While Peshwa Bajirao was busy settling matters at home, Nasir Jung, the sharpest of Nizam-ul-Mulk's six sons who had raised an army to help his father in the Battle of Bhopal began to prepare for military operations against the Marathas. After Nadir Shah departed from Akhanda Bharat in 1739, Nizam-ul-Mulk began his political intrigues with Sumant Anandrao... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Battle of Bassein
The Marathas began their campaign on a high note capturing Mahim on 9 January 1739 and Tarapur and Asheri on 24 January 1739. They captured the important island of Dharavi at the mouth of the Bassein creek on 6 March 1739 effectively sealing the fate of the main fortress. This victory gave the Marathas... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Nadir Shah invades Akhanda Bharat (The Battle of Karnal)
After Nizam-ul-Mulk faced another ignominious defeat at the hands of the astute Peshwa Bajirao, he made a hasty return to Delhi. He did not reveal the events that transpired at Bhopal and refused to proceed with the ratification of the terms of the agreement drafted on 7 January 1738 near Sironj. In December 1738, the... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Battle of Bhopal
As the Maratha bands began to harass the Mughals with their famed guerrilla tactics pushing them towards the south where Peshwa Bajirao was waiting in Malwa, the Nizam decided to take shelter in a fortified enclosure where he could keep his men safe and wait and watch. He however, found himself coming straight towards... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The military prowess of Pilaji Jadhav, Ranoji Scindia and Malharrao Holkar
As both Peshwa Bajirao and Chimaji Appa were busy with military operations in the Deccan, Pilaji Jadhav, Ranoji Scindia and Malharrao Holkar were despatched to Malwa towards the end of 1733. These highly competent chiefs proceeded with a large army right up to Bhadawar collecting tributes on the way and returned just before the monsoon in May... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Siddi Sat killed in a bloody battle by Chimaji Appa
The sudden demise of Sarkhel Sekhoji Angre on 28 August 1733 proved to be a serious impediment to the war preparations. Sekhoji Angre possessed remarkable foresight and patience and exercised a considerable hold over his three brothers namely Sambhaji, Manaji and Tulaji. His unfortunate demise at the prime of his youth signalled the end of... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Trimbakrao Dabhade meets his end
Peshwa Bajirao had set up camp at Savli when he learned about the plans of Trimbakrao Dabhade and Gaikwad. The two had decided for an open attack on the plain of Dabhoi and Bhilapur with a force of 40 thousand while the Peshwa had managed to gather just about 25 thousand for this armed conflict. ... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Battle of Bundelkhand
The invasion of Malwa by Peshwa Bajirao and Chimaji Appa on the advice of Sawai Jai Singh opened up new avenues for the Marathas and the Rajputs who were dissatisfied with the Mughals. The Bundelas in particular had been friendly with the Marathas for a long time and adopted their approach to fight for their independence.... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Battle of Amjhera
The military stratagem displayed by Peshwa Bajirao under difficult conditions in Palkhed proved his ability to take on a war veteran like the Nizam with relative ease. This notable victory helped the Peshwa secure the confidence of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and others. Peshwa had already formed his own group of faithful followers both in the... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Battle of Palkhed
With opposition building on all fronts, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was at his wit's end. Peshwa Bajirao was still in the Karnatak and those close to him advised him to effect a compromise with the Nizam. Shahu Raje accepted their advice and instructed his Pratinidhi and Sumant to negotiate a peace treaty with the Nizam. The Pratinidhi proposed a... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Battle of Khed
Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj was in for a big disappointment. His aunt Maharani Tarabai did not acknowledge him as the rightful heir to the throne as she felt that the kingdom which was once ruled by his late father Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj had been lost to her late husband Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj and his son, young... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Maharani Tarabai leads the Marathas
Upon hearing Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj's sudden demise, Ramchandra Pant Amatya headed to Sinhagad and conveyed the news to the various officers and generals requesting them to continue their good work and perform their respective duties as before. He appealed to them to exert themselves with more fervour and reminded them of their ambitious goal of... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The legendary guerrilla warfare of the Marathas
The tragic death of Santaji Ghorpade brought great joy to the Mughal camps who had lived in constant fear of him and his wrath on the battlefield. Santaji Ghorpade is undoubtedly one of the greatest masters of guerrilla warfare Akhanda Bharat has ever seen. His brilliant tactics, unwavering courage in the most perilous situations and... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Marathas fight back at Jinji
With the Mughals hot on their trail and mounting pressure every day, the Marathas focussed on their primary goal to create a safe passage for Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj from Gingee and save him from a fate similar to his brother's and liberate the Maratha lands from the Mughal control. Aurangzeb was not one to... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The heroism of Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade
As the siege of Jinji dragged on languidly, Aurangzeb became increasingly exasperated with both Zulfiqar Khan and his father, Asad Khan. He bemoaned the inability of his army to overcome the guerrilla tactics of the Marathas. Zulfiqar Khan had been given two clear tasks namely to capture Gingee and Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj and so far,... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj subjugates the Portuguese in regal fashion
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's bloody beginning gradually eased into a more restrained reign and he began his operations on the Siddi of Janjira and the Portuguese of Chaul who had been cowed into submission by Aurangzeb in his typical tyrannical manner. The Siddi has been appointed as Aurangzeb's admiral and was egged on to step... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Aurangzeb fails to capture key Maratha forts (Siege of Ramsej)
Though it is indeed difficult to comprehend how and why the largely Hindu Rajput kings swore allegiance to the Muslim invaders from the time of Babur, power and wealth since time immemorial have been dangerous temptations that have successfully enticed many to swerve from their rightful duty to their Motherland. Such was the case with... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Karnatak Campaign (Forts of Gingee and Vellore captured) by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, pursuant to the arrangement made by Raghunath Pant with the ministers of Golkonda court headed to Bhagyanagar from Raigad at the end of January 1677 leaving Moropant Pingle and Annaji Datto in charge of the Deccan. The presence of Maharaj and his mighty army alarmed the citizens of the city who went... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Karnatak Campaign (Capture of the Fort of Kopbal) by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Though Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was at peace with Bijapur, the threat of a Mughal invasion loomed large. It was necessary to arrange for more funds to support the army and man the forts. Maharaj conceived a plan for acquiring territory down south in the rainy season of 1676 as he resided in Panhala. Ekoji,... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Sea Power of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
A long stretch of the Konkan coast had come under the Marathas but, it was imperative that this coast was secured and therefore, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent a great deal of time to ensure the loyalties of the local nobility by either destroying them or receiving a substantial tribute from them. The Abyssinian State... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Maharana Pratap and The Battle of Haldighati
The Rana of Mewar, head of the illustrious Sisodia Rajput lineage refused to become a vassal of the Mughals. Akbar had captured his capital Chittorgarh after a bloody siege in 1568 and occupied the eastern part of his kingdom but Maharana Pratap eluded him. Akbar sent Raja Man Singh I, heir to the Kachhwaha... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: The Battle of Umrani and the sacrifice of Senapati Prataprao Gujar
When the political intrigues in the Bijapur court had reduced the state to hopeless confusion and the Marathas continued to capture their lands, the regent Khawas Khan decided to send a large army to wrest back Panhala under the commander Abdul Karim Bahlol Khan. The news of this fresh advance reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Hubli raided by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Following the triumph at Panhala, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to press forward his advantage and capture lands which were under the rule of the Bijapur Adil Shahis. After the capture of the forts of Parali and Satara (captured on 26 July 1673), Maharaj had extended his dominion to the east of Ghatmatha over the present... Continue Reading →
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