Originating from Mughals being foreign invaders to us, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s policy of ‘’South for the people with origin in the South’’ and that by Sadashiv Bhau’s policy of ‘’Hindustan for Hindustanis’’ originating from Afghan Abdali being foreign invader echoed with the same ideology of ‘’One Nation, One Nationality’’. On one hand, post 80 years of Shivaji Majaraj’s Era, even though the the intent remained the same but over a time Maratha kingdom witnessed many changes with respect to military, security and judicial systems. However, on the other hand, Malharrao Holkar and other troops trained under able warrior Bajirao were reluctant to adapt to these changes.
The Shinde- Holkar defeat in Jaipur throne conflict gave rise to rifts between Marathas and Rajputs making Rajputs to join hands with Afghan Abdali. It was in 1719 which paved the way of entry to Marathas in the Politics of North. The complete decade of 1750-1760 sang the heroic songs of Nana and Bhau Peshwe. However, the Marathas couldn't achieve much after the arrest of Raghunathrao aka Nana Peshwe. This also rendered stagnation in the financial status of the kingdom. To worsen, the conflicts between Mughals and Rohilla Pathans dragged Marathas to the 1752 treaty with Mughals which further led to massively destructive ‘War of Panipat’.
The demise of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1680 followed by the ruthless assassination of Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj by Aurangzeb created feeling of immense anger in Marathas. Thereafter, Aurangzeb who arrived with a Mughal force of around 5 Lakh eventually started losing command over the Mughals. Until his death in 1707, Marathas strived for freedom. While alive, to create rifts within the Martahas, Aurangzed had hostaged Shahu Maharaj. Later, Shahu Maharaj was freed by Azam Shah initiating conflicts within the Maratha families.
Eventually, the experts like Balaji Vishwanath and Dhanaji Jadhav joined forces with Shahu Maharaj. After that, Shahu Maharaj became Chhatrapati leading to the rise of Satara and Kolhapur kingdom. Later, Bahiropant Pingale and Khando Ballal were arrested by Kanhoji Angre. To fill this gap, Shahu Maharaj bestowed the ‘Peshwa’ title on Balaji Vishwanath. Strategically, Kanhoji Angre was brought into the loop and thus ‘Peshwai’ was secured. On the other hand, the politics in Delhi was experiencing many twists and turns.
After the death of Aurangzeb, his son acquired the throne but could persist only till 1712. After his death, Jahandar Shah took over but couldn’t make it beyond 1 month. After him, Farrukh Shah became the ruler aka Badshah. As the Badshahs weren’t able to get a command over Delhi, the rights were handed over to the Sayyad Brothers. Even though they had power, their words had no value as they belong to Shiya Muslim and the kingdom folks to Sunni Muslim community. Later, the Badshah was fed against them by the people which led to the arrest of Sayyad Brothers.
Meanwhile, Sayyad Abdullah appealed to Hussain Ali from the South to arrange for forces to arrive in Delhi for their rescue. Hussain Ali's as well as Marathas army started marching towards Delhi. Here Marathas played a trick by spreading rumors of Aurangzeb's grandson Akbar2 being captured by them. A special occasion was identified and he was taken through the rally on an elephant. This led Badshah to become insecure and thus plead before Marathas for his rescue. As a result of this operation, Marathas reacquainted 1/4th treasury from Deccan as well the rights owned by the Sar-Deshmukhs. For this, Balaji Vishwanath was rewarded by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
After the death of Balaji Vishwanath in 1720, under the able leadership of his son Bajirao along with Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, Pillajirao Jadhavrao, Udaji Pawar, Govindrao Bundile, Chimaji Appa, the Maratha kingdom again started rising towards glory all over Hindustan. Taking forward the ideology led by Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bajirao had plans to create a kingdom with equal rights to all. Bajirao was invincible and stood as a strong protector of the Maratha kingdom against the Portuguese, Brtitishers, Siddis, Mughals and Nizams. His victories were celebrated all over.
