History

Maratha in Rajasthan

The rise of Maratha in the 17th century is an important event in Indian History. There were many causes of their rise. The geographical situation, Bhakti movement, literature and language, the dominant influence of the Hindu power as well as the Deccan policy of the Mughal emperors – all contributed significantly to the rise of the Maratha power. Shivaji united together the fragmented Marathas scattered in different parts of Maharashtra. He organized them and created an independent state. This led to the direct Maratha – Mughal confrontation. A number of Rajput rulers were sent to the Deccan a Mughal commanders and this resulted in the first phase of Rajput-Maratha contacts.

The Rajputs were first exposed to Maratha’s during the time when Aurangzeb sent Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur and Jai Singh of Amer was sent to Deccan to subdue Shivaji. They failed in the process but admired Shivaji’s spirit for independence, his concern for preserving Hindu culture and his fight against all odds with Aurangzeb. However, much of these interactions were limited to Deccan territories till Marathas under great Peshwa Baji Rao-I, started on an aggressive expansion campaign.

When the Marathas were trying to gain foothold in Malwa, Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur extended clandestine support. Sawai Jai Singh’s pro-Maratha policy was motivated by his desire to drive away the Mughals from Malwa with the help of the Marathas and then extend his own territories upto Malwa.

By the end of 17th century the decline of Mughal power carved out sufficient space for new empire. A new strategy of systematic expansion towards north began with Bajirao taking over as Peshwa in 1720.

A.D. Peshwa Baji Rao decided to overrun and bring under control the rich and flourishing provinces of Malwa and Gujarat. The province of Malwa was a part of the Mughal Empire and Sawai jai Singh of Jaipur was regularly appointed as Subedar of Malwa. Sawai Jai Singh inflicted some initial defeats to Marathas but it failed to control the Maratha expansion and Malwa began to slip under Maratha domination.

Maratha raid in Rajasthan

Maratha penetration in Rajasthan started with sporadic raids in states of Kota, Bundi, Mewar and Marwar. In 1726 Baji Bhim raided Mewar arid realized Chauth from a Mewar district, in 1728, Bajirao forced the rulers of Dungarpur and Banswara to pay to him. They followed the route from the Mukandara Pass and across the Chambal from Malwa via Hadauti and from Gujarat via Idar and Jalore.

One reason was that they were looking with covetous eyes at Malwa and Gujarat and hence considered Maratha power as a stumbling block in their hope of exploiting the declining Mughal power. Marwar wanted to occupy Gujarat, and Amber had an eye over Malwa. Another reason was that the powerful Marathas would then turn to grab the states of Rajasthan particularly Mewar, Bundi, Kota and Marwar. This was a danger signal to the Rajputs too thus Malwa and Gujarat became vital and sensitive points in the defence strategy of the Mughals, and the survival of the empire and independence of neighboring Rajput states were very largely dependent on effective and timely protection of these border provinces. Hence was felt the necessity of appointing there a governor like Sawai Jai Singh of Amber who was considered a suitable vassal price for dealing with the Marathas – both as a diplomat and also as a general. So he was appointed the governor of Malwa. Jai Singh testified his appointment by his brave and vigorous resistance against and victories over the huge Maratha army in May 1715. But the effect of these victories proved short lived. Soon after Sept. 1715 Mai Singh was summoned to the court and was entrusted with the task of suppressing Jats. For the next two years he remained completely engrossed in the Jat campaign. His prolonged absence from Malwa encouraged the Marathas to resume their raids into that province. His campaign against the Marathas proved abortive.

A new strategy of Maratha expansion began with Bajirao taking over as Peshwa in 1720 A.D. Now the systematic expansion towards north became the definite and declared policy of the Marathas. In accordance with this policy in 1723 he made an incursion into Malwa, collected Chauth, which deeply hurt the Mughal Empire. The ambition and security of the princes of Rajasthan received its first set back in 1724 when the Marathas attacked the boundaries of Mewar, Maharana Sangram Singh II of Mewar sought the help of other rulers of Rajasthan to ward off Maratha attacks. This we learn from a “Kharita” written on 25th Nov. 1724 by him to Jai Singh, The Maharana wrote that the “Deccanis always created disturbance in his territory and they would not give up their habits unless they were properly chastised.” This appeal of Maharana did not bear any fruit. The Marathas began their attacks on Rampura, Kota and Bundi too. These raids gave a foretaste of the calamities to the Rajasthan princes. Hence Maharana sought the help of Emperor against the Marathas. However, it seems that the Mughal Emperor did not take these attacks with the seriousness it deserved. Sangram Singh and Jai Singh also apprised the Nizam with the situation regarding the Maratha raids into various parts of Rajasthan. Not having succeeded in securing any assistance from either the Nizam or the emperor, jai Singh tried to involve Kota and Jodhpur in a military organization. These moves of the Rajputs princess naturally alarmed the Marathas, so Shahu sent his two officers, Gopalpant and Appa ji Pant, in Mewar to discuss the whole matter with the Maharana.

Battle of Mandsaur

In 1732, Jai Singh was appointed the governor of Malwa for third time. At the beginning of 1733, Malhar Rao Holkar and Ranoji Shinde managed to encircle Jai Singh at Mandsaur in Malwa. Maratha forces cut off ‘grain and water supply’ to Jai Singh’s camp, forcing him to negotiate peace and agree to Maratha demands. He was compelled to pay 6 lacs in cash and promised to cede 38 parganas in lieu of Chauth. Once Malwa came under Maratha domination, Jai Singh failed to control Peshwa’s territorial ambitions further north.

