26 JUN: Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj's Birth Anniversary hhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was the first king of Kolhapur. He was born on June 26, 1984. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was born in a Ghatge Maratha family, of Kagal village in Kolhapur and was named Yeshwantrao. His father Jaisingrao Ghatge was a village chief, while his mother Radhabhai hailed from the royal family of Mudhol. He lost his mother when he was just three years old. By the time Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj turned 10, he was adopted by Queen Anandibai, who was the widow of King Shivaji IV. Yeshwantrao was heavily influenced by social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj. In order to complete his formal education, Yeshwantrao went to Rajkumar College, Rajkot. Besides this, he also took lessons in administrative affairs from Sir Stuart Fraser, who was a representative of the Indian Civil Services.