Volume 21: Balaji Bajirao's northern campaigns
No.24 - 27 January 1750
Naro Samraj reports a battle between Ishwari Singh and Madho Singh. Khanderao Holkar was an ally of Madho Singh.
The Ranaji's army and Shree ji's army fought a battle from 29 Mahe Sunday at 2 prahars till Monday evening. The Shreeji's army was victorious. Madho Singh's standard, flags, and ceremonial drums, artillery and even elephants were captured. The Ranaji's army fled. The Shreeji's army followed them. Many important sardars were killed in battle. Rajashri Khanderao Holkar and Bhopatram Charne from Bundi were on one side. When the battle began, they joined forces and attacked Shreeji's camp. Narayandasji had deputed some Shekhawats for the defense of the camp. He routed this attacking force. But the camp was still plundered. Among the Ranaji's men, Bharat singh is said to have done admirably.
More news was requested from Vidyadharji. He replied that you removed my amil (clerk/ tax collector) and deputed yours. You should retire your men. We do not get enough even for our expenses. The situation is unsettled. More news will be sent later.
(Remaining letter is about administration.)
No.78 - 1755/56
A list of all the Maratha administrative regions and their officers in charge. The prant is a top level province. Pargana is smaller, and talukas and mahals even smaller.
Tax provinces in Hindustan and their appointees-
Prant
Bundelkhand - Govind Ballal
Bhovras - Meghashyam Bapuji
Antarved - Bapuji Mahadeo, Antaji Mankeshwar, Gopalrao Ganesh, Govind Ballal
Bundelkhand and other mahals- Hari Vitthal, Meghasham Bapuji, Gopalrao Bapuji
Parganas
Shahbaz - Vitthal Shivdeo
Gwalior - Vitthal Shivdeo
Durab - Shivaji Vitthal
Kalabag - Trimbak Hari
Berse - Ragho Govind
1 Mahal - Naro Shankar
Shevde- Naro Shankar
Ucchad - Dhondo Narayan
Udaipur - Govind Krishna
Bhilsa - Ragho Govind
Chanderi - Harbaji Krishna, Sadashiv Damodar
Indore- Gopal Keshav, Moro Raghav
Taluka Ubari - Ramchandra Govind
1 Mahal - Vishwasrao Lakshman
Samkheda - Sadashiv Trimbak
Mahal Jagjivan Pawar
Narwar - Satvoji Jadhavrao
Ashti - Vishnu Mahadeo
Kapwai, Ranod - Dhondo Krishna
Kuroli Madrayel - Baji Sakhdev
Udaipur , Basod - Bhagwantrao Anant
Khechiwada - Vishnu Mahadev
Sambhalgad - Manohar Konere
Sevhdhe - Bhikaji Na. Raste
Mandale - Mahipatrao Keso
Taluka Umbari pargana Guna - Pandurang Krishna
Forts Madve and Songadh
Prant Ahirvada - Gopal Keshav
Total 37
Chanderi - Hari Damodar
Prant Malwa - Jankoji Shinde
Pargana Sirsa Pandoji , Jankoji Shinde
Prant Bundi - Jankoji Shinde
Pargana Patan - Keshavrai
Bizravan fort and villages- Jankoji Shinde
Pargana Ashti - Vishnu Mahadev
Pranta Malwa - Krishnaji Pawar
Pargana Khutavad - Mahadaji Ambaji
Jalali Bilsad - Bhagwantrao Anant
Akbarapur - of Birbal (unsure if printed correctly)
Saver and Sujyalpur -
Prant Malwa - Malharji Holkar
Fort of Gwalior- Gopalrao Ganesh
Pargana Reva Mukundpur - Manaji Paygude
No. 77 - November 1755
Details of a battle with the forces of Marwar and Jaipur.
No.92 - 2 December 1761
Chinto Krishna reports the battle of Mangrol , fought between Holkar and Madho Singh.
From Antarved province, we came to Ujjain. We were going to march home. Just then Madho Singh's army marched and displaced our administration in Hadoti province. Rajashri Subhedar took us with him. Marching slowly via Kota, we met them near Mangrol, in the Hadoti province. Along with his army were the Kachhwa army led by Rajsingh, and the diwan Nandlal. His total force was around 12,000 cavalry. In addition, he had field guns, rakhales (horse artillery) , and camels with rockets. On Ch 1 jali, when we had 4 ghatikas left in the day, we came close. Till nightfall, there was artillery and musket fire from both sides. For 4 prahars in the night, both sides stood mounted on their horses, fearing an enemy attack. The next day, the battle raged from dawn to dusk. The Kacchwas' force was routed. His camp, camels, horses were all captured. Many of his senior sardars fell wounded or dead. Only 100-200 got away. God has granted a great victory. By this, we have secured our position in Hindustan. I was on the left wing. Our government has come into possession of 100-200 good horses, as well as many camels. I will calculate and send a compiled list of our dead and wounded later. Rajashri Malharrao's left wrist was grazed by a bullet. By the Swami's fortune it was a light wound. There is no need to worry.
