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Soyarabai was the second wife of Shivaji, founder of Maratha empire in western India. She was by all accounts dazzling in her beauty. She was also very political minded and it is said that she tried to influence her husband Shivaji in every possible way, but did not succeed much because Shivaji himself was an exceptional genius, and knew well how to handle the petty politics put forward by Soyrabai.
After Shivaji's untimely demise in 1680 Soyarabai was rumored to have poisoned her husband because she thought he might give all of his kingdom to his favorite son, her own step-son Sambhaji, of whom she was jealous. She wanted her own son Rajaram to have an upper hand in the political structure of the Maratha empire, though he was neither as brave nor as prudent and wise as Sambhaji.
When Sambhaji became king, Soyarabai tried all means to dethrone him, but he overcame these attempts and executed all her followers. Finally, full of repentance, she killed herself by drinking poison.
In spite of the cruel treatment meted out to him by Soyrabai, Sambhaji Maharaj performed her last rites with the greatest respect.
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