How Marathas repulsed Durrani Invasions (1788-91)
A thread 📜 on the Maratha-Durrani Conflict post-Panipat➡
A thread 📜 on the Maratha-Durrani Conflict post-Panipat➡
The year was 1787, & on the fields of Lalsot, the Marathas faced a rude setback. Maharajah Mahādji Shinde was about to lose his power in Rajputana, which he had strived so hard to establish.
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Sensing a golden opportunity, the dreaded Rohilla warlord, Ghulam Qadir attacked Delhi-Agra and imprisoned the feeble Mughal emperor, Shah Alam II.
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Losing not even a second, Mahādji's greatest rival, Timur Shah Durrani, the feared ruler of Afghanistan and successor of the cruel Ahmed Shah Durrani, matched headed off to India with 120,000 troops, far more than his father had in 1761.
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He was invited by both, the Rohillas & the Rajputs. Marching through Panjāb was going to be difficult owing to the combined Maratha-Sikh defense. Therefore, he tried to seek a new route though Rajputana and Kutch as used by the Arabs almost a thousand years ago.
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However, Mahādji was well-prepared to avert the disaster. The moves on the part of the Marathas have already been covered by @Venkat_author. So, I won't dwell Into them.
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Timur Shah sent an army though Southern Rajputana headed by his able general, Bakshi Maddu Khan and 2K Uzbeks. But, the ruler of Kutch (who was a Maratha vassal) was already prepared for a coordinated defense along with the Marathas like in Panjāb.
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This news greatly exasperated Timur Shah, who at the persuasion of Sindhia's Vakil (who would've indirectly threatened him with the display of power) retreated back to Qābul-Qandahar.
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To avenge his previous humiliation, the Durrani monarch relaunched another campaign in 1791. He sent 15-20K troops along with a succor of 2 regiments to support the Rajput Raja, Vijay Singh of Jodhpur.
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This army may/may not have fought at Patan. But the terrible defeat at Patan for sure had the desired impact. As noted by the eminent British scholar-historian H.G. Keene, "the blow resounded far....stooped Timur Shah's barbaric hordes longing for loot of India".
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This time the Durrani emperor had personally witnessed the might of the ShindeShahi forces and therefore, had made up his mind to retreat back at full speed.
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While retreating back, he fought off a minor skirmish with the Sikh forces. He then set up his camp at Peshawar. The Marathas declared to him that fording the Indus would mean war! Terrified at the aspect of the Marathas launching a counter-offensive...
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the Durrani monarch opened up peace parleys and wrote submissive letters to Mahādi Shinde. He even pledged 10-12K horsemen in service of the Marathas whenever required! "such moves are new....increased prestige of Peshwa"
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the Durrani monarch opened up peace parleys and wrote submissive letters to Mahādi Shinde. He even pledged 10-12K horsemen in service of the Marathas whenever required! "such moves are new....increased prestige of Peshwa"
(11/11)
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