Battles involving the Maratha Empire

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The Maratha Conquests were a series of conquests in the Indian subcontinent which led to the building of the Maratha Empire. These conquests were started by Shivaji in 1659, from the victory at the Battle of Pratapgad against Bijapur. The expansion of the empire was limited and interrupted by the Mughal conquests of south India by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb until he eventually died in 1707 in Deccan itself . Marathas were forced to defend their territories against the overwhelmingly strong Mughal army in the 27 years long Deccan wars. They were able to defend their territories and gain an upper hand over Mughals in the sustained conflict.

Afterwards, the Marathas conclusively defeated and overtook major territories of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent and its vassals. It ended with the eventual fall of the Maratha Empire after the Anglo-Maratha Wars.

Background

Shivaji's father Shahji had earlier served as a Jagirdar under Adil Shah. Shivaji inherited this land and later revolted against the Adil Shahi dynasty, carving out a kingdom with Raigad as his capital. After Treaty of Purandar signed on 11 June 1665, Shivaji was incorporated as a vassal and had to send his son Sambhaji to fight for the Mughals in the Deccan as a mansabdar along with 5,000 horsemen, Shivaji seeing that he wasn't getting much prestige in Mughal Darbar, revolted and fought against the Mughals and raided the rich city of Surat. He crowned himself in 1674 as a Chhatrapati, establishing the Maratha Kingdom Shivaji died in 1680.^{[citation needed]}

List of major conflicts

Battles under Shivaji

Battle of Pratapgad

Battle of Pavankhind

Battle of Chakan

Battle of umberkhind

The Battle of Umberkhind took place on 3 February 1661 between the Mughal and Maratha Empire. Shivaji's Maratha forces defeated the invading Mughal army, resulting in the Mughal army's surrender. The battle demonstrated Shivaji's strategic and tactical prowess, marking a significant victory for the Marathas and strengthening their position against the Mughals.^[1]

Battle of Surat

The Battle of Surat took place on 5 January 1664, near the port city of Surat between Maratha ruler Shivaji and Inayat Khan, a Mughal captain. The Marathas defeated the Mughal force, and sacked the city of Surat for six days. The loot was then transferred to Rajgad fort

Second sack of surat

The Second Sack of Surat in 1670 was an event during the reign of the Maratha ruler Shivaji, marking his second attack on the prosperous port city of Surat, located in present-day Gujarat, India. Following multiple alarms of an impending assault by Shivaji, the Surat Council took preemptive measures, including seeking assistance from Portuguese soldiers stationed in Mumbai. However, despite the deployment of troops, the alarm subsided with the arrival of Bahadur Khan, the subadar of Gujarat, and his forces.^[2][3]

Battle of vani

The Battle of Vani was an important military engagement fought between the Maratha ruler Shivaji and the Mughal Empire in 1670. It took place near the town of Vani in present-day Maharashtra, India. The battle was part of the ongoing conflict between the expanding Maratha Empire and the Mughal forces seeking to assert control over the region.

Battle of Purandar

The Battle of Purandar was fought between the Mughal Empire and Maratha Army in 1665. The Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, sent his general Jai Singh to besiege Shivaji's fortress at Purandar. After Mughal forces killed Maratha General Murarbaji on 2 June 1665, Shivaji took treaty with Mughals and gave up 23 of his fortresses.^[4]

Battle of Sinhagad

The Battle of Sinhagad took place during the night on 4 February 1670 on the fort of Sinhagad. The Sinhagad fort was finally recaptured by the Marathas under the command of Tanhaji^[5]

Battle of Salher

The Battle of Salher which was a battle fought between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire in February 1672 CE. The battle was fought near the fort of Salher in the Nashik district. The result was a decisive victory for the Marathas. This battle is considered particularly significant as it is the first battle in which the Mughal Empire lost on an open field. Mughal empire started to decline after this battle and the battle of Dindori fought one year earlier.