No.93 - 2 December 1761
Khanaji Jadhavrao to Sakharampant, describing the battle of Mangrol.
Rajashri Madhosingh arrived at Hadoti with a force of 10-12000 and laying waste to it. Rajashri Subhedar and me marched to face this Kacchwa force. The battle went on for a whole day. Their army was routed. We captured their entire artillery train and baggage. Of their force of 10,000 , only 400 got away. Otherwise their force was utterly destroyed. God has granted a great victory. Our position in Hindustan is now secured. The Kacchwas had marched with great morale and a large force, with the intention to push us out entirely to beyond the Narmada. By divine will, he was defeated. Rajashri Mallharrao has a bullet injury on his left hand. But it is a light wound. But there is no cause for worry, God will take care of it.
No.94 - 5 December 1761
Khanaji Jadhav writes more details of the battle of Mangrol.
Rajashri Madhosingh marched with a force of 10-12000 and set up batteries to bombard Nenva. To face him, Rajashri Subhedar (Malharrao) and me marched with 5 to 6 thousand cavalry. We met Akheram Pancholi from Kota. He joined us with a force of 3 thousand more. The Kachwas learnt of our march. They came to the Hadoti province and started plundering it, and turning out our tax collectors. We intercepted them on 1 Jamadil and stood for 8 prahars. On the next day, after a pitched battle for 4 prahas, the Kachwa force was routed. Many senior officers were slain. Only 200-300 got away, everyone else was slain. 2 elephants, the entire artillery, jezails etc was captured.
(The remaining letter has the same content as above.)
No.99 - 10 February 1757
Antaji Mankeshwar writes about his battle with Abdali near Faridabad.
"No sardar has arrived from the south. Once Antaji is pushed out of Faridabad, the furthest administrator we will have is in Malwa. What is the news about the doab?"
- with such news, Abdali's son and his wazir with 50,000 troops marched on. On Magh Shudh 14 Chaturdashi, Wednesday, they reached Faridabad, 10 kos from Delhi in 3 armies. They reached at 2 prahars in the day. This is the news sent by Bapuji Hingane to us. At 2 prahars, the 3 armies surrounded us on 3 sides. There was no possibility of an immediate retreat. We already had many injured and sick men in our retinue. About 7 thousand fighting men. Knowing the danger, we formed lines and fought for 1.5 prahars. From all sides, we were bombarded by all types of projectiles. Anyone in the camp who could fight in any way was armed and sent to the front. Any words I can write about how hard they fought will fall short, and feel impossible.
By now, we had lost 700-800 horses to bullets and swords. 700-1000 men had fallen, many more injured. We came close to jauhar. In total, over 1000 were slain. We could not retrieve their corpses for proper cremation. Until 4 prahars of daylight, the fighting continued. Our dragoons (karols) killed 400 horses of Abdali, and in addition, 800 Pathans of his elite guard lay on the ground. This slowed their attack, and knowing the danger we were in, we started retreating. For 2 kos, they continued behind us, then as darkness fell, they retired. While retreating, we lost another 200-300 horses and camels.
Our army was ruined. In 4 days, we reached Mathura with the rest of the camp. Raja Suraj Mal himself came to meet us with 500 cavalry. Previously, I had requested him many times to send his army with us to fight Abdali. He replied in clear words that -
"The Iran's Patshah (Nadir Shah) had taken Delhi's throne with an army of 50,000. Not one power in the land fired a shot and put up any resistance. Who am I to get involved? It is improper for me to get into protracted campaigns. It is your greatness that you have fought as you have."
Abdali also exclaimed that if he had faced 20,000 Marathas today, the day may have turned out differently. Among the Hindustanis, one lakh flee before 5000 of Abdali's troops. But the Swami's troops fought him hard, not just this time but even earlier. It is now known in Hindustan that the Marathas are the true fighters. Even if Abdali and the Rohillas band together in a vast army, the Marathas will face them. Suraj Mal returned to his capital. From Agra to Delhi, the region is desolate and devastated. Abdali is now in Delhi. He has sent an advance guard with his son to march on us, he is 25 kos from Delhi. Letters have been sent to Suraj Mal asking for tribute and submission. Suraj Mal has informed us -
"I will not meet anyone, nor seek battle. Vakils have been sent to discuss revenue sharing. The negotiations are for nominal sums of a few lakhs for courtly expenses. If the Maratha army reaches here in time from the south, I will not send him anything. Instead, I will gladly help your army. If no Maratha force arrives in 15 days, I will pay him something."
