On the history trail: Sawai Jai Singh’s misadventure in Malwa

While the Peshwa and the Nizam met at some spot in Ausa (rumoured to be Rohe – Rameshwar), about 8 miles north of Latur on 27 December 1732, Sawai Jai Singh arrived in Ujjain to take charge of the government of Malwa. Chimaji Appa had been despatched from the Deccan to receive Sawai Jai Singh and close the deal finalized with him earlier.

 

But, Sawai Jai Singh had orders from the ruler at Delhi to drive out the Marathas from the rich province of Malwa and therefore, all hopes for a settlement were quashed. Chimaji Appa sent Vithoji Bule, Malharrao Holkar’s finest lieutenant and Anandrao Pawar to take on Sawai Jai Singh.

 

A fierce battle ensued in which Sawai Jai Singh soon found himself in an untenable situation. He was completely surrounded by the armies of the two Maratha chiefs. The ruler of Delhi was blissfully oblivious of his governor’s difficult situation and failed to send any reinforcements.

 

Sawai Jai Singh then paid a fine of 6 lacs in cash along with the tributes that had already been collected. Malharrao Holkar was put in charge of this as Chimaji Appa had proceeded to Bundelkhand to govern the districts given to Peshwa Bajirao by Chhatrasal three years ago.

 

After consulting the two Bundela agents, Asharam and Haridas Purohit along with the Peshwa‘s agent Mudhaji Hari, Chimaji decided to employ Govindpant Bundela and Mudhaji Hari to exact tributes from several states and strengthen the Maratha hold over this vast region.

 

Chimaji Appa returned to the Deccan with Ranoji Scindia and Malharrao Holkar in the month of June 1733 when Peshwa Bajirao was engaged in war preparations against the Siddis of Janjira.

 

Written by Lakshmi Subramanian

 

* Information about Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is taken from archives