Due to Badshah not keeping his word to hand over 1/4th of the treasury and the Sar-Deshmukhs rights, Bajirao headed a straight march towards Delhi. On the way, he had to trick Sadat Khan and Kamruddin Khan Bhopal to reach Delhi. While Bajirao was taking a hold over the situation in Delhi, Badshah reached out to Nizam for help and Nizam started marching towards Pune. On the way, Bajirao trapped and defeated Nizams near Narmada river near Bhopal even though Shahu Maharaj’s policy was to protect them. Shahu Maharaj wrote Bajirao to release the trap around Delhi and asked him to arrive back. Taking advantage of the decline of Mughals in Delhi in 1739, Nadirshah of Iran belonging to the Afshari Dynasty invaded Delhi. His era was tyrannical. During his invasion on Delhi, he looted away the precious Kohinoor Diamond, Mayur Singhasan and tons of wealth back to his land. The reason for his flight can also be attributed to Bajirao’s march towards Delhi. Bajirao, one of the greatest bravehearts due to whom the Maratha kingdom rose to glory and victory, left for heavenly abode on 27th April 1740.
Invasion by Abdali on Bharat:
The 1747 conspiracy led to the murder of Nadirshah. This created unrest amongst the people. The charge of Kohinoor Diamond and the Mayur Singhasan was taken over by Ahmad Shah Abdali. After long-lasting negotiations, Ahmad Shah Abdali was appointed as a chief by Sabir Shah. Abdali was also a part of the force led by Nadirshah during the Delhi invasion in 1739. Here in Punjab, conflicts to acquire the throne arose between Hyaha khan and Shahanawaz after the death of their father Subhedar Zakeria Khan. Adina Beg, the Subhedar of Jalandhar region was playing double faced by on one hand asking Shahnawaz to join hands with with Abdali to defeat Mughals and on the other hand by detailing the Mughal Wazir about the collative actions of Shahnawaz and Abdali. As Mughal Wazir Kamruddin Khan was nephew of Shahnawaz, he handed over Punjab rule to him. But now, he kept a condition to make Abdali leave the acquired borders of the Mughal empire. Having received the invite from Shahnawaz himself, Abdali had sent Sabir Shah to extend a hand of friendship. But, as soon as Shahnawaz got recognised from Mughal Wazir Kamruddin, he switched sides, betraying Sabir Shah and thereby Ahmad Shah Abdali.
On hearing of this news, Abdali immediately left for Lahore with his forces. Abdali’s forces included 30,000 men, while the Mughal side had the consolidated armies of Azam Shah, Wazir Kamruddin, Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh and Ishwar Singh, the king of Jaipur. Having lost decisively at Lahore Fort, Shah Nawaz now turned to Delhi for help. The large Mughal army coming to his rescue clashed with Abdali’s men at Manipur while on the way to Sirhind. Manipur witnessed a bloodied battle, which was eventually won by the Mughals. The Mughal Wazir Kamruddin was killed in the battle. This might well-nigh have been the Mughals’ last victory over a foreign power.
Second Invasion:
Soon, in 1748, the Mughal Emperor Mahmud Shah died, and prince Ahmad Shah declared himself the new emperor. The Subedar of Punjab, Mir Mannu looked upon the new Wazir Safdarjung as his rival and deeply distrusted him. He could not be relied upon to send reinforcements in the event of another invasion on the Punjab country. Wanting to take advantage of this internal division, Abdali launched another campaign on Punjab. Mir Mannu lost to Abdali and agreed to pay Abdali the entire revenue collection of four districts as well as a Nazrana of 15,000 rupees.
Abdali’s Third Invasion:
In 1751, along with his general Jahan Khan, Abdali moved towards his eastern borders to claim taxes. Here Subedar Moin-ul-Mulk of Punjab, under the advice of Subedar Kauramal of Multan refused to pay Abdali. With the refusal, war was now inevitable. Jahan Khan and Abdali’s armies not only managed to avoid Moin-ul-Mulk, but successfully crossed over to the region on the other side of the Ravi and came to establish their control in the regions in and around Lahore by February 1852.
