List of Marathi people
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into List of people from Maharashtra. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2011. |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Primary populations in:
Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu[1]
| |
| Languages | |
| Marathi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indo-Aryans, Konkani people, Dhivehi people |
This page is a list of notable Marathi people. This list contains people with Marathi ethnicity and may not have lived in Maharashtra. For people living in Maharashtra see List of people from Maharashtra. The Marathi people or Maharashtrians (Marathi: मराठी माणसं or महाराष्ट्रीय) are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages. Although their history goes back more than a millennium, the community came to prominence when Maratha warriors under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the Maratha Empire in 1674. Mee Marathi (मी मराठी, I am Marathi) are two words that have always inculcated Marathi pride.
Rulers
The Ancient Rulers
- Gautamiputra Satkarni (78AD-102AD) – A Satavahana emperor, defeated Vikramaditya and started the Shalivahan Shaka Calendar which is still used by Maharashtrians[3]
The Bhosale (Maharashtra)
- Maloji Bhosale – First Bhosale to receive the title of "Raje", father of Shahaji Bhosale
- Shahaji Bhosale – Father of Shivaji, was an early exponent of guerilla warfare. He was the eldest son of Maloji Bhosale of Verul (present-day Ellora, Maharashtra)
- Jijabai – Mother of Shivaji, daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav, a nobleman from Sindkhed Raja, was born in present-day Buldhana district of Maharashtra State
- Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680) – Founder of the Maratha Empire (Swarajya)[4]
- Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj(1657–1689) – Son of Shivaji; Second Emperor of Maratha Empire[5]
- Rajaram Chhatrapati (1670–1700) – Third Emperor of the Maratha Empire[5]
- Tarabai (1675–1761) – Queen of the Maratha Empire. Wife of Chhatrapati Rajaram[5] was the daughter of the famed Maratha general Hambirao Mohite, led the Maratha War of Independence, the war which change the course of Indian History
- Shahu (1682–1749) – Fourth ruler of the Maratha Empire[5]
- Ramaraja (1749–1777) – Fifth ruler of the Maratha Empire[5]
- Raghoji I (1738–1755) – Expanded the empire up to Bengal, popularised the annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra, or "Festival of Chariots", at Puri in Orrisa
The Bhosale (Thanjavur-Tamil Nadu)
- Venkoji - Half-brother of the great Maratha king Shivaji was the first Raja of Thanjavur from the Bhosale dynasty
- Serfoji II (1777–1832) – Maratha King of Thanjavur, Pioneer in ophthalmology[6]
- Shivaji II - Was the son of Raja Serfoji II,also contributed to the expansion of the Saraswathi Mahal Library and gave many useful books.
The Holkar (Indore-Madhya Pradesh)
- Shrimant Sardar Malharrao Holkar (1693–1766) – Ruler of Indore[7]
- Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) – Queen of Malwa[7] She is often compared with Catherine II of Russia, Elizabeth I of England
- Yeshwantrao Holkar I (reigned 1798 – 27 October 1811) – He was a gifted military leader and educated in accountancy as well as literate in Persian and Marathi.[8]
- Tukojirao Holkar II (reigned 27 June 1844 – 17 June 1886)- Lieutenant General Maharaja Sir Tukojirao Holkar XI Bahadur, GCSI, was the Maharaja Holkar of Indore from 1844–1886
- Shivajirao Holkar - He was the son of Tukojirao Holkar II
- Yeshwantrao Holkar II - He was educated at the Cheam School, Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford
- Tukojirao Holkar III - Was the Maharaja of Indore belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas
The Shinde/Scindia (Gwalior-Madhaya Pradesh)
- Ranojirao Scindia – He was the founder of princely Gwalior State of Scindias
- Jayapparao Scindia (1745 – 25 July 1755) – A Maratha general, ruler of Gwalior state
- Srimant Mahadji Shinde Srinath Bahadur (1730–1794) – Ruler of Gwalior state,[9] Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the debacle of the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. Under him Marathas re-captured delhi and restored there power in North India in 1771.
- Daulatrao Scindia (12 February 1794 – 21 March 1827). Born 1779, died 1827 – Daulatrao played a significant role in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha wars.
- Jayajirao Scindia (7 February 1843 – 20 June 1886). Jayajirao was created a Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
The Ruler of Jhansi (Madhya Pradesh)
- Lakshmibai – The queen of Jhansi[10] was one of the leading figures of Indian Rebellion of 1857 and a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company in subcontinent
The Gaekwad (Baroda-Gujarat)
- Pilaji Rao Gaekwad (1721–1732) – He is considered to be the founder of the Gaekwad dynasty, who became Maharaja of Baroda State.[11]
- Shrimant Maharaja Sir Sayajirao III Gaekwad(1863–1939) – Ruler of Baroda,[12] founder of Bank of Baroda
- Pratap Singh Gaekwad (1939–1951) – He founded the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1949 as per the wishes of his grandfather
- Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad (1951–1988) – Lieutenant-Colonel Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Prataprao Gaekwad
- Maharani Gayatri Devi – Granddaughter of Shrimant Maharaja Sir Sayajirao III Gaekwad & Maharani of Jaipur, socialite, included in Vogue magazine's Ten Most Beautiful Women
- Indira Raje - Mother of Maharani Gayatri Devi,She served as regent of Cooch Behar during the minority of her son
The Peshwe
- Moropant Pingle – Was the First Peshwa Prime Minister in the court of Shivaji[13]
- Peshwa Bajirao (1700–1740) – Expanded the Maratha empire in the North[5]
- Raghunath Rao – Gifted Maratha General who defeated the Afghans and expanded the Maratha empire to its maximum limit, i.e. Attock (ahead of Peshawar)[14]
- Madhavrao Peshwa – Marathas bounced back to glory just 10 years after there defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761
Historic Warriors
During Shivaji's Reign
- Kanhoji Jedhe – Key succor to Shivaji in Battle of Pratapgarh[15]
- Dadoji Konddev – Was a 16th-century revenue expert from India, particularly known for his loyalty towards Shahaji
- Baji Prabhu Deshpande – General in the army of Shivaji who sacrificed his life saving shivaji at Siege of Panhala.[16]
- Yesaji Dabhade – Personal Body Guard of Chhattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Was present with Shivaji during the siege of Panhala.
