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Battle of Surat: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} | ||
{{Infobox military conflict | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
| image = | | image = Sack of Surat by Shivaji.jpg | ||
| caption = | | caption = Early 20th century depiction of the Sack of Surat by Shivaji. | ||
| conflict = Battle of Surat | | conflict = Battle of Surat | ||
| partof = | | partof = Maratha campaigns in Gujarat | ||
| date = | | date = 5–8 January 1664 | ||
| place = [[Surat]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]] | | place = [[Surat]], [[Gujarat Subah]], [[Mughal Empire]] (Now [[Gujarat]], [[India]]) | ||
| territory = | | territory = | ||
| result = | | result = Maratha victory | ||
* | *The Maratha sacks the city for five or six days<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gokhale |first=Balkrishna Govind |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Surat_In_The_Seventeenth_Century.html?id=frbYo91TuV4C#v=onepage&q=maratha%20sacked%20surat%20days&f=false |title=Surat in The Seventeenth Century |publisher=Popular Prakashan Pvt. Limited |year=1978 |isbn=9788171542208 |pages=8 |language=English}}</ref> | ||
| combatant2 = [[Mughal Empire]] | | combatant1 = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|23px]] [[Maratha Empire]] | ||
| commander1 = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg| | | combatant2 = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire.png|23px]] [[Mughal Empire]] | ||
| commander2 = Inayat Khan | | commander1 = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|23px]] [[Shivaji]] | ||
| strength1 = | | commander2 = [[File:Flag of the Mughal Empire.png|23px]] Inayat Khan | ||
| strength2 = | | strength1 = 4,000 cavalry<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Bhawan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KWwyDQAAQBAJ&q=shivaji+sack+of+surat+four+thousand+soldiers |title=Chhatrapati Shivaji |date=5 October 2016 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd |isbn=9789350830079 |language=English |chapter=Chapter Two: Administration}}</ref> | ||
| strength2 = 5,000 garrisons<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanyal |first=Subhojit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m1nVDAAAQBAJ&q=shivaji+surat+thousand+soldiers |title=Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |date=2013 |publisher=Om Books International |isbn=9789381607220 |pages=95 |language=English}}</ref> | |||
| strength3 = | | strength3 = | ||
| casualties1 = | | casualties1 = | ||
| casualties2 = | | casualties2 = | ||
| casualties3 = | | casualties3 = [[Shivaji]] ordered the beheading of four [[Mughal Empire|Imperialist]] prisoners and the amputation of the hands of twenty-four others.{{sfn|Kincaid|1937|p=171}} | ||
| notes = | | notes = | ||
| image_size = 200px | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Battle of Surat''', also known as the '''Sack of Surat''',<ref name="smith"/> was a land battle that took place on January 5, 1664, near the city of [[Surat]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]] between [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] ruler [[ Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ]] and Inayat Khan, a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] captain. The Marathas defeated the Mughal force, and sacked the city of Surat for six days.<ref name="smith"/> | |||
'''Battle of Surat''', also known as the '''Sack of Surat''',<ref name="smith" /> was a land battle that took place on January 5, 1664, near the city of [[Surat]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]] between [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] ruler [[ Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ]] and Inayat Khan, a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] captain. The Marathas defeated the Mughal force, and sacked the city of Surat for six days.<ref name="smith" /> | |||
