Nanasaheb Peshwa and conflict with the Afghans
If a neighbour’s house is troubled by thieves, we too stay alert and help. The Marathas did this when Delhi was troubled by the Afghans.
Rohillas were Pathans who came from Afghanistan and settled at the foothills of the Himalayas. Their region was called Rohilkhand in the 18th century.
Key idea 1 : Nanasaheb and the situation in the North — After Bajirao I Shahu Maharaj made his son Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasaheb the Peshwa. After Nadirshah’s invasion there was instability in Delhi. The Rohillas had created havoc in the Doab of the Ganga and Yamuna; the Nawab of Ayodhya invited the Marathas to subdue the Rohillas and the Marathas chastised them.
Key idea 2 : Abdali’s invasion and the treaty of 1752 — Ahmadshah Abdali, ruler of Afghanistan, was attracted by the riches of India and marched on the Punjab in 1751. Mughal power was weak; for its own protection the emperor sought Maratha help. In April 1752 the emperor made a treaty with the Marathas: the Marathas would protect the Mughal power from the Rohillas, Jats, Rajputs and Afghans; in return they would get cash, the right to collect chauthai in Punjab, Multan, Rajputana, Sindh and Rohilkhand, and the subhedari of Ajmer and Agra provinces.
Key idea 3 : The Maratha standard on Attock — As per the treaty the Peshwa sent the Shinde-Holkar armies for the protection of Delhi; when Abdali learnt the Marathas were marching he went back. The Rohilla chief Najibkhan could not bear Maratha supremacy in the North; at his request Abdali came again, captured Delhi and returned with booty. Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar went to the North again, captured Delhi, drove out Abdali’s officers and conquered the Punjab. In 1758 they chased Abdali’s soldiers up to Attock and raised the Maratha standard there; the campaign went up to Peshawar. But proper arrangements for the conquered area were not made.
- Easy : Whose son was Nanasaheb? — Bajirao I’s.
- Medium : When was the Mughal-Maratha treaty? — April 1752.
- Exam-type : Where did the Marathas plant the standard in 1758? — Attock.
In the figure: From Abdali’s invasion to Attock.
What happened before The Attock campaign of the Marathas? Abdali invaded Punjab in 1751; the Mughal emperor saw no power other than the Marathas to protect Delhi and so made a treaty with them.
What happened after The Attock campaign of the Marathas? In 1758 the Maratha flag flew at Attock; but as the conquered area was not properly arranged, the way was open for the struggle at Panipat.
51 = Abdali; 52 = treaty; 58 = Attock.
The Marathas did not hold Attock permanently; without arrangements it slipped away.
Memory clue: 51-52-58 = invasion-treaty-Attock.
Spot the difference
| Year | Event | Parties |
|---|---|---|
| 1751 | Abdali’s invasion | Afghans |
| 1752 | Treaty | Mughals-Marathas |
| 1758 | Attock | Raghunathrao-Holkar |
Practice questions
- 1Who were the Rohillas?
- 2State the terms of the treaty of 1752.
- 3Why did the emperor seek help from the Marathas?
- 4What did Najibkhan do?
- 5Who raised the flag at Attock?
- 6Which mistake did the Marathas make about conquered areas?
- 7In which present-day country is Attock?
- 8Write an incident of helping a neighbour.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Pathans who came from Afghanistan and settled at the Himalayan foothills.
- 2Marathas protect Mughal power; they get cash, chauthai rights, Ajmer-Agra subhedari.
- 3No other power could protect Delhi.
- 4Unable to bear Maratha supremacy he called Abdali again.
- 5Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar.
- 6No proper arrangements for the new territory.
- 7Pakistan.
- 8E.g. helped a neighbour during illness.
Dattaji Shinde and Sadashivraobhau
It is easy to stab in the back while pretending friendship. Najibkhan kept Dattaji busy in talks and called Abdali.
Buradi Ghat is a place on the bank of the Yamuna where Dattaji Shinde and Abdali fought.
Key idea 1 : Dattaji’s valour — To get a firm hold on Punjab and crush Najibkhan the Peshwa sent Dattaji Shinde and Janakoji Shinde to the North. Najibkhan kept Dattaji busy in negotiations, contacted Abdali and called him to India. Dattaji and Abdali fought at Buradi Ghat on the Yamuna. Dattaji showed great valour and died a heroic death.
Key idea 2 : Neutrality of northern rulers — Local rulers in the North saw the Marathas from the South as competitors. They did not like Maratha supremacy and interference in the Delhi court; so they stayed neutral. Some orthodox sects saw the Marathas as of another religion and persuaded Abdali to invade and reduce Maratha might. Only Surajmal Jat and Rani Kishori helped the wounded Marathas after Panipat.
Key idea 3 : The campaign of Sadashivraobhau — Nanasaheb sent his cousin Sadashivraobhau and his eldest son Vishwasrao to the North to crush Abdali. Sadashivraobhau was Chimajiappa’s son; he had a huge army and powerful artillery. Ibrahimkhan Gardi was chief of the artillery; he had defeated the Nizam in the battle of Udgir in 1760.