Battle of Bhupalgarh

The Battle of Bhupalgarh occurred between the Mughal and Maratha Empire in 1679. The battle resulted in the defeat of the Marathas and capture, loot and razing of the fort of Bhupalgarh under Firangoji Narsala by the Mughal forces led by Diler Khan.^{[citation needed]}

Battles after the death of Shivaji

War of 27 Years

War of 27 Years was a series of battles fought between Marathas and Mughals from 1680 to 1707 in the Indian subcontinent. It was a series of battles. The war started in 1680 with the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's invasion of the Maratha enclave in Bijapur established by Shivaji.^{[6][full citation needed]}

The war can be broken down into three distinct phases :

• Marathas under Sambhaji (1681–1689).
• Marathas under Rajaram (1689–1700).
• Marathas under Maharani Tarabai (1700–1707).

It was a long snakes and ladders war game involving a quarter of a century and innumerable long and short battles. The war ended after the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, because of unstable later Mughals. It also paved the way for the Maratha expansion in the North.^[7]

Battles under Sambhaji

Shivaji was succeeded by his son, Sambhaji, after his death in April 1680. Sambhaji was also a genius military commander. He fought his first battle at Vikramgad at the age of 15 years, defeating outnumbered Mughals. After that he fought many victorious battles in his short life. Sambhaji managed to defend the Maratha Empire against the overwhelmingly strong Mughal Empire, the Siddis of Janjira, the Portuguese of Goa and North Konkan and Chikkadevaraya of Mysore.^{[citation needed]}

Sacking of Burhanpur

The Sacking of Burhanpur (31 January 1681 – 2 February 1681) refers to the looting of the wealthy Mughal city Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh by the Maratha ruler Sambhaji. The Maratha army commanded by Sambhaji and Hambirrao Mohite attacked and plundered the city for three days. The Marathas got a huge loot and returned to Raigad by evading Mughal forces.

Battle of Kalyan

The Battle of Kalyan occurred between the Mughal Empire and Maratha Empire between 1682 and 1684. Bahadur khan defeated Marathas under tukoji but later Marathas under Sambhaji defeated the Mughal Empire.khan's third attempt in 1684 failed as Marathas under Hambirrao Mohite repulsed his efforts ^[8]

Siege of Ramsej

The Siege of Ramsej (1682–1688) was a sustained military conflict between the Maratha Empire and Mughal Empire for the control of Ramsej fort in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The 600 Marathas under Killedar Suryaji Jedhe were able defend the fort against the overwhelmingly strong Mughal army for six years. After five years Suryaji Jedhe was transferred to another fort according to the rotation policy of the Maratha Administration. Mughals bribed the new Killedar and captured the fort in 1688.^[9]

Maratha–Mysore War

The king of Mysore Chikka Devaraja had allied with the Mughal Empire. Marathas and Mysore were already fighting for supremacy in southern India. The earlier conflicts were inconclusive with wins and losses for both sides. Sambhaji with his allies Abul Hasan Qutb Shah and Basappa Nayaka invaded Mysore in June 1682. Chikka Devaraja defeated the allies at the Battle of Banavar but Sambhaji bounced back to score a major victory at the Battle of Trichinopoly (1682). After this victory, Sambhaji's forces captured many forts in the northern Madurai region. Some allies of Mysore also joined the Marathas in this campaign. Chikka Devaraha had to pay a tribute of 1 Crore Honas to the Marathas. Sambhaji returned to Maharashtra after the Dusshera of 1682.

