Bajirao married six times at Pune but when he reached Bithur only two of his wives were alive. Later on he again married six times. He could get two daughters out of all these wives but his strong desire was to be father of a son. Being virtuous nature he believed that without son one cannot get salvation. It is the reason in old age he adopted his akin relative Madhav Rao’s son. After adoption he named him Ghundi Raj, but lovingly all called him Nana Sahib.
Afterward Bajirao adopted two more sons of Madhav Rao whose names were Bala Sahib and Baba Bhatt.
After all this happenings one other Maratha chief Moropant Tambe also came to Bithur. He had his daughter Manu with him who later became famous as Maharani Laxmibai.
Nana Sahib, Bala Sahib, Baba Bhatt all were Tantya’s juvenile friends. Among them Tantya was ten years elder than Nana Sahib.
All children were getting education under supervision of Baji Rao. All children were learning art of horse riding and arms training with concentration. One thing was common in hearts of all the children and that was fermentation of nationalism.
Ramchander become ‘Tantya’?
‘Tantya’ was not his real name. It was a respectable word called by younger brother Gangadhar to elder brother.
Worthy to quote that word ‘Tantya’ is used to one’s elder brother and respectable person in Marathi language. Most probably origin of this word might have derived from the Sanskrit language word Tat, but the only difference is that whereas word Tat is used for elder as well as younger brother, the word Tantya is used for elder or respectable person. But here there was no boundation of Tantya. Elders and younger all started calling Ramchander ‘Tantya’.
Where did ‘Tope’ come from?
As Tantya was not his name, likewise ‘Tope’ also was not his name or caste. It will better to take it as a title.
It is said that once Bajirao became much happy with Tantya and gave him a cap studded with jewels as reward. It was too costly but outdated. When Tantya wore that cap Bajirao delighted much and called him ‘Tope’…‘Tantya Tope’. Then onwards the family of Tantya which was earlier known as Yevalkar now called ‘Tope’.
His real name Ram Chander is nowhere attainable. His descedants even feels pride to be called ‘Tope’ instead of caste or surname.
Bajirao as Tatya’s father
Baji Rao had no son but his priest and wise assistant Pandurang Pant and his son were so close to him that affection towards Tantya was natural. He loved Tantya as his own son and Tantya also respected him as his father. This was the reason Bajirao granted money for his education. Afterward when he adopted Nana Sahib then both children behaved each other as real brothers and Tantya become the shadow of Nana Sahib.
Nana Sahib treat Tantya as his elder brother. He was much impressed by his wisdom.
Tantya’s affection towards Baji Rao and family is so dense that when Baji Rao died Tantya became so mournful that he unsuccessfuly tried to suicide by drowing himself in river Ganga.
That is the reason he was always alert for welfare of Nana Sahib. He was ready to sacrifice his all for Nana.
His one and only aim was Nana’s good after the death of Baji Rao. Nana too regarded him as his wellwisher and this was the very reason that he didn’t anything important without his consultation.