Wazir Safdarjung didn’t see eye to eye with both Moin and Kauramal and so refused to come to their aid in any manner. After a three-month long defensive approach, Moin finally got ready for fighting with his barely 10,000 strong army, and ordered the closing of Lahore fort’s gates. It was summer, and it was a known fact that Abdali never stay put in a place in the summers. He would always be on the move, Panipat being the only exception to this rule. Abdali, through his general Jahan Khan sent over a letter to Moin, with the following theme: -
‘Muslims are killing each other. Will this ever be acceptable to Allah. Fear not, let us meet each other and try to work out a solution.’
Both the parties met each other. Moin presented his case to Abdali with great courage and clarity, thoroughly impressing Abdali. Moin made Abdali stop the killings in Lahore. In return, Moin agreed to pay Abdali rupees 9 lakh in addition to the existing dues. Abdali’s forces handed over the parts of Lahore in their control back to Moin.
Increasing Maratha clout in the North:
The Marathas had been making significant gains in Gujarat and Malwa, right from the period of Aurangzeb’s death. Having established friendly relations with Nanasaheb, Raghuji sent Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar along with a large force to Bengal in 1744. Alivardi Khan deceitfully killed Kolhatkar. An enraged Raghuji Bhosle marched on to Cuttack, emerged victorious and made Alivardi Khan pay an amount of 9 crore. In 1751, Alivardi Khan captured Cuttack again. Shortly afterward Bhosle regained control over Cuttack again. In accordance with the treaty agreed upon between the Marathas and Alivardi Khan in 1751, the Maratha reign over Orissa came to be legitimized. On the other hand, the Marathas had been helping the Rajputs right from the times of Bajirao having come to the aid of Chhatrasal Bundela. The Rajputs sought help from the Marathas over the infighting in the Jaipur royal family. Not wanting to anger the Holkars, Ishwar Singh had gone to the extent of committing suicide by getting bitten by a venomous snake. The Marathas had by now assumed enough power and influence so as to direct the course of India’s polity in general.
Rohilla-Pathans: -
Ali Mohommad, the converted Hindu Jat had established a Rohilla dominion in 1721 by capturing a Mughal belt in the region to the North of the Ganga. Ali Mohommad died in 1748 and Hafiz Rehmat Khan and Dunde Khan became the leaders of the Rohillas. In 1743, Najib Khan, a 35 year old from the Afghan Yusufzai tribe joined the Rohilla army as a simple soldier. He soon rose through the ranks, established his capital at Najibabad and built a strong fort at Patthargarh. The Rohilla Pathans were always inclined towards Abdali. Perhaps the logic of establishing Afghan rule over India appealed to them. Seeking to take advantage of a vulnerable India weakened by internal politics, it had been the Rohillas who’d reached out to Abdali asking him to launch invasions, on numerous occasions. Wary of the rising power of the Marathas in the north, and aware of the many Iranian. Turkish, Bundela, Deccani, Rajput, etc rival factions in the Delhi court, a troubled Wazir Safdarjung finally arrived at a settlement with the Marathas, through the Treaty of Kannauj of 23 April 1752. Better known as the ‘Ahadnama’, its terms were as follows:
1. Be it foreign aggressors like Abdali, or be it Rajput Jats, or be it Pathans, the Peshwas commit to protect the boundaries of the fractured empire, and assure that they will soon recover the territory lost by the Mughals.
2. A sum total of rupees 50 lakh to be handed over to the Marathas- 30 lakh to hold the advances by Abdali and 20 lakh to take care of warring people within the empire.
3. The Badshah agrees to hand over the districts of Hisar, Badayun, Sambhal and Moradabad to the Marathas, in addition to Punjab and Sindh’s ‘chauthai’ (including Pasrur, Sialkot, Gujarat and Aurangabad)
4. The Badshah gives to the Marathas the Subedaris of Ajmer (including the fauzdari of Narnaula) and Agra (including the fauzdari of Mathura). The Peshwas are to collect taxes and are free to administer their rights over these Subedaris.
5. The Marathas are to govern according to the established practices conventional regulations of administration of the time.
