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Mahadaji Shinde

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Mahadji Shinde
Meherban ShrimantSardarShindeBahadur
Naib Vakil-i-Mutlaq
Amir-ul-Umara[1]
Maharajah of Gwalior
Mahadaji ShindebyJames Walesc.1792
RajaofGwalior
Reign18 January 1768 — 12 February 1794
Coronation18 January 1768
PredecessorManaji Rao Shinde
SuccessorDaulat Rao Shinde
Naib Vakilof theMughal Empire
Term1784 — 12 February 1794
EmperorShah Alam II
PredecessorMadhavrao II
SuccessorDaulat Rao Shinde
Born23 December 1730
Ujjain,Gwalior State,Maratha Confederacy
(modern-dayMadhya Pradesh,India)
Died12 February 1794(1794-02-12)(aged 63)
Shinde Chhatri,Pune,Maratha Confederacy
(modern-dayMaharashtra,India)
Spouse
IssueBala Bai
Chimna Bai
Names
Shrimant Madho (Madhoji) Rao Shinde
HouseShinde
FatherRanoji Rao Shinde
MotherChima Bai
ReligionHinduism
Military career
Service/branchMaratha Army
Gwalior
RankSar-i-Naubat /Senapati
Sarnobat
Shiledar
UnitMarathaInfantry
MarathaCavalry
MarathaArtillery
Pindaris(irregular)
Battles/wars
See list
SignatureMahadji Shinde's signature

Mahadaji Shinde(23 December 1730 – 12 February 1794), later known asMahadji ScindiaorMadhava Rao Scindia,[2]was aMarathastatesman and general who served as theRaja of Gwaliorfrom 1768 to 1794. He was the fifth and the youngest son ofRanoji Rao Scindia,the founder of theScindia dynasty.He is reputed for having restored the Maratha rule over North India and for modernizing his army.[3]

Mahadji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power in North India after theThird Battle of Panipatin 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of thePeshwa,leader of theMaratha Confederacy.Along withMadhavrao IandNana Fadnavis,he was one of the three pillars ofMaratha Resurrection.During his reign, Gwalior became the leading state in theMaratha Confederacyand one of the foremost military powers in India. After accompanyingShah Alam IItoDelhiin 1771, he restored theMughal Empirein Delhi and became the Naib Vakil-i-Mutlaq(Deputy Regent of the Empire).[4]Mahadji Shinde's principal advisors were all Shenvis.[5]

Mahadji Shinde Fought about 50 Battles In His Lifetime against various opponents. He defeated theJatsof Mathura and during 1772-73PashtunRohillasinRohilkhandand capturedNajibabad.His role during theFirst Anglo-Maratha Warwas greatest from the Maratha side since he defeated the British in theBattle of Wadgaonwhich resulted in the Treaty of Wadgaon[6]and then again in Central India, single handed, which resulted in theTreaty of Salbaiin 1782, where he mediated between thePeshwaand theBritish.

Battles in Rohilkhand

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Sindia by Robert Mabon c.1798

The Marathas invadedRohilkhandto retaliate against the Rohillas' participation in thePanipatwar. The Marathas under the leadership of Mahadji Shinde entered thelandofSardarNajib-ud-Daula which was held by his sonZabita Khanafter the sardar's death. Zabita Khan initially resisted the attack with Sayyid Khan and Saadat Khan behaving with gallantry, but was eventually defeated with the death of Saadat Khan by the Marathas and was forced to flee to the camp ofShuja-ud-Daulaand his country was ravaged by Marathas.[7]Mahadji Shinde captured the family of Zabita Khan, desecrated the grave ofNajib ad-Dawlahand looted his fort.[8]With the fleeing of the Rohillas, the rest of the country was burnt, with the exception of the city of Amroha, which was defended by some thousands ofAmrohi Sayyidtribes.[9]The Rohillas who could offer no resistance fled to the Terai whence the remaining SardarHafiz Rahmat KhanBarech sought assistance in an agreement formed with the Nawab ofOudh,Shuja-ud-Daula, by which the Rohillas agreed to pay four million rupees in return for military help against the Marathas. Hafiz Rehmat, abhoring unnecessary violence unlike the outlook of his fellow Rohillas such as Ali Muhammad and Najib Khan, prided himself on his role as a political mediator and sought the alliance with Awadh to keep the Marathas out of Rohilkhand. He bound himself to pay on behalf of the Rohillas. However, after he refused to pay,Oudhattacked the Rohillas.[10][11]

First Anglo Maratha War (1775–1782)

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Main article:First Anglo-Maratha War
A mural depicting the British surrender during the First Anglo-Maratha War. The mural is a part of the Victory Memorial (Vijay Stambh) located atVadgaon Maval(Off NH-4, Malinagar,Vadgaon Maval,Pune).

