05-05-2006, 04:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-14-2006, 07:35 AM by Bharatvarsh.)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Chapter 2
THE RESTORATION (1772 A. D.)
(i)The Jat Aggressions
The Chief, Jawaharmal, seeing that the Maratha Army under Raghunathrao, had retired from the North, started his aggressions with new vigour (1). He entered Bhind and captured Bhadawar. Then crossing Sindhu River with fifty thousand Bhadawar force, he captured Kachhwadhar in June 1767 A.D.(2). By November 1767 A.D., Kalpi, Kachhwadhar, Bhadawar, Tomardhar, Sikharwar, Dandroli, Khitoli passed under his rule and practically the whole of Bundelkhand (3) was lost to the Marathas.
But due to various reasons, the Peshwa was handicapped to accept the Jat challenge. After the death of Malerao, the only son of Ahillyabai, it took some time (4) for the house of Holkar to stand again on its legs. The Shinde Sardari was also in dispute (5) due to the differences between Kedarji and Mahadji. Moreover, after the return of Raghunathrao to the south, the Peshwa was forced to face his rebellion (6) and he was not free till he defeated him at Dhodap (10th of June 1768 A.D.). Due to this domestic dispute, Peshwaâs Sardars were in south and thus 1767 and 1768 A.D. the two years were wasted. The Peshwa hence could do little to help the Maratha Chiefs in the North who implored him for immediate succour, least all would be lost.
But fortunately for the Marathas, the aggressive Jat Chief suffered a severe defeat (7) at the hands of Madhaosing of Jaypur. It took place in the following way:
Coming over the Alwar fort, the Jat Chief Jawaharsing requested Madhaosing to allow him to march through his territory since he intended to visit Pushkar for a holy bath. But he went there with his full force. Vijaysing, the Raja of Jodhpur, had also come there. He had inclined (8) towards the Jat Chief as taking the side of Ramsing, Madhaosing was threatening him to place Ramsing on the throne of Jodhpur. It was a preplanned meeting of the two. They entered into an agreement to invade Malwa with full preparations, soliciting the cooperation of the rest of the Rajput Chiefs, to give a common stand to the Marathas.
Thus settled, Vijaysing sent the son of Deosing Chapawat, the Thakur of Devina to Mahadeosing to request him to join the common front. But being the determined opponent of the Jats, the disapproved Vijaysingâs act of joining hands with Jawaharsing and further reminded him that the Deccanies were not far off and once they came, it would be difficult for them, thousand Maraha force. He sent Raja Sadashi Bhat to Sambhar, where Vijaysing and Jawaharsing had moved from Pushkar. Sadashio Bhat told the Jodhpur Raja to refrain from interfering in the Jaypur-Jat struggle. The latter tried to win over the Maharao of Kota to his side but he failed in that attempt too.
With a determination to punish the Jat Chief who had dared to enter his territory with his powerful army, Madhaosing called all his forces and paid them in cash. He sent letters to the Chiefs of Sopara, Karoli, Khichi, Bundi and Kota. In return, Rao Raja Umedsing sent his son with two thousand men. Indrasing of Sopar joined the Jaypur foce with his army. King Balbharasing of Khichi joined with his army at the time of battle. The Maharao of Kota sent his brother Scrupling with Gopal |ramkrishna and his men and a big force came from the Ranaji of Mewad under Raghurao Zala. All Shekhawats, Narukas, Rajwats and Kait Thakurs assembled under his standard making thereby a host of forty to fifty men.
The Jodhpur Raja had no wish to fight with Mahadeosing over the Jat cause. He therefore returned to Marot in his territory giving a detachment of two thousand Rathod men to the Jat Chief, and asked Sadashio Bhat to allow the Jat Chief, unmolesled, to return to his territory. The Jat Chief also started for his territory from Sambhar.
