Battle of Sikandarabad
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Sikandarabad was fought during May, 1754; between the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
and his ruthless rebellious Turani
, Mir Bakshi (commander) Ghazi ud-Din
supported by the Maratha
leader Malhar Rao Holkar
. The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
was defeated and 15,000 men and women of the newly organized Mughal
army were massacred with impunity on the battlefield, when the battle ended more than 8000 Mughal
s surrendered most of them included women.
According to Maratha
accounts the amount of booty collected from the Mughals
including jewelry was more than enough to finance and mount a massive siege on the Mughal capital at Agra
.
, struggled to maintain strict control over the Mughal Empire
after his death and the succession of Ahmad Shah Bahadur
, a highly provocative racial quarrel broke out between the historical Turani
and the newly arrived successful Irani faction. This quarrel even led to mob violence and murder inside the streets of Agra
. Although Ahmad Shah Bahadur
refused to involve in their antagonist reactions towards each other.
In response to the Mughal Emperor's neutral stance towards the dispute Ghazi ud-Din
and the Turani Faction
vowed to kill Ahmad Shah Bahadur
. The Irani Faction led by Safdarjung
and Nawab Bahadur
began to gather a large army and accused Ghazi ud-Din
of a series of murders in the Mughal
capitol of Agra
.
This move by both the Irani and Turani
factions at court ultimately developed into civil war. The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
and his ruthless rebellious Turani
, Mir Bakshi (commander) Ghazi ud-Din
abandoned service and fled with his Turani Faction
and galvanized the support of the Maratha
s led by Malhar Rao Holkar
. According to later Mughal
accounts Ghazi ud-Din
rebelled in order to bring back some of his appointed Turani
ministers.
In order to crush Ghazi ud-Din
's rebellion and the Maratha
s led by Malhar Rao Holkar
, the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
, Safdarjung
and Nawab Bahadur
began an armed campaign but were ambushed by the Maratha
at Sikandarabad. The battle turned out to be the worst defeat in the history of the Mughal Empire
, with the loss of more than 15,000 men in a single battle and the consequences proved to be even worse.
During the evening of May, 1754, while the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
and his army was on the march an ambush carefully organized by Ghazi ud-Din
leader of the Turani Faction
and his Maratha
ally Malhar Rao Holkar
began to unfold. While on the move the Mughal army, mainly commanded by Safdarjung
and Nawab Bahadur
, was poorly arranged and not ready for a major confrontation.
Ghazi ud-Din
and the Sowar
's of the Turani Faction
were quick to assault and capture the Mughal
Cannon
s, while the Maratha
's under Malhar Rao Holkar
routed and massacred the Mughal
infantry, in fact the Maratha
's had completely surrounded the Mughal
army, leaving hardly a gap to escape from. in response to the ferocious attack the Mughal
Sowar
s rode into the spears of the Maratha
infantry leaving the cannons unguarded and the The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
vulnerable. For the Mughal
s the battle was so fierce that Sepoy
s ran out of Musket balls and instead fired pebbles from their Matchlock
s at the continually advancing Maratha
's.
The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
was advised to retreat from the battlefield by his Nawab
s and following their advice, he dismounted his Howdah
, mounted an Arabian horse
and rode to safer grounds and eventually towards Agra
.
But ultimately Ghazi ud-Din
sudden assault on the Mughal
army at Sikandarabad was morale breaking, his Turani Faction
then aimed its newly captured cannons at densely defended Mughal
positions throughout the battlefield. For the next hour Mughal positions were fiercely bombarded with impunity, even the tents erected for the wounded were not spared. The Mughal army began to collapse after the sudden loss of 15,000 men after two long hours of fighting. More than 8000 Mughal
s surrendered, the Mughal infantry refused to surrender to the Maratha
but were later rounded up and captured by Turani Faction
according to Ghazi ud-Din
most of the captives included Mughal
women from the city of Agra
. According to the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
, of all those captured the fate of women was probably the worst, most of the women captured were stripped of their jewelry by the Maratha
's and Ghazi ud-Din
himself is known to have presented jewelry that he himself seized, to Malhar Rao Holkar
.
was forgiven and he fled to Awadh
. Ghazi ud-Din
arrested the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
and became the Grand Vizier
of the Mughal Empire
and in June, 1754, deposed the Ahmad Shah Bahadur
. The Mughal
s then chose Alamgir II
to become the new Mughal Emperor but Ghazi ud-Din
put him to death in 1759. But it was Ghazi ud-Din
's punitive actions had allowed the Marathas, to become the undisputed power in the region when they drove out Timur Shah Durrani
from Lahore
in 1758, in fact the Peshwa
discussed overthrowing the Mughal Empire
and placing Vishwasrao
on the Mughal throne in Delhi
.