After the defeats of the able British generals, Goddard and Murre inKonkanandCentral India,respectively,Warren Hastingswas forced to accept a fresh treaty, known as theTreaty of Salbai,recognizing the terms of the Marathas, which were to recognizeSawai Madhavraoas the Peshwa and grantRaghunathraoa pension.[12]The treaty also forced the British to evacuate and return to Shinde all his territories west of theGanges.A resident, Mr. David Anderson (1750-1825), of St. Germains[13](who had negotiated the treaty) was at the same time appointed to Mahadji's court.

In 1787, Mahadji attempted to invadeRajputanabut he was repulsed by theRajputarmies atLalsot.However, he regrouped his forces and in 1790, he avenged his defeat by crushing the Rajput kingdoms ofJodhpurandJaipurin the battles ofPatanandMerta,thus capturing all of Rajputana.[14]

Following theSecond Anglo-Maratha Warin 1806,Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellingtondrafted a treaty granting independence to the Sikh clans east of theSutlej Riverin exchange for their allegiance to the British GeneralGerard Lakeacting on his dispatch.[11][15]At the conclusion of the war, the frontier ofBritish Indiawas extended to the Yamuna.

Relations with the Mughals

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Shah Alam IIspent six years in the Allahabad fort and after thecapture of Delhiin 1771 by the Marathas, left for his capital under their protection.[16]He was escorted to Delhi by Mahadaji Shinde and left Allahabad in May 1771. During their short stay, Marathas constructed two temples in the Allahabad city, one of them being the famousAlopi Devi Mandir.After reaching Delhi in January 1772 and realising the Maratha intent of territorial encroachment, however, Shah Alam ordered his generalNajaf Khanto drive them out. In retaliation,Tukoji Rao HolkarandVisaji Krushna Biniwaleattacked Delhi and defeated Mughal forces in 1772. The Marathas were granted an imperialsanadfor Kora and Allahabad. They turned their attention to Oudh to gain these two territories. Shuja was however, unwilling to give them up and made appeals to the English and the Marathas did not fare well at the Battle of Ramghat.[17]The Maratha and British armies fought in Ram Ghat, but the sudden demise of the Peshwa and the civil war inPuneto choose the next Peshwa forced the Marathas to retreat.[18]

Mahadji Sindhiawas deputed theVakil-i-Mutlaq(Regent of the empire) of Mughal affairs in 1784.[19][20]

The Maratha-Sikh treaty in 1785 made the small Cis-Sutlej states, autonomous protectorate of theScindia Dynastyof theMaratha Confederacy,[21]asMahadji Sindhiawas deputed theVakil-i-Mutlaq(Regent of the empire) of Mughal affairs in 1784.[22][23]

  • Planquin gifted to Shinde from Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II at Jai Vilas Palace Museum, Gwalior
    Planquin gifted to Shinde from Mughal EmperorShah Alam IIat Jai Vilas Palace Museum,Gwalior
  • Seals authorizing Mahadji Shinde as Wakil-i-Mutalik of the Mughal Empire
    Seals authorizing Mahadji Shinde asWakil-i-Mutalikof theMughal Empire
  • Badshahi Panjaa - Hand, a dignity conferred upon Mahadji Shinde by the Mughal Emperor
    Badshahi Panjaa - Hand, a dignity conferred upon Mahadji Shinde by the Mughal Emperor

Later years (1789-92)

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Shinde Chhatri,Wanawdi,Pune:A memorial dedicated to Mahadji Shinde

In 1788,Isma'il Beg,aPersianwho served as a general in the Mughal army along with a few hundred Mughal-Rohilla troops led a large-scale revolt against theMarathas,who dominated North India at the time. The reason for this revolt is unknown but most suspect that he was trying to resurrect theIslamic gloryinNorth Indiaand depose theHindu Marathas.However, the revolt was immediately crushed and Isma'il Beg was defeated and executed by the Scindian armies. Thereafter, a Rohilla warlord namedGhulam Qadir,descendant of the infamously treacherousNajib-ud-Daualhand an ally of Isma'il Beg, captured Delhi, capital of the Mughals and deposed and blinded the Mughal emperorShah Alam II,placing a puppet on the imperial throne. He unleashed untold atrocities on the royal family and common populace, slaughtering thousands and looting about 22 Crores. However on 2 October 1788, Mahadji Scindia, upon hearing this news, quickly re-assembled his army and captured Delhi, torturing and eventually killing Ghulam Qadir and restoring Shah Alam II to the throne.[24][25][26]