These remedies were ineffective to beat back the Maratha expansion. They continued to extort wealth from Mewar and other adjoining areas of Rajasthan. In 1726 Baji Bhim visited Mewar arid realized Chauth from a Mewar district in 1728, Bajirao forced the rulers of Dungarpur and Banswara to pay to him. In this way Marathas raids continued. There are some letters which show that when Chhatrapati Shahu’s attention was drawn towards these raids, he directed his sardars not to interfere in the territories of Mewar and Amber. It appears that these letters did not have the desired effect and the raids continued. In the mean time the Maratha raids endangered the Mughal emperor no less than the Rajputs. Strategically and from the security point of view Malwa became an important focal point for the Mughal Empire and Rajasthan. Role of Maratha in Bundi

Marathas established Malwa as their base. It served as a convenient starting point for raids into Rajputana. However, Maratha’s penetration into Rajputana is attributed to the internal affairs & policy of Rajputs. Sawai Jai Singh was keen to enhance his position in Rajasthan and expelled Budh Singh to put his own son in law, Dulel Singh on the throne.

  1. Budh Singh turned to seek the support of an external power stronger than Jai Singh. According to Vamsh Bhaskar, Pratap Singh Hada, the elder brother of Dalal Singh, was sent to Poona to meet the Peshwa and the other prominent Maratha sardars to enlist military support for Budh Singh.
  2. Holkar restored the authority of Budh Singh. However, soon after the Maratha forces departed, Jai Singh again expelled Budh Singh and reinstalled Dulel Singh on throne.
  3. Rao Ummed (Omeda, as per Col.Tod) Singh was 13 years old at time of his father Budh Singh’s death. Ishwari Singh succeeded Jai Singh at Jaipur.
  4. Ummed Singh revolted against Dulel Singh and was aided by Rao Durjan Sal of Kota. Ummed Singh captured Taragarh and seated on throne of his father.
  5. Dulel Singh fled to his suzerain at Jaipur and Isharwari Singh disposed forces to re-expel the Hada Ruler. Ummed Singh was soon compelled to abandon the throne.

The widow of Budh Singh and mother of Ummed singh paid a visit to Malhar Rao Holker. Consequently, Holker send forces and delivered Bundi to Ummed Singh. He continued marching towards Jaipur to reach castle of Bagroo. After a siege of 10 days, Ishwari Singh was forced to sign a deed for surrender of Bundi and Ummed sign was seated on throne for second time. Malhar Rao demanded and obtained the district of Patan for his services.

Hurda Conference

The Rajput leaders soon realized that Mughal power was incapable of resisting the Maratha expansion and decided to hold a conference at Hurda to discuss terms of a united Rajputana front against the Marathas. Hurda conference saw in attendance Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur, Maharana Jagat Singh of Mewar, Abhay Singh of Jodhpur, Dulel Singh of Bundi, Durjan sal  of  Kota,  Zorawar  Singh  of Bikaner, Gopal Singh of Karauli, Raj Singh of Kishangarh and Bakhat Singh of Nagaur.  After prolonged deliberations, an agreement was signed on 17th July 1734.

Bajirao’s Visit to Rajasthan

When the Jaipur ruler realized that his influence was on the decline he summoned the Maratha agent and told him that he sincerely desired to protect the Maratha interest but was unable to do that. Hence Baji Rao visits North India along with his army. He promised to bear daily expenses of the army.

Under these circumstances, Baji Rao decided to visit north India. ‘It was a good opportunity for the political study also. He started on his mission in the month of October 1735 from Poona.

  1. Rajasthan was terrified by Holkars ravages during 1734 – 35. They already had the taste of the arson and looting.
  2. People had believed that the Marathas were invincible. Peshwa’s visit, therefore, cast the shadow of gloom on Rajasthan.
  3. The Peshwa reached Udaipur after visiting Dungarpur and Loniwara. Maharana Jagat Singh received him well and made the arrangements of his stay in Champa Bagh. He also arranged a ‘Darbar in his honour.

After the preliminary formalities the talks started regarding ‘Chauth’, Sada Shiv, a Maratha agent sent by the Poona ruler, tried hard to get land from Mewar in lieu of Chauth. ‘The Maharana showed signs of determination. Ultimately he had to agree to set apart the revenue of the Paragana of Banera. From Udaipur Bajirao proceeded to Jaipur to meet Jai Singh. On the way he visited Nathdwara. He reached Bhambhola near Kishangarh by way of Jahazpur, where on 8th March meeting between him and Jai Singh took place.

The Jaipur ruler and the Maratha representatives had stressed for the need for an agreement with the emperor who could not formulate a definite policy. Looking to the circumstances, Peshwa was advised by the Jaipur ruler to return to the south. As he had not a big commanding army, he adhered to the advice and went back to the Deccan.

At the time when the Peshwa was engaged with Mewar and Sawai Jai Singh, Maharao – Holkar and Ranoji Scindia reached Merta via Shahpura. Abhay Singh was in Delhi but he sent Vijay Raj Bhandari, one of his army leaders, to face the Marathas. Rathore armies, therefore, assembled at Merta. Shahpura’s Umed Singh also reached here with his four thousand soldiers to help the Rathores. Holkar besieged the city; after two months, Bhandari got himself free by paying money to the Marathas.

The result of the Peshwa’s visit was that the Rajasthani rulers accepted Maratha supremacy. An important change took place in connection with the Maratha – Rajput relations: Rajput states starting paying taxes to the Marathas.