Damaji Thorat (Marathi pronunciation: [d̪əmaːd͡ʒi t̪ʰoːɾaːt̪]; was a Maratha chief who rose to prominence during the reign of Tarabai in the early 18th century.
[1] After this incident, in 1713, Shahu, with the assistance of the Sayyid brothers, sent his Huzurat cavalry under the command of Balaji Vishwanath & Ambaji Purandare to defeat Damaji.
[6] The title combines Rustam, symbolizing strength and heroism in Persian, with Rao, a Marathi honorific for leaders or nobles.
[6] Although little is known about Damaji's early life, it is presumed that he accompanied his father in his campaigns, where he began to develop his military and administrative skills.
[7] In the early stages of his military career, it is believed that Damaji, along with his father Khandoji, was present to assist Rajaram I during the siege of Jinji.
Rajaram I sent Thorat, Pawar and Atole to make their established collections the chauth and sardeshmukhi, as they were termed, from the Mughal territory, and under the encouragement of success his officers added a third contribution for themselves under the head of "ghasdana" or forage money.
Rajaram I gave them honorary presents and rewards; the title of Vishwasrao was conferred on Pawar, of Dinkarrao on Thorat and of Shamsher Bahadur on Atole.
In one letter written by Balaji Vishwanath to Shahu it was stated, that Thorat brothers had created much trouble in the territory around Miraj.
[10] Balaji was seized and thrown into the confinement with Dewaan Ambaji Purandhare, his two young sons Baji Rao I and Chimnaji Appa, and many of their immediate officers.