Mughal–Maratha Wars: Difference between revisions

| conflict          = Mughal-Maratha Wars

| date              = 1680{{spaced ndash}}May 1707 {{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

| result            = Maratha victory. Mughals failed to completely annex Maratha state.<ref name="William Wilson Hunter">{{cite book|author=William Wilson Hunter|author-link=William Wilson Hunter|year=1882|title=The Indian Empire: Its History, People and Products|publisher=London|pages=249–250|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0BYYAAAAYAAJ&q=deccan+wars&pg=PA249}}</ref><ref name="John Clark Marshman">{{cite book|author=John Clark Marshman|author-link=John Clark Marshman|year=2010|title=History of India from the Earliest Period to the Close of the East India Company's Government|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=93|isbn=9781108021043|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbmT_Tv-VGUC&pg=PA93}}</ref>

| combatant1        = [[Maratha Empire]]

| combatant2        = [[Mughal Empire]]

| commander1        = [[Sambhaji]] {{KIA}} <br /> [[Rajaram Chhatrapati|Rajaram]] <br /> [[Tarabai|Maharani Tarabai]] <br />[[Hambirrao Mohite]] {{KIA}}<br /> [[Ramchandra Pant Amatya]]<br />[[Santaji Ghorpade]] <br />[[Dhanaji Jadhav]] <br />

| commander2        = [[Aurangzeb]]<br /> [[Azam Shah]]<br /> [[Bahadur Shah I|Bahadur Shah]]<br />[[Zulfikar Khan]]<br />[[Husain Ali Khan]]

| strength2        = 500,000<ref name="Malešević 2017 119">{{cite book |last=Malešević |first=Siniša |year=2017 |title=The Rise of Organised Brutality |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFlEDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA119 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=119 |isbn=978-1-107-09562-5}}</ref>

| casualties2      = 2.7 - 3 million<ref name="Sir Jadunath Sarkar">{{cite book|author=Sir Jadunath Sarkar|author-link=Sir Jadunath Sarkar|year=1974|title=History of Aurangzib: mainly based on Persian sources, Volume 5|publisher=[[Orient Longman ]]|page=13|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BNQ5AQAAIAAJ&q=one+hundred+thousand}}</ref><ref name="Niccolao Manucci">{{cite book|author=Niccolao Manucci|author-link=Niccolao Manucci|year=1907|title=Storia do Mogul India 1653-1708 Volume 4|publisher=London, Murray|page=[https://archive.org/details/storiadomogororm04manu/page/96 96]|url=https://archive.org/details/storiadomogororm04manu}}</ref>

| image            = Mughal-Maratha Wars in 1680 CE.png

| caption          = Map of the Maratha Dominions towards the end of Shivaji's reign.

The '''Mughal–Maratha Wars''', also called The [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] War or The Maratha War of Independence, were fought between the [[Maratha Empire]] and the [[Mughal Empire]] from 1680 to 1707.  

This war was begun in 1680 by the Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]’s invasion of the Maratha Enclave in [[Bijapur]], which was established by the Maratha leader [[Shivaji]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1IgAwAAQBAJ&q=mughal+attack+on+bijapur&pg=PA197|title=Hinduism and the Ethics of Warfare in South Asia: From Antiquity to the Present|last=Roy|first=Kaushik|date=2012-10-15|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781139576840|language=en}}</ref> After the death of Aurangzeb, Marathas defeated the Mughals in [[Battle of Delhi (1737)|Delhi]] and [[Battle of Bhopal|Bhopal]], and extended their empire up to [[Battle of Peshawar (1758)|Peshawar]] by 1758.<ref>{{cite book|author=Alexander Mikaberidze|title=Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia &#91;2 volumes&#93;: A Historical Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBBYD2J2oE4C&pg=PA43|date=22 July 2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-337-8|pages=43}}</ref>

In the first half of 1681, many Mughal contingents were dispatched to lay siege to Maratha forts in present-day [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], and [[Madhya Pradesh]]. [[Sambhaji]] provided shelter to the emperor's rebel son [[Sultan Muhammad Akbar]], which angered [[Aurangzeb]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y7fUHMEDAyEC&pg=PA208 Medieval India]</ref> In September 1681, after settling his dispute with the royal house of [[Mewar dynasty|Mewar]], Aurangzeb began his journey to Deccan to conquer the relatively young Maratha Empire. He arrived at [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], the Mughal headquarters in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] and made it his capital. Mughal contingents in the region numbered about 500,000.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} It was a disproportionate war in all senses. By the end of 1681, the Mughal forces had laid siege to [[Fort Ramsej]]. But the Marathas did not succumb to this onslaught. The attack was well received and it took the Mughals seven years to take the fort.<ref name="Howard"/> In December 1681, Sambhaji attacked [[Murud-Janjira|Janjira]], but his first attempt failed. At the same time one of the Aurangzeb's generals, [[Husain Ali Khan]], attacked Northern Konkan. Sambhaji left Janjira and attacked [[Husain Ali Khan]] and pushed him back to [[Ahmednagar]]. Aurangzeb tried to sign a deal with the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] to allow trade ships to harbour in Goa. This would have allowed him to open another supply route to Deccan via the sea. This news reached Sambhaji. He attacked the Portuguese territories and forced them back to the Goan coast. But the viceroy of Alvor was able to defend the Portuguese headquarters. By this time the huge Mughal army had started gathering on the borders of Deccan. It was clear that southern India was headed for a large, sustained conflict.<ref name="Howard">Robinson, Howard; James Thomson Shotwell (1922). "Mogul Empire and the Marathas". The Development of the British Empire. Houghton Mifflin. p.&nbsp;106–132.</ref>

