War of 27 years
Encyclopedia
The Maratha War of Independence (also termed the War of 27 yegfuyfyuffygement in the history of India
. The Maratha Empire
eventually emerged victorious.
, died in 1680. At that time, the Marathas had emerged as the dominant power in peninsular India. After their conquest of the Deccan, the Marathas had control of the most of the Indian peninsula.
The Mughal Badshah Aurangzeb
decided to personally lead his army against the Marathas to regain the lost parts of his empire. The War of 27 years started in 1681. The war can be broken down into three distinct phases:
. The Bijapur
Sultanate under Sikandar Adil Shah
, an ally of Shivaji, was in decline. The Hyderabad Sultanate was also allied with Shivaji.
Hence, with the death of Shivaji in 1681, Aurangzeb
made an attempt to subdue the Marathas. In the first half of 1681, many Mughal
contingents were dispatched to lay siege to Maratha forts in present day Gujurat, Maharashtra
, Karnataka
, and Madhya Pradesh
. 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 win the fort.
Aurangzeb
arrived at Aurangabad, the Mughal
headquarters in the Deccan and made it his capital. Mughal
contingents in the region numbered about 500,000. It was a disproportionate battle in all senses. Sambhaji
led the fight valiantly but was treacherously captured by the Mughals and killed. His wife and son (Shivaji's grandson) were held captive by Aurangzeb for twenty years.
attacked the imperial camp, defeated one of their units and brought disgrace to them. Now war was fought from the Malwa plateau to the east coast. Such was the strategy of Maratha commanders to counter the might of the Mughals. Maratha generals Ramchandrapant Amatya and Shankaraji Niraji maintained the Maratha stronghold in the rugged terrains of Sahyadri.
In several brilliant cavalry
movements, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav
defeated the Mughals. Their offensive, and especially that of Santaji, struck terror into the hearts of the Mughals. In the Battle of Attani, Santaji defeated Kasim Khan, a noted Mughal general.
assumed the charge of the empire. She herself took to the field and remained mobile and vigil during the crisis. In words of Jadunath Sarkar
, 'It is her character that saved the nation in that awful crisis.' By 1705, Marathas had penetrated Mughal possession of Central India and Gujarat. Nemaji Shinde defeated Mughals on the Malwa plateau. By 1706, Mughals started retreating from Maratha dominions. Aurangzeb died at Khultabad (Aurangabad) in 1707. The defeated Mughals released the grandson of Shivaji, Shahu
from captivity.
the traditional boundary between northern plains and peninsula. After defeating the Mughals, there was no other power to oppose Marathas successfully. With the death of Emperor Arungzeb in 1707, the Maratha army marched in to Delhi itself, within that decade forced the Mughal clan to being confined to Dehli. Meanwhile the Maratha cavalry continued its onslaught initially under various Maratha generals like Nemaji Shinde, Hybtarao Nimbalkar, Parsoji Bhosle, Dhanaji Jadhavetc. Under Shahu, this expansion in the north was led by Bajirao & his aides Scindia, Holkar
and Pawar; towards east by Raghoji Bhosle and towards west by Dabhade and Gaikwad.
History of India
The history of India begins with evidence of human activity of Homo sapiens as long as 75,000 years ago, or with earlier hominids including Homo erectus from about 500,000 years ago. The Indus Valley Civilization, which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent from...
. The Maratha Empire
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
eventually emerged victorious.
Background
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha EmpireMaratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
, died in 1680. At that time, the Marathas had emerged as the dominant power in peninsular India. After their conquest of the Deccan, the Marathas had control of the most of the Indian peninsula.
The Mughal Badshah Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
decided to personally lead his army against the Marathas to regain the lost parts of his empire. The War of 27 years started in 1681. The war can be broken down into three distinct phases:
- 1681 to 1689 - Concluding with the fall of Raigad Fort and the execution of SambhajiSambhajiSambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...
- 1689 to 1699 - Concluding with the fall of GingeeGingeeGingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
and the death of RajaramRajaram, ChhatrapatiShrimant Rajaram Shivaji Raje Bhonsle Chhatrapati Maharaj was the younger son of the first Chhatrapati Shivaji, stepbrother of the second Chhatrapati Sambhaji, and took over the Maratha Empire as its third Chhatrapati after his brother's death at the hands of the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb in 1689... - 1699 to 1707 - Concluding with victory of the Maratha EmpireMaratha EmpireThe Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
under TarabaiTarabaiTarabai was a queen of the Maratha Empire in India. Her husband was Chhatrapati Rajaram, son of Shivaji. Tarabai was the daughter of the famed Maratha general Hambirao Mohite...
and the death of AurangzebAurangzebAbul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
1681 to 1689 - Fall of Raigad with capture of Sambhaji
Prior to his death, Shivaji had conquered the Deccan and emerged as the sole power to challenge the Mughals southward expansion into southern IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The Bijapur
Bijapur, Karnataka
Bijapur Urdu:بیجاپور city is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty...