According to [[James Grant Duff]], a captain in the British India Regiment, [[Surat]] was attacked by [[Shivaji]] on 5 January 1664. Surat was a wealthy port city in the Mughal Empire and was useful for the Mughals as it was used for the sea trade of the [[Arabian Sea]]. The city was well populated mostly by Hindus and a few Muslims, especially the officials in the Mughal administration of the city. The attack was so sudden that the population had no chance to flee. The plunder was continued for six days and two-thirds of the city was burnt down.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} The loot was then transferred to [[Rajgad fort]]. | According to [[James Grant Duff]], a captain in the British India Regiment, [[Surat]] was attacked by [[Shivaji]] on 5 January 1664. Surat was a wealthy port city in the Mughal Empire and was useful for the Mughals as it was used for the sea trade of the [[Arabian Sea]]. The city was well populated mostly by Hindus and a few Muslims, especially the officials in the Mughal administration of the city. The attack was so sudden that the population had no chance to flee. The plunder was continued for six days and two-thirds of the city was burnt down.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} The loot was then transferred to [[Rajgad fort]]. | ||
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
As [[Shaista Khan]], the Mughal governor, was in [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] for more than three years fighting the Marathas, the financial condition of the Maratha Kingdom was dire. So to improve his finances, [[Chhatrapati]] [[Shivaji]] [[Maharaj]] planned to attack Surat, a key Mughal power centre, and a wealthy port town that generated a million rupees in taxes. His aim was to capture and loot the wealthy port city and bring all the loot back to his main residence, the Raigad Fort. | As [[Shaista Khan]], the Mughal governor, was in [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] for more than three years fighting the Marathas, the financial condition of the Maratha Kingdom was dire. So to improve his finances, [[Chhatrapati]] [[Shivaji]] [[Maharaj]] planned to attack Surat, a key Mughal power centre, and a wealthy port town that generated a million rupees in taxes. His aim was to capture and loot the wealthy port city and bring all the loot back to his main residence, the Raigad Fort. | ||
==Battle == | |||
==Battle== | |||
===Composition of Forces=== | ===Composition of Forces=== | ||
Local [[Subedar]], Inayat Khan who was appointed by [[Aurangzeb]], had only 1000 men at his command. After | Local [[Subedar]], Inayat Khan who was appointed by [[Aurangzeb]], had only 1000 men at his command. After attacking and then sacking the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] garrison, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked the [[Port of Surat]] and set the local shipping industry ablaze. | ||
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was assisted by notable commanders along with cavalry of 10000.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was assisted by notable commanders along with cavalry of 10000.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} | ||
===Movement and clash of forces=== | ===Movement and clash of forces=== | ||
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked Surat after a demand for tribute was rejected. The Mughal Sardar, was very surprised by the suddenness of the attack, unwilling to face the Maratha forces, he hid himself in the Fort of Surat. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked Surat after a demand for tribute was rejected. The Mughal Sardar, was very surprised by the suddenness of the attack, unwilling to face the Maratha forces, he hid himself in the Fort of Surat. | ||
Surat was under attack for nearly three days, in which the Maratha Army looted all possible wealth from [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] and [[Portugal|Portuguese]] trading centers. The Maratha soldiers took away | Surat was under attack for nearly three days, in which the Maratha Army looted all possible wealth from [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] and [[Portugal|Portuguese]] trading centers. The Maratha soldiers took away cash, gold, silver, pearls, rubies, diamonds and emeralds from the houses of rich merchants such as [[Virji Vora]], Haji Zahid Beg, Haji Kasim and others. The business of Mohandas Parekh, the deceased broker of the [[Dutch East India Company]], was spared as he was reputed as a [[charity (practice)|charitable]] man.<ref name="Sardesai2002">{{cite book|author=H. S. Sardesai|title=Shivaji, the great Maratha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=deHZAUDHzYwC&pg=PA506|access-date=14 December 2011|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|isbn=978-81-7755-286-7|pages=506–}}</ref><ref name="BGGokhale_1979">{{cite book | title = Surat In The Seventeenth Century | author = Balkrishna Govind Gokhale | publisher = Popular Prakashan | year = 1979 | isbn = 9788171542208 | page = 25 | chapter = VII. The Merchant Prince Virji Vora | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=frbYo91TuV4C&q=Mohandas+Parekh+charitable&pg=PA25 | access-date = 2011-11-25 }}</ref> Similarly, | ||