===Execution of Sambhaji===

[[File:Tulapur arch.jpg|thumb|250px|Stone arch at [[Tulapur]] confluence where Sambhaji was executed.]]

After the fall of Bijapur and Golkonda, Aurangzeb turned his attention again to the Marathas but his first few attempts had little impact. In January 1688, Sambhaji called together his commanders for a strategic meeting at [[Sangameshwar]] in [[Konkan]] to decide on the final blow to oust Aurangzeb from the Deccan. To execute the decision of the meeting quickly, Sambhaji sent ahead most of his comrades and stayed back with a few of his trustworthy men, including Kavi Kalash. Ganoji Shirke, one of Sambhaji's brothers-in-law, turned traitor and helped Aurangzeb's commander [[Muqarrab Khan]] to locate, reach and attack Sangameshwar while Sambhaji was still there. The relatively small Maratha force fought back although they were surrounded from all sides. Sambhaji was captured on 1 February 1689 and a subsequent rescue attempt by the Marathas was repelled on 11 March. He refused to bow down to Aurangzeb, so he was beheaded.<ref name="Deshpande2007">{{cite book|author=Prachi Deshpande|title=Creative Pasts: Historical Memory and Identity in Western India, 1700-1960|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U5FdJnnDhSwC&pg=PA171|year=2007|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-12486-7|pages=171}}</ref>

According to [[John F. Richards]], however, Sambhaji was executed for killing and capturing Muslims. The judgement was handed down by a panel of [[ulema]].<ref name="Richards223">{{cite book|title=The Mughal Empire|author=John F. Richards|author-link=John F. Richards|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1995|pages=223|isbn=9780521566032|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHyVh29gy4QC&pg=PA223|quote=During interrogation by Mughal officers, Shambhaji sealed his fate by insulting both the emperor and the Prophet Muhammad. A panel of ulema sentenced him to death for having slain and captured good Muslims}}</ref>

To Aurangzeb, the Marathas seemed all but dead by end of 1689. But this would prove to be almost a fatal blunder. The death of Sambhaji had rekindled the spirit of the Maratha forces, which made Aurangzeb's mission impossible. Sambhaji's younger brother [[Rajaram Chhatrapati|Rajaram]] was now given the title of ''[[Chhatrapati]]'' (Emperor).<ref name="Tarabai">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Eh1BAAAAMAAJ&q=rajaram+became+chhatrapati&dq=rajaram+became+chhatrapati&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QlXZT5ygA4TTrQfRrbXIBg&redir_esc=y Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, c. 1675–1761 A.D.]</ref> In March 1690, the Maratha commanders, under the leadership of [[Santaji Ghorpade]] launched the single most daring attack on Mughal army. They not only attacked the army, but sacked the tent where the Aurangzeb himself slept. Luckily Aurangzeb was elsewhere but his private force and many of his bodyguards were killed. However, this was followed by a betrayal in the Maratha camp. Raigad fell to the treachery of Suryaji Pisal. Sambhaji's queen, Yesubai and their son, [[Shahu I]], were captured.<ref name="Howard"/>

Mughal forces, led by Zulfikar Khan, continued this offensive further south. They attacked fort [[Panhala]]. The Maratha killedar of Panhala gallantly defended the fort and inflicted heavy losses on Mughal army. Finally Aurangzeb himself had to come and Panhala was surrendered.<ref name="Howard"/>

Maratha ministers realised that the Mughals would move on [[Vishalgad]]. They insisted that Rajaram leave Vishalgad for Senji ([[Gingee]]) (in present [[Tamil Nadu]]), which had been captured by [[Shivaji]] during his southern conquests and was now to be the new Maratha capital. Rajaram travelled south under escort of [[Khando Ballal]] and his men.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jNA5AQAAIAAJ&q=jinji+capital+of+marathas&dq=jinji+capital+of+marathas&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-AfOT7THCIHLrQed2ryrDA&redir_esc=y Relation between French and Marathas]</ref>