Sultanate under Sikandar Adil Shah
Sikandar Adil Shah
Sikandar Adil Shah was placed on the throne of Bijapur in 1672 at four years of age. Therefore, his reign is one of regents and ministers and was marked by chronic civil war among factious nobles, independence of provincial governors, paralysis of the central administration, Mughal invasions,...
, an ally of Shivaji, was in decline. The Hyderabad Sultanate was also allied with Shivaji.
Hence, with the death of Shivaji in 1681, Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
made an attempt to subdue the Marathas. In the first half of 1681, many 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...
contingents were dispatched to lay siege to Maratha forts in present day Gujurat, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, and Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. By the end of 1681, 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...
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 win the fort.
Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb
Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir , more commonly known as Aurangzeb or by his chosen imperial title Alamgir , was the sixth Mughal Emperor of India, whose reign lasted from 1658 until his death in 1707.Badshah Aurangzeb, having ruled most of the Indian subcontinent for nearly...
arrived at Aurangabad, 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...
headquarters in the Deccan and made it his capital. 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...
contingents in the region numbered about 500,000. It was a disproportionate battle in all senses. Sambhaji
Sambhaji
Sambhaji Raje Bhosle was the eldest son and successor to Emporer Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire.- Early life :...
led the fight valiantly but was treacherously captured by the Mughals and killed. His wife and son (Shivaji's grandson) were held captive by Aurangzeb for twenty years.
1689 to 1699 - Fall of Gingee with death of Rajaram
The death of Sambhaji rekindled the spirit of valour in the minds of Marathas, which made Aurangzeb's mission impossible. In the same year and at the same place where Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured to death, Santaji GhorpadeSantaji Ghorpade
Santaji Mhaloji Ghorpade, popularly known as ‘Santaji’ or ‘Santaji Ghorpade’, was one of the greatest warriors and the chief General of the Maratha Empire during Chhatrapati Rajaram’s regime. His guerrilla technique of war is supposed to be the best besides that of Shivaji and Bajirao...
attacked the imperial camp, defeated one of their units and brought disgrace to them. Now war was fought from the Malwa plateau to the east coast. Such was the strategy of Maratha commanders to counter the might of the Mughals. Maratha generals Ramchandrapant Amatya and Shankaraji Niraji maintained the Maratha stronghold in the rugged terrains of Sahyadri.
In several brilliant cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
movements, Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav
Dhanaji Jadhav
Dhanaji Shambhusinha Jadhav , popularly known as Dhanaji Jadhav, was one of the great warriors of the Maratha Empire. His name became inseparable from the name of Santaji Ghorpade with whom he made terrifying campaigns against Mughal Army continuously from 1689 to 1696...
defeated the Mughals. Their offensive, and especially that of Santaji, struck terror into the hearts of the Mughals. In the Battle of Attani, Santaji defeated Kasim Khan, a noted Mughal general.
1699 to 1707 - Victory of Marathas
After death of Rajaram, his widow, TarabaiTarabai
Tarabai was a queen of the Maratha Empire in India. Her husband was Chhatrapati Rajaram, son of Shivaji. Tarabai was the daughter of the famed Maratha general Hambirao Mohite...
assumed the charge of the empire. She herself took to the field and remained mobile and vigil during the crisis. In words of Jadunath Sarkar
Jadunath Sarkar
Sir Jadunath Sarkar was a prominent Indian Bengali aristocrat and historian.-Background:Born in Singra, Natore. He was the son of Rajkumar Sarkar, the Zamindar of Karchamaria in Natore in Bengal.-Education:...
, 'It is her character that saved the nation in that awful crisis.' By 1705, Marathas had penetrated Mughal possession of Central India and Gujarat. Nemaji Shinde defeated Mughals on the Malwa plateau. By 1706, Mughals started retreating from Maratha dominions. Aurangzeb died at Khultabad (Aurangabad) in 1707. The defeated Mughals released the grandson of Shivaji, Shahu
Shahuji
Shahu Sambhaji Raje Bhosale Chhatrapati Maharaj was the fourth ruler of the Maratha Empire created by his grandfather, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and was officially the Raja of Satara...
from captivity.
Aftermath of the war
Marathas emerged victorious against the Mughals and started northward expansion. For the first time they crossed the NarmadaNarmada River
The Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
the traditional boundary between northern plains and peninsula. After defeating the Mughals, there was no other power to oppose Marathas successfully. With the death of Emperor Arungzeb in 1707, the Maratha army marched in to Delhi itself, within that decade forced the Mughal clan to being confined to Dehli. Meanwhile the Maratha cavalry continued its onslaught initially under various Maratha generals like Nemaji Shinde, Hybtarao Nimbalkar, Parsoji Bhosle, Dhanaji Jadhavetc. Under Shahu, this expansion in the north was led by Bajirao & his aides Scindia, Holkar
Holkar
The Holkar dynasty , whose earliest known clan-man was Malhar Rao, who joined the service of the Peshwa in 1721, and quickly rose to the ranks of Subedar...
and Pawar; towards east by Raghoji Bhosle and towards west by Dabhade and Gaikwad.