He worked with the English during the revolt of 1781 and played an important role in capturing Maharaja Chait Singh of Benares and crushing the revolt[27]

Another achievement of Mahadji was his victory over theNizamof Hyderabad.[citation needed]

After the making peace withTipu Sultanof Mysore in 1792, Mahadji is said to have exerted his influence to prevent the completion of an alliance between the British, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Peshwa against Tipu.[citation needed]

Spouses

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Mahadaji Scindia entertaining British officers with anautch

Shinde has a total of nine wives including:

  • Annapurnabai (fromNimbalkarfamily ofBeed)
  • Bhavanibai (from Ghatage family)
  • Parvatibai (Sister of Narsingh Ghatage)
  • Bhavanibai (from Mhaske-Deshmukh family ofSangamner)
  • Gangabai (from Palavekar family)
  • Radhabai (from Padamsinh Raul family)
  • Bhagirathibai (from Kardekar family)
  • Yamunabai (from Ramling Raul family)
  • Lakshmibai (from Bhope-Kadam family ofTuljapur,Osmanabad)

Death and legacy

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After the Battle of Lakheri, Mahadji was now at the zenith of his power, when he died, at his military camp at Wanavdi near Pune on 12 February 1794. He left no male heir, and was succeeded byDaulat Rao Scindia.

Keeney, the English biographer of Mahadaji Shinde, has described Mahadaji asthe greatest man in India in the 18th century.[28]Mahadaji Shinde's role was instrumental in establishing Maratha supremacy overNorth India.

Shinde Chhatri,located in Wanawadi, inPuneis a memorial dedicated to Mahadji Shinde. It is a hall that marks the spot of Mahadji Shinde's cremation on 12 February 1794. The three storied memorial in Rajput architectural style, is one of the most significant landmarks in the city.

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  • In the 2019BollywoodfilmPanipat,based on the third battle of Panipat, where Mahadji was injured, his role was played by Sanjay Khapre.

