandhe Gadhi still exists in Kamaragaon.
- Considered a symbol of Maratha valor and diplomacy in North India.
Sardar Antaji Mankeshwar Gandhe’s legacy is a powerful reminder of Maratha influence in Northern India and their fight for unity, reform, and sovereignty.