Sayeebai

Maharani Sayeebai (or Sai Bai, died 5 September 1659) was the first wife of king Shivaji of the Maratha Empire, and mother of Sambhaji, who succeeded Shivaji as the king. sayeebai's mother Maharani Sai Bai was the from dynasty Naik Nimbalkar.Second Mudhojiraje Naik Nimbalkar's daughter and sister of Naik Bajaji Nimbalkar of Phaltan.Sai Bai's mother Reubai from Shirke dynasty. In year 1630 Mudhojirao ruled on Phaltan.Before that he was in prison of Adishah on Satara Fort. Shahaji Raje help to escape him. So he gave his daughter Saibai to Shivaji Raje.The marriage was takes place in Pune. Saibai has three daughters Sakavarbai or Sakhubai (born in 1651), Ranubai (born in 1653), Amanika or Ambikabai (born in 1655) and one son Sambhaji Raje (born on Purandar Fort in 14th May 1656). Sakhubai marries Bajaji Nimbalkar son Mahadaji in year 1657. Ranubai marries in Jadhav family. Amanika or Ambikabai marries with Harjiraje Mahadik in year 1668.At the time of Sambhaji Raje's birth Sai Bai was ill and her illness comes into death. To survive justly newborn child Sambhaji Rajmata Jijau arranges Dharai Gade Patil as a milk mother. Saibai’s vrindavan on Rajgad Fort.

Before marriage her name was Sayee Nimbalkar, and she was daughter of Mudhojirao Nimbalkar. She was married to Shivaji when she was seven years old and he was eleven years old. She was said to be a great beauty, and "wheatish" in complexion. Sayeebai and Shivaji shared a close relationship..She was Shivaji's first and most favourite wife.She was a source of inspiration and confidence for Shivaji.Her death caused too much trauma to Shivaji.

Progeny

They had three daughters namely Sakhubai,Ranubai and Ambikabai followed by their son Sambhaji. Their daughter Sakhubai was married to the son of Sayeebai's brother, Bajaaji Naik Nimbalkar,to bring him back to Hinduism as he was converted to Islam by Aurangzeb.

Death

She died at the age of 26 at the fort Rajgad while Shivaji was making preparations for his meeting with Afzal Khan at Pratapgad. She was ill from the time she gave birth to Sambhaji. Sambhaji was two years old at the time of her death. He was brought up by Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji. Shivaji loved Saibai so much and was greatly impacted by her death. It is said that on his deathbed his last word was 'Sai'.