The aftermath of the battle was the complete decimation of the newly organized Mughal
army. According to Maratha accounts the amount of booty collected from the Mughals
was more than enough to mount a siege on the Mughal capital. After the defeat of the Imperial army, the Marathas looted the booty and captured many chief commanders.
This battle resulted in the complete shift of power from the Emperor to their Ministers. Never again will the Mughals be able to rule without their ministers' consent. Their authority was now effectively titular.
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
and his ruthless rebellious Turani
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
, Mir Bakshi (commander) Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
supported by the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
leader Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
. The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
was defeated and 15,000 men and women of the newly organized Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army were massacred with impunity on the battlefield, when the battle ended more than 8000 Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s surrendered most of them included women.
According to Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
accounts the amount of booty collected from the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
including jewelry was more than enough to finance and mount a massive siege on the Mughal capital at Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
.
Background
The Mughal Emperor Muhammad ShahMuhammad Shah
Muhammad Shah also known as Roshan Akhtar, was a Mughal emperor of India between 1719 and 1748. He was son of Khujista Akhtar Jahan Shah, the fourth son of Bahadur Shah I. Ascending the throne at 17 with the help of the Sayyid Brothers, he later got rid of them with the help of Nizam-ul-Mulk Chin...
, struggled to maintain strict control over the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
after his death and the succession of Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
, a highly provocative racial quarrel broke out between the historical Turani
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
and the newly arrived successful Irani faction. This quarrel even led to mob violence and murder inside the streets of Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
. Although Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
refused to involve in their antagonist reactions towards each other.
In response to the Mughal Emperor's neutral stance towards the dispute Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
and the Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
vowed to kill Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
. The Irani Faction led by Safdarjung
Safdarjung
Safdarjung was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754.-Life:Safdarjung was born as Muhammad Muqim in Khurasan, Persia and migrated to India in 1722.-Career:...
and Nawab Bahadur
Nawab Bahadur
Javed Khan Nawab Bahadur was an Irani Daroga under the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He was head of the Emperor's chief household ; under him were his wife Udhambai, Prince Ahmad, and Regent of the Mughal Emperor ....
began to gather a large army and accused Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
of a series of murders in the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
capitol of Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
.
This move by both the Irani and Turani
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
factions at court ultimately developed into civil war. The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
and his ruthless rebellious Turani
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
, Mir Bakshi (commander) Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
abandoned service and fled with his Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
and galvanized the support of the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
s led by Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
. According to later Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
accounts Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
rebelled in order to bring back some of his appointed Turani
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
ministers.
In order to crush Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
's rebellion and the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
s led by Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
, the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
, Safdarjung
Safdarjung
Safdarjung was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754.-Life:Safdarjung was born as Muhammad Muqim in Khurasan, Persia and migrated to India in 1722.-Career:...
and Nawab Bahadur
Nawab Bahadur
Javed Khan Nawab Bahadur was an Irani Daroga under the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He was head of the Emperor's chief household ; under him were his wife Udhambai, Prince Ahmad, and Regent of the Mughal Emperor ....
began an armed campaign but were ambushed by the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
at Sikandarabad. The battle turned out to be the worst defeat in the history of the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
, with the loss of more than 15,000 men in a single battle and the consequences proved to be even worse.
The Battle
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
and his army was on the march an ambush carefully organized by Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
leader of the Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
and his Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
ally Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
began to unfold. While on the move the Mughal army, mainly commanded by Safdarjung
Safdarjung
Safdarjung was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754.-Life:Safdarjung was born as Muhammad Muqim in Khurasan, Persia and migrated to India in 1722.-Career:...
and Nawab Bahadur
Nawab Bahadur
Javed Khan Nawab Bahadur was an Irani Daroga under the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He was head of the Emperor's chief household ; under him were his wife Udhambai, Prince Ahmad, and Regent of the Mughal Emperor ....
, was poorly arranged and not ready for a major confrontation.
Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
and the Sowar
Sowar
Sowar , meaning 'The one who rides' in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. Later during the British Raj it was the name in Anglo-Indian usage for a horse-soldier belonging to the cavalry troops of the native armies of British India and the feudal states...
