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Siege of Barabati fort: Difference between revisions
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[[Raghuji the Great]] besieged the fort held by Durlabhram, who, fearing for his life and influenced by sanyasis, chose to surrender despite opposition from Abdul Aziz and others who wanted to continue defending the fort. Abdul Aziz took command and resisted fiercely for over a month. Meanwhile, Maratha raiding parties occupied large areas of [[Orissa]]. The [[Nawab]], unable to counter the [[Marathas]] due to threats from Mustafa in [[Bihar]], sought peace, but Raghuji demanded an excessive ransom. Peace talks stalled until Mustafa’s death in late June, after which negotiations ceased. When provisions ran out, Abdul Aziz surrendered the fort on May 12, 1745, securing his safety. [[Raghuji]] then advanced into Birbhum and extended [[Maratha]] control over parts of Orissa, including Midnapore, Hugli, and Burdwan. | |||
==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== | ||
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After numerous conferences, Raja Durlabhram emerged from the fortress to visit the Maratha Prince, accompanied by his commanders and officers, but they were imprisoned in the Maratha Camp. Upon learning of this treachery, Abdul Aziz assumed command of the fortress and prepared to defend it. It proved difficult for Raghuji to capture the fort due to Abdul Aziz's determined resistance. Raghuji sent his own men and some of Durlabhram's followers to persuade Abdul Aziz to surrender, but he refused, declaring his loyalty to [[Alivardi Khan]] and pledging to defend the fort to the last breath. Consequently, the siege continued for over a month with vigorous resistance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sardesai|first=Govind Sakharam|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_expansion_of_the_Maratha_power_1707.html?id=7CAIAQAAIAAJ|title=The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707-1772|publisher=Phoenix Publications|year=1948|pages=223}}</ref> | After numerous conferences, Raja Durlabhram emerged from the fortress to visit the Maratha Prince, accompanied by his commanders and officers, but they were imprisoned in the Maratha Camp. Upon learning of this treachery, Abdul Aziz assumed command of the fortress and prepared to defend it. It proved difficult for Raghuji to capture the fort due to Abdul Aziz's determined resistance. Raghuji sent his own men and some of Durlabhram's followers to persuade Abdul Aziz to surrender, but he refused, declaring his loyalty to [[Alivardi Khan]] and pledging to defend the fort to the last breath. Consequently, the siege continued for over a month with vigorous resistance.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sardesai|first=Govind Sakharam|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_expansion_of_the_Maratha_power_1707.html?id=7CAIAQAAIAAJ|title=The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707-1772|publisher=Phoenix Publications|year=1948|pages=223}}</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. | 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.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Battles involving the Maratha Empire]] | |||
[[Category:Battles of the Maratha invasions of Bengal]] | |||