6. The Maratha Sardars must send their representatives to the Delhi court just like Mughal Mansabdars, and take part in any military campaigns entered into by the Mughal Badshah.
It was because of this Treaty that Raghunathrao reached Delhi in 1757 after Abdali’s return. The Marathas captured Delhi. Jat, Sikh and Maratha armies succeeded in defeating Taimur Shah, Abdali’s son and Jahan Khan at Sirhind and gained control over Lahore. Maratha Sardars, Adina Beg and the Sikhs followed the retreating Taimur Shah right upto Attock. The pious Bhagwa of the Marathas was raised victoriously over the skies of Attock. This disgraceful end to Abdali’s fourth campaign in a way made Panipat an inevitable reality.On hearing of this news, Abdali immediately left for Lahore with his forces. Abdali’s forces included 30,000 men, while the Mughal side had the consolidated armies of Azam Shah, Wazir Kamruddin, Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh and Ishwar Singh, the king of Jaipur. Having lost decisively at Lahore Fort, Shah Nawaz now turned to Delhi for help. The large Mughal army coming to his rescue clashed with Abdali’s men at Manipur while on the way to Sirhind. Manipur witnessed a bloodied battle, which was eventually won by the Mughals. The Mughal Wazir Kamruddin was killed in the battle. This might well-nigh have been the Mughals’ last victory over a foreign power.
Second Invasion:
Soon, in 1748, the Mughal Emperor Mahmud Shah died, and prince Ahmad Shah declared himself the new emperor. The Subedar of Punjab, Mir Mannu looked upon the new Wazir Safdarjung as his rival and deeply distrusted him. He could not be relied upon to send reinforcements in the event of another invasion on the Punjab country. Wanting to take advantage of this internal division, Abdali launched another campaign on Punjab. Mir Mannu lost to Abdali and agreed to pay Abdali the entire revenue collection of four districts as well as a Nazrana of 15,000 rupees.
Abdali’s Third Invasion:
In 1751, along with his general Jahan Khan, Abdali moved towards his eastern borders to claim taxes. Here Subedar Moin-ul-Mulk of Punjab, under the advice of Subedar Kauramal of Multan refused to pay Abdali. With the refusal, war was now inevitable. Jahan Khan and Abdali’s armies not only managed to avoid Moin-ul-Mulk, but successfully crossed over to the region on the other side of the Ravi and came to establish their control in the regions in and around Lahore by February 1852.
Wazir Safdarjung didn’t see eye to eye with both Moin and Kauramal and so refused to come to their aid in any manner. After a three-month long defensive approach, Moin finally got ready for fighting with his barely 10,000 strong army, and ordered the closing of Lahore fort’s gates. It was summer, and it was a known fact that Abdali never stay put in a place in the summers. He would always be on the move, Panipat being the only exception to this rule. Abdali, through his general Jahan Khan sent over a letter to Moin, with the following theme: -
‘Muslims are killing each other. Will this ever be acceptable to Allah. Fear not, let us meet each other and try to work out a solution.’
Both the parties met each other. Moin presented his case to Abdali with great courage and clarity, thoroughly impressing Abdali. Moin made Abdali stop the killings in Lahore. In return, Moin agreed to pay Abdali rupees 9 lakh in addition to the existing dues. Abdali’s forces handed over the parts of Lahore in their control back to Moin.
Increasing Maratha clout in the North:
The Marathas had been making significant gains in Gujarat and Malwa, right from the period of Aurangzeb’s death. Having established friendly relations with Nanasaheb, Raghuji sent Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar along with a large force to Bengal in 1744. Alivardi Khan deceitfully killed Kolhatkar. An enraged Raghuji Bhosle marched on to Cuttack, emerged victorious and made Alivardi Khan pay an amount of 9 crore. In 1751, Alivardi Khan captured Cuttack again. Shortly afterward Bhosle regained control over Cuttack again. In accordance with the treaty agreed upon between the Marathas and Alivardi Khan in 1751, the Maratha reign over Orissa came to be legitimized. On the other hand, the Marathas had been helping the Rajputs right from the times of Bajirao having come to the aid of Chhatrasal Bundela. The Rajputs sought help from the Marathas over the infighting in the Jaipur royal family. Not wanting to anger the Holkars, Ishwar Singh had gone to the extent of committing suicide by getting bitten by a venomous snake. The Marathas had by now assumed enough power and influence so as to direct the course of India’s polity in general.