- Gomaji Naik – Was a warrior and military adviser in the army of Shivaji
- Rango Narayan Orpe – Shivaji's administrative officer on Vishalgad. known for defeating the Bijapur army in the battle of Vishalgad[17]
- Firangoji Narsala- Military leader in the army of Shivaji, famous for his defence of fort Sangram Durg[18]
- Haider Ali Kohari – Most trusted general in all Shivaji's campaigns
- Murarbaji Deshpande – Remembered for his defense of the Purandar Fort[19]
- Netaji Palkar – Second Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) in the army of Shivaji[18]
- Prataprao Gujar – Third royal Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) of Shivaji's army[20]
- Tanaji Malusare – Trusted ally of Shivaji,famous for Battle of Sinhagad[21]
- Hambirrao Mohite – General and War Minister in the cabinet (ashtapradhan) of Shivaji Maharaj[22]
- Kanhoji Angre – First notable chief of the Maratha Navy and popularly known as “Samudratla Shivaji” (Shivaji of Indian ocean).[23]
- Santaji Ghorpade – One of the most valorous Maratha sardars who fought the Moghals in the great battle of 27 years.[24]
- Dhanaji Jadhav – One of the most valorous Maratha sardars who fought the Moghals.[25]
- Bajaji Rao Naik Nimbalkar – Shivaji's Relative and a Prominent Maratha Sardar
- Sardar Godajirao Jagtap – Was in King Shivaji's Army welknown for his Bravery & close childhood friend of Chhatrapati Shivaji
- Khanderao Dabhade – Noble Maratha Sardar, became the Commander-in-Chief (Sarsenapati) of the Maratha army on 11 January 1717
- Chimanaji Deshpande – Military general, he was in army of Netaji Palkar and played role while attacking foot soldiers of Adilshahi forces at Pratapgad and Wai
- Yesaji Kank – Was known for his Valour at the Battle of Pratapgarh
- Maynak Bhandari – Was one of the first chiefs of the Maratha Navy, helped in building the Maratha Navy and safeguarding coastline of the emerging Maratha Empire
The Third Battle of Panipat (1761)
- Sadashivrao Bhau – He served as the Sarsenapati (Commander-in-chief) of the Maratha army at the Third Battle of Panipat
- Vishwasrao – He was killed at the Third Battle of Panipat when a stray cannon shell hit his head.
- Shrimant Sardar Malharrao Holkar – was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India.
- Mahadaji Shinde – Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the debacle of the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of the Peshwa, leader of the Maratha Confederacy
- Jankoji Scindia – Son of Jayapparao Scindia gave example of extreme valour, but was killed at the Third Battle of Panipat
- Ranoji Bhoite – Was a Maratha chieftain of the Bhoite clan who was participated in the battle
- Nana Phadnavis – Was an influential minister and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration, Nana escaped to Pune from the Third Battle of Panipat and rose to great heights becoming a leading personage directing the affairs of the Maratha Confederacy, although he was never a soldier himself
Indian Independence Movement
First Anglo Maratha War (1775–1782)
- Raghunathrao – Under his supervision the, First Anglo-Maratha wars fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Empire in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai
Second Anglo Maratha War (1803–1805)
- Raghoji II Bhonsle – Was the Maratha ruler of the Kingdom of Nagpur in Central India, played important in Second Anglo Maratha War
- Daulat Scindia – Maratha resistance to the consolidation of British hegemony over northern and central India in the early 18th century. Daulatrao played a significant role in the Second and Third Anglo-Maratha wars
- Yashwantrao Holkar – To keep the British at bay, Yashwant Rao Holkar played a great role in Indian history. He stood up against the British with his forces accompanied by Raghoji II Bhonsle and Daulat Scindia, on 4 June 1803, they decided to fight against the British force after their meeting at Bodwad
Third Anglo Maratha War (1817–1818)
- Peshwa Baji Rao II – The war fought under his leadership was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India
- Mudhoji II Bhonsle – His troops attacked the British and were defeated in the action at Sitabaldi
- Malharrao Holkar III – Gave his best to fight the forces, Britishers led by Sir Thomas Hislop, attacked on 20 December 1817 and defeated the army led by 11 year old Malharrao Holkar III
The Revolt of 1857
- Nana Sahib – Was a rebel Indian leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 who played a part in two massacres of British troops and civilians.
- Rani Laxmibai – She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company in the subcontinent.
- Rango Bapuji Gupte - Was a Diplomat, General of the Maratha kingdom of Satara. He went to England as an ambassador of the Maratha rulers and advocated their stance about British rule to various British noblemen and politicians. After 14 years living in England with not much success, he finally decided to have a military confrontation against British rule in India. He played an important role in planning the independence war of 1857.
- Tatya Tope (executed 1859) – Served as most successful general in the Revolt of 1857.
