PESHWA BAJI RAO-I 

1.     18 Aug was the 320th birth anniversary of legendary Marathi general Peshwa Bajirao, one of the best cavalry commanders the world has ever  seen. 2020 is also the 300th year of Bajirao being made the Peshwa. Unfortunately, today; this great warrior remains forgotten. This small article is my tribute to this great son of our motherland. 

2.    Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Bhat was appointed Peshwa while not yet 20 years of age. In his military career spanning 20 years, Bajirao never lost a battle. In his military victories, he was ably supported by his younger brother Chimaji appa, and young generals Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, the Pawar brothers, Pilaji Jadhav, and Fateh Singh Bhosle. In the caste ridden 18th Century India, like Shivaji Maharaj before him; Bajirao chose his military commanders from across castes, merit being the only criterion for selection.

3.    Surrounded by enemies all around, Marathis under Bajirao defeated Mughals to the North, Nizam Asaf Jah to the East, Assyrian Siddis and Portuguese to the South West. Few important battles are covered in brief.

 Defeat of Nizam Asaf Jah I in Battle of Palkhed (Feb 1728) 

4.    Nizam Asaf Jah, most powerful Mughal General was the Mughal Governor of Deccan. Supported by his powerful Artilllery, Nizam attacked Chatrapati Shahuji’s territories. Young Peshwa Balaji, displayed military sagacity and understanding of Manoeuvre Warfare unmatched by any other contemporary military leader. Instead of facing the Nizam’s forces, he launched raids into Nizam’s territories in present day Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujrat to draw out Nizam. Confident of easy victory over Peshwa, Nizam followed Bajirao. Moving almost 2000 Km in a short period of 3-4 months, in what Nizam thought was a wild goose chase was actually a carefully laid trap by Bajirao. Bajirao trapped him in a little waterless hilly tract of Palkhed, about 20 miles West of the modern Aurangabad. Cut off from water and food supplies, Nizam was forces to capitulate and sign the humiliating treaty of Mungi-Paithan on 06 Mar 1728. This is one of the finest examples of a smaller force defeating a larger force by using Manoeuvre in battle, while avoiding pitched battle. But a much larger victory employing Manoeuvre War awaited Peshwa Bajirao. 

 Bundelkhand campaign (Mar 1729) 

5.     I have not covered Balaji’s campaign in Budelkhand. I am sure most would have seen the movie Baji-Mastani and have some idea of this battle.

 Campaign against Siddis (1733-36) 

6.    The Abyssinian origin Siddis controlled strategically important territory on the western coast of India. They had expanded their rule to a large part of the central and northern Konkan region. In addition to being threat to fledging Marathi empire, Siddis were also carrying out large scale religious prosecution. Prompted by cries for help from inhabitants of Konkan (Family of Peshwas originally hailed from Konkan), Peshwa launched a series of military and diplomatic campaigns resulting in comprehensive defeat of the Siddis. On 25 Sep 1736, Siddis signed a peace treaty, which confined them to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanvel. Chimaji appa played a major role in these military victories.

 Diplomatic Expedition to Rajputana (1736) 

7.    Peshwa’s diplomatic dexterity was amply displayed during his diplomatic expedition to Rajputana, accompanied by his wife Kashibai. This visit, forming better understanding with Ranas of Mewar and Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur was of immense help to Marathas, when they exfiltrated through Rajputana territories after their ‘Raid on Delhi’ in 1737.  

 Marathi Strategic Cavalry Raid on Delhi and Mughal Capitulation (1737) 

8.    During diplomatic parleys, Mughal emperor’s envoy had agreed to grant the Marathas the rights to collect Chauth tax for Six Deccan subbas. However, the Emperor was dithering in signing the Farman for the same. Peshwa decided to show Mughals what the Marathas were capable of. On 12 Nov 1736, Peshwa Bajirao commenced his march towards Mughal capital of Delhi from Pune with a force of 50,000 cavalrymen. Enroute, he launched minor battles to bring local rulers and territories of Mughals under Marathi over lordship. As news reached Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah of advancing Maratha army, he ordered Saadat Ali Khan; along with other governors to march from Agra and check Maratha advance. Also, he sent for Nizam’s help. Smarting under previous defeat, Nizam hurried North with his forces.

9.    Peshwa sent advance guard of 10,000 cavalry under Malharrao Holkar and Pilaji Jadhav (two of his best Generals) to deceive the enemy. This force crossed Yamuna and plundered Mughal territories in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. Saadat Khan led a force of 1,50,000 against them. As the Marathi forces retreated, Mughals assumed that they had won. But this Marathi force, as per the plan re-joined Peshwa near Gwalior. While Mughal military commanders sat down to celebrate their victory, unknown to them, Marathi forces slipped through Mughal screens, advancing through Jat territories and present day Mewat region to suddenly appear on outskirts of Delhi. 

10.    A Mughal force of around 10,000, which sallied forth to attack was easily destroyed by Marathas. This battle happened around present Talkatora stadium in Delhi on 28 Mar 1737. This was final straw. Mughal emperor capitulated and agreed to honour his commitments. Magnanimous in victory, Peshwa did not plunder the city and retreated back.