Madhaosing, there upon sent his army under harsahji Musaheb and Thakur Rajsing Hamirde with artillery and full war equipment with clear instruction to obstruct him. Being well informed that the Jat Chief had advanced from Nimbarni to his territory, Thakur Rajsing and Raja Harsahji sent two thousand men in advance to check him and themselves hastened to follow them. The Rajput advance force fell upon the Jat force under Kriparam Purohit and they were soon followed by all the rest of the Rajput host of twenty five thousand men. Jawaharsing could not avoid fighting with honour. He fell two kos back and arranging his guns, got ready to face the on-coming Rajput onslaught.
A fierce battle was faught at Maonda on the Jat frontier on 14th December 1767 A.D. The Rajputs suffered heavily the terrible gunfire from the Jat side. But with grim determination, they raised all at one time and felling upon the artillery, destroyed it completely. They then engaged the Jat army in hand to hand fight and within six hours annihilated it so thoroughly that Jawaharsing could escape only with two to four thousand men. After this discomfiture, he did not survive for a long. He was assassinated in July 1768 A.D. (9), by a soldier, who revenged himself on Jawaharsing for some previous wrong. Madhaosing had also died a few months previously on 21st December 1767 A.D., leaving behind him a chaotic legacy for his successor Prithvising, who followed him on the throne of Jaypur. The Peshwa sent the âTikaâ (10) for the new king with Niloba Gasavi.
Never the less, the Jat menace to the Maratha territory continued under their commander Danshah (11). In many 1768 A.D., the Jats captured Ater and Bhind and laid siege to Lahar. The Jat advances were dreaded even in Malwa (12). Vishwasrao Lakshman, Subhadar of Zashi wrote (13) (4-2-1769 A.D.). âThe armies (from Deccan) did not come here for the last two and a half years. Days passed in vain, in waiting for them. The Rangadas (Jat, Gujars etc.) have become bold, having no fear of the Deccanies and do as they like. They are dividing the (Marathas) territory among them.â
(ii) Marathas in the North Again :
After he had disposed his uncle finally, the Peshwa got an opportunity for the first time to think of the North (14). Early (15) in January 1768 A.D., he ordered the forces belonging to Tukoji Holkar, Mahadaji Shinde, Trimbak Shiodeo and Khanderao Pawar to march to the North. They were followed by Ramchandra Ganesh and Visaji Krishna with full preparation (16) after Janoji Bhosleâs affair was settled by the treaty of Kanakpur (March 1769 A.D.).
When Peshwa was decending the Washim-Mangrol ghat, while on his march on Janoji Bhosle, he received letters from Mahadji (17), stating justification for Ratansingâs claim on the throne of Udaypur in whose cause he was to march on that city.
Arising was then the Maharana of Udaypur. He had come to the throne in 1761 A.D., after the death of his nephew Rajsing. But by his harsh actions he had grown unpopular with his Chiefs, and the Umraos. Fourteen out of the Sixteen Umraos, leaving his side, had taken up the cause of Ratansing a boy of some eight years the posthumous son of Rajsing. They were sided even by Vijaysing of Jodhpur and Prithvising of Jaypur, who had sent their forces to assist them. They had approached Yashwantrao Wable from the Shindes and Sadashio Gandhar from Holkar who took up their sides and thus all of them combining together, marched to Udaypur and laid siege to it.
But at this time a breach came among the Maratha side. The same Vishnu Mahadeo, about whose mischievous activities. Sadashio Ballal had complained to Nanasaheb Peshwa in 1757 A.D. wrote to the Peshwa Madhaorao in favour of Arising and the Peshwa ordered Ragoram, the Maratha Sardar, to help Arising. Hence Ratansing and his Umraos, approached Mahadaji at Ujjain. Hearing of this move, the party of Arising also approached Mahadaji who now looked to the affair from purely a practical point of view. The party of Arising promised him twenty lakhs of rupees, whereas the party of Ratansing promised him fifty lakhs of rupees ant the payment of all the previous dues of the Peshwa. Mahadaji hence taking up Ratansingâs cause pleded to the Peshwa that besides monetary profit, Ratansingâs party stood, comparatively more chances of success as it had the support of almost all the Chiefs of Udaypur and was also sided by the Rajas of Jodhpur and Jaypur. Under such circumstances, Mahadaji wrote, that even if Arising paid the Maratha dues, he had little possibility of continuation on the throne, as immediately after the departure of the Marathas, his opposition would definitely dethrone him, which act would be harmful to the name of the Peshwa. For these reasons, Mahadaji wrote that he had taken up the cause of Ratansing and he was soon he march to Udaypur. He was expecting about twenty five thousand men to join him from the two Rajas of Jodhpur and Jaypur and was confident of Ratansingâs success. He asked the Peshwa what was the exact sum to be recovered from Udaypur.