- Nana Fadnavis - The great Maratha statesman of the Peshwa period,he was called "the Marattha Machiavelli" by the Europeans
Other Freedom Fighters and Revolutionaries
- Chimnaji Appa – Defeated the Portuguese in 1740 ending their rule in North Konkan[26]
- Babarao Savarkar – Was an Indian revolutionary, who was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chapekar brothers – They shot W. C. Rand, an Indian Civil Services officer, was the First political murder in Indian freedom struggle
- Hari Shivaram Rajguru – Was an Indian revolutionist, was charged in the murder of a British police officer J.P. Saunders at Lahore in 1928,he was a colleague of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev.
- Krishnaji Gopal Karve - Shot Jackson the Collector of Nashik was companion of Anant Laxman Kanhere
- Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak – Was the First popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement, British derogatorily called him Father of the Indian unrest
- Ganesh Damodar Savarkar – Founded the Young India Society which was a secret society
- Pandurang Mahadev Bapat – He was suspected of involvement in the deaths in the Alipore bomb case of 1908, and he went underground for four years
- Vasudev Balwant Phadke – Was an Indian revolutionary and is widely regarded as the Father of the Armed Struggle for India's independence
- Ravindra Kelekar – Participated in Indian freedom movement specially in Goa’s liberation movement, was imprisoned by the Portuguese and was released in 1961
- Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje – Member of the Ghadar Party
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – Indian revolutionary, was sentenced to 2 life terms amounting to 50 years imprisonment was moved to the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Nana Patil – He had been a founder of the revolutionary 'Patri-sarkar' or 'Parallel Government'
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Political Guru of Mahatma Gandhi, was elected president of the Indian National Congress, he founded the Servants of India Society
- Narahar Vishnu Gadgil – Freedom Fighter, served as the secretary of Poona District Congress Committee (1921–25)
- Pandit Raghunath Vinayak Dhulekar – Prominent freedom fighter from Uttar Pradesh, presented a bill in 1946 to make Hindi as the National language of India
- Dada Dharmadhikari – Is better known as Acharya Dada Dharmadhikari, was an Indian freedom fighter, and a leader of social reform movements in India
- V.G. Pingle – Was an Indian revolutionary & a member of Ghadar Party who was one of those executed in Lahore conspiracy trial for his role in Ghadar conspiracy
- Narasimha Chintaman Kelkar - Member of the Viceroy’s Council during 1924-1929. He was president of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha
- Ganesh Shrikrishna Khaparde - Close ally of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, travelled to England to conduct Tilak's appeal to the Privy Council, founding member of Tilak's Indian Home Rule League
- Anant Laxman Kanhere - Shot Jackson the Collector of Nashik in British India then 18 years old, was prosecuted in Bombay court and hanged in the Thane prison on 19 April 1910
Military leaders
Army
Paramveer Chakra is highest military decoration, equivalent to British Colonial Victoria Cross, American Medal of Honor
- General Arun Shridhar Vaidya, former Chief of the Staff of the Indian Army
- General J. R. Bhonsle (A minister in armed forces in Azad Hind Government)
- Lieutenant General SPP Thorat, KC, DSO, was an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions
- Naik Yashavantrao Ghadge, recipient of Victoria Cross, which is equivalent to Paramveer Chakra
- Namdev Jadhav, recipient of Victoria Cross, which is equivalent to Paramveer Chakra
- Rama Raghoba Rane, recipient of Paramveer Chakra, Second Lt turned Major
Navy
- Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, former chief of Indian Navy
- Vice Admiral Bhaskar S. Soman, former Chief of Naval Staff, India
Air Force
- Pradeep Vasant Naik, Air Chief Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force
- Anil Yashwant Tipnis, Air Chief Marshal, Former Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force
Religion and spirituality
- Chakradhar Swami – Indian philosopher, Founder of Mahanubhava Sect in Vaishnavism in 1267
- Changdev Maharaj – Commonly known as Changa Deva, was a mystical yogi turned saint who is believed to have lived in the village of Vateshwar along the banks of the Tapti River
- Sant Dnyaneshwar – (1275–1296) – Vedic Saint from Alandi
- Sant Namdev – Saint of Sanatana Dharma – Influenced Sikh guru Bani, he traveled far beyond the borders of Maharashtra. Sixty-one of his hymns in fact came to be included in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib
- Sant Eknath – Hindu Saint (1533–1599)
- Samarth Ramdas(1608–1681)- Re-established Self-esteem of Maharashtra
- Sant Tukaram – 17th Century Warkari saint
- Swami Samarth of Akkalkot (?? – 1878) – Guru of Shankar Maharaj etc.
- Shirdi Sai Baba of Shirdi (circa 1838 – October 15, 1918)
- Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon
- Saraswati Gangadhar – Author of Shri GuruCharitra, an important Hindu text
- Chokhamela – A saint in Maharashtra, India in the 14th century
- Gadge Maharaj (February 13, 1876 – December 20, 1956) Social reformer.