Rohilla-Pathans: -
Ali Mohommad, the converted Hindu Jat had established a Rohilla dominion in 1721 by capturing a Mughal belt in the region to the North of the Ganga. Ali Mohommad died in 1748 and Hafiz Rehmat Khan and Dunde Khan became the leaders of the Rohillas. In 1743, Najib Khan, a 35 year old from the Afghan Yusufzai tribe joined the Rohilla army as a simple soldier. He soon rose through the ranks, established his capital at Najibabad and built a strong fort at Patthargarh. The Rohilla Pathans were always inclined towards Abdali. Perhaps the logic of establishing Afghan rule over India appealed to them. Seeking to take advantage of a vulnerable India weakened by internal politics, it had been the Rohillas who’d reached out to Abdali asking him to launch invasions, on numerous occasions. Wary of the rising power of the Marathas in the north, and aware of the many Iranian. Turkish, Bundela, Deccani, Rajput, etc rival factions in the Delhi court, a troubled Wazir Safdarjung finally arrived at a settlement with the Marathas, through the Treaty of Kannauj of 23 April 1752. Better known as the ‘Ahadnama’, its terms were as follows:
1. Be it foreign aggressors like Abdali, or be it Rajput Jats, or be it Pathans, the Peshwas commit to protect the boundaries of the fractured empire, and assure that they will soon recover the territory lost by the Mughals.
2. A sum total of rupees 50 lakh to be handed over to the Marathas- 30 lakh to hold the advances by Abdali and 20 lakh to take care of warring people within the empire.
3. The Badshah agrees to hand over the districts of Hisar, Badayun, Sambhal and Moradabad to the Marathas, in addition to Punjab and Sindh’s ‘chauthai’ (including Pasrur, Sialkot, Gujarat and Aurangabad)
4. The Badshah gives to the Marathas the Subedaris of Ajmer (including the fauzdari of Narnaula) and Agra (including the fauzdari of Mathura). The Peshwas are to collect taxes and are free to administer their rights over these Subedaris.
5. The Marathas are to govern according to the established practices conventional regulations of administration of the time.
6. The Maratha Sardars must send their representatives to the Delhi court just like Mughal Mansabdars, and take part in any military campaigns entered into by the Mughal Badshah.
It was because of this Treaty that Raghunathrao reached Delhi in 1757 after Abdali’s return. The Marathas captured Delhi. Jat, Sikh and Maratha armies succeeded in defeating Taimur Shah, Abdali’s son and Jahan Khan at Sirhind and gained control over Lahore. Maratha Sardars, Adina Beg and the Sikhs followed the retreating Taimur Shah right upto Attock. The pious Bhagwa of the Marathas was raised victoriously over the skies of Attock. This disgraceful end to Abdali’s fourth campaign in a way made Panipat an inevitable reality.On hearing of this news, Abdali immediately left for Lahore with his forces. Abdali’s forces included 30,000 men, while the Mughal side had the consolidated armies of Azam Shah, Wazir Kamruddin, Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh and Ishwar Singh, the king of Jaipur. Having lost decisively at Lahore Fort, Shah Nawaz now turned to Delhi for help. The large Mughal army coming to his rescue clashed with Abdali’s men at Manipur while on the way to Sirhind. Manipur witnessed a bloodied battle, which was eventually won by the Mughals. The Mughal Wazir Kamruddin was killed in the battle. This might well-nigh have been the Mughals’ last victory over a foreign power.
