Maratha raid of Ahmednagar (1657)
Part of Mughal–Maratha Wars
DateLate March - 31 May 1657
Location
Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India
Result Mughal victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Shivaji
Minaji Bhonsla
Kashi		 Nasiri Khan
Iraj Khan
Multafat Khan
Mirza khan
Strength
3,000 cavalry 3,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
Many were killed Unknown

The Raid of Ahmednagar took place in 1657, when the Marathas led by Shivaji penetrated as far as Ahmednagar in hopes of supporting the Bijapur Sultan. The raid, however, was repulsed.

Background

After his independence, Shivaji maintained peace with the Mughals and the Adil Shahi dynasty. After the death of Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur, the Mughal prince, Aurangzeb, began preparations for an Invasion of Bijapur and tried to lure the Adil-Shahi nobles to join the Mughal ranks, in the meantime, Shivaji attempted to negotiate with Multafat Khan, the Mughal governor of Ahmednagar to join the Mughals if they recognized his newly-conquered forts from the Adil Shahi Sultanate, however, The vague promises of favor and protection and the response made by Aurangzeb could not satisfy Shivaji. Meanwhile, in an attempt to divert the Mughal invasion, the Adil-Shah offered Shivaji better terms in exchange to raid Mughal territories which Shivaji accepted.[1][2][3]

Raid

in late March 1657, Aurangzeb's forces were concentrated at the Siege of Bidar. Two Maratha leaders, Minaji Bhonsle and Kashi, at the head of 3000 horses raided the Mughal villages of Chamargunda and other subdivisions, wreaking havoc which alarmed the guards at the gates of Ahmednagar.[4] Meanwhile Shivaji who was raiding Junnar in the north, scaled its walls during the night and sacked the city after killing its guards, carrying 300,000 hun in cash, 200 horses, and much costly clothing and jewelry,[5][6][7] The success of the Maratha raiders was due to the negligence of the local Mughal officers, upon hearing these raids, Aurangzeb took measures and reinforced Ahmadnagar district.[8]

The Mughal officers Nasiri Khan and Iraj Khan were stationed in the district with a force of 3000 cavalry, and his movements were slow, On 30 April he entered the Pargana of Beed and four days later marched towards Ashti, thus showing a great delay in his march.[9] Meanwhile the Mughal General, Multafat Khan alongside Mirza Khan left Ahmednagar and relieved the village of Chamargunda, defeating Minaji on 28 April. However, the Marathas continued to rove about the parganah for some time longer. However, both generals followed up their victory and at last cleared the Chamargunda subdivision.[10]

Meanwhile, Shivaji stayed in the Junnar subdivision for some time, until he heard of upcoming reinforcements. When they arrived in the area, he retreated to Ahmednagar and began plundering it. On 31 May, Nasiri Khan reached the scene, he surprised Shivaji's army and nearly encircled it. Many of the Marathas were slain, many wounded, and the rest put to flight. However they were not chased as the Mughal horses were exhausted.[11][12][13] Aurangzeb then ordered his generals to counter-attack and raid Shivaji's territory. However, the rains were heavy with the full violence of the monsoons, and the campaign was over, Shivaji then retreated to his own kingdom and the Mughal officers fell back to their stations.[14][15][16]

References

  1. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, Shivaji and his times, p. 55
  2. ↑ Manoj Dole, Great Kings in The World, p. 8
  3. ↑ Jeneet Sorokhaibam, Chhatrapati Shivaji, The Maratha Warrior and His Campaign, p. 52-3
  4. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 56
  5. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 57
  6. ↑ Manoj Dole, p. 8
  7. ↑ Jeneet Sorokhaibam, p. 53
  8. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 57
  9. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 57-8
  10. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 58
  11. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 58
  12. ↑ Manoj Dole, p. 8
  13. ↑ Jeneet Sorokhaibam, p. 53
  14. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath, Sir, p. 60
  15. ↑ Manoj Dole, p. 8
  16. ↑ Jeneet Sorokhaibam, p. 53
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