I am at Mathura. We are separated from them by 25 kos. In the doab, he did not send even 5 cavalrymen. With his army facing us, we are considering going to Agra. As we are here, as well as Suraj Mal, all of Abdali's attention is here instead of the doab. If any of our men have turned sides in the doab, I have not received news yet. Balaji Govind, Dhondo Dattatray, Trimbakrao Shivdev in the doab are at 70 kos from Delhi. Samsher Bahadur and Naro Shankar have ruined my province of Gwalior, and are on the banks of the Chambal. I have been writing about this situation for 2 months. For 20 days, I have been writing about Abdali's presence and his army. But I was mocked in response, asking where is his army? I was blamed for raising alarm needlessly.
It was not a personal matter. Hindustan's patshahi is the Swami's. Our rule must be upheld. Any noble house that has a stake should take it seriously. Besides my force of 10-12 thousand, every one else did nothing. My force and my lands are devastated. By now, it will be 15 days since Abdali's presence. I have a duty to perform, to avenge the thousands of my men who fell in battle. Not even 5 men of Hindustan have died for Delhi's patshahi. It is why I am not retreating beyond the Chambal. I have not given up hope nor courage. Until Shrimant's arrival, I will stay here. The Shrimant should not misunderstand me.
After our battle, Abdali went to met the Mughal patshah Alamgir. He told him -
"The Marathas in your land are traitors. They slew thousands of my elite guard, and their horses. Despite being few, they slew a thousand. They dared to fight us. Even if you stay on good terms, they will dominate you. It will be a Marathi patshahi, not yours. They are traitors to Hindustan. You have met me without battle. I have spoken nicely for your needs. But it is of no use."
Any who were declared traitors and informers were punished. The houses of the nobles were dug up for treasure. Khankhana wazir was imprisoned with a demand of 10 million rupees. Even Najib was imprisoned.
Bapu Hingane (the Maratha vakil at Mughal court) was threatened and made to promise 3 million. He accepted their demands, paid a small amount upfront, and escaped from Delhi on Sunday. We just got this news today. Some of his clerks have already arrived here. Gajdikhan's havelis were dug up and some gems were found, enough to require 2 horses to carry it. Everyone else was imprisoned. We have nothing left to lose. When all this is over, perhaps I can ask for some compensation to restore all I have lost.
No.116 - 23 April 1757
Vasudev Dikshit writes to the Peshwa about the death of Abdali's son at the hands of the Jats and Sikhs. (The force was plundered, but Abdali's son did survive, the news was incorrect.)
Nagarmal, Nawab Salabutjung's vakil, sent some messengers to Aurangabad. This news is sourced from them. They reported that the Pathan's son, (Abdali's son) was carrying plundered treasure. At a distance of 100 kos from Delhi is a place called Sinad. Setting out from Sinad, Ala Jat and Nanakpanti Sikhs ambushed destroyed the Pathan force at Maverkot, in Lahore subah. All their treasure was looted. Abdali's son was slain, and his army's baggage was captured as well. When Abdali got word of it, he immediately marched to the place. Suraj Mal jat has gathered his cavalry, and is following Abdali's forces. Gajdikhan with the 2 Mughal princes has separated from them. Such is the news received.
No.181 - 24 January 1760
Gangadhar Yashwant, Holkar's diwan reports the defeat of Dattaji Shinde's army and his death.
From Jaipur, we marched to Delhi to face the Afghans. Before we reached, Jankoji Shinde and the Afghans fought a battle, and Dattaji fell in battle. Rajashri Jankoji retreated and we met him on the route. What God has willed, came to pass, could not be prevented. The Afghans must be hit hard soon. We have sent back our camp and camp followers. The combination of Rohillas and Afghans has created a massive force, and they are in high spirits. They must be faced soon. By the Swami's good fortune, may our enemies be defeated.
No.182 - January 1760
Jankoji Shinde to Sadashivrao Bhau, writing about their battle with the Afghans and Dattaji Shinde's death.
On Ch.20 , near Delhi, we crossed swords with the Afghans. The doab Rohillas and Najib Khan's army was also with them. We fought hard. At the time, Rajashri Dada (Dattaji) was hit by bullets but he continued fighting. God had determined it be so. I was also hit by a bullet on my left bicep. It was a close call. We retreated and with the camp followers, came to Kotputli, where we met Rajashri Malharbaba. Keeping the camp followers ahead, we dispersed into smaller groups to retreat. As soon as this letter is received, you are requested to mobilise the army immediately and send it here.