Second Invasion:
Soon, in 1748, the Mughal Emperor Mahmud Shah died, and prince Ahmad Shah declared himself the new emperor. The Subedar of Punjab, Mir Mannu looked upon the new Wazir Safdarjung as his rival and deeply distrusted him. He could not be relied upon to send reinforcements in the event of another invasion on the Punjab country. Wanting to take advantage of this internal division, Abdali launched another campaign on Punjab. Mir Mannu lost to Abdali and agreed to pay Abdali the entire revenue collection of four districts as well as a Nazrana of 15,000 rupees.
Abdali’s Third Invasion:
In 1751, along with his general Jahan Khan, Abdali moved towards his eastern borders to claim taxes. Here Subedar Moin-ul-Mulk of Punjab, under the advice of Subedar Kauramal of Multan refused to pay Abdali. With the refusal, war was now inevitable. Jahan Khan and Abdali’s armies not only managed to avoid Moin-ul-Mulk, but successfully crossed over to the region on the other side of the Ravi and came to establish their control in the regions in and around Lahore by February 1852.
Wazir Safdarjung didn’t see eye to eye with both Moin and Kauramal and so refused to come to their aid in any manner. After a three-month long defensive approach, Moin finally got ready for fighting with his barely 10,000 strong army, and ordered the closing of Lahore fort’s gates. It was summer, and it was a known fact that Abdali never stay put in a place in the summers. He would always be on the move, Panipat being the only exception to this rule. Abdali, through his general Jahan Khan sent over a letter to Moin, with the following theme: -
‘Muslims are killing each other. Will this ever be acceptable to Allah. Fear not, let us meet each other and try to work out a solution.’
Both the parties met each other. Moin presented his case to Abdali with great courage and clarity, thoroughly impressing Abdali. Moin made Abdali stop the killings in Lahore. In return, Moin agreed to pay Abdali rupees 9 lakh in addition to the existing dues. Abdali’s forces handed over the parts of Lahore in their control back to Moin.
Increasing Maratha clout in the North:
The Marathas had been making significant gains in Gujarat and Malwa, right from the period of Aurangzeb’s death. Having established friendly relations with Nanasaheb, Raghuji sent Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar along with a large force to Bengal in 1744. Alivardi Khan deceitfully killed Kolhatkar. An enraged Raghuji Bhosle marched on to Cuttack, emerged victorious and made Alivardi Khan pay an amount of 9 crore. In 1751, Alivardi Khan captured Cuttack again. Shortly afterward Bhosle regained control over Cuttack again. In accordance with the treaty agreed upon between the Marathas and Alivardi Khan in 1751, the Maratha reign over Orissa came to be legitimized. On the other hand, the Marathas had been helping the Rajputs right from the times of Bajirao having come to the aid of Chhatrasal Bundela. The Rajputs sought help from the Marathas over the infighting in the Jaipur royal family. Not wanting to anger the Holkars, Ishwar Singh had gone to the extent of committing suicide by getting bitten by a venomous snake. The Marathas had by now assumed enough power and influence so as to direct the course of India’s polity in general.
Rohilla-Pathans: -
Ali Mohommad, the converted Hindu Jat had established a Rohilla dominion in 1721 by capturing a Mughal belt in the region to the North of the Ganga. Ali Mohommad died in 1748 and Hafiz Rehmat Khan and Dunde Khan became the leaders of the Rohillas. In 1743, Najib Khan, a 35 year old from the Afghan Yusufzai tribe joined the Rohilla army as a simple soldier. He soon rose through the ranks, established his capital at Najibabad and built a strong fort at Patthargarh. The Rohilla Pathans were always inclined towards Abdali. Perhaps the logic of establishing Afghan rule over India appealed to them. Seeking to take advantage of a vulnerable India weakened by internal politics, it had been the Rohillas who’d reached out to Abdali asking him to launch invasions, on numerous occasions. Wary of the rising power of the Marathas in the north, and aware of the many Iranian. Turkish, Bundela, Deccani, Rajput, etc rival factions in the Delhi court, a troubled Wazir Safdarjung finally arrived at a settlement with the Marathas, through the Treaty of Kannauj of 23 April 1752. Better known as the ‘Ahadnama’, its terms were as follows:
1. Be it foreign aggressors like Abdali, or be it Rajput Jats, or be it Pathans, the Peshwas commit to protect the boundaries of the fractured empire, and assure that they will soon recover the territory lost by the Mughals.
