Ranoji Scindia

Ranoji Scindia (Marathi: राणोजी शिंदे) (died 19th July 1745, Shujalpur, Madhya Pradesh) also known as Ranoji Rao Scindia, was Peshwa Bajirao's General during 1720 to 1745. He was the founder of princely Gwalior State ruled by the rani Scindia dynasty of the Marathas.

Ranoji was Patil of Kanherkheda (Kannerkhera), a small place in Satara District, Maharashtra, east of Satara.

He started his career as Sarsar under the leadership of Peshwa Baji Rao and later on established himself in Malwa, as the Marathas took it over from the Mughals. In his part of the region, around Gwalior, he was outside the effective power of the Maratha Empire.

During the invasion and conquest of Malwa in 1723, Ranoji served as one of the three most senior commanders under Baji. He acquired a considerable territory and possessions as part of the Malwa settlement in 1731, and became Subedar of that province in 1736.

He established his seat at Ujjain in 1731, which remained the capital of the Scindias until 1810.

Ranoji died at Shujalpur, Malwa in 19th July 1745. He left three legitimate sons, Jayappaji Rao Scindia, Dattaji Rao Scindia and Jyotiba Rao Scindia, and two illegitimate, Tukoji Rao Scindia and Mahadaji Scindia. His sons were to play an important part in its subsequent history.