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did not plunder the houses of the foreign missionaries.<ref name="HSSardesai2002">{{cite book|author=H. S. Sardesai|title=Shivaji, the great Maratha | year=2002| publisher=Cosmo Publications | isbn=978-81-7755-286-7| page=506 }}</ref> The French traveller [[Francois Bernier]] wrote in his ''Travels in Mughal India'':<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=deHZAUDHzYwC&pg=PA421&dq=during+pillage+of+Sourate,+Respected+the+habitation+of+the+reverend+father+Ambrose,+the+Capuchin+missionary&hl=en&ei=7SspTo68JonLrQepo9j0Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-preview-link&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQuwUwAg#v=onepage&q=during%20pillage%20of%20Sourate%2C%20Respected%20the%20habitation%20of%20the%20reverend%20father%20Ambrose%2C%20the%20Capuchin%20missionary&f=false The great Maratha, Volume 2], H. S. Sardesai, Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd, 2002, {{ISBN|8177552864}}, {{ISBN|9788177552867}}</ref> | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did not plunder the houses of the foreign missionaries.<ref name="HSSardesai2002">{{cite book|author=H. S. Sardesai|title=Shivaji, the great Maratha | year=2002| publisher=Cosmo Publications | isbn=978-81-7755-286-7| page=506 }}</ref> The French traveller [[Francois Bernier]] wrote in his ''Travels in Mughal India'':<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=deHZAUDHzYwC&pg=PA421&dq=during+pillage+of+Sourate,+Respected+the+habitation+of+the+reverend+father+Ambrose,+the+Capuchin+missionary&hl=en&ei=7SspTo68JonLrQepo9j0Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-preview-link&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQuwUwAg#v=onepage&q=during%20pillage%20of%20Sourate%2C%20Respected%20the%20habitation%20of%20the%20reverend%20father%20Ambrose%2C%20the%20Capuchin%20missionary&f=false The great Maratha, Volume 2], H. S. Sardesai, Genesis Publishing Pvt Ltd, 2002, {{ISBN|8177552864}}, {{ISBN|9788177552867}}</ref> | ||
{{quote|I forgot to mention that during pillage of Sourate, Seva-ji, the Holy Seva-ji! Respected the habitation of the reverend father Ambrose, the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] missionary. 'The Frankish Padres are good men', he said 'and shall not be attacked.'}} | {{quote|I forgot to mention that during pillage of Sourate, Seva-ji, the Holy Seva-ji! Respected the habitation of the reverend father Ambrose, the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] missionary. 'The Frankish Padres are good men', he said 'and shall not be attacked.'}} | ||
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had to complete the sacking of Surat before the Mughal Empire at Delhi was alerted and he could not afford to spend much time attacking the [[United Kingdom|British]]. Thus, Sir [[George Oxenden (governor)|George Oxenden]] was able to successfully defend the British factory, a fortified warehouse-counting house-hostel. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had to complete the sacking of Surat before the Mughal Empire at Delhi was alerted and he could not afford to spend much time attacking the [[United Kingdom|British]]. Thus, Sir [[George Oxenden (governor)|George Oxenden]] was able to successfully defend the British factory, a fortified warehouse-counting house-hostel. | ||
==Casualties== | ==Casualties== | ||
