Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Bhat, the legendary Maratha general and one of the best cavalry commanders the world has ever seen was born on 18 August 1700. He was appointed Peshwa in 1720; while not yet 20 years of age. In his military career spanning 20 years, Bajirao never lost a battle. In his military victories, he was ably supported by his younger brother Chimaji Appa, and young generals Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, the Pawar brothers (Udaji and Anand Rao), Pilaji Jadhav, and Fateh Singh Bhosle. Bajirao chose his military commanders from across castes, merit being the only criterion for selection.

Surrounded by enemies all around, Marathas; under Bajirao defeated Mughals to the North, Nizam Asaf Jah-I to the East, Siddis (of African origin) and Portuguese to the South West. Few important battles are covered briefly in this article.

Malwa Campaigns (1723-1738)

Peshwa Bajirao led the campaign to conquer Malwa region from the Mughals and enforcing “Chauth” (one-fourth of the revenue) on this strategically important region and thereby expand the Maratha influence. After defeating the Mughals, Bajirao divided Malwa among his Sardars (commanders), marking a significant step towards establishing a permanent Maratha control over Malwa region, which was the link between North and South India. The campaign involved a series of battles, based on overall Maratha grand strategy for control over the Malwa region. Besides Bajirao, Malhar Rao Holkar, Ranoji Scindia and Anand Rao Pawar were prominent Maratha commanders who played crucial roles in the Malwa campaign. The campaign formally ended when the Mughal Governor of Deccan, Nizam Asif Jah-I was forced to sign the Treaty of Doraha on 7 Jan 1738.

Impact on Malwa. The Maratha campaigns and subsequent administration led to significant changes in the region, including the establishment of Maratha capitals like Ujjain and the rise of prominent Maratha families like the Holkars and Scindias. In essence, the Malwa campaign was a crucial phase in the Maratha expansion, which allowed them to undertake subsequent deeper operations to the North upto Attock located on the River Indus.

Defeat of Nizam Asaf Jah-I in ‘Battle of Palkhed’ (Feb 1728)

Nizam Asaf Jah-I of Hyderabad was one of the most powerful rulers of his times and was the Mughal Governor of Deccan. Supported by his powerful Artillery, Nizam attacked Chhatrapati Shahuji’s territories. Young Peshwa Balaji, displayed military sagacity and understanding of Manoeuvre Warfare unmatched by any other contemporary military leader. Instead of facing the Nizam’s forces, Peshwa Bajirao launched raids into Nizam’s territories in present day Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujrat to draw out Nizam. Confident of easy victory over the young Peshwa, Nizam followed Bajirao. Moving more than 500 Km in a short span of 15-20 days, in what Nizam thought was a wild goose chase was actually a carefully laid trap by Bajirao. Having separated the Nizam from his Artillery and baggage train, Bajirao trapped him in a little waterless hilly tract of Palkhed, about 50 Km West of the present day Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) and severed his lines of communication. Cut off from water and food supplies, Nizam capitulated and signed the humiliating treaty of Mungi-Paithan on 06 Mar 1728. Nizam agreed to recoganise Shahu Maharaj as the Maratha King and Maratha right to collect taxes in the Deccan.

This is one of the finest examples of a smaller force defeating a larger force by using Manoeuvre in battle, while avoiding pitched battle. But a much larger victory employing Manoeuvre War awaited Peshwa Bajirao.

Bundelkhand Campaign (March 1729)

The Battle of Jaitpur was fought between the Marathas under Peshwa Baji Rao, on behalf of Chhatrasal Bundela, the ruler of Bundelkhand; and the Mughals in March 1729. Mughals attacked Bundelkhand in December 1728. Chhatrasal appealed to Baji Rao for assistance. Peshwa moved with 25,000 horsemen to Bundelkhand. After reaching Jaitpur, Marathas surrounded the Mughals and cut-off their supplies and lines of communication. Mughals launched a counterattack but could not pierce Maratha defences. The Marathas also attacked and destroyed the Mughal reinforcements. Mughals were forced to seek forgiveness and surrendered, signing an agreement that Mughals will withdraw and never attack Bundelkhand again.