Aurangzeb was frustrated with Rajaram's successful escape. Keeping most of his force in Maharashtra, he sent a small number to keep Rajaram in check. This small force was destroyed by an attack from two Maratha generals, [[Santaji Ghorpade]] and [[Dhanaji Jadhav]], who then they joined Ramchandra Bavadekar in Deccan. Bavdekar, Vithoji Chavan and [[Raghoji I Bhonsle|Raghuji Bhosale]] had reorganised most of the Maratha army after defeats at Panhala and Vishalgad.<ref name="Howard"/>

In late 1691, Bavdekar, [[Pralhad Niraji]], Santaji, Dhanaji and several Maratha sardars met in the Maval region and reformed the strategy. Aurangzeb had taken four major forts in Sahyadrais and was sending Zulfikar khan to subdue the fort Ginjee. So according to new Maratha plan, Santaji and Dhanaji would launch offensives in the East to keep rest of the Mughal forces scattered. Others would focus in Maharashtra and would attack a series of forts around southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka to divide Mughal won territories in two, thereby posing significant challenge to enemy supply chains. Having a strong navy established by Shivaji, the Marathas could now extend this divide into the sea, checking any supply routes from Surat to south.<ref name="Howard"/>

Through cavalry movements, [[Santaji Ghorpade]] and [[Dhanaji Jadhav]] defeated the Mughals. . In the [[Battle of Athani]], Santaji defeated Kasim Khan, a noted Mughal general.<ref name="Howard"/>

===Fall of Jinji (Jan 1698)===

Aurangzeb by now had realised that the war he had started was much more serious than he had originally thought. He decided to regroup his forces and rethink his strategy. He sent an ultimatum to Zulfikar Khan to capture Jinji or be stripped of the titles. Zulfikar Khan tightened the Siege, but Rajaram escaped and was safely escorted to Deccan by Dhanaji Jadhav and the Shirke brothers. Haraji Mahadik's son took command of Jinji and bravely defended the city against Julfikar Khan and Daud Khan until its fall in January 1698. This gave Rajaram ample amount of time to reach Vishalgad.<ref name="Howard"/>

After significant Mughal losses, Jinji was captured in a classic [[Pyrrhic victory]]. The fort had done its work: for seven years the three hills of Jinji had kept a large contingent of Mughal forces occupied while inflicting heavy losses. It had significantly depleted Mughal resources in the region, from the treasury to material.<ref name="Howard"/>

Signs of strain were showing in the Mughal camp in late 1701. Asad Khan, Julfikar Khan's father, counselled Aurangzeb to end the war and turn around. The expedition had already taken a giant toll, much larger than originally planned, on the empire and it looked possible that 175 years of Mughal rule might crumble due to being involved in a war that was not winnable.<ref name="Howard"/>

By 1704 Aurangzeb conquered [[Torana]], [[Rajgad]] and some other handful forts mostly by bribing maratha commanders,<ref name="Abraham Eraly">{{cite book|author=Abraham Eraly|author-link=Abraham Eraly|year=2000|title=Emperors of the Peacock Throne: The Saga of the Great Mughals|publisher=[[Penguin Books|Penguin Books India]]|page=502|isbn=9780141001432|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04ellRQx4nMC&pg=PA502}}</ref><ref name="Ashvini Agrawal">{{cite book|author=Ashvini Agrawal|year=1983|title=Studies in Mughal History|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|page=168|isbn=9788120823266|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZdCrUxFAHEC&pg=PA168}}</ref> but he had spent four precious years for this. It was slowly dawning to him that after 24 years of constant war, he was not succeeded to annex the Maratha State.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gordon|first1=Stewart|title=The Marathas 1600–1818|date=1993|publisher=Cambridge University|location=New York|isbn=978-0521268837|pages=101–105|edition=1. publ.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&q=aurangzeb+1707&pg=PR9|access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref>

Aurangzeb had now given up all hope and planned a retreat to [[Burhanpur]]. Jadhav attacked and defeated his rearguard but Aurangzeb was able to reach his destination with the help of [[Zulfikar Khan]]. He died of a fever on 21 February 1707.<ref name="Mehta2005" />

[[File:India1760 1905.jpg|thumb|[[Maratha Empire]] became major power in the [[Indian sub-continent]] after 1720s. The above map is of 1760.]]

After the death of [[Bahadur Shah I]], the Marathas began an expansion northward. They crossed the [[Narmada River|Narmada]], the traditional boundary between northern plains and peninsula, marched to Delhi and released the grandson of Shivaji, [[Shahuji|Shahu]], from captivity of Mughals.<ref name="Mehta2005">{{citation|last=Mehta|first=Jaswant Lal|title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA54|date=1 January 2005|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-1-932705-54-6|pages=54–}}</ref> By 1757, the Maratha Empire had reached [[Battle of Delhi (1757)|Delhi]].

The Mughal empire was split in regional kingdoms, with the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]], [[Nawab of Oudh]] and [[Nawab of Bengal]] quick to assert the nominal independence of their lands.<ref name="Howard"/>

{{Reflist}}

{{MarathaEmpire}}