's of the Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
were quick to assault and capture the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Cannon
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
s, while the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
's under Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
routed and massacred the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
infantry, in fact the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
's had completely surrounded the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army, leaving hardly a gap to escape from. in response to the ferocious attack the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Sowar
Sowar
Sowar , meaning 'The one who rides' in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. Later during the British Raj it was the name in Anglo-Indian usage for a horse-soldier belonging to the cavalry troops of the native armies of British India and the feudal states...
s rode into the spears of the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
infantry leaving the cannons unguarded and the The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
vulnerable. For the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s the battle was so fierce that Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
s ran out of Musket balls and instead fired pebbles from their Matchlock
Matchlock
The matchlock was the first mechanism, or "lock" invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. This design removed the need to lower by hand a lit match into the weapon's flash pan and made it possible to have both hands free to keep a firm grip on the weapon at the moment of firing,...
s at the continually advancing Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
's.
The Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
was advised to retreat from the battlefield by his Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
s and following their advice, he dismounted his Howdah
Howdah
A howdah, or houdah, also known as hathi howdah, is a carriage which is positioned on the back of an elephant, or occasionally some other animal, used most often in the past to carry wealthy people or for use in hunting or warfare...
, mounted an Arabian horse
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
and rode to safer grounds and eventually towards Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
.
But ultimately Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
sudden assault on the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army at Sikandarabad was morale breaking, his Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
then aimed its newly captured cannons at densely defended Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
positions throughout the battlefield. For the next hour Mughal positions were fiercely bombarded with impunity, even the tents erected for the wounded were not spared. The Mughal army began to collapse after the sudden loss of 15,000 men after two long hours of fighting. More than 8000 Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
s surrendered, the Mughal infantry refused to surrender to the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
but were later rounded up and captured by Turani Faction
Turani
Turani is a village in the municipality of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
according to Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
most of the captives included Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
women from the city of Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
. According to the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
, of all those captured the fate of women was probably the worst, most of the women captured were stripped of their jewelry by the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
's and Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
himself is known to have presented jewelry that he himself seized, to Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. Born in a Dhangar family he was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the state of Indore...
.
Aftermath
The battle itself caused a spike in Shia-Sunni and Turani-Irani. SafdarjungSafdarjung
Safdarjung was the Subadar Nawab of Oudh from 19 March 1739 to 5 October 1754.-Life:Safdarjung was born as Muhammad Muqim in Khurasan, Persia and migrated to India in 1722.-Career:...
was forgiven and he fled to Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
. Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
arrested the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
and became the Grand Vizier
Grand Vizier
Grand Vizier, in Turkish Vezir-i Azam or Sadr-ı Azam , deriving from the Arabic word vizier , was the greatest minister of the Sultan, with absolute power of attorney and, in principle, dismissable only by the Sultan himself...
of the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and in June, 1754, deposed the Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Ahmad Shah Bahadur was born to Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He succeeded his father to the throne as the 15th Mughal Emperor in 1748 at the age of 22. His mother was Udhambai, . When Ahmed Shah came to power the rule of the Mughal Empire was collapsing...
. The Mughal
Mughal
Mughal, a word related to the Mongols, may refer to the:* Mughal Empire of South Asia* Mughal emperors* Mughal , the central Asian tribe from which the rulers of the Mughal Empire hailed* Mughal architecture* Mughal painting* Mughlai cuisine...
s then chose Alamgir II
Alamgir II
Aziz-ud-din Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor of India from 3 June 1754 to 29 November 1759. He was the son of Jahandar Shah....
to become the new Mughal Emperor but Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
put him to death in 1759. But it was Ghazi ud-Din
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III
Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III was the son of Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung II . Born in 1736 His original name was Shahabuddin Muhammad Siddiqi but after the death of his father in 1752, he was, by the recommendation of Nawab Safdar Jung appointed Mir Bakhshi , and received the titles of Amir...
's punitive actions had allowed the Marathas, to become the undisputed power in the region when they drove out Timur Shah Durrani
Timur Shah Durrani
Timur Shah Durrani , was the second ruler of the Durrani Empire from October 16, 1772, until his death in 1793. An ethnic Pashtun, he was the second and eldest son of Ahmad Shah Durrani.- Early life :...
from Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
in 1758, in fact the Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
discussed overthrowing the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
and placing Vishwasrao
Vishwasrao
Vishwasrao was an Indian noble of the Maratha Empire.- Early life :Vishwasrao was born the eldest son of Nanasaheb Peshwa at Supa near Pune...
on the Mughal throne in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
.
The aftermath of the battle was the complete decimation of the newly organized Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
army. According to Maratha accounts the amount of booty collected from the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
was more than enough to mount a siege on the Mughal capital. After the defeat of the Imperial army, the Marathas looted the booty and captured many chief commanders.
This battle resulted in the complete shift of power from the Emperor to their Ministers. Never again will the Mughals be able to rule without their ministers' consent. Their authority was now effectively titular.