Campaign against Siddis (1733-36)

Janjira Campaign. Siddis controlled the strategically important Konkan region on the western coast of India. They had expanded their rule to a large part of the central and northern Konkan region. In addition to being threat to the fledging Maratha empire, Siddis were also carrying out large scale religious persecution. Prompted by cries for help from inhabitants of Konkan, Peshwa launched a series of military and diplomatic campaigns resulting in comprehensive defeat of the Siddis. Pashwa Bajirao’s younger brother, Chimaji Appa played a major role in these military victories, including his surprise attack on a Siddi camp near Rewas (near Alibagh) on 19 April 1736, killing about 1,500 Siddis including their leader, Siddi Sat. This raid was major contributor in shattering Siddi morale and their capitulation. Siddis were of African origin and thus bigger and physically more powerful than the Marathas. To close-in with the Siddis and defeat them in hand-to-hand combat speaks volumes of the supreme fitness, training and offensive spirit of the Maratha soldiers. On 25 Sep 1736, Siddis signed a peace treaty, which confined them primarily to Janjira island fort, thereby losing control over the coastal mainland.

Diplomatic Expedition to Rajputana (1735-1736)

Peshwa’s diplomatic dexterity was amply displayed during his diplomatic expedition to Rajputana, accompanied by his wife Kashibai on invitation of Rana Jagat Singh-II, ruler of Mewar. This visit resulted in better understanding with Ranas of Mewar and numerous other rulers of Rajputana. This understanding was to be of immense help later, when Marathas exfiltrated through Rajputana territories after their ‘Raid on Delhi’ in 1737.

Maratha Strategic Cavalry Raid on Delhi and Mughal Capitulation (1737)

During diplomatic parleys, Mughal emperor’s envoy had agreed to grant the Marathas the rights to collect Chauth tax for Six Deccan Subbas. However, the Emperor was dithering in signing the Farman for the same. Peshwa decided to show Mughals what the Marathas were capable of. On 12 Nov 1736, Peshwa Bajirao commenced his march towards Mughal capital of Delhi from Pune with a force of 50,000 cavalrymen. As news reached Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah of advancing Maratha army, he ordered Saadat Ali Khan; along with other Mughal governors to check Maratha advance. Also, he sent for Nizam Asaf Jah’s help. Smarting under previous defeat at the hands of Peshwa in the Battle of Palkhed, Nizam hurried North with his forces.

Peshwa sent an advance guard of 10,000 cavalry under Malharrao Holkar and Pilaji Jadhav (two of his best Generals) to deceive the enemy. This force crossed Yamuna and plundered Mughal territories in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Saadat Khan led a force of more than 100,000 troops against them. As the Maratha forces retreated, Mughals assumed that they had won. But this Maratha force was a feint, designed to distract the Mughals. As per the plan, this Advance guard re-joined Peshwa near Gwalior. While Mughal military commanders sat down to celebrate their victory, unknown to them, Maratha forces slipped through Mughal screens, advancing through Jat territories and present day Mewat region to suddenly appear at the outskirts of Delhi.

Battle of Talkatora. This battle happened around present Talkatora stadium in Delhi on 28 Mar 1737. A Mughal force of around 15,000-20,000 which sallied out to attack was easily destroyed by the Marathas. This was the final straw. Mughal emperor capitulated and agreed to honour his commitments. Magnanimous in victory, Peshwa did not plunder the city and commenced his march back.

Peshwa Bajirao’s Cavalry raid of Delhi covering a total distance of more than 3000 Km (roundtrip) has been matched by only the greatest of cavalry commanders from across the world. Such deep infiltration, numerous battles and exfiltration by a self-contained force of 50,000 Cavalry is an excellent example of Command and Control, intelligence, Operational logistics, professional competence, and military discipline of Maratha cavalry. 200 years later, German Gen Heinz Guderian was talking of the new concept of self-contained Panzertruppen, operating deep inside enemy territory to bring about strategic collapse of enemy will to fight.

Battle of Bhopal (1737-38)

As the Peshwa marched back to Pune, Mughals organised their forces with the aim of intercepting and destroying the Marathas. Nizam Asaf Jah was appointed the overall commander of force numbering almost 1,50,000. As the Marathas moved South, Nizam asked his son to advance with additional forces from Hyderabad. The aim was to crush the Marathas between these two forces in the friendly territory of Nawab of Bhopal.

