Volume 3: Janjira campaign
Starting in 1733, was a campaign against the African origin Siddis. Brought as slave soldiers by the Deccan sultanates centueries earlier, they had carved out a small principality for themselves on the western coast. They held very strong forts on the coast and islands, and engaged in piracy and plundering. Over the years, they would receive help from the Deccan sultans, Mughals, Europeans against the Marathas. By the end of this campaign, most of their forts were taken, and reduced to insignificant holdings, eliminating their threat to trade.
No.9 - 24 June 1733
Krishnaji Pawar to Bajirao, writing about fighting at Gowalkot
I am writing about Gowalkot, and the batteries erected against Anjanvel. Batteries at Gowalkot have been erected at 4 places. On Sunday, Navmi, the men went beyond the creek at night and repulsed an attack. They did not make any further attempts. So our men returned. Rajashri Swami had dispatched some equipment from the fort Vasota, it has been received. The baggage from Satara has arrived. Each fort should send one utensil(?) (bhandi - possibly referring to cache of gunpowder) - such has been ordered by Rajashri Pantpradhan, Pantsachiv and Pantpratinidhi. I have also been ordered to send you 5 utensils(?) from Bankot. We will put it to good use while bombarding the fort. The Swami will win the fort. At Anjanvel, Rajashri Jeuba and Angria's men, about 1500 of them and 5-7 cannons have set up batteries on Monday, Dashami, and started bombarding it. Later, I received word from Rajashri Swami, that Rajashri Senapati's (army chief) forces have also been mobilized.
No.38 - 31 July 1733
Mahadaji Purandare to Bajirao, about an attack by the Pratinidhi on Gowalkot.
Rajashri Bakaji Mahadik and Raghunathji marched from here. Rajashri Pratinidhi brought Rajashri Gangadharpant to Vishalgadh. He went beyond the creek to receive him. After 2 praharas, Gangadharpant made a sortie beyond the creeks on the Habshis. The Habshis fled to the fort. When Rajashri Pratinidhi learnt of this, he also joined him. Matchlockmen were deputed to snipe the defenders. The Habshi sent a sortie of 200 men. They attacked strongly and pushed us back. Holding the other side of the creek, the matchlockmen continued to fire at them. The creek has flooded, so our actions are limited.
No.47 - 6 August 1733
Laxmibai to Bajirao about an attack on Gowalkot.
From your letter, I learnt of Rajashri Fatesingh Bhonsle went to Satara. Rajashri Bakaji has arrived here. He has been tasked to guard all roads into this area, and not let anyone pass. It is a good decision. In future, we must continue this policy. Rajashri Shrinivas Pandit is at Shristhal. There were some forces gathered at Chiplun. After their forces combine with Ra. Bakaji, they combined and went to Gowalkot. The garrison sent out a force to engage this and they fought. Our men were repulsed, and some 3-4 had their heads cut off and carried away. They lost only one or two men.
No.59 - 14 August 1733
Sekhoji Angre sends binoculars to Bajirao
Salutations from Shri Sekhoji Angre Sarkhel (Admiral). Binoculars have been procured. If it is necessary, please write to us. In case it is necessary, I am sending my own. There is not much equipment available in this province.
No.69 - 21 August 1733
English are assembling a force to help Siddis.
The English preparations for war are complete. They have planned to move Siddi Sat from Anjanvel to Janjira. From Surat, a force of 1500 has been dispatched, such is the news from Kalyan. Some men have arrived from Surat. They report that the Siddi is at Surat, and that he is sick. There is no new force assembled with him. 3 English ships have arrived near Khanderi fort. But it doesn't appear they will move to Anjanvel. The rest of their force is at Mumbai.
No.137 - 10 December 1735
Bankot falls to Siddis. Chimnaji Appa appointed to command an expedition against it.
Yesterday, news arrived from Pratapgarh about Bankot, which has been dispatched to the Swami. Another report has arrived from Kangori about Bankot. A copy of it has been sent to the Swami. The other letter received has been from the Rajashri Pantsachiv. It said that Baji Bhilara's brother, who was posted at Bankot, has died. Some of his soldiers fled, and reported that Hari Ganesh was injured, and was sent to Shamla(?). Rajashri Swami has read both letters. Rajashri Swami has dispatched Rajashri Subhedar with orders. Rajashri Swami intends to join Rajashri Subhedar and march to Bankot. The Habshi has created a lot of trouble. This matter must be settled. So Rajashri Swami has ordered that Rajashri Chimaji Appa with his elite guard will go into Konkan. Rajashri intends the Swami to go himself. The Swami should decide as suitable. Please write to us after departure. Rajashri has ordered that 3 to 4 thousand men are being sent as reinforcements to Gowalkot to assist.
No.140 - 6 December 1735
Rudraji Kashi writes to Pratinidhi about the fighting at Bankot.