Maratha invasion of Goa

The Maratha Invasion of Goa (1683) refers to the Maratha invasion of Portuguese-controlled Goa and the Konkan region. The battles were fought between the Maratha Empire and Portuguese India. The conflicts between the two powers were ongoing in the region of Northern Konkan in 1682-1683. The Portuguese viceroy Francisco de Távora attacked the Maratha controlled Ponda Fort in late 1683. The Maratha King Sambhaji arrived with reinforcements and tried to press on the advantage of the victory at Ponda. He stormed the colony of Goa, Marathas captured many forts in the colony of Goa. The Maratha army was preemptively mobilised for this event. The Portuguese situation became dire. Sambhaji stayed in the region for over a month, his forces also pillaged Salcete and Bardez region. Sambhaji came very close to capturing the City of Old Goa, but his forces retreated from Goa and the Konkan on 2 January 1684 to avoid the large Mughal army under prince Muazzam (later Bahadur Shah I)

Mughal invasions of Konkan

Mughal invasions of Konkan (1684) were a part of the Deccan wars. It was a campaign launched by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to capture the Konkan region from the Maratha Empire under Sambhaji. The Mughal forces were led by Mu'azzam and Shahbuddin Khan. The harsh climate and the Maratha guerrilla strategy forced the numerically strong Mughal army into a slow retreat. The Mughal army suffered great losses in this unsuccessful campaign.

Battle of Wai

The Battle of Wai was fought in the autumn of 1687 as a part of the Mughal–Maratha Wars. Sambhaji sent his forces under his senapati, Hambirao Mohite, to oppose Mughal army led by Sarja Khan. The Mughal's were drawn into the dense jungles near Wai and Mahableshwar where the Mughals were defeated. However, among the dead was Hambirao, a serious blow to Sambhaji's cause.

Battles under Baji Rao I

Nizam's Carnatic campaigns (1725-27)

Iwaz Khan, the Prime Minister of Nizam Asaf Jah I, led the Nizam forces and seized the Trichinopoly from the Marathas of Tanjore, commanded by Serfoji I. This triumph prompted Shahu I of the Marathas to dispatch reinforcements led by Fateh Singh Bhonsale and Bajirao. However, the Maratha forces suffered another defeat and were compelled to retreat. This significant sequence of events significantly contributed to the escalation of hostilities between Shahu and the Nizam, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the later Nizam-Maratha conflicts.

Battle of Palkhed

Battle of Palkhed was a land battle that took place on 28 February 1728 at the village of Palkhed, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra, India between the Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao I and the Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. The Marathas defeated the Nizam. The battle is considered an example of brilliant execution of military strategy.^[10]

Battle of Balapur

The conflicts unfolded in 1720, following Nizam-u'l-Mulk's triumph over the Sayyid forces, supported by Rajputs, Marathas, and Afghans. The Sayyid forces faced successive defeats at both Burhanpur and Balapur against the Nizam forces. This sequence of events culminated in the assassination of Sayyid Hasan Ali and the subsequent downfall of the Sayyid Brothers.

Battle of Jaitpur

In Bundelkhand, Chhatrasal had rebelled against the Mughal Empire and established an independent kingdom. In December 1728, a Mughal force led by the distinguished commander Muhammad Khan Bangash attacked him, and besieged his fort with his family. Chhatrasal had repeatedly sought Peshwa Baji Rao's assistance, but the latter was busy in Malwa at that time.

In March 1729, the Peshwa Baji Rao I finally responded to Chhatrasal's request and marched towards Bundelkhand. Chhatrasal also escaped his captivity and joined the Maratha forces. After they marched to Jaitpur, as a result Bangash was forced to retreat from Bundelkhand. Chhatrasal's position as the ruler of Bundelkhand was restored.^[11][12]

Battle of Dabhoi

In the year 1731, Asaf Jah I the Nizam of Hyderabad had managed to secure the defections of influential Maratha leaders such as Trimbak Rao Dabhade and Sanbhoji who threatened to abandon the Marathas and join the forces with the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah instead. This move was considered unacceptable by Baji Rao I and his brother Chimnaji Appa who led a large well armed brigade of Marathas to intercepted Trimbak Rao Dabhade and Sanbhoji during the Battle of Dabhoi, where the defecting factions were all defeated, overrun and eliminated.

