A Proud Maratha

The Maratha Empire had already expanded upto Delhi during the time of Peshwa Bajirao Ballal. Malwa, Gujrat, parts of Bundelkhand and Rajputana were already under the Maratha rule. Bajirao Peshwa was succeeded by his eldest son, Balaji who was also known as Nanasaheb. Nanasaheb had the support of the major generals like Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, Vitthalrao Vinchurkar and Pilaji Gaikwad. One of the major commanders, Raghoji Bhosale was against the Peshwa but that thing was sorted out when Raghoji Bhosale was sent on an expedition to the Eastern province of Bengal. Nana Saheb had a younger brother, Raghunathrao, who was a better commander than most. His cousin, Sadashivrao Bhau was an expert in Civil affairs and administration. Ahmed Shah Abdali In 1756, Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded the Northern regions of India and captured Delhi with support from the Rohilla Chief, Najib ud Daulah. Abdali installed Alamgir II on the Mughal Throne but left the true power in the hands of Naji...

Bundelkhand is the region between present day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The region was initially controlled by the Chandela Rajputs till the advent of Mughal rule after which they remained as nominal chiefs of the area. In the 16th century, Rudra Pratap Singh founded the city of Orchha and became the first Raja of Bundelkhand. Sher Shah Suri tried to take the kingdom but died while besieging the fort of Kalinjar. Later, during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, Bundelkhand was added to the Mughal dominions with the Bundelas serving as generals in the Mughal army. A Map showing Bundelkhand Champat Rai Bundela was a Mansabdar with a command of 12000 men in the service of Mughals. An incident occurred which insulted his pride and he declared independence from the Mughal rule. The Mughals reacted to this with a strong force and in desperation, Champat Rai agreed to surrender and left the fort after the enemy commander guaranteed his safety. But as soon as the...

The Maratha Empire had suffered immensely after the death of Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj. For the next few years, upto 1707, Maharani Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram Chhatrapati, led the guerrilla campaigns against the Mughals and was assisted by generals like Dhanaji Jadhavrao, Santaji Ghorpade, Parshuram Pratinidhi and Balaji Vishwanath Bhat. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shahu, the son of Sambhaji Maharaj was released by the Mughals in 1707. Balaji Vishwanath Bhat rallied the major Maratha chieftains like Dhanaji Jadhav, Nemaji Shinde, Haibatrao Nimbalkar and Khanderao Dabhade among others behind the flag of Shahu Maharaj and as a result Shahu Maharaj was coronated as the Chhatrapati in 1708. For getting the cooperation of Kanhoji Angre, Balaji Vishwanath Bhat became the Peshwa in 1713. In his career, Balaji Bhat achieved many victories by his diplomacy as well as military might. Sadly, he passed away early in 1720. Balaji Bhat was succeeded by his elder son, Bajirao Ballal Bhat...

The Land of India has been the birthplace of many great people. Such a person born in this country was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj is an inspiration, not just for Maharashtrians, but also for the rest of Indians. His life is a reminder of the continuous struggle against foreign oppression and domination. The task which he accomplished was initially limited to freeing Maharashtra from the oppressive rule of the Sultans, but later the small seed of Swarajya which he had sowed in the lands of Maharashtra, germinated and grew into the large tree of The Maratha Empire.      For 300 years, Maharashtra was under the barbaric domination of the Sultans. The natives were tired of suffering under the oppressive rule of the Mughals and the Adilshahi forces. In such troubled times, the people needed a saviour, who would lead them to freedom. And on 19th February, 1630, Shivaji Raje was born on Shivneri Fort. His father, Shahaji Raje Bhosale was a fierce and calcu...

The Third Battle of Panipat was one of the most brutal battles ever fought in India. The battle was won by the Afghans but they didn't stay any longer to consolidate their foothold in India. The North was ripe for the taking but Abdali could no longer stay there. This write-up is an in depth analysis on the Third Battle of Panipat, it's causes and it's consequences. The Maratha Empire had already expanded into Malwa, Bundelkhand, Gujarat, all the way upto the gates of Delhi under the able guidance of Shrimant Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Bhat - The greatest cavalry general, India has ever seen. Bajirao Peshwa had created a generation of capable Maratha commanders like the Holkars, Gaikwads, Pawars and Shindes (Scindhia). The untimely demise of Peshwa Bajirao in 1740 brought a temporary halt to the expansions. Bajirao Bhat was succeeded by his son, Nanasaheb (Balaji Bajirao) who did not have the military talents of his father but was not too bad of a leader. To further our st...