Quick Facts
Biography
Shrimant Sardar Vithoji Rao Holkar (1776 – 16 April 1801), was the fourth son of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar. He also known as Vithoba.
Life
Vithoji was a part of the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas. When his elder brother Malhar Rao (II) Holkar was killed by Scindia in September 1797, Vithoji escaped from Poona to Kolhapur .
To grow their empire, Yashwant Rao Holkar started a campaign towards the north, whereas Vithoji started a campaign towards the south. He plundering the Peshwa's territories. Baji Rao II sent Balaji Kunjir and Bapu Gokhale to arrest Vithoji. In April 1801, Vithoji was arrested and taken to Pune.
On the advice of Balaji Kunjar, Vithoji was sentenced to death by being trampled under the feet of an elephant. His sentence was carried out on orders of the Peshwa Baji Rao II, at Poona on 16 April 1801. This caused animosity between Baji Rao II and Yashwant Rao.