Battle of Mandsaur

The Battle of Mandsaur took place in Mandsaur, modern day Madhya Pradesh between Marathas, commanded by Malharrao Holkar, and Jai Singh of Amber, in which Jai Singh was defeated in February, 1733. Malhar Rao Holkar then conquered Bundelkhand and Bundi.^[13]

Maratha raid on Delhi (1737)

In November 1736, the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I advanced on Old Delhi to attack the Mughal capital. Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah sent Saadat Ali Khan I with a 150,000-strong army to stop the Maratha advance on Delhi. But Baji Rao's subordinate chiefs Malhar Rao Holkar and Pilaji Jadhav crossed the river Yamuna and looted Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Saadat Khan then retired to Mathura, thinking the Marathas had retreated towards Pune. But Baji Rao's army advanced to Delhi and encamped near Talkatora. Muhammad Shah sent Mir Hasan Khan Koka with an army to intercept Baji Rao. The Mughals were devastated by the fierce Maratha attack, and lost half of their army, which compelled them to ask for all regional rulers to help against the army of the Marathas. After the battle, when the news of Saadat Ali Khan's approaching large Mughal army reached Baji Rao, he retreated to Pune.

Battle of Bhopal

The Battle was fought between the Maratha Empire and Mughal forces led by Nizam of Hyderabad near Bhopal in India in December 1737. The Marathas poisoned the water and the replenishment supplies of the besieged Mughal forces. Chimaji was sent with an army of 10,000 men to stop any reinforcements while Bajirao blockaded the city instead of directly attacking the Nizam. The Nizam was forced to sue for peace after he was denied reinforcements from Delhi.^[14] The battle resulted in a Treaty

Maratha invasion of Deccan (1739)

The Maratha invasion of the Deccan in 1739, led by Peshwa Bajirao I, was a military campaign of the Maratha Empire against the Nizam of Hyderabad. Bajirao's Maratha forces invaded Hyderabad's territories and had a military conflict with Nasir Jung, the son of Nizam-ul Mulk, Asaf Jah.

Maratha invasion of Hyderabad

Luso–Maratha War (1729–1732)

The Luso–Maratha War of 1729–1732 was an armed conflict between the Portuguese Empire and the Maratha Confederacy, who invaded Portuguese territory in India. The Marathas withdrew from Portuguese territory.^[15] Nevertheless, Bajirao planned to resume hostilities against the Portuguese with an attack on Salcette Island on 13 March 1733.^[16] Peace would prove to be short, as five years later the Marathas would again invade Portuguese territory and attack Bassein.^[15]

Battle of Vasai

The Battle of Vasai was fought between the Marathas and the Portuguese rulers of Vasai, a village lying near Bombay in the present-day state of Maharashtra, India. The Marathas were led by Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Baji Rao I. Maratha victory in this war was a major achievement of Baji Rao I reign.^[17]

Maratha–Nizam War

The Maratha-Nizam war (1725–1818) were a series of military conflicts unfolded over nearly a century between the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The root cause of these hostilities was the Marathas' imposition of Chauth, a form of tribute, on the Nizam's dominions. Tensions escalated as the Nizam resisted Maratha encroachment, leading to a succession of clashes and wars aimed at asserting territorial sovereignty and pushing back against Maratha demands.