2. A sum total of rupees 50 lakh to be handed over to the Marathas- 30 lakh to hold the advances by Abdali and 20 lakh to take care of warring people within the empire.
3. The Badshah agrees to hand over the districts of Hisar, Badayun, Sambhal and Moradabad to the Marathas, in addition to Punjab and Sindh’s ‘chauthai’ (including Pasrur, Sialkot, Gujarat and Aurangabad)
4. The Badshah gives to the Marathas the Subedaris of Ajmer (including the fauzdari of Narnaula) and Agra (including the fauzdari of Mathura). The Peshwas are to collect taxes and are free to administer their rights over these Subedaris.
5. The Marathas are to govern according to the established practices conventional regulations of administration of the time.
6. The Maratha Sardars must send their representatives to the Delhi court just like Mughal Mansabdars, and take part in any military campaigns entered into by the Mughal Badshah.
It was because of this Treaty that Raghunathrao reached Delhi in 1757 after Abdali’s return. The Marathas captured Delhi. Jat, Sikh and Maratha armies succeeded in defeating Taimur Shah, Abdali’s son and Jahan Khan at Sirhind and gained control over Lahore. Maratha Sardars, Adina Beg and the Sikhs followed the retreating Taimur Shah right upto Attock. The pious Bhagwa of the Marathas was raised victoriously over the skies of Attock. This disgraceful end to Abdali’s fourth campaign in a way made Panipat an inevitable reality.On hearing of this news, Abdali immediately left for Lahore with his forces. Abdali’s forces included 30,000 men, while the Mughal side had the consolidated armies of Azam Shah, Wazir Kamruddin, Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh and Ishwar Singh, the king of Jaipur. Having lost decisively at Lahore Fort, Shah Nawaz now turned to Delhi for help. The large Mughal army coming to his rescue clashed with Abdali’s men at Manipur while on the way to Sirhind. Manipur witnessed a bloodied battle, which was eventually won by the Mughals. The Mughal Wazir Kamruddin was killed in the battle. This might well-nigh have been the Mughals’ last victory over a foreign power.
Second Invasion:
Soon, in 1748, the Mughal Emperor Mahmud Shah died, and prince Ahmad Shah declared himself the new emperor. The Subedar of Punjab, Mir Mannu looked upon the new Wazir Safdarjung as his rival and deeply distrusted him. He could not be relied upon to send reinforcements in the event of another invasion on the Punjab country. Wanting to take advantage of this internal division, Abdali launched another campaign on Punjab. Mir Mannu lost to Abdali and agreed to pay Abdali the entire revenue collection of four districts as well as a Nazrana of 15,000 rupees.
Abdali’s Third Invasion:
In 1751, along with his general Jahan Khan, Abdali moved towards his eastern borders to claim taxes. Here Subedar Moin-ul-Mulk of Punjab, under the advice of Subedar Kauramal of Multan refused to pay Abdali. With the refusal, war was now inevitable. Jahan Khan and Abdali’s armies not only managed to avoid Moin-ul-Mulk, but successfully crossed over to the region on the other side of the Ravi and came to establish their control in the regions in and around Lahore by February 1852.
Wazir Safdarjung didn’t see eye to eye with both Moin and Kauramal and so refused to come to their aid in any manner. After a three-month long defensive approach, Moin finally got ready for fighting with his barely 10,000 strong army, and ordered the closing of Lahore fort’s gates. It was summer, and it was a known fact that Abdali never stay put in a place in the summers. He would always be on the move, Panipat being the only exception to this rule. Abdali, through his general Jahan Khan sent over a letter to Moin, with the following theme: -
‘Muslims are killing each other. Will this ever be acceptable to Allah. Fear not, let us meet each other and try to work out a solution.’
Both the parties met each other. Moin presented his case to Abdali with great courage and clarity, thoroughly impressing Abdali. Moin made Abdali stop the killings in Lahore. In return, Moin agreed to pay Abdali rupees 9 lakh in addition to the existing dues. Abdali’s forces handed over the parts of Lahore in their control back to Moin.
