Mahadji Shinde: Anglo Maratha war
This set is a translation of the letters from “Selected Letters of Mahadji Shinde” covering battles from the First Anglo Maratha War fought in the northern theatre, mostly in Malwa, and some in the initial theatre of Gujarat. As the English marched a large force from Bengal all across central India to make junction with Bombay, they were intercepted and stalemated in Malwa by Mahadji Shinde. This force kept receiving reinforcements, while Mahadji received fewer. The English force grew to some 30k+ infantry, hundreds of field guns, yet they did not want to risk it all in one battle, having taken a beating from Mahadji more than once. A loss here would have meant the loss of Bengal, as Mahadji would march unopposed.
Meanwhile, for the Marathas, vacating this crucial province would show Marathi weakness. This meant loss of control on the Mughals, and other tributaries in the north, as well as loss of territories in Bundelkhand. A junction of the forces would make for a very large combined army that would have been difficult to face, and endanger Pune.
Eventually, maintaing such a large force without risking battle drained the East India Company's treasury, and reverses in the Konkan and the army's rout led to the English to sue for peace. A separate post will cover the battles between Raghunathrao, Haripant Phadke- the Peshwai's general and the English in the southern theatre.
No. 84 - 27th February 1780
Fight put up by the garrison at Ahmedabad.
The English marched to Ahmedabad. Rajshri Fatesingh Gaekwad joined them. Rajashri Shinde, Visaji Appaji and Bhagirathrao's forces were sent for its relief.
No. 92 - 7th April, 1780
Appaji Ram writes about an indecisive battle between the English and Marathas near Baroda to Nana Fadnavis.
It has been a month since skirmishes began with the English. Almost every day there is some cannon fire. Few days ago, early in the dawn, the entire English force marched on us. But we knew of their advance 4-5 ghatikas in advance, so we were prepared. For 2-3 ghatikas, there was artillery fire. We lost 10 good men, and another 40-50 injured. They lost 2-3 officers, 30-35 English soldiers and another 100-150 injured. For 2 ghatikas after, it became a general engagement. The fire from their formations was severe, and the ground was unsuitable, with lots of trees. Still, we pushed them back 2 kos. There is no access to water in any direction, so we could not encircle them. Since Fatesingh is on their side, they know minute details of this province, and are able to easily get supplies. We still have the route from Malwa, so we can manage. 2 campoos arrived at Gohad. The Gohad chief left his position and marched out. Ambaji Ingle, Khanderao Hari, and the sarkar's regiments have assembled. But all their baggage has not arrived.
No. 95 - 15th April, 1780
News about fighting.
Gaekwads and the English marched together to Ahmedabad. They captured Ahmedabad- you must have received news of this. In the month of Bhadrapad, I had heard 20k men will be sent to Ahmedabad. If they had done so, we would not have lost Ahmedabad. What has happened, is in the past now. Mahadji is of the opinion that any sardar we can spare should be engaged and dispatched to recapture it. They are awaiting your orders.
No. 98 - 24th April, 1780
Mahadji Shinde attempts a night attack
Mahadji and his subhedars marched on the English today. The sardars were supposed to flank and enveloup the English camp from 3 sides. Unfortunately, both the sardars lost their way. Even after dawn, they had not made contact. The English sent some paltans towards them. In the skirmishing that followed, about 500-700 of our men engaged theirs. We lost 4-5 men from the paga. The English moved camp to near Baroda. We couldnt get any water for 4 prahars. Over the campaign, we have lost 3-4k horse due to logistical shortages of food and water. In the evening, we retired. We were going to make another attack after a day, but the English force marched in the right to Baroda.
No. 99 - 25th April, 1780
More details of the battle - Battle of Savli
Mahadji and Holkar marched with their entire force, and artillery on the English position. Their forces made a frontal attack, while Mahadji led a force in a flank attack to encircle them. They were intercepted by English paltans, and a firefight followed. Mahadji was in the rear, while Holkar was in the front of this attack. Our men were few 500-700, while the English had 2-3 paltans (2-3 battalions, 2-3k). We were forced to retreat, and they seized some camels and horses. The English then moved to Savli, where the fight continued. In the firing, the English lost 40-50 while we lost 10 and many more injured. By now, our horses had not received fresh water for a day. This is a terrible place to fight, there is no water anywhere. In total, we had already lost 3-4k horses. In the midnight, more reinforcements arrived, and in the morning, more cavalry and artillery. They rested for a day then deployed against the English force. However, the English had already marched to Baroda.
No. 136 - 3rd March 1781
Mahadji Shinde writes to Nana Fadnavis about the English defeat at Sironj.