11.     Peshwa Bajirao’s Cavalry raid of Delhi covering a total distance of more than 3000 Km in roundtrip has been matched only by the greatest of cavalry commanders from across the world. Such deep infiltration, with self-contained force of 50,000 Cavalry is great example of Command and Control, Operational logistics, intelligence, professional competence and military discipline of Marathi cavalry. Salute! 200 years later, German General Heinz Guderian was talking of the new concept of self-contained Panzertruppen, operating deep inside enemy territory to bring about strategic collapse of enemy will to fight. 

 Battle of Bhopal (1737-38) 

12.    As the Peshwa retreated back, Mughals organised their forces with the aim of intercepting and destroying the Marathas. Nizam Asaf Jah was appointed the overall commander of force numbering almost 1,50,000. As this force moved South, Nizam asked his son to advance with additional forces from Hyderabad. The aim was to crush the Marathas between these two forces in the friendly territory of Nawab of Bhopal.

13.    Peshwa had excellent understanding of terrain and Manoeuvre Warfare. He asked his brother Chimaji to establish a block with 10,000 troops on Tapti River to prevent additional reinforcements from Hyderabad to Nizam (many of us would remember the innocuous Block we were expected to mark in our training battle appreciation map exercises). In a series of manoeuvres, Peshwa trapped Mughal forces; almost three times his own size; in Bhopal. Cut off from supplies, Nizam was forces to surrender for the second time to the young Peshwa.  Nizam signed peace treaty, called Treaty of Doraha on 7 Jan 1738. Province of Malwa was  ceded to Marathas along with indemnity of ₹ 50 Lac. 

14.     This was the third major battle which Peshwa won using manoeuvre as the key element in his success (How many masters of Manoeuvre Warfare have heard and read about Peshwa Bajirao and  his military campaigns?).

 Defeat of Portuguese in Battle of Vasai (Bassein) Fort: Mar to May 1739 

15.    Portugal had number of colonies in the Malabar and Konkan coast. Northern Province included colonies of Goa, Daman, Diu, Thane, Kalyan, Vasai (Bassein) etc. Fort of Vasai was the hub of Portuguese control in Northern provinces. It was well defended port secured on three sides by sea/creek.

16.     Portuguese Inquisition .    On Jesuit Francis Xavier’s request, Inquisition was ordered in Portuguese territories in 1560 and continued till 1820. These 260 years were a period of untold horror and religious prosecution for the local Indians. While Indians in the last millennium had developed high threshold for religious prosecution, but Portuguese Inquisition took religious bigotry to new lows. Large-scale destruction of places of religion, execution of religious teachers of other faiths including by burning alive and forcible conversions made the locals reach out to Marathas for delivering them from the Portuguese prosecution.

17.    Peshwa ordered Chimaji appa to defeat the Portuguese. Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde and Manoji Angre(Naval commander) were Generals supporting Chimaji. Series of  battles continued over two years in which Portuguese colonies were captured as part of overall Maratha war strategy, till the final battle for Vasai Fort. It involved both Land and Naval battles. Between      Mar-May 1739, Marathas were able to defeat the Portuguese in the final battle of Vasai.. This was a landmark victory where an Indian power had decisively defeated a major European colonial power. How many of us have read about this great victory? So much so for our school history syllabus. This campaign should be mandatory reading for any professional military soldier.

18.    In contrast to previous three examples of Manoeuvre battle, this was classic Attrition battle, where Maratha perseverance, offensive spirit and steadiness in attack was amply displayed. Marathas suffered around 22,000 casualties in two years of operations including 5000 casualties in final operations at Vasai. Readers may like to read about number of casualties in 1965, 1971 and Kargil war to get a better perspective of the ferocity of battle. Portuguese surrendered on 16 May 1739.

19.    Chimaji was magnanimous in victory, allowing Portuguese to carry their families and movable property with them as they moved out. He also allowed religious freedom to local converts who chose to stay put. This again is a fundamental difference. While Indian rulers were always magnanimous in victory, the foreign rulers have always been brutality personified when victors. Cold blooded killing of combat worthy prisoner of war soldiers, taking women and children as slaves, large scale destruction of places of worship and forced conversion has been the trademark of all foreign invaders.  

20.     Nader Shah's invasion of North India in Mar 1739 was a major factor in Maratha urgency to conclude operations at the earliest. Peshwa wanted to congregate his forces for operations against Nadir Shah. While Mughals were Maratha’s sworn enemies, but they were fellow Indians. When Nadir Shah attacked, Peshwa wanted to march North to assist Mughals, his fellow countrymen. However, by the time Maratha armies could assemble, Nadir Shah had returned back to Iran. This nationalistic spirit would be displayed again, 22 years later; when Marathas under Bajirao’s grandson Vishwasrao and Chimaji appa’s son Sadashivrao would march North to fight Ahmed Shah Abdali, in Third Battle of Panipat. Both would die in this battle. Unfortunately, Marathas have not got their due credit for their selfless Nationalistic service.

From the Autor

 Epilogue 

21.    In my view, four most influential personalities in creating Marathi Swarajya were Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwa Bajirao, Chimaji appa and Peshwa Madhavrao-I (who resurrected Maratha empire after Third Battle of Panipat tragedy). They all died very young at 53, 40, 34 and 27 years respectively. What if…...?
 Jai Hind! 

 As a third-generation Cavalry soldier, I am fortunate to have spent large part of my childhood, training years and Service life in these parts of Maharashtra, Malwa and Budelkhand, where the great Peshwa, his legendary Generals and intrepid Marathi soldiers once moved at will. 
 Karan  Khajuria