Maratha invasions of Bengal

First Battle of Katwa

The Battle of Katwa occurred between the Nawab of Bengal and Maratha Empire in 1742. The Marathas initially attacked and captured Katwa and Hooghly, in Bengal. The Nawab of Bengal, Ali Vardi Khan, responded with a direct attack at the Maratha camp at Katwa in the nightfall, so much that the entire Maratha army evacuated out of Bengal on 17 September 1742 believing a much larger force had charged them.^[18]

Second Battle of Katwa

The Second Battle of Katwa occurred between the Nawab of Bengal and Maratha Empire in 1745. After the initial repulse of the Maratha invasion in 1742, the Maratha ruler Raghuji Bhonsle attempted again. Bhonsle, with 20,000 horsemen, attacked Murshidabad then moved onwards to Katwa, where the Nawab of Bengal, Ali Vardi Khan, defeated him.^[18]

Battle of Burdwan

The Battle of Burdwan occurred between the Nawab of Bengal and Maratha Empire in 1747. After the dismissal of Mir Jafar by Ali Vardi Khan, an army was amassed to defend against the invading Maratha forces of Janoji Bhonsle at Orissa. Ali Vardi Khan managed to heavily repulse and defeat the Marathas in this battle.^[19]

Carnatic wars

The Battle of Arnee (or Battle of Arni) occurred on 3 December 1751 during the Second Carnatic War. A British-led force under the command of Robert Clive supplemented by Maratha force under Murari Rao defeated and routed a much larger Franco-Indian force under the command of Raza Sahib.

The Battle of Golden Rock was fought between forces of the British and French East India Companies on 26 June 1753, during the Second Carnatic War. French troops, assisted by Mysorean troops led by Monsieur Astruc,^[20] & Maratha force commanded by Ballappa assaulted a British outpost near Trichinopoly, drawing the main British force defending Trichinopoly. The British, commanded by Stringer Lawrence, were victorious.

Northern Campaign and Afghan-Maratha Conflict

Battle of Delhi, 1757

The Battle of Delhi was fought on 11 August 1757 between Maratha Empire under the command of Raghunathrao and Rohilla Afghans under Najib-ud-Daula. The battle was waged by the Marathas for the control of Delhi, the Mughal capital which was now under the control of Rohilla chief Najib-ud-Daula, as a consequence of fourth invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali,

Malharrao Holkar, Raghunathrao, Shamsher Bahadur, Gangadhar Tatya, Sakharambapu, Naroshankar and Maujiram Bania attacked Delhi and defeated Najib Khan and Ahmed Khan became the Mir Bakshi in his place. In March, 1758, they conquered Sirhind. On 20 April 1758, Malharrao Holkar and Raghunathrao attacked and conquered Lahore. Subsequently Marathas conquered Attock on 28 April and Peshawar 8 May. In Lahore, as in Delhi, the Marathas were now major players.

Siege of Sirhind 1758

After conquering delhi marathas sacked sirhind the newly annexed province of Durrani empire.

Third Battle of Panipat

The Third Battle of Panipat took place on 14 January 1761 at Panipat (Haryana State, India), about 60 miles (95.5 km) north of Delhi. The battle pitted the pitted the artillery and cavalry of the Marathas against the heavy cavalry and mounted artillery (zamburak and jezail) of the Afghans led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, an ethnic Pashtun, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali. The famished, burdened and outnumbered Marathas were defeated with heavy casualties. There were near 100,000 soldiers dead adding both sides and the battle resulted in retreat of Marathas from Delhi for next ten years.

Maratha Resurrection

Restoration of Maratha suzerainty in the North

Under Madhavrao Peshwa, Maratha authority in North India (including Delhi) was restored ten years after the battle of Panipat. The Rohillas were defeated and were forced to pay a heavy war indemnity. Delhi was captured by Mahadji Scindia in late 1770 and restored Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to the throne of Delhi in 1772.

