Battle of Kunjpura
Part of Afghan-Maratha War
DateOctober,17,1760
Location
Kunjpura,Haryana
Result Maratha victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Durrani Empire
Kingdom of Rohilkhand
Commanders and leaders
Sadashiv Rao Bhau
Ibrahim Khan Gardi		 Najabat Khan (DOW)
Abdus Samad Khan †
Momin Khan †
Mian Qutb Shah Executed[1]
Strength
Unknown, but high Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Kunjpura, fought on October 17, 1760, was a significant engagement during the Maratha-Afghan Wars. Led by the prominent Maratha commander Bhau marched towards Kunjpura, approximately 150 kilometers north of Delhi, due to high floods preventing the transportation of supplies from the Panjab, particularly from Sirhind. This was a significant temptation for Bhau to embark on the journey.

Battle

Bhau, the Maratha leader, traveled approximately 150 kilometers north of Delhi to Kunjpura due to high floods preventing the transportation of supplies from the Panjab, particularly from Sarhind. This was a significant attraction for Bhau to embark on the journey. Bhau arrived in Kunjpura on October 16. Najabat Khan, the governor of Kunjpura, had arranged two lines of defense outside and inside the town's walls. Abdus Samad Khan, the governor of Sarhind, and Qutab Shah Rohilla, a religious preceptor of Najib, led 5,000 men outside the walls. Inside the walls, Najabat Khan commanded 10,000 Afghans.[2] The Marathas encircled them during the night and attacked in the morning on October 17. Both Afghan commanders fought valiantly, but Ibrahim Khan Gardi's artillery heavily bombarded them. Abdus Samad was killed, and Qutab Shah was injured. The remaining Afghans and Rohillas forced Najabat Khan to open a gate to let them in. The Marathas also rushed in simultaneously. The town and fort were immediately taken over.[3] Qutab Shah was brutally tortured to death for his previous act of beheading Dattaji. Najabat Khan passed away due to his injuries.[2] His two sons were apprehended and perished during the Panipat campaign. His third son Daler Khan managed to escape and succeeded his father later on. The Marathas seized an enormous amount of loot, including 64 lakhs of rupees in cash, two lakh maunds of wheat and other provisions, 3,000 horses, many camels, numerous guns, and an abundance of ammunition.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Gupta, Hari Ram (2021-06-13). Marathas And Panipat. Panjab University, 1961.
  2. 1 2 Gupta, Hari Ram (2021-06-13). Marathas And Panipat. Panjab University, 1961.
  3. ↑ Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1957). New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707-1772. Phoenix Publications.
  4. ↑ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005-01-01). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
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