- Easy : At which ghat did Dattaji fight? — Buradi Ghat (on the Yamuna).
- Medium : Whose son was Sadashivraobhau? — Chimajiappa’s.
- Exam-type : Who headed the artillery? — Ibrahimkhan Gardi.
In the figure: From Dattaji’s campaign to Bhau’s.
What happened before The fight at Buradi Ghat? After the victory up to Attock the Peshwa sent Dattaji Shinde to hold Punjab. Najibkhan kept him busy in talks and called Abdali again.
What happened after The fight at Buradi Ghat? Dattaji died heroically at Buradi Ghat (January 1760); afterwards the Peshwa sent Sadashivraobhau north with a big army and artillery. (Sources say 9 or 10 January; check with the textbook.)
The textbook has an incident that Najibkhan’s adviser asked the wounded Dattaji in Hindi whether he would fight more, and Dattaji proudly answered yes. Read the incident in the book. (Sources tell it as a popular account.)
Buradi = Dattaji; Udgir = Gardi; Bhau + Vishwasrao = Panipat.
Sadashivraobhau was not the Peshwa; he was the Peshwa’s cousin and commander.
Memory clue: Dattaji = Buradi; Bhau = Panipat.
Spot the difference
| Leader | Place | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dattaji Shinde | Buradi Ghat | Heroic death |
| Sadashivraobhau | Panipat | Led the campaign |
Practice questions
- 1Why did the Peshwa send Dattaji Shinde to the North?
- 2What trick did Najibkhan play?
- 3Why did northern rulers stay neutral?
- 4Who was with Sadashivraobhau?
- 5Who was Ibrahimkhan Gardi?
- 6Who helped the Marathas after Panipat?
- 7State the importance of Buradi Ghat.
- 8Write four sentences on unity gains and division losses.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1To hold Punjab and crush Najibkhan.
- 2Kept Dattaji engaged in talks and called Abdali.
- 3They saw the Marathas as competitors and disliked supremacy.
- 4Vishwasrao and a huge army and artillery.
- 5Chief of artillery; Udgir 1760.
- 6Surajmal Jat and Rani Kishori.
- 7Dattaji showed great valour and died heroically.
- 8E.g. unity makes tasks easy.
The Third Battle of Panipat
If the captain suddenly disappears in a match the team’s morale sinks. This happened at Panipat when Vishwasrao fell.
The Third Battle of Panipat was fought on 14 January 1761 between the Marathas and Ahmadshah Abdali. The Marathas fought here with the broad view that India is for Indians.
Key idea 1 : How the battle went — In the northern campaign Sadashivraobhau captured Delhi. At Panipat the armies of the Marathas and Abdali faced each other. On 14 January 1761 the Marathas began the battle by attacking Abdali’s army. Vishwasrao fell to an enemy bullet; on learning this Sadashivraobhau attacked the enemy in a frenzy and disappeared in the battle fray. Seeing their leader missing, the Maratha soldiers lost courage. At that moment Abdali’s reserve contingents attacked with fresh vigour and the Marathas were defeated.
Key idea 2 : After-effects of Panipat — A whole generation of young men in Maharashtra was killed and many brave sardars fell on the battlefield. As per the textbook about 1,50,000 people were killed in this battle. A letter describes the loss in a poetic way. Abdali too suffered heavy losses and did not benefit financially.
Key idea 3 : The Maratha viewpoint — The Marathas believed that an outsider like Abdali had no moral right to rule here. Sadashivraobhau in letters to northern rulers explained that all were native to the land and Abdali was an enemy from abroad; but the rulers took a neutral stance. So the Marathas shouldered the responsibility of protecting the country. The textbook says the Marathas were the first in our history to realise that India is one country and all should support the king irrespective of religion.
- Easy : When was the Third Battle of Panipat? — 14 January 1761.
- Medium : Who fell and morale sank? — Vishwasrao.
- Exam-type : About how many were killed? — 1,50,000.
In the figure: The sequence of the battle of Panipat.
What happened before The battle of Panipat? After Dattaji fell at Buradi Ghat, Sadashivraobhau went north with a big army and artillery and captured Delhi. Later he faced Abdali’s army at Panipat.
What happened after The battle of Panipat? After Panipat Maratha supremacy in the North declined for some time; but neither Abdali nor his descendants dared to invade India again. The Marathas later revived their power in the North.
The textbook gives a letter written after Panipat in which the huge loss is described poetically as pearls fallen and gold coins lost. (as per the textbook)
14 January 1761; Vishwasrao fell; Bhau missing.
Panipat did not end Maratha power; the Marathas revived it.
Memory clue: Panipat = 14-1-61.
Spot the difference
| Point | Marathas | Abdali |
|---|---|---|
| Leaders | Sadashivraobhau, Vishwasrao | Ahmadshah Abdali |
| Deciding moment | Vishwasrao fell | Reserve attack |
| Viewpoint | India for Indians | Foreign invader |
Practice questions
- 1When was the Third Battle of Panipat fought?