See also

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References

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  1. ^Page 334,A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century, By Salma Ahmed Farooqui, Publisher: Pearson Education India, 2011,ISBN8131732029
  2. ^The title of his 1905 biography in theRulers of India series-Wikisource transcription project
  3. ^Rathod, NG (1994).The Great Maratha(1 ed.). Sarup & Sons.ISBN9788185431529.
  4. '^Vakil-i-Mutlaq(Regent of the Empire)
  5. ^Rathod, N. G. (1994).The Great Maratha Mahadaji Shinde - N. G. Rathod - Google Books.Sarup & Sons.ISBN9788185431529.Retrieved21 July2012.
  6. ^Athale, Colonel Anil A (12 January 2018)."How a Maratha general defeated the British".Rediff News.
  7. ^Edwin Thomas Atkinson (1875).Statistical, Descriptive and Historical Account of the North-western Provinces of India: Meerut division. 1875-76.p. 88.
  8. ^The Great Maratha Mahadji Scindia by N. G. Rathod p.8-9
  9. ^Poonam Sagar (1993).Maratha Policy Towards Northern India.Meenakshi Prakashan. p. 158.
  10. ^Jos J. L. Gommans (1995).The Rise of the Indo-Afghan Empire: C. 1710-1780.Brill. p. 178.
  11. ^abWellesley, Arthur(1837).The Despatches, Minutes, and Correspondance, of the Marquess Wellesley, K. G. During His Administration in India.pp. 264–267.
  12. ^Rathod, N.G.The Great Maratha(1 ed.).Swarup & Sons.pp. 20–27.
  13. ^Burkes Landed Gentry: Anderson of Northfield
  14. ^Chaurasia, R. S. (2004).History Of The Marathas - R.S. Chaurasia - Google Books.Atlantic Publishers & Dist.ISBN9788126903948.Retrieved26 May2012.
  15. ^Wellesley, Arthur(1859).Supplementary Despatches and Memoranda of Field Marshal Arthur, Duke of Wellington, K. G.: India, 1797-1805.Vol. I. pp. 269–279, 319."ART VI Scindiah to renounce all claims the Seik chiefs or territories" (p.318)
  16. ^A. C. Banerjee; D. K. Ghose, eds. (1978).A Comprehensive History of India: Volume Nine (1712–1772).Indian History Congress,Orient Longman.pp. 60–61.
  17. ^Sailendra Nath Sen (1998).Anglo-Maratha relations during the administration of Warren Hastings 1772–1785, Volume 1.Popular Prakashan.pp. 7–8.ISBN9788171545780.
  18. ^Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam (1947).History of Modern India: 1707 A.D. up to 2000 A.D.
  19. ^Ahmed, Farooqui Salma (2011).A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid... - Farooqui Salma Ahmed, Salma Ahmed Farooqui - Google Books.Pearson Education India.ISBN9788131732021.Retrieved21 July2012.
  20. ^Chaurasia, R. S. (2004).History of the Marathas.Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 13.ISBN9788126903948.
  21. ^Sen, Sailendra Nath (2010).An Advanced History of Modern India.ISBN9780230328853.By Mahadji Shinde's treaty of 1785 with the Sikhs, Maratha influence had been established over the divided Cis-Sutlej states. But at the end of the second Maratha war in 1806 that influence had been pass over to the British.
  22. ^Ahmed, Farooqui Salma (2011).A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid... - Farooqui Salma Ahmed, Salma Ahmed Farooqui - Google Books.Pearson Education India.ISBN9788131732021.Retrieved21 July2012.
  23. ^Chaurasia, R. S. (2004).History of the Marathas.Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 13.ISBN9788126903948.
  24. ^Sarkar 1952,p. 323.
  25. ^Malik 1982,p. 565.
  26. ^Sarkar 1952,pp. 329–330.
  27. ^Sampurnanand, Dr.चेतसिंह और काशी निवासियों का अंग्रेजों से युद्ध.Varanasi+Delhi: नागरीप्रचारिणी सभा.
  28. ^Page 156,The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia, By N. G. Rathod, Publisher: Sarup & Sons, 1994,ISBN8185431523,9788185431529

Further reading

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  • Dalrymple, William (2019).The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company(Hardcover). New York: Bloomsbury Publishing.ISBN978-1-63557-395-4.
  • Hunter, William Wilson, Sir, et al. (1908).Imperial Gazetteer of India,Volume 12. 1908–1931; Clarendon Press, Oxford.
  • Keene, H. G.The Fall of the Moghul Empire of Hindustane-text
  • Karkare, Neelesh Ishwarchandra (2013).Shreenath Madhavji: Mahayoddha Mahadji Ki Shourya Gatha.Gwalior: Neelesh Ishwarchandra.ISBN9789352670925.
  • Karkare, Neelesh Ishwarchandra (2017).Tawaareekh-E-ShindeShahi.Gwalior: Neelesh Ishwarchandra.ISBN9789352672417.
  • Karkare, Neelesh Ishwarchandra (2013). [श्रीनाथ माधवजी: महायोद्धा महादजी की शौर्यगाथा / प्रथम संस्करण / प्रकाशन वर्ष - २०१३ / लेखक:- पण्डित नीलेश ईश्वरचन्द्र करकरे] / (Research book) Shreenath Madhavji: Mahayoddha Mahadji Ki Shourya Gatha/ First Edition
  • Malik, Zahiruddin (1982). "Persian Documents pertaining to the tragic End of Ghulam Qadir Rohilla, 1780–1789".Proceedings of the Indian History Congress.43:565–571.ISSN2249-1937.JSTOR44141288.
  • Markovits, Claude (ed.) (2004).A History of Modern India: 1480–1950.Anthem Press, London.
  • Mishra, Amitabh (1 January 2007). Heritage Tourism in Central India: Resource Interpretation and Sustainable Development Planning. Kanishka Publishers, Distributors. p. 42.ISBN978-81-7391-918-3.
  • Sarkar, Jadunath(1952).Fall of the Mughal Empire.Vol. III (2 ed.). Calcutta: M. C. Sarkar & Sons.
  • "Mosque and Tomb of the Emperor Sultan Mahmood of Ghuznee". British Library. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  • 101 pilgrimages. Outlook India Pub. 2006. p. 79
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toMahadaji Scindia.
Mahadaji Shinde
Regnal titles
Preceded by Maharaja of Gwalior
1768–1794 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahadaji_Shinde&oldid=1228753831"