But Tukoji Holkar was equally interested in Udaypur affair. Not long before, in 1767 A.D., when Malji Holkar was alive he had plundered Mewad (18) in the name of realizing Khandani. Hence, with a determination not to allow of free hand to mahadaji alone, he hastened (19) with a contingent of two thousand men to Udaypur (July 1769 A.D.) keeping his main army under Naro Shankar at Sopara in Khichiwada. The rival parties tried to win-over them both or either of them to their sides and thus this affair had created a new source of income for both the Sardars. In the absence of any settled Rajput policy, the inevitable outcome was the breach of opinion between Mahadaji and Tukoji. The latter took up the cause of Arising as opposed to the former who stood for Ratansing. For tunately for the Marathas, time had not yet come for these two Sardars to face each other on Rajput issue and avoiding taking the matter to extreme end, Tukoji left for Khichiwada leaving the field open for Mahadaji.
But this does not mean that Mahadaji was sincerely attached to Ratansinghâs cause. In fact his attitude was indecisive (20) throughout. The reason was that he had begun to doubt the recovery of (21) promised money from Ratansingâs party and hence even though he could have taken Udaypur by assault at any time for Ratansing, he was not keen on the caputre of that city. Grain was sold two rupees a seer and only five thousand men were left there. But Mahadaji neigher raised the siege batteries nor any gun was being operated. He was all the while pressing Ratansing for the recovery of money and till then he had no mind to place him on the throne of Udaypur. At last leaving (22) the cause of Ratansing, the accepted sixty four lakhs of rupees as Khandani from Arising. Besides jagirs worth 11/3 and five lakhs were provided by Arising to Ratansing and Mahadji respectively.
After the settlement of Udaypur affair, Mahadji proceeded for Khichiwada (September 1769 A.D.) where Tukoji Holkar was engaged in besieging Raghogadh. The Chief of Raghogadh at least came to terms and visited Holkar. The next target was Jatwada. All the Maratha armies amounting to seventy five thousand assembled on chambal (October 1769 A.D.). From here, Ramchandra Ganesh (23) and Visaji Krishna ordered Niloba Gosavi, who had carried the âTikaâ for Prithvising the new king of Jaypur from Peshwa, to bring pressure on the new king to realize sizable Khandani and to send a force of ten thousand under a renowned Sardar for the help of Peshwaâs army against the Jats. The Jaypur force (24) accordingly joined the Maratha army.
Nawalsing Jat was holding the South bank of Yamuna. Unless he was dislodged from there, the Marathas could not either enter Antarwad or reach Delhi. In a well-contested battle, the Jat Chief was routed at Gowardhan (25) (5th of April 1770 A.D.) by the Marathas and thus they created a very good impression of their strength on the Northern potentates.
But before effecting a treaty with the Jats, the Marathas entered Antarwad (26) as per the suggestion of Najib Khan who had come over to them to avert the calamities (27) he apprechended, dreading their recollections of sons and brothers slain at Panipat (1761 A.D). But at heart he was the real enemy of the Marathas and hence did not desire (28) that they should come to understanding. The Marathas and the Rohillas then attacked and plundered the Jat territory (29). Being disgusted at the opposition of Tukoji Holkar who, faithful to the legacy of Malharrao Holkar supported Najib Khan Rohilla, Mahadji left the army for Marwad (30). He was however, pacified and called back by Ramchandra Ganesh. Najib Khan also died soon on 31st October 1770 A.D. and the trouble was over.