- 2What happened after Vishwasrao fell?
- 3How were the Marathas defeated?
- 4What loss did Maharashtra suffer after Panipat?
- 5What did the Marathas tell northern rulers?
- 6Why did northern rulers not help?
- 7Why is the Maratha viewpoint called broad?
- 8Write five sentences on ‘learn from failure’.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1On 14 January 1761.
- 2Sadashivraobhau disappeared in the fray and soldiers lost heart.
- 3By the fresh attack of Abdali’s reserves.
- 4A whole generation was killed and brave sardars fell.
- 5We all belong to the land and Abdali is a foreign enemy.
- 6They disliked Maratha supremacy.
- 7Because they protected India irrespective of religion.
- 8E.g. recognise mistakes and try again.
Peshwa Madhavrao and revival of Maratha power
We admire people who work hard and stand up again after a big loss. Madhavrao did this for Maratha power.
Revival means giving strength again to something that had weakened. After Panipat Peshwa Madhavrao and Mahadji Shinde revived Maratha power.
Key idea 1 : Madhavrao’s work — After Nanasaheb his son Madhavrao became the Peshwa. After the Panipat defeat the Nizam resumed anti-Maratha activities and invaded Maratha territory; Madhavrao defeated him at Rakshasbhuvan near Paithan. Hyder Ali, Sultan of Mysore, took advantage of the Maratha defeat and attacked their territory in Karnataka; the Marathas defeated him in the battle of Moti Talav near Srirangapattan. He agreed to cede the region north of the Tungabhadra to the Marathas.
Key idea 2 : A welfare-minded administrator — Madhavrao was an honest, hard-working, determined administrator keen on public welfare. He paid special attention to the welfare of farmers; he dug many wells in Pune and increased the city’s water supply. Administrators like Nana Phadnavis and judges like Ramshastri Prabhune emerged in his time. He reformed the judiciary for better justice to common people; he started artillery and ammunition factories and a mint to make coins. He died in 1772; it was an irreparable loss to the Maratha State.
Key idea 3 : Supremacy in the North again — The Maratha prestige in the North had suffered a setback because of Panipat. Madhavrao dispatched Mahadji Shinde, Tukoji Holkar, Ramchandra Kanade and Visajipant Biniwale to re-establish Maratha rule in the North. The Maratha army defeated the Jats, Rohillas and Rajputs and restored Emperor Shah Alam to the throne, taking Delhi under its protection. Neither Abdali nor his descendants invaded India again; Malharrao Holkar, Ahilyabai Holkar and Mahadji Shinde had a major share in this. Narayanrao and Sawai Madhavrao did not live long; Raghunathrao sought shelter with the British and this led to a Maratha-British war. Hyder Ali died in 1782 and Tipu Sultan in 1799 fighting the British.
- Easy : Where did Madhavrao defeat the Nizam? — Rakshasbhuvan.
- Medium : When did Madhavrao die? — 1772.
- Exam-type : Who restored Shah Alam to the Delhi throne? — The Marathas.
In the figure: From Madhavrao’s victories to Tipu’s death.
What happened before Madhavrao’s victories? After Panipat the Nizam invaded Maratha territory and Hyder Ali the Maratha territory in Karnataka.
What happened after Madhavrao’s victories? Madhavrao defeated both and sent Mahadji Shinde and Tukoji Holkar to re-establish Maratha power in the North; the Marathas restored Emperor Shah Alam to the throne.
As per the textbook Madhavrao dug many wells in Pune and started a mint and artillery-ammunition factories; Nana Phadnavis and Ramshastri Prabhune emerged in his time.
Madhavrao = Rakshasbhuvan + Moti Talav; 1772 death.
Madhavrao was not the Peshwa at Panipat; he became the Peshwa afterwards.
Memory clue: Madhavrao = wells + mint + justice.
Spot the difference
| Enemy | Battle place | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nizam | Rakshasbhuvan | Nizam defeated |
| Hyder Ali | Moti Talav | Land north of Tungabhadra to Marathas |
Practice questions
- 1When did Madhavrao become the Peshwa?
- 2Between whom was Rakshasbhuvan fought?
- 3What was the result of the battle of Moti Talav?
- 4What did Madhavrao do for farmers?
- 5Which two famous persons came up in Madhavrao’s time?
- 6Why did Mahadji Shinde go to the North?
- 7What effect did Madhavrao’s death have on the Maratha State?
- 8Who was Tipu Sultan? Write three sentences.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1After Nanasaheb’s death.
- 2Between Madhavrao and the Nizam.
- 3Hyder Ali agreed to cede the region north of the Tungabhadra.
- 4Dug wells and increased the water supply.
- 5Nana Phadnavis and Ramshastri Prabhune.
- 6To re-establish Maratha power in the North.
- 7It was an irreparable loss.
- 8Sultan of Mysore, skilled warrior, scholar and poet; died in 1799 fighting the British.