Battle of Kharda

Battle of Kharda
Date 11 March 1795 Location Kharda, Maharashtra, India Result Maratha victory; The Nizam ceded much of his territory and paid an indemnity of Rupees 3 crores to Marathas.
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	Nizam of Hyderabad
Commanders and leaders
Sawai Madhavrao Daulat Rao Shinde Jivabadada Kerkar Tukojirao Holkar Raghoji II Bhonsle Govind Rao Gaekwad	Mir Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II Aristu Jah Bhavani Das
Strength
100,000	150,000

The Battle of Kharda took place in 1795 between Nizam and Maratha Empire, in which Nizam was badly defeated. Governor General John Shore followed the policy of non-intervention despite that Nizam was under his protection. So this led to the loss of trust with the British. This was the last battle fought together by all the Maratha chiefs under leadership of Bakshibahaddar Jivabadada Kerkar. Maratha forces consisted of cavalry, including gunners, bowmen, artillery and infantry.

After several skirmishes Nizams infantry under Raymond launched an attack on the Marathas but Scindia forces under Jivabadada Kerkar defeated them and launched a counter attack which proved to be decisive. The rest of the Hyderabad army fled to the fort of Kharda. The Nizam started negotiations and they were concluded in April 1795.

Chimnaji Phatak, his son Balkrishna Phatak, Balkrishna Latey were among those who served the Peshwa's camp during the war.

Further reading

• Kulkarni, G. T.; Kantak, M. R. (1980). Battle of Kharda: Challenges and Responses. University of California: Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.