Volume 25: Balaji Bajirao & Nizam
No.104 - 3 February 1751
Newsletter to Peshwa, describing a battle and the death of Muzzafarjung.
Nawab Hidayet Mohiddinkhan started marching from Arcot. When he got to the mountain passes, the Pathans Himmat Bahadur, and Karnal's Abdul Navinkhan and Abdul Majid Khan from Savnur Bankapur, and his son, together had stayed back in Arcot. Together with Chanda Sahib's men, they planned to organize a grand feast, invite Nawab Nasirjung and betray him. When Hidayet Moinuddin Khan learnt of this, he did not go into the city. He marched off from outside the city and retraced his steps. As his army returned, some of his column was plundered. When some of his column was lost, the foreigners in his army demanded that they should face this enemy immediately. As his battalions readied for battle, the enemy Pathans also lined up for battle. A firefight ensued. They had fought several times before as well, but not this hard. This time, the fighting was heavy, and many men fell on both sides. The Pathans fought very well, but God had decided against them, and their army was routed. Himmat Bahadur was beheaded by crown prince Nizam Ali himself. The Savnur Pathan was also beheaded. Himmat Bahadur's diwan Mir Faizullah was also executed. All of their heads were put on spears and exhibited. Himmat Bahadur had fought very bravely in battle, and got close to Hidayet Moinuddin Khan's elephant. But Moinuddin Khan's bullet found its mark. Nizam Ali Khan took his seat. Hidayet Khan has died. He was a good soldier and a sardar. Let us watch to see what happens.
No.149 - 8 December 1752
Vishwasrao Ballal writes to Dinkar Mahadev about the battle of Bhalki.
The Swami's letter has been received. The letter says-
"We marched slowly to the vicinty of Bhalki. We surrounded the Nawab Salabutjung from all sides, and bombarded him with artillery, rockets and jezails. His army could not stand our heavy fire, nor could they face us. They could not find any forage or water. We also outnumbered the Mogul's forces greatly. When Salabutjung realized this, he discussed it with the French, that whatever treaty was settled with Firozjung, the same should be upheld. On Ch 17 Moharmi, we met Nawab Salabutjung and concluded an understanding. There is no further cause for war."
No. 180 - 29 December 1757
Digambar Narayan writes to the Peshwa from the battlefield of Sindkhed about the deployment of their forces.
No. 202 - 21 November, 1759
Report about measurements and map of the fort
No. 210 - 27 November, 1759
Deployment of the Nizam's army
No. 232 - 13 January, 1760
Raghunathrao does not engage the enemy army without orders.
No.245 - 21 January 1760
Battle of Udgir
Yesterday on Sunday, it was a good battle. The Shrimant's armies were everywhere. Even by nightfall, reinforcements keep arriving. After the Swami started firing his cannons, Raja Vitthaldas had charged us. He started asking Hanmantrai to charge the cannons. Hanmantrai replied that it was an unsuitable time, as it was evening. In addition, the Shrimant's army is standing right behind the artillery. We are also outnumbered, and they likely have sorties which can flank us. They were walking slowly as they were discussing this.
Just then, Jadhavrao charged an advance guard of gardis who had held a position and were setting up artillery. The gardis opened a heavy fire. To counter this, Jadhavrao brought fire from dragoons upon the gardis. Khandagale and the Swami's troops engaged in a fight. Raja Vitthaldas, Hanmantrao, Jadhavrao, Murad Khan, Rayan, Shankarji and Sadashiv Narayan and others were all gathered together. They lost about 200 men and horses dead, and another few hundred injured.
It was a good battle. Many men here were full of praise for the army's conduct, and the Swami was pleased that the army was able to execute on all four sides. The losses were sizeable. We were standing for 1.5 prahars. We were ordered not to halt. Finally Sheikh Ali Khan Junaid announced that it was unwise and that we must halt. So we halted only for 1.5 prahars in the night.
No.251 - 23 January 1760
Treatment for injured soldiers.
Tulaji Parau(?) has 3 injured soldiers. I am supposed to send an update regarding them as per orders. I have been asked to keep them at our outpost but it is not possible. I am unable to find 3 strechers (palkhis) to spare. All of them are with the army. There are many men already injured, and more come in every day. How are we going to accomodate them? Ibrahimkhan has been given 8 stretchers. They are unavailable for use to us. No one brings new ones to the camp followers. The Swami should quickly issue new orders for their accomodation and transport.
No.260 - January 1760
Related to the Udgir campaign - describes the damage done by the Maratha artillery from the Nizam's camp.
Today, early in the dawn, we marched. Before we got to Haroli, Bhausaheb was ahead of us. We were one kos behind. Then news arrived, that he has deployed 25-30 cannons and a force of 10 to 12 thousand behind some dry river beds. We stopped our advance, and at the 3rd prahar, the Nawab and Nizam Ali Khan's armies were combined and standing. Just then Bhausaheb's cannons opened fire. The elephants were in the front, and some cavalry ahead of them. One horse was hit directly, which died on the spot. The second shot hit a man, killing him. The cannonballs started flying. The nawab ordered the elephants to retire back. They were posted in the village, where they were protected.
The vanguard was hit by artillery quite a lot. Abdul Khandar's son, Abdul fateh Khan was on an elephant that was hit. He jumped from the elephant and survived. The elephant is still alive, but unlikely to survive. Nizam Ali Khan has received a report that 5-7 men and more horses have died to the artillery fire. The vanguard is under heavy fire. The Nawab stayed at the village, but Nizam Ali went to reinforce the vanguard.
When the reinforcements arrived, our men removed the cannons and retired. One man's hand was grazed by a shot, blowing it off. He was brought to the Nawab. The Nizam awarded him a few Rupees and a horse. A Pathan in the employ of Raja Ramchandra was killed along with his horses. A woman and child in the camp were also hit, as well as one gardi. On the right wing, one artilleryman and one rocketeer were also killed, and a bullock used to tow the cannons. One man's hand was blown off. After erecting some batteries, Nizam Ali retired to his tent. This is the news for the day.
No.263 - January 1760
Raghunathrao's orders during Udgir.
Rockets are to be fetched from Daulatabad.
- Mahipatrao Chitnis, Balkoba, Krishnarao Balwant should gather all the cavalry with Bhausaheb, and stand ready to charge when required. They should stay together. Vithal Shivdeo and Antaji Mankeshwar will also be deployed with them.
- Ganesh Vitthal, Siddi Ambar should screen the big artillery guns. They are not to advance strictly unless ordered to do so. All the gardi infantry must be concentrated and deployed in a single place.
- No wing is to advance until ordered to. Hold your position near your standards.
- Mahadaji Naik, Bangoji Naik, Mane, Patankar are to position themselves on the flank.
- Kesho Govind is to stay in the rear, and secure the camp with his detachment of the paga cavalry.
- Any injured troops retrieved should be sent to the Daulatabad fort.