Volume 14: Bajirao's northern expedition & Volume 15: Delhi
Starting in 1730s, Bajirao pushed far north, collecting tribute and establishing ties with the states of Rajputana, and building influence in Bundelkhand.
No.2 - 16th March 1732
Kusaji Ganesh, deputed to the north to send intelligence, reports a fight with Raje Sawai Jaisingh, and an offer by the sardar Udaji Pawar to betray their forces in return for service in Rajasthan.
Shrimant Rajashri Appa from his camp at Hirdenagar, sent Rajashri Narayandas to Surat. Rajashri Malharrao Holkar and Ranoji Shinde were already in Gujarat. News from them, Bundelkhand, Sawaiji, were being sent to me. As news arrived, it was forwarded. Rajashri Malharrao Holkar, Shinde captured Champaner and then returned to Malwa. Sawaiji was at Mandsaur. Our men left their camp behind and made an attack on his camp. He ran short of supplies. Just then, Rajashri Krishnaji Pawar and Udaji Pawar made a proposal to Sawaiji that he will join them and create trouble for us. When we heard of it, we plundered Udaji's camp. We detained some sardars and drove off others. This was followed by a battle with Sawaiji, in which he was defeated, by the Swami's good fortune. He sued for peace, and we negotiated a peace. He agreed to pay 6 lakhs as tribute. Revenue from 28 parganas (sub province) will be paid. Taking this news, we started marching to join Appa Swami.
News from Delhi is that the Patshah has mobilized his army and marched to Agra. We will see what happens. Rajashri Appa Swami has moved to Badoda via Gwalior.
No.22 - 2nd March 1735
Pilaji Jadhav describes some skirmishes with the Wazir.
News here is that the wazir Kamruddin Khan marched on us with 20-25 thousand troops. We fought 2 or 3 battles. We captured 200-300 camels and horses from him. After that, we marched to Pohri-Shivpuri-Kolaras province. The Moghul is on the Narmada. There is a distance of 12 kos between us. We will get our camp and equipment from Bundelkhand and go to Chande in Devgadh province. Please finish the tribute and tax collection soon and its appropriate distribution. Other news will be communicated by Rajashri Sambhaji Jadhav's letter.
Volume 15
The expeditions north, led to a large army being sent north, and a large Mughal army mobilized to counter it. It ended with a raid on Delhi, and the battle of Delhi.
No.17 - 17th April 1737
News from Delhi dated 2 March 1737, of a battle between the emperor's forces and Marathas, sent by the Peshwa's agent at the Nizam's court.
Sadatkhan and the Nawab's letters were received at 2 prahars in the night. It says
"Rajashri Pantpradhan has crossed the Chambal and marched on Faridabad. From there, Agra is only 12 kos. Rajashri Pilaji Jadhav's son and others, with 15,000 cavalry, and Adaru's king with 4 to 5 thousand men crossed the Yamuna. Sadat Khan engaged them with 15 to 20 thousand men. Our men were in the center. To their left was a canal, and to their right was the Yamuna. On the right wing was one of Sadat Khan's sardars and at the center was Sadat Khan's nephew. Advancing 2 kos in the center, the Mughals fought hard and pushed us back. We were unable to move around due to the terrain. Knowing we would be trapped, we rode our horses straight into the river! The Mughals then brought up their artillery and muskets and opened a heavy fire. They killed and injured over 200. They also captured some 500 men and horses who could not escape. Many more died in the river. The remaining survivors made their way back to join Rajashri Pantpradhan's army. The Patshah sent word to Sadat Khan not to be in a hurry and finish the enemy, and that reinforcements with Wazir Azam, Khan Dauran and Bangash will join in. It would be easier to fight with those extra soldiers.
As he had already advanced, he sent a message that the battle had already begun. We cannot wait any longer. A boat bridge has been built on the river. There is still a shortage of 10 boats. We will finish it, cross over with the full army and resume battle tomorrow. Whoever arrives by then can join in the battle, we will let God decide the outcome."
Such is the letter. A battle must have happened. When more news arrives, I will forward it. Maharaj Rajashri Swami's fortune is great. Victory will be ours. Sadat Khan and the Wazir are at 52 kos. They will meet and combine their armies. Be prepared to march soon.