The Marathas then affected a treaty (31) with the Jats (8th of September 1770 A.D.) and captured all the Maratha territory in Doab by defeating the Rohillas. Then they drove away Zabita Khan (32) â the son of Najib Khan â from Delhi (10th of February 1771 A.D.). This Maratha success encouraged the Emperor (33) to leave the English porotection and come over to them. On 6th January 1772 A.D., the Emperor was restored to his ancestral throne at Delhi. The Marathas, then crossing Ganga, attacked the Rohillas in their home province, and taking their fort Fattargadh (34), destroyed them completely.
The Peshwa Madhaorao, on his death bed at Theur near Poona heard the joyous news of the victories of his Sardars (35) in the North, and having thus cleared the stigma of the defeat of Panipat, died a peaceful death on 18th November 1772 A.D.
But the Marathas were not destined to dominate Delhi this time. The murder of the new Peshwa Narayanrao on 31st of August 1773 A.D., and the subsequent development at Poon compelled them to return to the South.
The domestic troiuble at Poona soon took an alarming form and the Marathas were involved in the most strenuous struggle with the English during 1775 to 1782 A.D. During these hard times, when the child Peshwa was at the heat, all the energies of the Maratha nation were consumed for the preservation of their nation and hence during these years the Rajputs were left free to their lot.
It was some sixteen years from the battle of Gowardhan, where the Jaypur army cooperated with the Marathas against the Jats, that Mahadaji Shinde, as Vakil-ul-Mutlak, looked to Jaypur affairs in 1785 A.D. Till then the Rajputs got complete respite from the Maratha-encroachments and their vexing demands.
Foot Notes (Description)
(1)
'Revival' - 102, 106.
(2)
Ibid - 112 to 116, and 118.
(3)
Ibid - 128, 132, 133, S.P.D. 29-152, 169, 171, 207, 215.
(4)
Ibid - 157, 176, 180.
(5)
Ibid - 180, 184, S.P.D. 39-84, 85.
(6)
M.I.S. XII 44, 45, 47.
(7)
Revival - 139, S.P.D. 29-192.
(8)
S.P.D. 29-17.
(9)
S.P.D. 29-233 and 234.
(10)
Ibid - 248.
(11)
'Revival' - 148, 151 to 159.
(12)
S.P.D. 29-210, to 212 and 22.
(13)
Ibid - 232.
(14)
S.P.D. 29-219. 222, 224, 229.
(15)
'Revival' - 145, S.P.D. 22-187, 188.
(16)
'Revival' - 170 and 174.
(17)
S.P.D. 38-185, S.P.D. 29-239.
(18)
S.P.D. 39-97.
(19)
S.P.D. 29-234, 243 and 245.
(20)
Ibid - 238.
(21)
Ibid - 87.
(22)
S.P.D. 29-243, 245.
(23)
S.P.D. 29-248. 'Jaypur Draft Kharitas' 13-126, 127.
(24)
'New Hist. Vol. II, p. 526,' Marathai Riyasat-Madhaorao -p- 124.'Jaypur Draft Kharitas' 13-126, 127.
(25)
S.P.D. 29-261 and 262, 'Jaypur Kharitas' 1-8.
(26)
Ibid - 253, 260 and 261.
(27)
'Grant Durr' II-p. 159.
(28)
S.P.D. 29-555 and 262.
(29)
Ibid - 262, 260.
(30)
S.P.D. 29-252-253, 'New Hist.' II-p. 533, Marathi Riayasat' (Madhaorao) -p. 125.
(31)
S.P.D. 29-260 and 261.
(32)
Khare - IIIG, p. R.C. 3-544, S.P.D. 29-265.
(33)
S.P.D. 29-89, 'Jaypur Kharitas' I-20, 22.
(34)
'Grant Duff' II-p. 162, S.P.D. 29-270 and 271.
