Mahadaji Shinde, Maratha ruler of Gwalior (died 1794)

Mahadaji Shinde, later known as Mahadji Scindia or Madhava Rao Scindia, was a statesman and general of Maratha Empire who served as the Maharaja of Gwalior from 1768 to 1794. He was the fifth and the youngest son of Ranoji Rao Scindia, the founder of the Scindia dynasty. He is reputed for having restored the Maratha rule over North India and for modernizing his army.

The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern polity in the Indian subcontinent. It comprised the realms of the Peshwa and four major independent Maratha states under the nominal leadership of the former.

Gwalior is a major city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is known as the Music City of India having the oldest musical gharana in existence. It is a major sports, cultural, industrial, and political centre in Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is among the seven cities selected for new startup centres under India's growing innovation ecosystem. On World Cities Day, UNESCO Director - General Audrey Azoulay announced Gwalior's inclusion among 55 new world creative cities in the UCCN from India. This tag elevates Gwalior's identity internationally, spotlighting it's artists, music traditions and vibrant culture. It lies in northern part of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the Counter-magnet cities. Located 313 kilometres (194 mi) south of New Delhi, the capital city of India and 446 kilometres (277 mi) from Bhopal, the state capital, Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the Gwalior Chambal region of India. The grand historic city and its fortress have been ruled by several Indian kingdoms. From the Alchon Huns in the 5th century AD to Gurjara Pratihara dynasty in the 8th century AD. It was passed on to Kachchhapaghatas in the 10th century AD. Later it fell into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century AD, it was then passed on to the Tomars in the 13th century AD who were the vassal rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.