Battle of Uruli

Battle of Alegaon

The Battle of Alegaon was fought between Nizam Ali Khan of Hyderabad and Raghunathrao of the Maratha Empire against Peshwa Madhavrao of the Maratha Empire. Raghunathrao had established an alliance with Nizam Ali Khan of Hyderabad. When conflict arose between Raghunathrao and Madhavrao I, a joint campaign between Nizam Ali Khan and Raghunathrao resulted in Madhavrao I being heavily defeated. Nizam Ali Khan got all of his previously lost territories that were lost at the Battle of Udgir. Peshwa Madhavrao submitted to his uncle, Raghunathrao.^[21]

Battle of Rakshasbhuvan

The Battle of Rakshasbhuvan was fought on 10 August 1763.^[22] While the Marathas were fighting amongst themselves during a civil war, the Nizam decided to attack. The Nizam however failed. The Nizam gave up territory he gained during the Battle of Alegaon in an attempt to sue for peace.^[23]

Capture of Delhi, 1771

The forces of Mahadji Shinde captured Delhi in 1771 and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was restored to the throne. Marathas capture Delhi by defeating Afghans under Najib khan. With this battle they regained their lost supremacy in North India after the Third Battle of Panipat and conquered much of the lost territories which they lost after the Third Battle of Panipat.

Marathas in Rohilkhand

After taking control of Delhi, Marathas sent a large army in 1772 to "punish" Afghan Rohillas for Panipat. Maratha army devastated Rohilkhand by looting and plundering and also took the members of royal family as captives. Maratha general Mahadaji was "very much pleased with the revenge taken by his men" for Panipat^[24]

Siege of Etawah, 1770

Marathas under Ramchandra Ganesh captured Etawah and hoisted Peshwa's flag onto it.

Battle of Chandighat

Marathas under Visaji Krushna Biniwale and Mughals Under Najaf Khan Defeated Rohilla forces near Haridwar.

Conflict with the Kingdom of Mysore

Battle of Channapatna

Hyder Ali led an expedition against the Marathas with the objective of capturing Channapatna. He successfully defeated the Maratha commander, Gopal Hari, and captured Channapatna.

Battle of Rattihalli

In 1764, following the attack by Hyder Ali on Nawabs of Savanur, who were a tributary to the Marathas, Maratha army led by Peshwa Madhav Rao met the forces of Hyder Ali at Rutehalli Fort. Hydar Ali tried to avoid pitched battles against Maratha Forces however Maratha forces intercepted Mysore forces near Rutehalli Fort in Karnatic and a crushing defeat was imposed upon them, Hydar Ali lost well over 1,000 men and himself fled into the local forest to save his life.^[25]

Battle of Jadi Hanwati

The Battle of Jadi Hanwati took place on December 1, 1764. The Peshwa himself led the Maratha army as they advanced towards Haidar's camp with 54 artillery pieces. Eight guns were positioned on a small hill on the left side of Haidar's camp. Ismail Khan, one of Haidar's officers, captured Maratha's guns. However, Haidar sent another officer named Haji Muhammad to prevent the Marathas from recapturing them.The Marathas rushed towards the captured guns, but Ismail Khan and the Portuguese commandant were killed along with their men. Haidar suffered heavy losses, around 2,000 men, and was himself injured in the battleIn summary, during the battle of Jadi Hanwati, the Peshwa led the Maratha army in capturing eight guns from Haidar's camp. However, Haidar sent another officer to prevent their recapture, resulting in heavy losses for both sides. The Marathas showed no mercy towards their enemies after the battle ended.

Siege of Sira and Madgiri

In 1767, Maratha army led by Peshwa Madhav Rao defeated the forces of Hyder Ali at Sira and Madgiri. Marathas conquered the forts of Haskote and Nandigarh and laid siege to Bednur where Hyder Ali was taking shelter.^[26]

Battle of Ooscota

In 1768 Maratha under Maurari rao Ghorpade made Hyder Ali retreat in a pitched battle Haider lost nearly 500 men while Marathas lost only 18.