(35)
S.P.D. 45-pp. 116 to 124.
http://www.maratharajputrelations.com/2tp.html<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
THE RESTORATION (1772 A. D.)
(i)The Jat Aggressions
The Chief, Jawaharmal, seeing that the Maratha Army under Raghunathrao, had retired from the North, started his aggressions with new vigour (1). He entered Bhind and captured Bhadawar. Then crossing Sindhu River with fifty thousand Bhadawar force, he captured Kachhwadhar in June 1767 A.D.(2). By November 1767 A.D., Kalpi, Kachhwadhar, Bhadawar, Tomardhar, Sikharwar, Dandroli, Khitoli passed under his rule and practically the whole of Bundelkhand (3) was lost to the Marathas.
But due to various reasons, the Peshwa was handicapped to accept the Jat challenge. After the death of Malerao, the only son of Ahillyabai, it took some time (4) for the house of Holkar to stand again on its legs. The Shinde Sardari was also in dispute (5) due to the differences between Kedarji and Mahadji. Moreover, after the return of Raghunathrao to the south, the Peshwa was forced to face his rebellion (6) and he was not free till he defeated him at Dhodap (10th of June 1768 A.D.). Due to this domestic dispute, Peshwaâs Sardars were in south and thus 1767 and 1768 A.D. the two years were wasted. The Peshwa hence could do little to help the Maratha Chiefs in the North who implored him for immediate succour, least all would be lost.
But fortunately for the Marathas, the aggressive Jat Chief suffered a severe defeat (7) at the hands of Madhaosing of Jaypur. It took place in the following way:
Coming over the Alwar fort, the Jat Chief Jawaharsing requested Madhaosing to allow him to march through his territory since he intended to visit Pushkar for a holy bath. But he went there with his full force. Vijaysing, the Raja of Jodhpur, had also come there. He had inclined (8) towards the Jat Chief as taking the side of Ramsing, Madhaosing was threatening him to place Ramsing on the throne of Jodhpur. It was a preplanned meeting of the two. They entered into an agreement to invade Malwa with full preparations, soliciting the cooperation of the rest of the Rajput Chiefs, to give a common stand to the Marathas.
Thus settled, Vijaysing sent the son of Deosing Chapawat, the Thakur of Devina to Mahadeosing to request him to join the common front. But being the determined opponent of the Jats, the disapproved Vijaysingâs act of joining hands with Jawaharsing and further reminded him that the Deccanies were not far off and once they came, it would be difficult for them, thousand Maraha force. He sent Raja Sadashi Bhat to Sambhar, where Vijaysing and Jawaharsing had moved from Pushkar. Sadashio Bhat told the Jodhpur Raja to refrain from interfering in the Jaypur-Jat struggle. The latter tried to win over the Maharao of Kota to his side but he failed in that attempt too.
With a determination to punish the Jat Chief who had dared to enter his territory with his powerful army, Madhaosing called all his forces and paid them in cash. He sent letters to the Chiefs of Sopara, Karoli, Khichi, Bundi and Kota. In return, Rao Raja Umedsing sent his son with two thousand men. Indrasing of Sopar joined the Jaypur foce with his army. King Balbharasing of Khichi joined with his army at the time of battle. The Maharao of Kota sent his brother Scrupling with Gopal |ramkrishna and his men and a big force came from the Ranaji of Mewad under Raghurao Zala. All Shekhawats, Narukas, Rajwats and Kait Thakurs assembled under his standard making thereby a host of forty to fifty men.
The Jodhpur Raja had no wish to fight with Mahadeosing over the Jat cause. He therefore returned to Marot in his territory giving a detachment of two thousand Rathod men to the Jat Chief, and asked Sadashio Bhat to allow the Jat Chief, unmolesled, to return to his territory. The Jat Chief also started for his territory from Sambhar.
