.svg)
1,182
edits
Siege of Barabati fort: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(→Siege) Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
No edit summary Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
==Prelude== | ==Prelude== | ||
To exact revenge on [[Nawab]] [[Alivardi Khan]], Mustafa Khan enlisted [[Raghuji]]'s help to invade Bengal. [[Raghuji]], still seething from the treacherous death of Bhaskar Ram, eagerly seized the opportunity. In March 1745, he led a force of 14,000 cavalry, bypassing Sambhalpur and crossing the mountain tracts to reach Orissa. There, he swiftly captured the city of [[Cuttack]] without encountering any resistance. At this time, Raja Durlabhram was preoccupied with the Sanyasis on the banks of the Mahanadi River and was unaware of Raghuji’s approach. When news of the invasion reached Katak, chaos erupted, and the inhabitants fled in panic. Raja Durlabhram, caught off guard and dressed only in his undergarments, hurriedly sought refuge in the [[Barabati Fort]], which was nearby.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ray|first=Bhabani Charan|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.136229|title=Orissa Under Marathas 1751-1803|year=1960|pages=12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/life-and-times-of-raghuji-bhonsle-i-of-nagpur|title=Life & Times Of Raghuji Bhonsle I Of Nagpur|last=Shanta Aathana|date=1978|pages=171–173}}</ref> | To exact revenge on [[Nawab]] [[Alivardi Khan]], Mustafa Khan enlisted [[Raghuji]]'s help to invade Bengal. [[Raghuji]], still seething from the treacherous death of Bhaskar Ram, eagerly seized the opportunity. In March 1745, he led a force of 14,000 cavalry, bypassing Sambhalpur and crossing the mountain tracts to reach Orissa. There, he swiftly captured the city of [[Cuttack]] without encountering any resistance. At this time, Raja Durlabhram was preoccupied with the Sanyasis on the banks of the Mahanadi River and was unaware of Raghuji’s approach. When news of the invasion reached Katak, chaos erupted, and the inhabitants fled in panic. Raja Durlabhram, caught off guard and dressed only in his undergarments, hurriedly sought refuge in the [[Barabati Fort]], which was nearby.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ray|first=Bhabani Charan|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.136229|title=Orissa Under Marathas 1751-1803|year=1960|pages=12-14}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/life-and-times-of-raghuji-bhonsle-i-of-nagpur|title=Life & Times Of Raghuji Bhonsle I Of Nagpur|last=Shanta Aathana|date=1978|pages=171–173}}</ref> | ||
==Siege== | ==Siege== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
During this time, [[Maratha]] raiding parties occupied much of [[Orissa]], including areas like Midnapur, Hugli, and parts of Burdwan. The Nawab, preoccupied with threats from Mustafa in [[Bihar]], could not launch a campaign in [[Orissa]] and decided to seek peace. He sent Hunsanaly Khan, an eloquent envoy from Delhi, to negotiate with [[Raghuji]]. Seeing this as a sign of weakness, [[Raghuji]] demanded three crore rupees for peace. The Nawab, unable to meet this demand, prolonged the negotiations for two and a half months. When Mustafe died in late June, the Nawab broke off the talks.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Datta|first=Kalikinkar|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Alivardi_and_His_Times.html?id=NKkbAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Alivardi And His Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Jadunath|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Fall_Of_The_Mughal_Empire_Vol_I_4Th_Edn.html?id=gKOqA9lgtbwC|title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire- Vol. I (4Th Edn.), Volume 1}}</ref> | During this time, [[Maratha]] raiding parties occupied much of [[Orissa]], including areas like Midnapur, Hugli, and parts of Burdwan. The Nawab, preoccupied with threats from Mustafa in [[Bihar]], could not launch a campaign in [[Orissa]] and decided to seek peace. He sent Hunsanaly Khan, an eloquent envoy from Delhi, to negotiate with [[Raghuji]]. Seeing this as a sign of weakness, [[Raghuji]] demanded three crore rupees for peace. The Nawab, unable to meet this demand, prolonged the negotiations for two and a half months. When Mustafe died in late June, the Nawab broke off the talks.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Datta|first=Kalikinkar|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Alivardi_and_His_Times.html?id=NKkbAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Alivardi And His Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Jadunath|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Fall_Of_The_Mughal_Empire_Vol_I_4Th_Edn.html?id=gKOqA9lgtbwC|title=Fall Of The Mughal Empire- Vol. I (4Th Edn.), Volume 1}}</ref> | ||
Upon learning of Durlabhram's captivity, the Nawab sent Sarmast Khan to negotiate his release. [[Raghuji]] sent Nilopant as his envoy, but the matter remained unresolved. When provisions ran short, Abdul Aziz was forced to surrender the fort on May 12, 1745, after a two-month defense. The terms of surrender ensured his personal safety, the safety of his baggage and people, and that none would be compelled to join the [[Marathas]]. | Upon learning of Durlabhram's captivity, the Nawab sent Sarmast Khan to negotiate his release. [[Raghuji]] sent Nilopant as his envoy, but the matter remained unresolved. When provisions ran short, Abdul Aziz was forced to surrender the fort on May 12, 1745, after a two-month defense. The terms of surrender ensured his personal safety, the safety of his baggage and people, and that none would be compelled to join the [[Marathas]].<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Following the surrender, [[Raghuji]] advanced towards Birbhum and established his quarters. From there, his army occupied various parts of Orissa, extending control as far as Midnapore and Hugli, and a significant portion of Burdwan. | Following the surrender, [[Raghuji]] advanced towards Birbhum and established his quarters. From there, his army occupied various parts of Orissa, extending control as far as Midnapore and Hugli, and a significant portion of Burdwan.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||