The English were at Sipri. We received that they have moved to Sironj. As soon as we heard this, we marched to Sironj. The English camp was 1 kos south of the town. On the first day, some light skirmishing followed. We pushed their paltans back to their camp. We had a good supply of long range cannons and rockets. The English knew they could not face us in the field. So marching by night, they moved to the town, where they had cover. Using the town as cover, they fire at us and we fire back. We've covered all routes from the town and bombard it daily. In a few days, they will probably surrender or retreat. As soon as this matter is done, my troops will be free to be dispatched to you. I heard Goddard climbed the ghats to the top, and that sarkar's troops and Holkar are already there to face him. The terrain is very rocky, and cavalry is not much of use. Now that he is past the ghats, its open terrain. If the sardars coordinate, his force will be finished. The presence of English troops at the ghats may have caused some panic, but our troops are steadfast. Be bold and strike hard. I will finish this force soon and be on my way.
No. 137, 138 - 7th March 1781
English retreat from Sironj. Comac's force is surrounded. Season too advanced to march into enemy lands.
The English retreated to the cover of the town of Sironj. Every day we bombard it with cannonfire and rockets. We received news that the English will march in the night and retreat from the town. Our force skirmished with his retreating column for 8 kos till Gopalpur/Chanderi. The English lost 300 English soldiers, cavalry, and 2-3 higher ranking officers. We also seized their gunpowder, camels and shot. They made tight closed formations and marched slowly. We surrounded them and shot at them. In a few days this force will be annihilated. I am writing this from the field, I'll write more later.
The English force at Sironj was about 8 paltans ( 8 battalions, 8k men), along with cavalry and artillery - at least 14 field pieces.
No. 139 - 8th March 1781
Sadashiv Dinkar writes about the Malwa battle
If this battle had happened in the Ashwin month, we could have marched to Bengal. Ingle, Bakshi, Vairagi, Gosavi, and the force at Khechi amounts to 28k. But without Mahadji, they won't be able to destroy the (English) battalions. It is good that Mahadji is winning quickly. Are the English battalions at Agra- English troops or Persian? If they are English, be careful when meeting them in battle. Don't let them combine with their other forces. Intercept them and destroy them piecemeal.
No 140 - 21st March 1781
Mahadji harassing the retreating English column
"Goddard with 10 battalions and 30 field guns marched to Khopoli. He kept half his force at the ghats, and descended with the other half into the plains. Haripant and Holkar were at 3 kos distance. They took some field pieces and engaged the enemy. As the English climbed the ghats, Shrimant has moved to Purandar, and the Pune city has been emptied. Parshurampant has also arrived with a force of 12k. In total, there is almost 50k cavalry, and 7k infantry. However, Goddard is not moving from his position into the open plains."
- I received all this news from Naropant.
I was ordered to finish my campaign quickly and join in Konkan. The English have received some reinforcements. They had 8 battalions, and received 2 more from the Raja of Gohad. They have over 10k infantry, and 20 field pieces, and 1k cavalry. As described before, we engaged them in the town, and their retreating column. They lost about 300 dead, more injured. We lost 40-50. He finally reached Mahatpur. Our cannons can't make an impression on them here. They found a lot of grain and water there, though we have cut off any new supply. They may retreat again in a day or 2. If they leave again, we will intercept them again. Gangadhar Govind has written to me that one campoo (10k men) of reinforcements are marching from Kanpur to their relief. We hope to finish this force before they can join.
Engage Goddard at Talegaon. It is suitable ground for our artillery and cavalry. Dont engage piecemeal. Arrange your forces in two lines in the front, and both flanks, since you have numbers.
From Mahatpur, the English marched to Kolaras, where they had a fortified position arleady. The retreating column formed squares, with field guns at each corner as they marched. Due to the uneven terrain, we could not do much. We are hitting them with rockets and cannons, but much depends on the terrain.
No. 142 - 31st March 1781
Zalim Singh from Kota arrives with reinforcements.
Zalim Singh of Kota has arrived in camp today. He has brought with him 4k cavalry, 5k infantry, 6 cannons, 50 shaturnal (rocket launcher) and 10 batches of rockets. Now that we have fresh troops, we are considering an attack.
No. 146 - 7th April 1781
Surprise attack by the English.
