Shahu

Shahu is a masculine given name and title used in parts of India, especially in Maharashtra. The word is often associated with royalty or rulers, as it derives from the honorific Shah meaning king, with regional suffixes that appear in Marathi usage. Today, Shahu also appears as a common given name in Marathi-speaking communities.

Historically, two prominent rulers have been known by the name Shahu in the Maratha-ruled territories. Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj, commonly called Shahu I, was a Maratha ruler who reigned from about 1719 to 1749 and was a grandson of Shivaji. His reign is viewed as a period that helped consolidate Maratha power after the decline of Mughal influence and contributed to the development of a more structured Maratha administration and confederacy.

Another notable bearer is Shahu II of Kolhapur, also known as Shahu Maharaj, who ruled Kolhapur State from 1894 to 1922. He belonged to the Bhonsle dynasty and is remembered for modernizing his state and pursuing social reforms, including initiatives aimed at expanding education and improving the status of marginalized communities within his jurisdiction.

In contemporary use, Shahu remains a common given name in Maharashtra and among Marathi-speaking populations. It is used independently and as part of longer names or titles, reflecting its historical association with royalty and governance as well as its cultural resonance in the region.