- Tukdoji Maharaj – Popular rural poet and saint
- Pandurang Shastri Athavale – Active Philosopher and advocator of Bhagavad Geeta
- Ezekiel Isaac Malekar – Current Jewish Rabbi of the Judah Hyam Synagogue
- Sant Santaji Jagnade Maharaj – (1624–1688) was one of fourteen cymbal players employed by Shri Tukaram Maharaja
- Saint Janabai – Was all along an ardent devotee of Lord Vitthal, and she was also gifted with poetic talent
- Saint Kanhopatra – (कान्हूपात्रा) was a 15th-century Marathi saint-poetess, venerated by the Varkari sect of Hinduism
- Shri BrahmaChaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj – He spent a lifetime teaching the importance of peace with oneself over the material creature comforts alone
- Shri Dhondibua – Is an Indian spiritual leader hailing from Palus, Maharashtra
- Nivruttinath: Elder brother and GURU of Dnyaneshwar, was first saint of Varkari Panth and an authority on philosophy of the Nath sect
- Sopan – Wrote a book "Sopandevi" based on the Bhagvadgita's Marathi interpretation along with 50 or so abhangas
- Muktabai – She is considered as one of the first poetesses in Marathi with around 40 abhangas attributed to her. She was also GURU of Changdev Maharaj
Reformers
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Established the Servants of India Society & represented Indian interests in the Imperial Legislative Council, Mahatma Gandhi considered him his guru
- Jagannath Shankarshet - Philanthropist and educationalist.
- Mahadev Govind Ranade – Reformer, Author and one of the founding members of Indian National Congress.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar - Social reformer, jurist, politician, philosopher, anthropologist, historian and economist. Worked for upliftment of the depressed castes. Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee charged by the Assembly to write India's new Constitution which played a significant role in elevating the status of the lower castes. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), formed in 1934, was based on the ideas that Ambedkar presented to the Hilton Young Commission. A revivalist for Buddhism in India helping lakhs of lower caste Hindus overcome age-old discrimination. The poll conducted by CNN-IBN titled "The Greatest Indian since Gandhi" resulted in Ambedkar being voted above all.[27]
- Dhondo Keshav Karve – Maharshi Karve fought for the upliftment of women, started a college for them and established the First Indian University for women, renamed SNDT Women's University. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1958
- Raghunath Karve – Pioneer of Family Planning and Birth Control clinics in India schools, animal shelters and medical centres. Cleanliness was his mantra
- Jyotiba Phule (April 11, 1827 — November 28, 1890) – Mahatma Jyotiba Phule started education for women and struggled hard for the upliftment of the depressed classes
- Savitribai Phule – She was the First Female teacher of the First Women's school in India
- Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj – King of Kolhapur princely state, known for his social reforms and upliftment of depressed classes.
- Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil – Worked to spread education to the last person
- Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde – Selfless work for the removal of untouchability and other suppressed casts
- Sane Guruji – Socialist leader and reformer.
- Nanasaheb Parulekar – Great work for orphanage
- Pandita Ramabai – She championed the cause of emancipation of Indian women
- Gopal Ganesh Agarkar – Was a founding member of the Deccan Education Society in 1884, also was the first editor of Kesari, a prominent Marathi weekly which was started by Lokmanya Tilak
- Narayan Chandavarkar – He was regarded by some as the "leading Hindu reformer of western India"
Social activists
- Vinoba Bhave – Gandhian activist, Pioneer of Bhoodan movement
- Pandurang Sadashiv Sane – Sane Guruji – Freedom Fighter, Revolutionary and Socialist Leader
- Swatyantravir Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – Freedom Fighter; Revolutionary; Creator of political "Hindutva"
- Baba Amte – Activist who worked for people suffering from leprosy, Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1986
- Nana Deshmukh – established Chitarkoot Gramodya Vishwavidyalaya in Chitrakoot- Bharat's First Rural University and was its Chancellor.[28] Nanaji implemented the philosophy of integral humanism to improve the living standard of more than 150 villages of bundelkhand.
- Nirmala Deshpande – joined Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan movement in 1952. She undertook a 40,000-km journey on foot --padayatra—across India to carry Gandhi's message of Grām Swarāj,she also received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's third highest civilian honours, on Aug 13, 2009
- Anna Hazare – Gandhian activist. Awarded Padma Shri in 1990; Padma Bhushan 1992
- Medha Patkar – Activist known for her role in Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Narendra Dabholkar – Activist known for his role in Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ABANS)
- Abhay and Rani Bang – Activists known for their community health services in Gadchiroli district
- Prof.Priyanand Agale- Activists known for Environmental Conservation & creating Eco Revolution through Eco Needs Foundation.
- Sindhutai Sapkal – founded orphanages for street children.
- Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte – Activist known for "Lok Biradari Prakalpa" for tribal people
- Gopal Hari Deshmukh – Writer and social reformer best known for his Lokhitwadinchi Shatapatre
- Vivek Velankar - RTI activist from Pune.
Politics
- Shrimati Pratibha Patil – 12thPresident of The Republic Of India (First Lady To Be President) and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces
- Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar – President of the Central Legislative Assembly, then Speaker of the Constituent Assembly of India, and later the First Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Prithviraj Chavan – Current Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Shankarrao Chavan – former Home Minister, Government of India and Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Lokmanya Tilak (1856–1920) – Nationalist leader of from the pre-Gandhi era
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Nationalist leader of the Indian National Congress
- Yashwantrao Chavan – First Chief Minister of Maharashtra,Former Deputy Prime Minister of India
- Dr. K. B. Hedgewar – Founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- Balasaheb Thackeray – "Hindu Hriday Samrat" ; Founder of Shiv Sena
- Raj Thackeray -"Marathi Hriday Samrat" ; Youth Leader ; Founder of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena
- Pramod Mahajan – Senior leader, Bharatiya Janata Party
- Sharad Pawar – Founder of NCP, president of the International Cricket Council, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing, Government of India, Ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ex-Defence Minister in Narsimha Rao's Cabinet
- Vasantdada Patil – Former CM, Maharashtra
- Ajit Pawar – Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle – Member of Parliament, 13th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Vasundhara Raje – Former CM, Rajasthan
- Pratapsinh Rane – Former CM, Goa
- Manohar Parrikar – Current CM, Goa
- Dutta Samant – Trade union leader
- Sushil Kumar Shinde – Minister for Power, Government of India and former CM, Maharashtra
- Balasaheb Desai – Former CM of Maharashatra
- Vasantrao Naik – Former CM of Maharashtra
- Madhavrao Scindia – Former cabinet minister of India
- Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia – Member of Parliament and Current cabinet minister of India
- Nitin Gadakari – President Of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Vilasrao Deshmukh – Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India and former CM, Maharashtra
- Shivraj Patil – Former Home minister of India
- R.R. Patil – Home Minister & former Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra
- Vasant Sathe – Union Information and broadcasing minister in Indira Gandhi Ministry.