Madhaosing, there upon sent his army under harsahji Musaheb and Thakur Rajsing Hamirde with artillery and full war equipment with clear instruction to obstruct him. Being well informed that the Jat Chief had advanced from Nimbarni to his territory, Thakur Rajsing and Raja Harsahji sent two thousand men in advance to check him and themselves hastened to follow them. The Rajput advance force fell upon the Jat force under Kriparam Purohit and they were soon followed by all the rest of the Rajput host of twenty five thousand men. Jawaharsing could not avoid fighting with honour. He fell two kos back and arranging his guns, got ready to face the on-coming Rajput onslaught.
A fierce battle was faught at Maonda on the Jat frontier on 14th December 1767 A.D. The Rajputs suffered heavily the terrible gunfire from the Jat side. But with grim determination, they raised all at one time and felling upon the artillery, destroyed it completely. They then engaged the Jat army in hand to hand fight and within six hours annihilated it so thoroughly that Jawaharsing could escape only with two to four thousand men. After this discomfiture, he did not survive for a long. He was assassinated in July 1768 A.D. (9), by a soldier, who revenged himself on Jawaharsing for some previous wrong. Madhaosing had also died a few months previously on 21st December 1767 A.D., leaving behind him a chaotic legacy for his successor Prithvising, who followed him on the throne of Jaypur. The Peshwa sent the âTikaâ (10) for the new king with Niloba Gasavi.
Never the less, the Jat menace to the Maratha territory continued under their commander Danshah (11). In many 1768 A.D., the Jats captured Ater and Bhind and laid siege to Lahar. The Jat advances were dreaded even in Malwa (12). Vishwasrao Lakshman, Subhadar of Zashi wrote (13) (4-2-1769 A.D.). âThe armies (from Deccan) did not come here for the last two and a half years. Days passed in vain, in waiting for them. The Rangadas (Jat, Gujars etc.) have become bold, having no fear of the Deccanies and do as they like. They are dividing the (Marathas) territory among them.â
(ii) Marathas in the North Again :
After he had disposed his uncle finally, the Peshwa got an opportunity for the first time to think of the North (14). Early (15) in January 1768 A.D., he ordered the forces belonging to Tukoji Holkar, Mahadaji Shinde, Trimbak Shiodeo and Khanderao Pawar to march to the North. They were followed by Ramchandra Ganesh and Visaji Krishna with full preparation (16) after Janoji Bhosleâs affair was settled by the treaty of Kanakpur (March 1769 A.D.).
When Peshwa was decending the Washim-Mangrol ghat, while on his march on Janoji Bhosle, he received letters from Mahadji (17), stating justification for Ratansingâs claim on the throne of Udaypur in whose cause he was to march on that city.
Arising was then the Maharana of Udaypur. He had come to the throne in 1761 A.D., after the death of his nephew Rajsing. But by his harsh actions he had grown unpopular with his Chiefs, and the Umraos. Fourteen out of the Sixteen Umraos, leaving his side, had taken up the cause of Ratansing a boy of some eight years the posthumous son of Rajsing. They were sided even by Vijaysing of Jodhpur and Prithvising of Jaypur, who had sent their forces to assist them. They had approached Yashwantrao Wable from the Shindes and Sadashio Gandhar from Holkar who took up their sides and thus all of them combining together, marched to Udaypur and laid siege to it.
But at this time a breach came among the Maratha side. The same Vishnu Mahadeo, about whose mischievous activities. Sadashio Ballal had complained to Nanasaheb Peshwa in 1757 A.D. wrote to the Peshwa Madhaorao in favour of Arising and the Peshwa ordered Ragoram, the Maratha Sardar, to help Arising. Hence Ratansing and his Umraos, approached Mahadaji at Ujjain. Hearing of this move, the party of Arising also approached Mahadaji who now looked to the affair from purely a practical point of view. The party of Arising promised him twenty lakhs of rupees, whereas the party of Ratansing promised him fifty lakhs of rupees ant the payment of all the previous dues of the Peshwa. Mahadaji hence taking up Ratansingâs cause pleded to the Peshwa that besides monetary profit, Ratansingâs party stood, comparatively more chances of success as it had the support of almost all the Chiefs of Udaypur and was also sided by the Rajas of Jodhpur and Jaypur. Under such circumstances, Mahadaji wrote, that even if Arising paid the Maratha dues, he had little possibility of continuation on the throne, as immediately after the departure of the Marathas, his opposition would definitely dethrone him, which act would be harmful to the name of the Peshwa. For these reasons, Mahadaji wrote that he had taken up the cause of Ratansing and he was soon he march to Udaypur. He was expecting about twenty five thousand men to join him from the two Rajas of Jodhpur and Jaypur and was confident of Ratansingâs success. He asked the Peshwa what was the exact sum to be recovered from Udaypur.