The Habshi has burned Kelshi and Vesvi. The Gallivats (a type of warship) have arrived at Bankot. By making a combined attack, Bankot was captured. Rajashi Pantpradhan's sardar Hari Ganesh, has died. 20 other officers were also slain, along with 200- 300 soldiers. From there, the Habshis have gone to Ambot. Today or tomorrow, they will attack Mahad. The news report says they will capture Mahad by nightfall. If we can spare 500 cavalrymen to be sent immediately to Mahad, we can save it, or it will be lost.
No.145 - 13 December 1735
Report to Chimaji about the garrison at Bankot not having fought properly.
Rajashri Swami received a report from Bankot, it says that the garrison did not fight. As soon as the attack commenced, the men ran away. 25-30 were killed. The one who was sick got injured, and died at Shamla. He was not shot.
No.148 - 14 December 1735
The Siddi is repulsed at Dasgaum by the garrison of Mahad and Khandoji Khopade.
Maharaj Swami's reinforcements have arrived. Santaji Shirke, Huzurat's forces, and Khandoji Khopde have brought jezails, etc and 200 men. Rajashri Pantpradhan's cavalry reinforcements also joined Ra. Chimaji's camp. 12 gallivats and 1500 men of the Habshis arrived within 1.5 kos (4km) of Mahad fort. Keeping a garrison, the huzurat, the sardars of the province, made an attack on this force. We fought for 2 prahars. They were pushed beyond a creek. 20 men have been killed and injured. Among the garrison, Abdullakhan Deshmukh's pathak has 2 men injured. By the Swami's fortune, the remaining men returned safely. We are confident of victory, by the Swami's grace.
No.179 - 22 April 1736
Chimaji Appa writes to sardars about the elimination of Siddi Sat at the battle of Charai.
The Habshis brought the navy and 3 to 4 thousand men and seized the fort of Revas, started ravaging the territory. This news was received at Satara. The elite guard was dispatched against him. Ch. 18 Jilheji (date) Siddi Sat and his force were at Khuski. We intercepted them and fought for 3 prahars. Siddi Sat and his officers were killed. He lost 1500 men killed, rest wounded. More details will be in the letter from Rajashri Bhivrao.
No.188 - 30 April 1736
Progress report on the siege of Gowalkot
I have written earlier about the supplies for the batteries. You have also written on it before. But the supplies have not arrived yet. In addition, 10 jezails, jezail-bardars, carpenters, stone cutters, blacksmiths should be sent. 2 siege cannons, enough shot, powder and 500 men are needed. Please dispatch them after this letter is received. (damaged) must be sent as soon as possible.
No.190 - 2 May 1736
Chimaji writes about the preparations for capturing Gowalkot.
Rajashri Pilaji Jadhavrao has been sent to Gowalkot. After inspecting the siegeworks, he has set up batteries at the creek. The creek is now closed for gallivats. The batteries are placed such that no naval force can send any relief to the fort. He has asked for more men from the Huzurat for the batteries. The Subhedar has set up a battery at Dhamni, it must be strengthened. Trenches must be dug around it on all 4 sides. The Habshis may send a sortie to attack it. I have already written this to the Subhedar. They will act on it accordingly. We will also need 500 more men. Rajashri Pratinidhi has 500 men to spare. The Sarlashkar (commander) and Subhedar have selected an open plain behind the batteries to camp. The gallivats arriving at night have stopped. Whatever Ishwar has decided will come to pass. It is important that Siddi Sat was killed. It is not that these forts will fall into our hands effortlessly. That must still be done. Jadhavrao has written that the battery at Kalusti has been reinforced by men from Rajashri Fatehsingh Bhonsle and Huzurat. They have also camped at Kalusti.
No.192 - 2 May 1736
Chimaji writing about the battle of Charai, where the Siddi Sat was killed.
Siddi Sat, with his full force came to Revas. We attacked and destroyed it. 60 men were in entrenchments, who were killed. Manaji Angre fought a battle. We lost a good officer. (Not Manaji). 2 more engagements were fought. 50-55 men fell on our side among Angre's forces. The Habshi's province was captured and pillaged. He planned to attack Rajkot. Rajashri Sambhaji Angre was already deployed against him. As soon as Rajashri Angre's letter arrived, we immediately marched fast and intercepted his force near Poyna. On the next day, Siddi Sat with his handpicked forces of around 1500 came to the village of Charai. We deployed our men. The Siddis are a brave people. They endured our firepower and came at us boldly. We lost many men and horses, but with the Swami's blessings, the Siddi Sat was killed. Among his officers, Davkod Naik, Subanji Ghatga, Faim, and Balaji Shenvi were killed. We killed some 1200 to 1300 of his soldiers. Rajashri Angre also reached the battlefield in time. His men also joined in the fray, as I have written earlier. Krishnaji Ghatga's death was written about, earlier, but Krishnaji Bodke escaped. The remaining sardars and jematdars were also killed. His son also escaped by diving into the river and swimming away. The Habshis have taken a major setback.