Shiledar

Shiledar was a term used for a soldier's position, particularly in India's Maratha Empire (1630–1818), and especially during the reign of Shivaji. The word shiledar means "a soldier who possesses his own sword and horse for taking active part in combat/war".

During Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha rule, the Maratha army possessed many brave shiledars who mainly came from the "96 clans, 5 clans and 7 clans of the Maratha clan system. Due to their prominence they used to play active parts in the war held between Marathas and their enemies.

These shiledar, according to their deeds were identified as Subhedar, Panch Hajari, Havaldar, vatandar etc.

"Shiledar" became a surname in and after the fallen of maratha empire. After that, "Shiledar" become a royal family in Maharashtra.

Shiledars commonly belongs to many of clans in maratha caste."Shiledar Royal family" is the descendants of Shinde, Phalke and Bhoite families.

Shiledar royal family settled in Derde-korhale( Kopargaon, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra). Then They distributed in many of places like Nashik, Pune, kokan etc. But their Royal palace(which had 7 floors) is in Derde-Korhale town.

References

• 2005 Navneet General Knowledge. Editor - Madhusudan M. Pendase. Navneet Publications India LTD, Mumbai. (in Marathi)
• Kṛishṇarāu Arjuna Keḷūskar, Nilakantha Sadāsiva Takakhāv. The Life of Shivaji Maharaj: Founder of the Maratha Empire. Manoranjan Press, 1921