- Manohar Joshi – Ex- Chief Minister Maharastra, Ex- Minster of Heavy Industries, Ex- Loksabha speaker.
- Dhulappa Bhaurao Navale – Freedom Fighter, MLC, Secretary of Freedom fighters organization of Maharashtra state Government.
- Narayan Rane – Ex-Chief minister Maharashtra from Shiv Sena and current revenue minister (from Congress)
- Sushilkumar Shinde - Current Union Home Minister of India
Bureaucrats
- C D Deshmukh – The third and first Indian Governor of Reserve Bank of India
- C B Bhave – Chairman SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
- N Vittal – Former CVC (Chief Vigilance Commissioner) of India. He is a Tanjore Maharashtrian, currently staying in Chennai
- Vijay Kelkar – Advisor to Minister of Finance
- Swati Dandekar – Iowa State Senator
- Kumar P. Barve – Member of the Maryland House of Delegates (majority leader)
- Anant Raut – Counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Chief Justice of India
- P. B. Gajendragadkar – Chief Justice of India from 1 February 1964. Retired on 15 March 1966
- Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud – Served as the Chief Justice of India from 22 February 1978 to the day he retired on 11 July 1985
- V. N. Khare – Was Chief Justice of India from 19 December 2002 to 2 May 2004 (Khare was born and grew up in UP; he is a descendant of Marathis who settled in Allahabad)
Awards
Bharat Ratna recipients
India's Highest Civilian Award
- Dhondo Keshav Karve – Recipient in 1958 – Educationist, Social Reformer, Awarded in his birth centenary year
- Pandurang Vaman Kane – Recipient in 1963 – Indologist and Sanskrit scholar
- Vinoba Bhave – Recipient in 1983 – Posthumous, Social Reformer, independence activist.
- B R Ambedkar – Recipient in 1990 – Posthumous, Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution, Reformer, Politician, Economist, and scholar, Indian Jurist, Educationist, Philosopher, Buddhist Activist, Thinker, Anthropologist and Historian.
- Lata Mangeshkar – Recipient in 2001 – Famous Singer
- Bhimsen Joshi – Recipient in 2008 – Indian Vocalist
- Sachin Tendulkar - Recipient in 2013 - Cricketer
Ramon Magsaysay Award
Asia's Highest Civilian Award (also considered as Asia's Noble)
- Vinobha Bhave – First Asian to received the award in 1958 for community leadership.
- C. D. Deshmukh – Recipient in 1959 for public administration.
- Baba Amte – Recipient in 1985 for public service.
- Pandurang Shastri Athavale – Recipient in 1996 for community leadership.
- Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte – Recipient in 2008 for community leadership.
- Nileema Mishra - Recipient in 2011 for Social reform through Bhagini Nivedita Gramin Vigyan Niketan at village Bahadarpur (Parola, Dist - Jalgaon, Maharashtra)
Padma Vibhushan Recipients
India's Second Highest Civilian Award
- Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher- received the award in 1954 in the field of Public Affairs
- Hari Vinayak Pataskar – received the award in 1963 in the field of Public Affairs
- Acharya Kalelkar – received the award in 1964 in the field of Literature & Education
- Vithal Nagesh Shirodkar – received the award in 1971 in the field of medicine
- P. B. Gajendragadkar – received the award in 1972,former Chief Justice of India
- C. D. Deshmukh – Recipient in 1975 for public affairs
- Baba Amte – Recipient in 1986 for social work
- General Arun Shridhar Vaidya – received in 1987 for Military Service
- V Shantaram – Recipient in 1992 for remarkable work in the field of Arts
- Pandurang Shastri Athavale – Recipient in 1999 for social work
- Nana Deshmukh – received the award in 1999 for Social work
- Kishori Amonkar – Classical singer, received the award in 2002
- Jayant Narlikar – received the award in 2004 – for science & technology
- Nirmala Deshpande – received the award in 2006 for Social work
- V. N. Khare – received the award in 2006 for his work in the field of Law & Public Affair, also served as the Chief Justice of India
- Asha Bhosle (born September 8, 1933) – received the award in 2008 for work in field of arts
- Sachin Tendulkar – received award in 2008 – for extraordinary achievements in sports
- Anil Kakodkar – Eminent Nuclear Scientist, received the award in 2009
- Vijay Kelkar – Received the award in 2011 for public service
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
India's Highest Award in cinema given annually by the Government of India
- Sulochana – Actress, received the award in 1973
- Durga Khote – Famous actress, received the award in 1983
- Lata Mangeshkar – Famous Singer, received the award in 1989
- Bhalji Pendharkar – Director, Producer, Screenwriter, received the award in 1991
- Asha Bhosle – Playback singer, received the award in 2000
Ashok Chakra
Its an Indian Military decoration, awarded for valour, courage or self-sacrifice awarded either to Military or Civil Personal
- Vijay Salaskar – Encounter Specialist, Maharashtra Police Service officer killed in 2008 terrorist attack
- Ashok Kamte – Additional Commissioner of Police was killed in the 2008 Mumbai Attacks
- Hemant Karkare – Joint Commissioner of Police (ATS Chief) was killed in 2008 terrorist attack