But Tukoji Holkar was equally interested in Udaypur affair. Not long before, in 1767 A.D., when Malji Holkar was alive he had plundered Mewad (18) in the name of realizing Khandani. Hence, with a determination not to allow of free hand to mahadaji alone, he hastened (19) with a contingent of two thousand men to Udaypur (July 1769 A.D.) keeping his main army under Naro Shankar at Sopara in Khichiwada. The rival parties tried to win-over them both or either of them to their sides and thus this affair had created a new source of income for both the Sardars. In the absence of any settled Rajput policy, the inevitable outcome was the breach of opinion between Mahadaji and Tukoji. The latter took up the cause of Arising as opposed to the former who stood for Ratansing. For tunately for the Marathas, time had not yet come for these two Sardars to face each other on Rajput issue and avoiding taking the matter to extreme end, Tukoji left for Khichiwada leaving the field open for Mahadaji.
But this does not mean that Mahadaji was sincerely attached to Ratansinghâs cause. In fact his attitude was indecisive (20) throughout. The reason was that he had begun to doubt the recovery of (21) promised money from Ratansingâs party and hence even though he could have taken Udaypur by assault at any time for Ratansing, he was not keen on the caputre of that city. Grain was sold two rupees a seer and only five thousand men were left there. But Mahadaji neigher raised the siege batteries nor any gun was being operated. He was all the while pressing Ratansing for the recovery of money and till then he had no mind to place him on the throne of Udaypur. At last leaving (22) the cause of Ratansing, the accepted sixty four lakhs of rupees as Khandani from Arising. Besides jagirs worth 11/3 and five lakhs were provided by Arising to Ratansing and Mahadji respectively.
After the settlement of Udaypur affair, Mahadji proceeded for Khichiwada (September 1769 A.D.) where Tukoji Holkar was engaged in besieging Raghogadh. The Chief of Raghogadh at least came to terms and visited Holkar. The next target was Jatwada. All the Maratha armies amounting to seventy five thousand assembled on chambal (October 1769 A.D.). From here, Ramchandra Ganesh (23) and Visaji Krishna ordered Niloba Gosavi, who had carried the âTikaâ for Prithvising the new king of Jaypur from Peshwa, to bring pressure on the new king to realize sizable Khandani and to send a force of ten thousand under a renowned Sardar for the help of Peshwaâs army against the Jats. The Jaypur force (24) accordingly joined the Maratha army.
Nawalsing Jat was holding the South bank of Yamuna. Unless he was dislodged from there, the Marathas could not either enter Antarwad or reach Delhi. In a well-contested battle, the Jat Chief was routed at Gowardhan (25) (5th of April 1770 A.D.) by the Marathas and thus they created a very good impression of their strength on the Northern potentates.
But before effecting a treaty with the Jats, the Marathas entered Antarwad (26) as per the suggestion of Najib Khan who had come over to them to avert the calamities (27) he apprechended, dreading their recollections of sons and brothers slain at Panipat (1761 A.D). But at heart he was the real enemy of the Marathas and hence did not desire (28) that they should come to understanding. The Marathas and the Rohillas then attacked and plundered the Jat territory (29). Being disgusted at the opposition of Tukoji Holkar who, faithful to the legacy of Malharrao Holkar supported Najib Khan Rohilla, Mahadji left the army for Marwad (30). He was however, pacified and called back by Ramchandra Ganesh. Najib Khan also died soon on 31st October 1770 A.D. and the trouble was over.