No.185 - 8 February 1760
Ganesh Sambhaji writes to the Peshwa about the clash with Abdali near Delhi.
We were at Sironj when we got news of Abdali's return to Delhi. Shinde was marching to face him. His force was dispersed to find the enemy army. For the past 3 to 4 months, there were regular skirmishes with the Rohillas. Abdali joined in. The camp followers had already been asked to stay back. They were spread out and kept in the rear. The Yamuna had flooded. On its bank, the trees were dense. A horseman could barely see another, in the thick shrubbery. The ground was marshy. Dattaji bravely pushed ahead with a small force. He happened to fall upon the Afghan artillery. They fought for the next 4 ghatikas. Abdali lost several high ranking officers. But as fate would have it, Dattaji was hit by a bullet and fell. Our army started routing, but Jankoji steadied it and reformed the line. They fought on for 4 more ghatikas. By now, he was also hit by a bullet in his left shoulder blade. Taking fire from 3 sides, they retreated. The Afghans pursued. It was a heavy loss. Rajashri Malharrao and the Jats had signed a treaty with Madho singh and marched to us. They met Jankoji's force, which had retired 40 kos. Sending the camp followers to Gwalior, they combined and decided to return to Delhi. Yesterday we received news that Abdali and the Rohillas combined their armies and faced this force. Many men fell on both sides. Finally, Abdali decided to return to Lahore. We also fell back.
No.188 - 14 March 1760
Raja Keshavrao, writing to the Peshwa about the situation, and recommended course of action.
I am writing from Jhansi on 25 Rajab. Previously, I had sent a few letters earlier which must have informed you about the battles between Jankoji, Malharrao and Abdali. Malharrao and others sacked Sikandarabad, which was Najib Khan's province. Abdali marched and came upon their rear. We retreated via Mathura, crossed the Yamuna and took shelter with Suraj Mal. Gangadharpant Tatya was still near Sikandarabad with a smaller force. They skirmished with Abdali's forces. Gangadharpant also retreated to Suraj Mal. Abdali and the Rohillas combined their armies. Their numbers are enormous, as is their artillery. So it is hard to face them with our cavalry. Without engaging, we are awaiting reinforcements from the south. Only after more forces join us, that we will decide the outcome in battle. Najib Khan Rohilla, and all the others have joined Abdali at Murabad in Barreli province. More reinforcements are marching from Kabul. The Maharaj should face this force soon without delay. Whoever is deputed must be given a vast amount of European style artillery and firepower. This is an enemy not to be taken lightly. The Jats, Madhosingh and Shuja, are all afraid of him. Dattaji Shinde has already been lost. This is why, their pride has grown. No other army is willing to face him.
Malharrao tried to plunder his lands. But these are not like the Mughals. They march longer, and fight harder. The Delhi's patshah has already fallen. The Mughal rule has disappeared. But one crown prince is at Patna. There is no possibility for him to march to Delhi and take charge. It is unknown if Abdali plans to bring him there and crown him. But he has no need of it. We have the patshahi in our hands, yet we can do nothing yet. The Rohillas say the Mughal rule is over, and that Pathan rule has begun. The only ones they hate as well as fear, is Maharashtra. They have heard of our victory over the Mughals in the south. (the campaign of Udgir). They are greedy and speak of marching south. So long as Maharaj has soldiers in Hindustan, they will not dare march south. Only when our men can no longer hold on, will they grow bold enough. All efforts to send reinforcements must be made soon. If not, all our presence from the doab and bundelkhand will disappear. There is unrest everywhere, and the administrations of Lahore and Delhi have already been displaced. By capturing lands yielding almost 10 million, he has grown even stronger.
No.192 - 20 October 1760
The capture of the strategic fortress of Kunjpura, north of Delhi.
I am writing from Kunjpura. Abdul Samad Khan and Qutub Shah were slain. A battle took place. About 500-700 men are injured and dead on our side. Kunjpura was seized along with all its provisions and treasure entirely. A sizeable hoard has been found. We are ready to face the Afghans. We will defeat them too, there is no need to worry. The Shrimant's fortune is sufficient. Samad Khan had posted a force of 10,000 here. They attacked once fully. We slew their entire force of 10,000. We captured 4 to 5 thousand horses.
We could not collect any taxes earlier, but we can pay some now. Mahadaji Baravkar was given devadnya(?).