- Tukaram Omble – Assistant sub-inspector (ASI), government honored him with Ashoka Chakra – for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or self-sacrifice – on 26 January 2009.[29]
Jnanpith Award
India's Highest Award in Literature for an individual
- V.S. Khandekar – Jnanpith Award winner of 1974
- Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar – "Kusumagraj", Jnanapeeth awardee, received in 1988
- Vinda Karandikar – Jnanpith Award winner of 2003
- Ravindra Kelekar – Received the award in 2006, also the first Jnanpith Award award in Konkani language
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
Sahitya Akademi Fellowship is the Second Highest award in Literature next to Jnanpith given for an outstanding contribution
- Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar – Received the Fellowship in 1970
- Dattatreya Balkrushna (Kaka) Kalelkar – Received the Fellowship in 1971, played active role in establishing Gujarat Vidyapith at Ahmedabad
- Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi – Received the Fellowship in 1973, in 1941 Viceroy of India honoured him with Mahamahopadhyaya title and Padma Bhushan in 1975
- Atmaram Ravaji Deshpande – Received the Fellowship in 1979, he introduced a new genre of sonnets comprising ten lines known as Dashapadi (दशपदी)
- Laxmanshastri Joshi – Received the Fellowship in 1989, government of India conferred on him the Padma Bhushan for excellence in Literature and Education
- Vishnu Bhikaji Kolte – Received the Fellowship in 1994, did pioneering work in the field of Mahanubhava and receive Padma Shri in 1991
- Vinda Karandikar – Received the Fellowship in 1996, modernized old Marathi literature like Dnyaneshwari and Amrutānubhawa
- Ramchandra Narayan Dandekar – Received the Fellowship in 2000, become Honorary Secretary of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute and was an adviser at UNESCO
- Ravindra Kelekar – Received the Fellowship in 2007, authored nearly 100 books, edited Jaag magazine for more than two decades, received the Padma Bhushan
Business & Industries
- Laxmanrao Kirloskar – built the first industrial township in India, founder of Kirloskar Group
- Vikram Pandit – Former CEO Citi Group USA, previously Founded Old Lane Partners
- Vithal Kamat - Founder and Promoter of Kamat Hotels
- J. K . Parulkar - Founder of Sarswat Bank
- Suresh Haware - MD of Haware Engineers & Builders Pvt. Ltd.
- Satish Haware - Founder of Haware Engineers & Builders Pvt. Ltd.
- Sunil Mantri - MD of Mantri Developers
- Rajesh Patil - Chairman of Kolate Patil Developers
- Sudhir Moravekar - Chairman of Panoramic Group of Companies
- Vivek Ranadive – Founder & Chairman TIBCO Inc, USA (Silicon Valley)
- Dinesh Keskar – Chairman Boeing India
- Baba Kalyani – Founder & Chairman Bharat Forge
- Abasaheb Garware – Founder Garware group of industries
- Sanjay Kirloskar – Chairman and Managing Director – Kirloskar Group
- Rajdeep Sardesai – Co-promoter CNN-IBN, Founder Global Broadcast News
- Deepak Ghaisas – Chairman Gencoval Strategic Services Pvt Ltd & Former CEO I-flex
- Rajendra Pawar – Co-founder & Chairman NIIT Ltd
- Shankar Badve - Founder and Chairman of 1000 Crore Badve Group
- Prakash Patil - Founder and MD of USD 500 Million Aarati Drugs
- Prof. Nagesh Rane - Founder of IMS[disambiguation needed]
- B. G. Shirke - Founder of B.G. Shirke Construction Technology Group
- S.H. Kelkar - Founder of Kelkar group
- Virendra Mhaiskar - Chairman and MD of IRB Group
- Rajendra Pawar - Promoter and MD of Baramati Agro
- Vijay Samant - CEO and President Vical Inc.
- G.P. Dandekar - Founder of Camlin Ltd.
- Nanasaheb Bhogle - Founder of Nirlep
- K.V. Pendharkar - Founder of Vicco Laboratories
- V.P. Bedekar - Founder of Bedekar Pickles.
- B.G. Chitale - Founder of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale
- Jayant and Jayraj Salgaonkar - Founders of Kalnirnay
- Vamanrao Prabhudesai - Founder of 'Pitambari Group of Companies'
- Harsh Chitale - CEO, HCL Infosystems
- V. G. Rajadhyaksha - Chairman of Hindustan Unilever
- Nitin Paranjpe – CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd.[30]
- Dr. Shrinivas Thanedar – CEO, The Chemir Group
- Suhas Patil – Founder Chairman Cirrus Logic Inc, USA (Silicon Valley)
- Sudha Kulkarni Murthy – First woman employee of Tata Motors and Founder of Sudha Murthy Foundation, wife of Narayan Murthy & sister of Shrinivas Kulkarni
- Girish Paranjpe – Former joint CEO, Wipro Limited
- Sunil Gaitonde – Founder of GS Labs, member of TiE Board of Directors
- Baburaoji Parkhe – Pioneer in Paper & Pulp Industry in Independent India, Writer and Philontrophist
- Kiran Karnik – Former president of NASSCOM for 2007–08
- Gururaj Deshpande – An Indian American businessman and co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks and chairman of A123 Systems
- Nitin Gadkari - Founder & Chairman PURTI GROUP
- Manohar Joshi - Founder & Chairman KOHINOOR GROUP
- Shivaji Adhalrao Patil - Founder & Chairman of Dynalog Group - Dynalog International, Semiconductors Junction Inc. (SJI)& Elmatronic Devices Inc.