Siege of Saunshi

Hyder Ali of Mysore attempted to try to regain his lost territories of Malabar and Coorg from the Marathas. Hyder Ali who was the prime minister to maharaja of Mysore decided to attack the Marathas at Saunshi. Hyder Ali decided to send his General, Muhammad Ali to attack the Maratha position. The result of the battle was a victory for Mysore against the Maratha forces. Maratha Chief Konher Rao was killed and Pandurang Rao was caught by the Mysore forces.^[27]

Capture of Kabbaldurga

This military expedition was led by Hyder Ali against Murari Rao of Gooty. Hyder Ali defeated Murari Rao and captured Kabbaldurga, and then proceeded to capture Gooty and its surrounding areas. He imprisoned Murari Rao and his family at Bangalore, where Murari Rao passed away in prison in 1779 CE.

Siege of Nargund

The first Siege of Nargund occurred when Hyder Ali, the sultan of Kingdom of Mysore, besieged Nargund. In 1778, and ended with a victory for Mysore.^[28]

Second siege of Nargund

The Second siege of Nargund occurred when Mysore sent Burhanuddin to besiege Nargund in 1785. It ended with a victory for Mysore.^[28]

Siege of Adoni

The siege of Adoni occurred between the forces of Tipu Sultan of the Kingdom of Mysore and the Maratha Empire allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad. Tipu Sultan surprised Haripant when he decided to advance for Adoni. In 1786, Adoni was besieged for one month and then captured by Tipu Sultan.^[29]

Battle of Savanur

The Battle of Savanur concluded in October, 1786, with the victory of Tipu Sultan over the Marathas. Tipu strategically lured the Marathas out of their position on a height near Savanur and unleashed a barrage of heavy fire on them. This devastated the Maratha army, making them retreat and Tipu Sultan conquered Savanur soon after.

Siege of Bahadur Benda

The siege of Bahadur Benda happened between the forces of Tipu Sultan of Mysore and the Maratha forces of Haripant. Tipu Sultan defeated the Maratha forces. Following this battle, a peace agreement was signed between the [kingdom of Mysore] and the Maratha Empire, which allowed for Tipu Sultan to focus his resources into combating the British Empire.^[30]

Treaty of Gajendragad

The Treaty of Gajendragad was agreed in June 1786, during the Maratha–Mysore War. An army of the Maratha Empire led by Tukoji Rao Holkar, defeated the army of Tipu Sultan and captured the town and fortress at Gajendragad. Mysore was obligated to pay 4.8 million rupees as a war cost to the Marathas, and an annual tribute of 1.2 million rupees.^[31]

First Anglo Maratha War (1775 - 1783)

Battle of Wadgaon

The Battle of Wadgaon occurred when an exposed British force, which had run out of supplies and was retreating from an attempt to meet a compatriot force moving from Bengal, became surrounded by men led by Mahadji Shinde at Wadgaon. The British had to surrender and agree to a treaty in February 1779.^[32]

Battle of Patan

The Battle of Patan was fought on June 20, 1790 between the Maratha Empire and the Rajputs of Jaipur and their Mughal allies. Many Rajput kingdoms like those of Jaipur and Malwa were threatened by the Marathas. In early 1790, hoping to completely rid the Rajputana of Maratha interference, Rajput nobility allied with Mughal general Ismail Beg. The European armed and trained battalion of Benoît de Boigne defeated the Jaipur army at battle of Patan. Marathas managed to gain Ajmer and Malwa from the Rajputs.^{[citation needed]}

Battle of Merta, 1790

The forces of Mahadji Shinde under de Boigne routed the Marwar army.

Capture of Shimoga

Battle of Kharda

The Battle of Kharda took place in February 1795 between the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah II and Peshwa Madhavrao II, in which Nizam was badly defeated. Governor General John Shore followed the policy of non-intervention despite that Nizam was under his protection. So this led to the loss of trust with British and rout of the Hyderabad army. This was the last battle fought together by all Maratha chieftains together.