The Marathas then affected a treaty (31) with the Jats (8th of September 1770 A.D.) and captured all the Maratha territory in Doab by defeating the Rohillas. Then they drove away Zabita Khan (32) â the son of Najib Khan â from Delhi (10th of February 1771 A.D.). This Maratha success encouraged the Emperor (33) to leave the English porotection and come over to them. On 6th January 1772 A.D., the Emperor was restored to his ancestral throne at Delhi. The Marathas, then crossing Ganga, attacked the Rohillas in their home province, and taking their fort Fattargadh (34), destroyed them completely.
The Peshwa Madhaorao, on his death bed at Theur near Poona heard the joyous news of the victories of his Sardars (35) in the North, and having thus cleared the stigma of the defeat of Panipat, died a peaceful death on 18th November 1772 A.D.
But the Marathas were not destined to dominate Delhi this time. The murder of the new Peshwa Narayanrao on 31st of August 1773 A.D., and the subsequent development at Poon compelled them to return to the South.
The domestic troiuble at Poona soon took an alarming form and the Marathas were involved in the most strenuous struggle with the English during 1775 to 1782 A.D. During these hard times, when the child Peshwa was at the heat, all the energies of the Maratha nation were consumed for the preservation of their nation and hence during these years the Rajputs were left free to their lot.
It was some sixteen years from the battle of Gowardhan, where the Jaypur army cooperated with the Marathas against the Jats, that Mahadaji Shinde, as Vakil-ul-Mutlak, looked to Jaypur affairs in 1785 A.D. Till then the Rajputs got complete respite from the Maratha-encroachments and their vexing demands.
Foot Notes (Description)
(1)
'Revival' - 102, 106.
(2)
Ibid - 112 to 116, and 118.
(3)
Ibid - 128, 132, 133, S.P.D. 29-152, 169, 171, 207, 215.
(4)
Ibid - 157, 176, 180.
(5)
Ibid - 180, 184, S.P.D. 39-84, 85.
(6)
M.I.S. XII 44, 45, 47.
(7)
Revival - 139, S.P.D. 29-192.
(8)
S.P.D. 29-17.
(9)
S.P.D. 29-233 and 234.
(10)
Ibid - 248.
(11)
'Revival' - 148, 151 to 159.
(12)
S.P.D. 29-210, to 212 and 22.
(13)
Ibid - 232.
(14)
S.P.D. 29-219. 222, 224, 229.
(15)
'Revival' - 145, S.P.D. 22-187, 188.
(16)
'Revival' - 170 and 174.
(17)
S.P.D. 38-185, S.P.D. 29-239.
(18)
S.P.D. 39-97.
(19)
S.P.D. 29-234, 243 and 245.
(20)
Ibid - 238.
(21)
Ibid - 87.
(22)
S.P.D. 29-243, 245.
(23)
S.P.D. 29-248. 'Jaypur Draft Kharitas' 13-126, 127.
(24)
'New Hist. Vol. II, p. 526,' Marathai Riyasat-Madhaorao -p- 124.'Jaypur Draft Kharitas' 13-126, 127.
(25)
S.P.D. 29-261 and 262, 'Jaypur Kharitas' 1-8.
(26)
Ibid - 253, 260 and 261.
(27)
'Grant Durr' II-p. 159.
(28)
S.P.D. 29-555 and 262.
(29)
Ibid - 262, 260.
(30)
S.P.D. 29-252-253, 'New Hist.' II-p. 533, Marathi Riayasat' (Madhaorao) -p. 125.
(31)
S.P.D. 29-260 and 261.
(32)
Khare - IIIG, p. R.C. 3-544, S.P.D. 29-265.
(33)
S.P.D. 29-89, 'Jaypur Kharitas' I-20, 22.
(34)
'Grant Duff' II-p. 162, S.P.D. 29-270 and 271.
(35)
S.P.D. 45-pp. 116 to 124.
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