Peshwa had excellent understanding of terrain and Manoeuvre Warfare. He asked his brother Chimaji to establish a block with 10,000 troops on Tapti River to prevent additional reinforcements from Hyderabad to reach Nizam (many of us would remember the innocuous Block we were expected to mark in our training ‘Battle Appreciation’ map exercises). In a series of manoeuvres, Peshwa trapped Mughal forces; almost three times his own size; in Bhopal. Cut off from supplies, Nizam was forces to surrender for the second time to the young Peshwa.  Nizam capitulated, signing the Treaty of Doraha on 7 Jan 1738. Province of Malwa was formally ceded to Marathas along with indemnity of ` 50,00,000.

This was the third major battle which Peshwa Bajirao won; using Manoeuvre as the key element in his success

This was a landmark victory where an Indian power had decisively defeated a major European colonial power

Defeat of Portuguese in Battle of Vasai Fort: March1737 to May 1739

Portugal had a number of colonies in the Malabar and Konkan coast. These included colonies of Goa, Daman, Diu, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai etc. Fort of Vasai was the hub of Portuguese control in Northern provinces. It was well defended port secured on three sides by sea/creek.

Portuguese Inquisition. On Jesuit Francis Xavier’s request, Inquisition was ordered in Portuguese territories in 1560 and continued till 1820. The aim of this religious tribunal was to suppress heresy, local Hindu and Islamic practices as also target New Christians (converts from Hindus and Muslims) who were suspected of secretly following their old religion. These 260 years were a period of untold horror and religious prosecution for the local Indians. While Indians in the last millennium had developed high threshold for religious prosecution, Portuguese Inquisition took religious bigotry to new lows. Large-scale destruction of places of religion, arrests and tortures, execution of religious teachers of other faiths including by burning alive and forcible conversions made the locals reach out to Marathas for delivering them from the Portuguese prosecution.

Peshwa ordered Chimaji Appa to defeat the Portuguese. Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde and Manoji Angre (Naval commander) were Generals supporting Chimaji. Series of battles continued over two years (1737-1739) in which Portuguese colonies were captured as part of overall Maratha war strategy, till the final battle for Vasai fort. It involved both land and Naval battles. Between Mar-May 1739, Marathas were able to defeat the Portuguese in the final battle of Vasai. This was a landmark victory where an Indian power had decisively defeated a major European colonial power.

In contrast to previous three examples of Manoeuvre battles, this was classic Attrition battle, where Maratha perseverance, offensive spirit and steadiness in attack was amply displayed. Portuguese surrendered on 16 May 1739, thereby losing territories which had been under their control for almost two centuries.

Chimaji was magnanimous in victory, allowing Portuguese to carry their families and movable property with them as they moved out. He also allowed religious freedom to local converts who chose to stay put. This was a fundamental difference between Indians rulers and foreign invaders. While Indian rulers were always magnanimous in victory, the foreign rulers have always been brutality personified, when victors. Cold blooded killing of combat worthy Prisoner-of-War soldiers, taking women and children as slaves, large scale destruction of places of worship and forced conversion was the trademark of all foreign invaders.

Nader Shah’s invasion of North India in Mar 1739 was a major factor in Maratha urgency to conclude operations at the earliest. Peshwa wanted to congregate his forces for operations against Nadir Shah. While Mughals were Maratha’s sworn enemies, but they were fellow Indians. When Nadir Shah attacked, Peshwa wanted to march North to assist Mughals, his fellow countrymen. However, by the time Maratha armies could assemble, Nadir Shah had returned back to Iran. This nationalistic spirit would be displayed again, 22 years later; when Marathas under Bajirao’s grandson Vishwasrao and Chimaji Appa’s son Sadashivrao Bhau would march North to fight Ahmed Shah Abdali, in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. Both would die in this battle. Unfortunately, Marathas have not got their due credit for their selfless Nationalistic service.

Peshwa Baji Rao died on 28 Apr 1740 due to severe fever, not yet 40 years of age!

Epilogue

Four most influential personalities in creating Maratha Swarajya were Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwa Bajirao, Chimaji Appa and Peshwa Madhavrao-I (who resurrected the Maratha empire after Third Battle of Panipat tragedy). They all died very young at 50, 40, 34 and 27 years. What if