The English have received reinforcements. By the time they got to Kolaras, they had lost 500-600 infantry. They entrenched themselves 1 kos from the town. We cut off any supplies of grain to the town. Our cannons were 7 kos behind, while their artillery was in their camp. On the night of Amavasya (new moon), they launched a surprise night attack on us. We got informed by a spy, but not the entire force. So some contingents stayed where they were. Due to the darkness, we could not assemble together. Nor could we find where their battalions are or where they would go. The ones who reached us exchanged fire with us. We ordered our baggage to retire a few kos. Unknown to us, the English had sent some battalions from the rear. The English seized 4-5 cannons. We didnt know of this until morning. We sent some cavalry to give chase, but they were too late. They had already taken the cannons. They tried this the next night again, but seeing that we had not spread out our troops and made a single large camp, they returned to Kolaras. We sent our cavalry to destroy any source of water or fodder in the area around the town, since we cant cut it off entirely. When they run out of supplies, they will be forced to march. The Gohad Raja has sent his vakil. He wants to leave the English and negotiate with us. From Kanpur, 2-3 battalions more have moved to Etwah. No matter, we will intercept them on open ground.
No. 153 - April 1781 ( unknown date)
Mahadji writes about the strength of the English forces.
It is hard for spies to get access to their camp and return. From what we know, they have 6 battalions of English troops, 2 battalions of the Gohad raja, in total 8 battalions ( 8k infantry), 14 field pieces, 3 Gajnal ( elephant rocket launcher), 200 turkish cavalry. From Sipri, they received 2 more battalions and 8 field guns. In addition, they have a few they seized from us. In total, 35-40 field guns and 10k infantry. It seems hard that a force of this size will rout without a pitched battle. I have heard they may move towards Gwalior, as the weather is very hot and dry.
No. 154, 55, 56 - April 1781, 192
Sadashiv Dinakar writes to Nana an update about the English receiving reinforcements.
The English are receiving reinforcements of 3 battalions and 9 field pieces and 5 elephants from Kanpur. They are 8 kos away. The force entrenched at Kolras too has not been defeated yet.
We heard rumours that the Gohad Raja left with his 2 battalions, but we dont know for sure.
The few large siege cannons and elephants they took from us are being kept at a entrenched position just outside the town, guarded by 2 battalions. Bapuji Malhar sent Ambaji Ingle with 2k men to Kolaras. Gosavi also sent 2k men, and Vairagi another 1k. They left from here at 1.5 prahars in the night. They attacked Kolaras and seized one peth (suburb) and burned it. There was brisk cannon fire from both sides. Gosavi lost 25 and Vairagi lost 10. Some bargirs and shiledars also fell. They are camping close to the town, but they dont have any field guns now. The English are firing artillery but to little effect. We are waiting to see if they will march out their infantry.
No. 166 - 20th June 1781
Mahadji congratulates Haripant Phadke, Holkar, for defeating Goddard.
Goddard climbed down the ghat into the plains. Rajashri Haripant's force intercepted him at Khalapur and fought a pitched battle. He took losses and moved to Chauk. On the next day, Haripant, Parshurambhau Patwardhan flanked him, while Rajashri Holkar attacked from the front. He was routed and retreated to Panvel. Another battle was fought there. They took severe losses. They lost 2-3 high ranking officers. We seized one cannon from them. They left a lot of supplies and muskets behind. At Panvel, they have crossed the river and set up batteries on the other side, from where they are fired at us. Our armies closed in. We kept some troops on this side of the river to draw their attention. We kept another 3-4k gardi infantry in the ghats. With the rest of the army, we will move and seize all places between Vasai and Surat. While retreating, he took severe losses, so he is scared to engage again, and went to Panvel.
Let me know what he does- whether he stays at Panvel or retreats elsewhere. Capturing all the posts between Surat and Vasai is a good plan. After its done, station the force at Kondai-bari, to keep an eye on Surat. At present, it is not possible to station a large force in Konkan. Keep the gardi infantry in the ghats, and seal the passes. The army can be stationed at Talegaon. Rajashri Pandurang Raghunath and Rajashri Naro Shivdev must have kept you informed of news from us.
No. 167 - 20th June 1781
Mahadji writes to Nana Fadnavis with advice for strategy on how to deal with Goddard's force at Panvel.
Keeping the river to his front, and a creek behind, Goddard has taken a new strong position with cannons. He has also sailed some ships into the creek for supporting artillery fire. The English have lost a lot- at least 1200 men dead, and over 2000 wounded, and many more who have deserted. In total, 4 battalions have been destroyed, and 4 senior officers killed, and 20 junior ones. Goddard's morale has collapsed, and he is unlikely to fight. Konkan is a difficult place to maneouver or station a force of 50k. A lot of horses have already been lost. Send a force of 10k towards Surat, and plunder any English possessions.