Industrial Designers & Technocrats
- Satyendra Pakhale – He is the First Indian Industrial Designer and Architect recognized internationally, his works are in the permanent collections of prestigious museums worldwide, also was the Head the department of Master of Design for Humanity and Sustainable Living Program at Design Academy Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Girish Wagh – Vice President & Head Small Car Project of Tata Motors, is a key figure in the Tata Nano's project, he previously designed the Tata Ace mini truck.
Economists
- Dr. B.R Ambedkar - Ambedkar was an economist by training and until 1921 his career was as a professional economist. It was after that time that he became a political leader. He wrote three scholarly books on economics
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Wrote several books on economics, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics one of the oldest research & training institutes in Economics in India
- C D Deshmukh – First Finance Minister of India, was the First Indian[31] to be appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1943 by the British Raj authorities.
- K. G. Ambegaonkar – Was a member of the Indian Civil Service, and was the Fifth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
- B. N. Adarkar – Was an economist and had served in the office of the Economic Adviser of the Government of India, also was the Ninth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
- Usha Thorat – She has been the Reserve Bank of India nominee on the Board of on the boards of Bank of Baroda, Indian Overseas Bank
- Dattatreya Gopal Karve – Director of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Vice-Chairman of the State Bank of India and Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
- Avinash Kamalakar Dixit – Was President of the Econometric Society and Vice-President (2002) and President (2008) of the American Economic Association
- D.R. Gadgil – The Gadgil formula is due to D.R. Gadgil, The Social Scientist and the First Critic of Indian Planning the First Industrial co-operative venture in Asia namely Pravara Cooperative Sugar Factory (1949) was started.[32]
- Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat – Chairman of University Grants Commission, was visiting faculty at Iowa State University and a consultant with the International Food Policy Research Institute
- Vijay Kelkar – Advisor to the Minister of Finance, was Finance Secretary, Government of India and Executive director on the board of the International Monetary Fund
- Suresh Tendulkar – Former chief of National Statistical Commission also was a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council
- Dr Narendra Jadhav – He worked as Chief Economic Counsellor for Afghanistan (2006) and earlier, also as an Advisor to the Government of Ethiopia (1988).
- Devdatta Dabholkar – Director Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, (1978–1981), member of The task force on educational finance set up by the Department of Education, member of the Educational planning, administration and devaluation committee set up by the Planning Commission of India
- Prof. Ram G. Takwale – Was a former Vice Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University and former Chairman of National Assessment and Accreditation Council.[33]
- Lalita D. Gupte – Joint Managing Director of ICICI Bank, India’s second largest commercial bank
Academics
- Gopal Ganesh Agarkar – Was a founding member of the Deccan Education Society in 1884, a pioneering educational institution of the Deccan
- Vishnushastri Chiplunkar – Founder of the New English school, one of the prominient school in Pune
- Jyotiba Phule – Started a School for girls in India in 1848, for which he was forced to leave his home
- Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar – Orientologist. The historical research institute, BORI was named in his honor.
- Pandurang Vaman Kane – Sanskrit Scholar. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of Bombay University. Recipient of Bharat Ratna 1963
- Irawati Karve – Anthropologist, served for many years as the head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Deccan College
- P. K. Kelkar – The First Director of IIT Kanpur. After getting his Ph.D., he worked at Metropolitan-Vickers as an intern in power systems.[34]
- Achyut Kanvinde – Considered as one of forefathers of modern Indian architecture
- Vidya Yeravdekar – Is Principal Director for Symbiosis Society which governs Symbiosis International University & various other Institutes including Schools, Colleges Museums etc.
- Ajit Rangnekar – Is the current Dean of the Indian School of Business, also is the only Indian in the GMAC team
- Tarabai Modak – She is the First Indian to introduced Montessori education to India, was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1962 for her work in preschool education
- Anutai Wagh - Was a social activist and has worked in the rural areas of Maharashtra in the Adivasi areas, have set an example for other Indian states
- Dilip Gaonkar – Is an Associate Professor in Rhetoric and Public Culture and the Director of Center for Global Culture and Communication at Northwestern University
- Dr.D.Y.Patil – Founder of educational institutions which include the D. Y. Patil college of Engineering and Technology at Kolhapur, received Padma Shri award in 1991
Science;Engineering/Technology
Notables in Mathematics
- R. P. Paranjpe – First Indian to become a Senior Wrangler at Cambridge University and was the principal of Fergusson College for over twenty years
- Rahul Pandharipande – Is a mathematician at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, he frequently collaborates with Fields medalist Andrei Okounkov
- Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi (1907–1966) – Was an Indian mathematician, historian and polymath
- Anil Nerode – Mathematician, proved the Myhill-Nerode Theorem
- Chandrashekhar Khare – Professor of mathematics at the University of California Los Angeles
- S. S. Shrikhande – Is an Indian mathematician with distinguished and well-recognized achievements in combinatorial mathematics, known for Shrikhande graph
- M. N. Vartak – Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Statistics at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, specialized in balanced incomplete block designs, graph theory
- Vinay V. Deodhar – Is a professor of mathematics at Indiana University
- Shreeram Shankar Abhyankar – Mathematician. Known for his contributions to singularity theory and Abhyankar's conjecture
- D. R. Kaprekar – Mathematician who worked on Number Theory
