Battle of Kolhapur

Battle of Kolhapur was a land battle that took place on 28 December 1659 near the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra between the Maratha king Shivaji and the Adilshahi forces. The battle is known for brilliant movement of flanks by Shivaji similar to tactics of Babur against Rana Sanga.

Battle of Kolhapur
Part of the Imperial Maratha Conquests
Date 28 December 1659 Location Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India Result victory for Maratha Empire
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	Adilshahi forces
Commanders and leaders
Shivaji Netaji Palkar Godaji Jadhavrao Siddi Hilal Ingale Sidhoji Pawar Mahadik Wagh	Rustam Zaman Fazal Khan Fateh Khan Sarjerao Ghatge Baji Ghorpade Malik Itbar Sadat Khan Yakun Khan Ankush Khan Santaji Ghatge
Strength
3,500	10,000
Casualties and losses
1000+	7000+

Background

Shivaji had killed Afzal Khan and routed his army in the battle of Pratapgarh (10 November 1659). He took advantage of this victory and in a great offensive took a large hilly tract running about 200 km under his command. A number of forts like Vasota fell to Marathas. By December, 1659 Shivaji appeared near Panhala fort. Rustam Zaman was directed from Bijapur. He arrived near Miraj in the vicinity of Kolhapur on 27 December 1659.

Battle

Composition of Adilshah’s 10,000 forces

Rustam Zaman was assisted by other chieftains Fazal Khan, Malik Itbar, Sadat Khan, Yakub Khan, Aankush Khan, Hasan Khan, Mulla Yahya, Santaji Ghatage. It consisted of selected cavalry of Adilshahi which was well known. In addition elephants were deployed as first line of defense. The centre was commanded by Rustam Zaman himself, left flank by Fazal Khan, right flank by Malik Itbar. Fateh Khan and Mullah Yahya were on the rear guard.

Composition of Maratha's 3,500 forces

Shivaji was assisted by Maratha Cavalry leader Netaji Palkar, Sardar Godaji Jagtap, Hiroji Ingale, Bhimaji Wagh, Sidhoji Pawar Jadhavrao, Hanmantrao Kharate, Pandhare, Siddi Hllal, and Mahadik. Center was commanded by Shivaji himself. Siddi Hilal and Jadhavrao were on left flank. Ingale and Sidhoji Pawar on right flank. Mahadik and Wagh on the rear guard. Netaji Palkar was off the centre.

Movement and clash of forces

Rustam Zaman was planning to move towards Panhala fort. Shivaji anticipated this movement and in a quick dash appeared before Adilshahi forces in the early morning of 28 December 1659. And attacked the enemy. Shivaji charged the center. Other Maratha commanders attacked respective flanks. In a hard battle, Adilshahi forces were scuttled. By afternoon Rustam Zaman had fled the field.

Outcome

Shivaji gained a large territory and secured front of his emerging empire. Adilshahi forces lost about 2000 horses and 12 elephants to the Marathas. The Marathas under Shivaji continued to conquer more Adilshahi territory. In one of the incidences, Shivaji tried to conquer an Adilshahi fort named Khelna but the terrain of the fort was difficult; conquering the fort was easier said than done. The Adilshahi garrison at the fort was also defending the fort valiantly. Then, Shivaji came up with a plan. Accordingly, a group of Marathas went up to the fort and convinced the Adilshahi chief (killedar) at the fort that they were not content with the rule of Shivaji and thus, had come to serve the Adilshah. The Marathas were successful and the next day, they revolted and caused total chaos inside the fort. Simultaneously, Shivaji attacked the fort from outside and in no time captured the fort. Shivaji renamed the fort as Vishalgad.

Casualties

The total casualties of this battle and also the Battle of Pratapgarh was over 7000 on the Adilshahi side and more than 100 on the Maratha side.

References

• Grant Duff - History of Marathas
• S.D.Samant - Vedh Mahamanvacha