Battle of Nesari
| Battle of Nesari | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Maratha—Bijapur sultanate war | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Maratha Empire |
 Bijapur Sultanate Mughal Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Prataprao Gujar †Anandrao |
Bhalol Khan Khizr Khan Diler Khan | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
6-7 Bodyguards under Prataprao 1200 under Anandrao | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Prataprao and his 6-7 bodyguards were cut down i.e killed on 24 February 1674 | |||||||
In February 1674, Prataprao Gujar, Shivaji's commander-in-chief, was killed in a failed attack on Bahlol Khan's camp at Nesari. Hambirrao Mohite succeeded him in April 1674. During this period, Anandrao avoided direct battle with the Mughal leaders Diler Khan and Bahlol Khan, who unsuccessfully pursued him. Anandrao raided Pench, a city in Bahlol Khan's territory, and defeated Bahlol Khan and Khizr Khan near Bankapur. Anandrao looted their camp, capturing significant spoils. Following this, Anandrao returned to Balaghat to continue his raids.[1][2][3][4]
Background
[edit]The Maratha army arrived at Umarrani within two days and cut off the enemy's water supply. According to Basatslin-us Salatin, the Marathas, numbering between 10,000 and 15,000, surrounded Bhalol Khan. Other sources, however, do not mention this event.[1][2][3]
The ensuing battle initially involved archery and firearms. Bhalol Khan was at a huge disadvantage due to the lack of water and the intense April heat. As sunset approached, Khan attempted a breakout, which led to hand-to-hand combat. In this clash, Adilshahi officer Mahammad Barqi was killed, and an elephant was captured.[1][2][3]
Later that month, a battle took place near Bijapur between Bhalol Khan on one side and Prataprao Gujar and Anandrao on the other. The Marathas secured victory and captured another elephant.[1][2][3]
Prataprao Gujar allowed Bhalol Khan to retreat after he promised not to wage war against the Marathas again. Shivaji, upon learning of this decision, criticized Prataprao for making peace with the enemy.[1][2][3]
Battle
[edit]In this battle, Shivaji mourned the loss of his energetic commander-in-chief, Prataprao Gujar. Shivaji had previously blamed Prataprao for allowing Bahlol Khan to escape at the Battle of Umrani. Stung by this criticism, Prataprao rashly attacked Bahlol Khan's camp at Nesari on February 24, 1674. Unfortunately, Prataprao Gujar was killed in this ill-fated attack.[1][2][3][5]
Following Prataprao's death, Hambirrao Mohite was appointed as the Maratha commander-in-chief in April 1674. Prior to this, Prataprao's second-in-command had led the army in raiding the surrounding Bijapur territories. Meanwhile, Bahlol Khan was pursuing Anandrao, with the Mughals under Diler Khan joining him. Narain Shenoy, the British agent, described the situation in a letter dated April 4, 1674:
Diler Khan and Bahlol Khan rushed to confront Anandrao, but seeing such formidable opponents, Anandrao avoided direct battle. He made his way towards Canara, traveling fifteen leagues a day, with the two nobles in pursuit. After several days of futile pursuit, they both returned to their previous positions. Diler Khan then attempted to besiege Panhala but after five days, he withdrew. Bahlol Khan went to Kolhapur
— British letter
Anandrao , meanwhile, raided the city of Pench, located eight leagues from Bankapur, which was part of Bahlol Khan's jagir. Anandrao returned with a large haul, including three thousand oxen loaded with goods. Bahlol Khan and Khizr Khan, aware of this, assembled their armies to intercept him near Bankapur. A fierce battle ensued, but Anand Roy emerged victorious. During the battle, Khizr Khan's brother, who was Bahlol Khan's cousin, was killed. Anand Roy looted the entire army, capturing five hundred horses, two elephants, and other valuables. Bahlol Khan and Khizr Khan fled the scene. Anandrao, after leaving his spoils with Shivaji, returned to Balaghat to continue his raids.[1][2][3][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g SETHUMADHAVRAO S. PAGADI. SHIVAJI - ENG - SETHUMADHAVRAO S. PAGADI. pp. 93–95.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale. Shivaji His Life & Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.1. pp. 202–203.
- ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005-01-01). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
- ^ a b Sarkar, Jadunath (1992). Shivaji and His Times. Orient Longman. pp. 152–154. ISBN 978-81-250-1347-1.