Often referred to as the 'poor man's apple', the humble guava (Psidium guajava) is one of the five divine fruits mentioned as Deva phala in the Hindu scriptures. This hardy fruit is available throughout the year and is hugely popular in the monsoon and winter seasons across the country. The guava fruit, seeds and... Continue Reading →
The decisive defeat of the combined forces of Trimbakrao Dabhade and Nizam-ul-Mulk at Dabhoi made the Nizam rethink his attitude towards the astute Peshwa Bajirao. The Nizam suggested a personal meeting to put an end to the frequent clashes between them that had always been instigated by the former for reasons better known to him. The Peshwa... Continue Reading →
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the world with the states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha being the top five producers in India. In fact, the state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under tomato cultivation and contributes... Continue Reading →
The utter decimation of the Mughal forces in Malwa and Bundelkhand created a major crisis for the ruler of Delhi. A clear division of opinion emerged in the counsel with one party headed by Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur and the Mir Bakshi Khan Dowran VII (Khan-i-Dauran) who were in favour of peace and conciliation... Continue Reading →
Pomegranate, a high - value fruit crop with immense economic, religious and medicinal importance is cultivated across the country with the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh producing the best fruit. Indian pomegranate is revered for its therapeutic properties and is rich in sodium, phosphorous and calcium and Vitamin C, B1,... Continue Reading →
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 →
The desecration of the Parashuram Temple at Chiplun was viewed by the Marathas as a serious attack on their Motherland and Hinduism. It became imperative to curb the activities of the Muslim mercenaries at Janjira. The main point discussed by the Marathas was to free the capital of Raigad from the Siddi's control. This fort... Continue Reading →
India is the largest producer of coriander and coriander seeds in the world and exports more than 45,000 tonnes annually to Europe, UK, The Middle East, South Africa, Malaysia and others. Interestingly, the district of Guna contributes about 20 - 25 percent to the total production in India and is in great demand abroad. ... Continue Reading →
The Siddis of Janjira, Muslims of Abyssinian descent had invaded the Deccan and the western coast in the late 16th century - early 17th century forming their own colony of mercenaries formally trained by Malik Ambar in the impregnable Janjira Fort. This independent principality was under the protection of Aurangzeb and had managed to thwart... Continue Reading →
It is perhaps not known to many that India is the largest producer of chillies in the world. Indian chillies are famous for their diversity, colour, unique taste and pungency level. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha are the top chilli producers in the country with a sizeable portion of... Continue Reading →
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 →
Burhanpur in recent times has developed a formidable reputation in the domestic and overseas market for its excellent native banana. Perhaps, the most famous fruit crop cultivated in around 25,000 hectares of land by small and marginal farmers, the humble banana has seen record production of over 17.5 lakh tonnes with a sizeable portion exported... Continue Reading →
Peshwa Bajirao and Chimaji Appa left Poona on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, 10 October 1730 on the instructions of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. They had been given a clear assignment to dissuade Trimbakrao Dabhade from aligning with Nizam-ul-Mulk and instead to return to Satara to resolve the situation. As they made their preparations and... Continue Reading →
It became clear to Peshwa Bajirao and Chimaji Appa that the strong chiefs who espoused the Peshwa's leadership would affect the prospects of Nizam-ul-Mulk as their territory was intermixed with his. The Nizam began to use powerful artillery to crush them into submission to protect his interests. By the end of 1730, the Peshwa and Chimaji Appa began... Continue Reading →
Khanderao Dabhade, appointed as Senapati by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj on 11 January 1717 had once been a competent leader. However, he was greatly overshadowed by the dashing Peshwa Bajirao who had proved his mettle more than once. The Peshwa on his part continued to serve the Chhatrapati assiduously by raising independent armies to secure the boundaries and lead expeditions... Continue Reading →
The evil machinations of Sambhaji of Kolhapur were revealed for one and all to see when Udaji Chavan sent agents to murder Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj when he was out hunting. Shahu Raje immediately set aside his friendly disposition towards his cousin and instructed Trimbakrao Dabhade to lead the army to march into Sambhaji's territory. ... Continue Reading →
The brilliance of Peshwa Bajirao on the battlefield and in the Maratha Court will go down in history as the finest chapter in military stratagem and diplomacy respectively. Even his staunch critics were forced to acknowledge his astuteness and competency. This however did not deter them from intriguing with the Nizam to subdue him and depose... Continue Reading →
After the humiliating defeat at Palkhed and the Mughal losses in Gujarat, Malwa and Bundelkhand, the Nizam knew that he was no match for the Peshwa‘s brilliance and military stratagem. Full of prejudice and evil machinations, he chose the cowardly approach to malign his name and dissuade the ruler at Delhi to sign a peace agreement. Deep Singh's mission... Continue Reading →
The agents sent by the ruler of Delhi came back with glowing reports of the Marathas and categorically declared that if the Mughals were to agree to 11 and 15 lacs for annual chauth of Gujarat and Malwa respectively, then the Marathas would not interfere with the Mughals again. Nizam-ul-Mulk, after being defeated by Peshwa... Continue Reading →
The decisive victories over the Mughals in Malwa, Bundelkhand and Gujarat in 1729 created quite a consternation in the heart of the ruler of Delhi. Though Nizam-ul-Mulk was checked to some extent in Palkhed, he continued to cause trouble for the Marathas in the Deccan. The death of Giridhar Bahadur and the defeat of Muhammad... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The three years from February 1725 to February 1728 (Battle of Shakar Kheda to Palkhed) fairly established the nature of the relationship between the Marathas and the Nizam that would eventually be subjected to the paramountcy of the British. The Marathas were determined to enforce the rights granted to them in 1719. However, the... Continue Reading →
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