Increasing Maratha clout in the North:
The Marathas had been making significant gains in Gujarat and Malwa, right from the period of Aurangzeb’s death. Having established friendly relations with Nanasaheb, Raghuji sent Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar along with a large force to Bengal in 1744. Alivardi Khan deceitfully killed Kolhatkar. An enraged Raghuji Bhosle marched on to Cuttack, emerged victorious and made Alivardi Khan pay an amount of 9 crore. In 1751, Alivardi Khan captured Cuttack again. Shortly afterward Bhosle regained control over Cuttack again. In accordance with the treaty agreed upon between the Marathas and Alivardi Khan in 1751, the Maratha reign over Orissa came to be legitimized. On the other hand, the Marathas had been helping the Rajputs right from the times of Bajirao having come to the aid of Chhatrasal Bundela. The Rajputs sought help from the Marathas over the infighting in the Jaipur royal family. Not wanting to anger the Holkars, Ishwar Singh had gone to the extent of committing suicide by getting bitten by a venomous snake. The Marathas had by now assumed enough power and influence so as to direct the course of India’s polity in general.
Rohilla-Pathans: -
Ali Mohommad, the converted Hindu Jat had established a Rohilla dominion in 1721 by capturing a Mughal belt in the region to the North of the Ganga. Ali Mohommad died in 1748 and Hafiz Rehmat Khan and Dunde Khan became the leaders of the Rohillas. In 1743, Najib Khan, a 35 year old from the Afghan Yusufzai tribe joined the Rohilla army as a simple soldier. He soon rose through the ranks, established his capital at Najibabad and built a strong fort at Patthargarh. The Rohilla Pathans were always inclined towards Abdali. Perhaps the logic of establishing Afghan rule over India appealed to them. Seeking to take advantage of a vulnerable India weakened by internal politics, it had been the Rohillas who’d reached out to Abdali asking him to launch invasions, on numerous occasions. Wary of the rising power of the Marathas in the north, and aware of the many Iranian. Turkish, Bundela, Deccani, Rajput, etc rival factions in the Delhi court, a troubled Wazir Safdarjung finally arrived at a settlement with the Marathas, through the Treaty of Kannauj of 23 April 1752. Better known as the ‘Ahadnama’, its terms were as follows:
1. Be it foreign aggressors like Abdali, or be it Rajput Jats, or be it Pathans, the Peshwas commit to protect the boundaries of the fractured empire, and assure that they will soon recover the territory lost by the Mughals.
2. A sum total of rupees 50 lakh to be handed over to the Marathas- 30 lakh to hold the advances by Abdali and 20 lakh to take care of warring people within the empire.
3. The Badshah agrees to hand over the districts of Hisar, Badayun, Sambhal and Moradabad to the Marathas, in addition to Punjab and Sindh’s ‘chauthai’ (including Pasrur, Sialkot, Gujarat and Aurangabad)
4. The Badshah gives to the Marathas the Subedaris of Ajmer (including the fauzdari of Narnaula) and Agra (including the fauzdari of Mathura). The Peshwas are to collect taxes and are free to administer their rights over these Subedaris.
5. The Marathas are to govern according to the established practices conventional regulations of administration of the time.
6. The Maratha Sardars must send their representatives to the Delhi court just like Mughal Mansabdars, and take part in any military campaigns entered into by the Mughal Badshah.
It was because of this Treaty that Raghunathrao reached Delhi in 1757 after Abdali’s return. The Marathas captured Delhi. Jat, Sikh and Maratha armies succeeded in defeating Taimur Shah, Abdali’s son and Jahan Khan at Sirhind and gained control over Lahore. Maratha Sardars, Adina Beg and the Sikhs followed the retreating Taimur Shah right upto Attock. The pious Bhagwa of the Marathas was raised victoriously over the skies of Attock. This disgraceful end to Abdali’s fourth campaign in a way made Panipat an inevitable reality.
