The fortified enclosure of Bassein, the pride of the Portuguese on the west coast held its own and resisted all attacks by the Marathas from land. This triangular piece of land measuring a mile and a half in circumference had good defensive walls of 5 feet thickness and were almost 30 to 40 feet high.... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: A religious war waged against the Portuguese
The total annihilation of the Portuguese, a dominant naval power with advanced artillery is one of the most glorious chapters of Maratha history. The Portuguese controlled several strategic posts on the west coast extending from Goa to Daman. These fortified enclosures served as impregnable defences to any attacks from land or sea. The Peshwa desired... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Nadir Shah makes a hasty retreat upon learning Peshwa Bajirao’s march to the north
The ruler at Delhi in his hour of distress and humiliation turned to Sawai Jai Singh and summoned him to his aid. However, Sawai Jai Singh on hearing the reports of savagery and atrocities committed by the Muslim invader Nadir Shah and his men chose to stay in Jaipur. Dhondo Govind wrote to Peshwa Bajirao... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Nadir Shah plunders Akhanda Bharat
The Battle of Karnal resulted in a complete decimation of the warring factions of the Mughal army. The Mir Bakshi Khan Dowran VII (Khan-i-Dauran) received mortal wounds and died two days later. Saadat Khan was wounded and captured. Nizam-ul-Mulk did not participate in the actual operations and waited for events to unfold. The Muslim barbarian... 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: Nizam-ul-Mulk prepares to fight Peshwa Bajirao and the Marathas
Nizam-ul-Mulk after being accorded the highest honours by the ruler at Delhi left the capital in October 1737 with a thirty thousand strong army equipped with artillery on a singular mission to chase the Marathas away from the rich provinces of Bundelkhand and Malwa. He turned south, crossed the Jamuna River near Agra and... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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