No.37 - 2nd May 1737
Krisknaji Shivdev writes to Chimaji Appa news of Bajirao’s attack on Delhi and his subsequent encounter with the imperial forces at Talkatora on 29th March 1737.
On Vaishak Shudda, Chaturdashi, we are camped at Aurangabad. As per Shrimant Swami's orders, we marched out, and went to Pune. We met Rajashri Antoba. He informed us of the mission for the campaign. We were asked to go to Burhanpur. From there, we went to Aurangabad and met Rajashri Raghopant. Rajashri Raghopant received news that Rajashri Pantpradhan, along with Holkar and Shinde marched on Delhi and sacked some suburbs. Some 7000 men sallied out from the city to oppose them. They fought hard, and 2 senior sardars were killed. We captured 5 to 7 elephants, and 2 or 3 thousand horses. This news is from the moneylenders. The Nizam ul Mulk is at the Narmada. He is going to cross soon. When we get to Burhanpur, I will send news from there. The army is safe so far.
No.47 - 3rd June 1737
Bajirao's Delhi expedition, battles with Sadat Khan and Kamruddin Khan, Mughal sardars.
Rajashri Rao went to Bhadavar and negotiated tribute. Just as the Bhadavar's ruler was going to pay, he got news of the arrival of Sadat Khan, and decided to withhold payment and combine his forces with him. When Rajashri Rao heard of it, he marched the forces into the city and set up batteries at the fort. Then the Raja lost heart and came out to meet us. He agreed to a tribute of 20 lakhs, and paid 15 lakhs immediately. 5 lakhs was taken in the form of promissory notes.
When we got news of Sadat Khan's arrival on the Yamuna, the whole army was formed up. Pilaji Jadhavrao, and Malharrao Holkar crossed the Yamuna and led the advance guard. They clashed with him and routed his force. They even captured some rockets and much of this baggage. Sadat Khan crossed the Yamuna and retreated to a town near Agra. He met Khan Dauran who had been sent with reinforcements.
When we learnt of this, we sent our camp and camp followers back to Bundelkhand, along with the collected treasure and spoils. The army did fast marches to Delhi. It is an ancient city. We were there to negotiate a treaty with its ruler. (referred to here as Yavan, or foreigner.). So we did not destroy the city. But it was necessary to provoke a response, so we set up camp and created disturbances. As we stood, the emperor sent an elite force of 7000, led by Sardar Khoka, Shivsingh, etc. They formed up close to the city, within covering fire. As they got close, to within a kos, we withdrew slowly, drawing them away from the city. Once they were away, they were charged and dispersed. Shivsingh was slain, and Khoka was injured. 500 to 700 horses were captured. We heard Khoka died from his injuries later in the city.
We planned to return to Bhadavar, but Kamruddin Khan stationed himself en route. We engaged and fought a battle. 150 horses were captured along with an elephant. Just then, we received news that both Sadat Khan and Khan Dauran, with their large army, are also closing in, only 6 kos away. As it was almost nightfall, we disengaged from the battle, and leaving Kamruddin Khan behind, went to Bhadavar. The remaining sardars who have been tasked with tax collection will return to Bundelkhand once it is done.
No.53 - 10th August 1737
The Nizam ul Mulk's negotiations and deal with the Mughal emperor is being reported to Bajirao. The emperor had spared no expense, and provided the Nizam, their best general, with all he asked for, in land, soldiers and money.
We have received news from Delhi. The Nawab (Nizam ul mulk) has negotiated a deal with the emperor. He will be made Subhedar of 5 provinces, and 1 crore in treasure. He will prevent us (Marathas) from crossing the Narmada. If possible, even the chauth from Deccan will be cancelled. After his meetings with the emperor, he has made many grand speeches, and has been made the supreme authority within the empire. In the south is one of his sons. Another, Ghaziuddin has been assigned 2 provinces - Malwa and Akbarabad. Of the remaining 3 provinces, Gujarat, Ajmer and Prayag, they will be distributed to their allies.Share