After Shivaji's death in 1680, with the help of some of the courtiers, Soyarabai got her ten-year-old son, Rajaram, on the vacant throne. Her stepson and heir presumptive Sambhaji, was able to thwart this with the help of Soyrabai's own brother,and army chief Hambirrao Mohite. He imprisoned Soyarabai and Rajaram and formally assumed power as the Chhatrapati on July 20, 1680. 