- Narendra Karmarkar – Mathematician who developed Karmarkar's algorithm
Notables in Physics
- G. H. Gaonkar – Is a professor of engineering at Florida Atlantic University, research interest is in Helicopter dynamics, Floquet theory & Large-Scale and parallel computing
- Pramod Khargonekar – Dean, College of Engineering at the University of Florida, and researcher in the field of control systems
- Raghunath A. Mashelkar – He is the former Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Dr. Anupam Saraph – Professor of Systems and Decision Sciences at the Lally School of Management and Technology at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy and Hartford
- Prof. Arun Nigavekar – Worked on the concepts of Physics, is a permanent member and was Vice-Chairman of Asian Physics Education Network, a UNESCO organization
- Vijay Raghunath Pandharipande – Worked at Niels Bohr Institute, was awarded the prestigious Tom W. Bonner Prize in Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society
- Shivram Baburao Bhoje – Is an Indian scientist who worked in the field of fast-breeder nuclear reactor, became the director of IGCAR, received Padmashri in 2003
- Anil Kakodkar – Nuclear Scientist, also received Padma Vibhushan
- Shrinivas Kulkarni – Professor of Astrpophysics at the California Institute of Technology
- Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan – Indian defence scientist, developed the detonation system of India's first nuclear device which was successfully tested in 1974,[35] codenamed Smiling Buddha
- Abhay Ashtekar – Known for 'Ashtekar Variables'. He is also regarded as a founder of the theory of Loop quantum gravity
- Jayant Narlikar – Worked with Sir Fred Hoyle the conformal gravity theory, known as Hoyle–Narlikar theory, synthesizes Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity & Mach's Principle
- Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre – Head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation & Professor at Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax& IISc;Bangalore
- Yogesh Wadadekar – Reader - National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, City of Pune
Notables in Chemistry
- Shridhar Sathe – He is professor of food science at Florida State University, also has served on several national committees of the Institute of Food Technologists panel
- Waman Bapuji Metre – Was the doyen of Indian petroleum geologist, served 40 years to oil industry of South Asia, received Padma Bhushan in 1968
- N. K. Naik – His research interest is in polymer matrix composites, textile composites, and aircraft production, also is a Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India
Notables in the Field of Computers/Engineering/Technology
- Dr. Vijay P. Bhatkar – Founder and former Executive Director of the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
- Suhas Patankar – Inventor of the SIMPLE algorithm for solution of Navier-Stokes equation that revolutionized the world of Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Yashavant Kanetkar – Author of many computer language books
- Aravind Joshi – Professor of Computer and Cognitive Science at the University of Pennsylvania
- Jay Ranade - Computer book author & information technology (IT) management consultant, also a World Power Breaking Champion
Notables in Earth Sciences
- Madhav Gadgil – Ecologist, Involved in establishment India's First biosphere reserve, recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Sciences
- Ashok Gadgil – Inventor of UV-disinfection method
- Pandurang Vasudeo Sukhatme – Indian statistician who was influential in the establishment of the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, received Padma Bhushan in 1971
- Nandini Nimbkar – Is a distinguished alumna of University of Florida and is the president of the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute
- S. B. Mujumdar – Is an Indian botanist, received Padma Shri in year 2005
Notables in Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences
- Vishwas Chavan – Biodiversity Informatics, Indian scientist who is working at the Global Biodiversity Information Facilit] and conceptualised 'data papers' a way to incentivise efforts of publishing biodiversity data. Vishwas is also an author and poet and has published two books, VishwaSutras: Universal Principles for Living and SoulBliss: A poetic tale of cosmic love.
Notables in Medicine & Surgery
- Anandibai Joshi – She was one of the two first Indian women to obtain a medical degree through training in Western medicine
- Dwarkanath Kotnis – A well-known doctor in China who helped the Chinese communists army during World War II.
- Ashok V. Mandke (Dr. Neetu Mandke) – Cardiologist and expert at bypass surgery. He had performed the surgery on Balasaheb Thackeray.[citation needed]
- Dr. Shashank M. Akerkar, Mayuresh Srishti, Bhandup, Mumbai: Consultant Rheumatologist, Expert in Arthritis; Pioneer in Internet patient education.
- Dr.V. R. Khanolkar – Was the First Pathologist in India, Father of pathology and medical research in India
- Dr. Bhau Daji Laud Parsekar – He won a prize for writing an essay on infanticide, and was appointed a teacher in the Elphinstone Institution
- Atul Gawande – General and endocrine surgeon, professor, medical author and National Book Award finalist
- Chetan E. Chitnis – Worked on molecular parasitology and development vaccine for malaria, was fellow at Fogarty National Institutes of Health, Bethesda
- Dr. Dinakar M. Salunke – First Executive Director of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology
- Shekhar C. Mande Director of National Centre for Cell Science, Pune
- Rajesh Gokhale Director of Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology
- Suresh Jayakar – Was an Indian biologist who pioneered in the use of quantitative approaches in genetics and biology, was the Director of the Genetics and Biometry Laboratory
- Vasant Lad – Is an Indian-born American author, Ayurvedic physician, professor & director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque
- Vithal Nagesh Shirodkar – Reputed Indian Obstetrician and Gynecologist, he performed the Cervical cerclage operation in paris, received Padma Vibhushan in 1971
- S. B. Mujumdar - Is an Indian botanist and founder of the Symbiosis International University.
- Dr. Kalyani Mandke - Audiologist, first one in India to start Audiology private practice.
Performing arts
Cinema and theatre
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Film Directors
Film Actress
Beauty Queens & Super Models
Film Actors
Applied Arts – Fashion, Photography, Art Direction, Advertisement
Historians
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