On the history trail: Nizam-ul-Mulk despatched to humble Peshwa Bajirao

The Maratha operations came to be clearly defined from the year 1736 with Peshwa Bajirao handling the Maratha – Mughal hostilities in the north and Chimaji Appa leading the Marathas in the south. They were ably assisted by Avji Kavde, Raghuji Bhosle, Vyankatrao Ghorpade and others.

 

After the ruler at Delhi faced an ignominious defeat yet again at the hands of the astute Peshwa Bajirao right at the capital city, repeated messages were sent to Nizam-ul-Mulk to return to Delhi at the earliest and stop the Maratha charge in 1737.

 

After the Nizam and the Peshwa had arrived at a secret understanding in December 1732, they both had faithfully kept their promise and not crossed each other’s path. The Nizam informed the Peshwa of the urgent calls for his return to Delhi to take on the Marathas. He however conveyed to the Peshwa that his intention of going to Delhi was only to clear his name as a rebel.

 

The Nizam left his territory in the early part of 1737, reached Sironj on 10th May and found the Peshwa camping nearby while returning from the north after devastating the Mughal territories. Pilaji Jadhav was immediately sent to the Nizam’s camp to ascertain his true motives and future plans.

 

The wily Nizam covered his real intentions by sending many gifts to the Peshwa. His silence was enough for the Peshwa to be on his guard and make necessary preparations for an impending contest.

 

The Nizam spent some time in Malwa to exact loyalty from the local chiefs who supported the Marathas after the Battle of Amjhera. The Peshwa preferred to head home with the large booty that they had obtained and seek the advice of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj before returning to the north. The Nizam headed slowly to Delhi and was received warmly by the ruler at Delhi.

 

The Nizam was awarded the title of Asaf Jah and bestowed his own robe, gifts and other honours. As per Vyankaji Ram who wrote to the Peshwa from Delhi on 10 August 1737, “Nizam-ul-Mulk has demanded from the emperor the government of the five Subahs in addition to a crore of cash to finance his preparations for removing the Maratha pest from north India.

 

The emperor has freely granted him all he asked for. His son Ghazi-ud-din has been given the Subahs of Agra and Malwa.

 

His son Nasir Jung has been commanded to prevent Maratha succours coming into Malwa from the Deccan. The three Subahs of Allahabad, Ajmer and Gujarat are to be bestowed on the nominees of the Nizam.”

 

The Peshwa accurately interpreted these developments and prepared to oppose the Mughals.

 

Written by Lakshmi Subramanian

 

* Information about Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is taken from archives