One Englishman named Anthony Smith, was captured by the [[Maratha]]s, and funds were demanded from him. Smith wrote an account of him witnessing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ordering the cutting off of the heads and hands of those who concealed their wealth.<ref name="smith">[[Vincent Arthur Smith]] (1919), [https://archive.org/stream/oxfordhistoryofi00smituoft#page/434/mode/2up ''The Oxford History of India''], [[Oxford University Press]], page 435</ref> However, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to know and understand that Smith was poor, he freed him. When the [[Mughal Army]] finally approached on the fourth fateful day, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his Maratha soldiers had already started their return southwards into the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. | One Englishman named Anthony Smith, was captured by the [[Maratha]]s, and funds were demanded from him. Smith wrote an account of him witnessing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ordering the cutting off of the heads and hands of those who concealed their wealth.<ref name="smith">[[Vincent Arthur Smith]] (1919), [https://archive.org/stream/oxfordhistoryofi00smituoft#page/434/mode/2up ''The Oxford History of India''], [[Oxford University Press]], page 435</ref> However, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to know and understand that Smith was poor, he freed him. When the [[Mughal Army]] finally approached on the fourth fateful day, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his Maratha soldiers had already started their return southwards into the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]]. | ||
==Aftermath== | |||
== Aftermath == | All this loot was successfully transported to the [[Deccan]] before the [[Mughal Empire]] at [[Delhi]] could get the news of the sacking of Surat. This wealth later was used for developing & strengthening the Maratha State.<ref>News in London Gazzet http://www.indianexpress.com/news/researcher-finds-reference-to-shivaji-maharaj-in-foreign-newspaper/362848</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Mahmood|first=Shama|date=1999-05-31|title=Suba Gujarat under aurangzeb|chapter-url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/60357|language=en|publisher=Department of History, [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]]|pages=19–38|via=Shodhganga@INFLIBNET Centre|hdl=10603/60357|chapter=1. Mughal - Maratha Contest in Gujarat}}</ref> This event enraged the Mughal Emperor, [[Aurangzeb]]. The revenue of the Mughal Empire was reduced as trade did not flourish as much after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's raid on the Port of Surat. To take his revenge, the Mughal Emperor sent a veteran [[Rajput]] general, Jai Singh, to curb Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's activities.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} | ||
All this loot was successfully transported to the [[Deccan]] before the [[Mughal Empire]] at [[Delhi]] could get the news of the sacking of Surat. This wealth later was used for developing & strengthening the Maratha State.<ref>News in London Gazzet http://www.indianexpress.com/news/researcher-finds-reference-to-shivaji-maharaj-in-foreign-newspaper/362848</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Mahmood|first=Shama|date=1999-05-31|title=Suba Gujarat under aurangzeb|chapter-url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/60357|language=en|publisher=Department of History, [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]]|pages=19–38|via=Shodhganga@INFLIBNET Centre|hdl=10603/60357|chapter=1. Mughal - Maratha Contest in Gujarat}}</ref> This event enraged the Mughal Emperor, [[Aurangzeb]]. The revenue of the Mughal Empire was reduced as trade did not flourish as much after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's raid on the Port of Surat. To take his revenge, the Mughal Emperor sent a veteran [[Rajput]] general, | ==See also== | ||
*[[Battle of Sinhagad]] | |||
== See also == | *[[Battle of Burdwan]] | ||
* [[Battle of Sinhagad]] | *[[Battle of Purandar]] | ||
* [[Battle of Burdwan]] | *[[List of Indian battles]] | ||
* [[Battle of Purandar]] | ==References== | ||
* [[List of Indian battles]] | |||
== References == | |||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
===Bibliography=== | ===Bibliography=== | ||
*[[James Grant Duff]] - ''History of Marathas'' | |||
* [[James Grant Duff]] - ''History of Marathas'' | *S.D.Samant - ''Vedh Mahamanvacha'' | ||
* S.D.Samant - ''Vedh Mahamanvacha'' | *[[Babasaheb Purandare]] - ''Raja ShivChhatrapati'' | ||
* [[Babasaheb Purandare]] - ''Raja ShivChhatrapati'' | |||
{{MarathaEmpire}} | {{MarathaEmpire}} | ||
{{coord|21|10|N|72|50|E|display=title}} | {{coord|21|10|N|72|50|E|display=title}} | ||
[[Category:1664 in India]] | [[Category:1664 in India]] | ||
[[Category:Battles involving the Maratha Empire|Surat 1664]] | [[Category:Battles involving the Maratha Empire|Surat 1664]] | ||