Vithoji Rao Holkar
Shrimant Sardar Vithoji Rao Holkar (1776 – 16 April 1801), was the fourth son of Sardar Tukoji Rao Holkar. He also known as Vithoba.
Life
Vithoji was a part of the Holkar clan in the service of the Maratha Empire. When his elder brother Malhar Rao II Holkar was killed by the Scindia in September 1797, Vithoji escaped from Poona to Kolhapur .
To acquire more resources, Yashwant Rao Holkar started freebooting campaign towards the north, whereas Vithoji started a campaign of plunder and rapine towards the south. He plundered 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. He was survived by Hari Rao Holkar who became ruler in 1834.