Battle of Malpura

Combined force of Rathores and Kachhawaha Rajputs were defeated by the Maratha Force under Daulat Rao Scindia.^[33]

Second Anglo Maratha War (1803–1805)

Battle of Delhi, 1803

Battle of Bharatpur

Third Anglo-Maratha War

The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) was the final and decisive conflict between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India. The war left the Company in control of most of India. It began with an invasion of Maratha territory by 110,400 British East India Company troops, the largest ever British controlled force amassed in India. The troops were led by the Governor General Hastings and he was supported by a force under General Thomas Hislop. It resulted in the formal end of the Maratha Empire with the actual supremacy and firm establishment of the British East India Company in almost the entire Indian subcontinent. They defeated small states in north India like Punjab, Nepal etc.^{[citation needed]}

Conflict with Rajputs (1715-1813)

Battle of Pilsud

The Battle of Pilsud was an early conflict between Maratha and rajputs where rajputs under Jai Singh defeated Marathas.

Battle of Mandsaur

The Battle of Mandsaur was fought by Malhar Rao Holkar during northern expansion of Baji Rao where Marathas crushed rajput forces.

Battle of Kakkor

In November, the Rajputs came out with a force of roughly 4000, led by Jai Singh Nathawat, to attack the Marathas. With his superior numbers and artillery, Malhar enveloped the Kachhwahas at Lakhori and completely crushed them, slaying 20 of their captains. Malhar next laid siege to Barwara, defended by Vikaramjit Rajawat, and some Shekhawat captains. Calling up his troops from Rampura, he forced the garrison to capitulate.^[34]

Siege of forts of Barwara and Tonk

Marathas and Rajputs fought bravely but resulted in stalemate.

Battle of Mangrol

Madho Singh of Jaipur fought Malhar Rao Holkar. The Jaipur army had 10,000 men while the Holkar army had 6,000 men from Indore and 3,000 men supplied by the Rao of Kota. After a 2-day battle the Jaipur army was completely destroyed. However Malhar Rao was not able to plunder Dhundhar for long as he was recalled to Bundelkhand because of rebellions and threats of invasion by Shuja-Ud-Daula of Awadh.^[35]

Battle of Lalsot

Marathas were defeated by Vijay Singh this was a big victory for Rajput as they were able to make Mahadaji shinde retreat but couldn't achieve a needed victory many historians consider this battle indecisive.

Battle of Patan

Mahadji Shinde destroyed forces under Vijay Singh.

Battle of Merta

Maratha delecsively defeated rajputs under Vijay Singh.

Battle of Fatehpur

Marathas were defeated by rajput in a one month siege.

Battle of Malpura

Marathas defeated combined armies of Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Maratha invasion of Rajputana

A series of conflict happened between Marathas and Rajputs when marathas invaded Rajputana for chauth collection. It was last conflict between Maratha and Rajputs which resulted in Maratha victory forcing rajputs to signing alliance with British

Conflict with Jats

Battle of Kumher

The Jat raja Suraj Mal was compelled to pay tribute to the Marathas under Raghunathrao. Khanderao Holkar was killed by an unexpected cannonball from the fort.^[36]

Battle of Bagru

Madho Singh with help of Marathas and bundi state defeated ishvari Singh and Suraj Mal.

Battle of Gwalior (1754)

Marathas defeated and beheaded Rana Bhim Singh as well as captured Gwalior in 1755.

List of conflicts

See also

• List of Maratha dynasties and states

References

Sources

• Lobato, Alexandre (1965). Relações luso-maratas, 1658-1737 (in Portuguese). Centro de Estudos Históricos Ultramarinos.

Further reading

• "The Anglo-Maratha Campaigns and the Contest for India : The Struggle for Control of the South Asian Military Economy" by Randolf G. S. Cooper, Publisher: Cambridge University, ISBN 978-0521036467
• Samant, S. D. - Vedh Mahamanavacha
• Parulekar, Shyamrao - Yashogatha Vijaya durg, Vijay Durg (1982)
• Kasar, D.B. - Rigveda to Raigarh making of Shivaji the great, Mumbai: Manudevi Prakashan (2005)