Imperial Maratha Conquests

The Imperial Maratha Conquests (1659-1761) were a series of conquests in the Indian subcontinent which led to the building of the Maratha Empire. These conquests were started by "Chhatrapati" Shivaji Maharaj in 1659 from the victory at the Battle of Pratapgad. The conquests ended with the third battle of Panipat where the Marathas were decisively defeated by Ahmed Shah Abdali, thus bringing the imperial conquests to an end. This also led to the disintegration of the empire and the eventual fall at the hands of the British.

Background

Conquests of Shivaji

Battle of Pratapgad

The battle of Pratapgarh was the first Maratha conquest. Shivaji vanquished Afzal Khan in the battle of Pratapgad which was fought on November 30, 1659. This feat made Shivaji the hero of Maratha folklore and legend. All contemporary powers of the Indian subcontinent were shocked to see the outcome of the battle. Afzal Khan was a fearless and distinguished commander who had even caught hold of Aurangzeb in one siege. The Maratha's victory ride started with this extraordinary victory.

Battle of Kolhapur

The second Maratha victory came on the battle of Kolhapur fought on 28 December, 1659.After the demise of Afzal Khan, another army of over 10,000 was sent against Shivaji, commanded by Bijapuri general Rustemjaman. Shivaji with 5000 cavalry attacked near Kolhapur. In a swift movement, Shivaji attacked the centre of the enemy while his wings attacked from the flanks. In a pitched battle,the enemy was crushed and Rustemjaman fled.

Battle of Pavan Khind

Adil Shah sent an Abyssinian general of repute, Siddi Jauhar in 1660. Shivaji took up a position at the fort Panhala, near present day Kolhapur, on the borders of his dominion. The Mughals also sent contingents under the celebrated Shaista Khan, who camped at Pune. Shivaji in a brilliant move decided to break the siege of the fort, so that the enemy would scatter. Then war would be fought on a vast territory with amazing speed. In a gallant rear-guard defense Baji Prabhu Deshpande held the enemy in the battle of Pavan Khind and Shivaji pierced through the enemy, relaunched an attack and won a victory in the battle of Vishalgad. However Panhala was surrendered to Siddi Jauhar.

Conquest Of Konkan

An Uzbek general, Kartalab Khan, was sent on a mission to attack and reduce Shivaji's forts in the Konkan on 3 Feb,1661. He left Pune with 30,000 troops. This time the Mughals did not march openly, since they wanted to surprise Shivaji. But Shivaji took them by surprise at a pass known as 'Umber Khind', near present-day Penn, and attacked them from all sides. Shivaji himself took the forward position with chosen cavalry. The other three sides were blocked with light infantry. In a brilliant movement of light infantry and cavalry, Shivaji prevailed over them. Within 4 hours the enemy accepted defeat. They surrendered with their baggage and arms. The defeated army was allowed a safe passage. A lady commander Raibagan who fought from the Mughal side was released with honour true to Shivaji's policy towards women.

acking of Surat

In the Battle of Surat, Shivaji challenged mughal Fauzdar of Surat who avoided the battle .Instead of battle, he sent an emissary who tried to assassinate Shivaji. As a result the town was attacked and put to the sack. Hoewever no men or women were molested or taken as slave as was the Maratha practise. The poor were spared.

Battle Of Sinhagad

One fort on the outskirts of Pune, Kondana, was still under the control of a Mughal general. On February 4, 1670 Shivaji deputed one of his most senior and trusted generals, Tanaji Malusare, to head a mission to capture Kondana. Tanaji Malusare was already busy with his son's marriage. But for him duty came first, and he chose to go on the mission although Shivaji tried to convince him to attend his son's marriage and then take the mission. In the Battle of Sinhagad, the fort was scaled during the dead of the night, but victory was secured with loss of Tanaji. This battle is quite popular in folklore.

When Shivaji learned that he has lost his loyal and trusted friend, he said "Gad ala pan sinh gela", meaning "We have won the fort, but lost the Lion".

Conquest Of The South

At the end of 1676, Shivaji launched a wave of conquests in southern India with a massive force of 50,000 (30,000 cavalry & 20,000 infantry). He defeated and captured the forts at Vellore and Jinji in modern-day Tamilnadu. He also signed a friendship treaty with the Kutubshah of Golconda. These victories proved quite crucial during future wars. Jinjee served as Maratha capital for 9 years during 27 years of war.

Conquests after Shivaji

War Of 27 Years

War of 27 years was a series of battles fought between Marathas and Mughals from 1681 to 1707 in the Indian subcontinent. It was the longest fought war in the history of Indian subcontinent.

=Conquests of The Peshwa=

End Of The Conquests

Third Battle Of Panipat

References

*Duff, Grant - "History of Marhattas", London
*Samant, S. D. - "Vedh Mahamanavacha"
*Parulekar, Shyamrao - "Yashogatha Vijaya durg", Vijay Durg (1982)
*Kasar, D.B. - "Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great", Mumbai: Manudevi Prakashan (2005)
*Apte, B.K. (editor) - "Chhatrapati Shivaji: Coronation Tercentenary Commemoration Volume", Bombay: University of Bombay (1974-75)
*Desai, Ranjeet - "Shivaji the Great, Janata Raja" (1968), Pune: Balwant Printers - English Translation of popular Marathi book.