Maratha Plunder of Mughal Territory

Maratha Plunder of Mughal Territory
Part of Maratha-Mughal War
Date 1679—1680 Location Mughal Empire (Now India) Result Maratha Empire victory Territorial changes Capture of Ahiwat Fort and other 27 Forts along with Plunder and Devastation of Mughal Territory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Shivaji Sambhaji Moropant Pingle Anandrao Sidoji Nimbalkar †	Diler Khan Rustam Khan Zabita Khan Asaf Khan Ranmast Khan Sayyad Jang Muhammad
Strength
30000 troops 20000 under Shivaji 10000 under Anandrao	10000 troops

In November 1679, Shivaji Maharaj split his forces to raid Mughal territories. He led one division through Almel and Anandrao another through Sangole. Diler Khan, stationed at Bommanahalli, underestimated Shivaji and focused on capturing Bijapur.

Shivaji's forces crossed the Bhima River, looted up to Jalnapur, and seized wealth. He then sent Moropant to capture 27 forts in Baglan and Khandesh. Accounts from the Jedhe Chronology, Khafi Khan, and English sources confirm these raids and the resulting panic. Despite false reports of defeat, Surat sources verified Shivaji's successful plundering and the impact on trade.

Background

Diler Khan, unable to annex the Adilshahi Sultanate without conflict, crossed the Bhima River at Dhulkhed on August 18, 1679. His advance was hindered by a lack of funds and reluctance from his officers. Although he eventually secured money, crucial time was lost, allowing Masud Khan to fortify Bijapur.

Masud Khan strengthened Bijapur's defenses, gathered reinforcements, and appealed to Shivaji for help. Shivaji responded by sending 10,000 troops, provisions, and a letter pledging personal support to defeat Diler Khan. Shivaji arrived near Bijapur with his forces by October 31, 1679.

Meanwhile, Diler Khan captured Mangalvedhe and faced setbacks at Akluj and other locations. As Masud Khan sought to negotiate, Shivaji chose to focus on defeating Diler Khan rather than visiting Bijapur. The Prince reported to the Emperor about the failed Mughal efforts and the strengthening of Bijapur. The Emperor, influenced by intrigue against Diler Khan, summoned him and his officials to court.

Plunder and Raids

Diler Khan was stationed at Bommanahalli, while Shivaji's forces were positioned to the west of Bijapur. The Basatin-us Salatin recounts the events that followed as follows:

On 5th November 1679, Shivaji divided his army into two sections and entered Mughal territory. He led one division of around 8,000 to 9,000 cavalry through Almel, while Anandrao led another division of 10,000 cavalry via Sangole. Diler Khan, accustomed to Shivaji's annual raids, underestimated the threat and chose to advance towards Bijapur, believing that capturing it would make it easy to drive Shivaji away.

In a letter to Ekoji, Shivaji detailed his campaign against the Mughal territories. He explained that his army had been assembled and had advanced near Bijapur. Anticipating the strength of the enemy, particularly the obstinate Pathan tribe, Shivaji devised a strategy to demoralize and defeat them by spreading his forces across the Mughal territories. They crossed the Bhima River and laid waste to the area up to Jalnapur, where they spent four days plundering and amassing significant wealth, including gold, silver, elephants, and horses. On their way to fort Patta, they clashed with Mughal officers, capturing more spoils. Shivaji then dispatched Moropant, his prime minister, to seize 27 Mughal forts in the provinces of Baglan and Khandesh and further devastate the territory.

The Jedhe Chronology confirms this with an entry from Shaka 1601, stating that a treaty was concluded between Adilshah and Shivaji in October 1679, followed by Shivaji's raid on Jalnapur, which resulted in a battle with Ranmast Khan and the death of Sidoji Nimbalkar. Shivaji then returned to Raigad.

Khafi Khan also mentions the sack of Jalna, describing it as a prosperous town with valuable commodities. Despite the protection of a Sufi ascetic, Shivaji's forces plundered the town, capturing goods and threatening the ascetic and his followers. According to Khafi Khan, the curse of Sayyid Jan Muhammad was said to have led to Shivaji’s death later that year.

Shivaji’s letter to Ekoji also describes Moropant’s successful campaigns in Baglan and Khandesh, where he captured forts like Ahiwant and Nahawa and collected great wealth.

The Basatin-us Salatin, Khafi Khan's Muntakhab-ul Lubab, and English sources all corroborate these events. The Basatin reports that Shivaji's 30,000 cavalry ravaged Mughal territories from Bhima to Daulatabad, including Varhad, Khandesh, and Baglan, gathering immense booty.

English sources provide detailed accounts of Shivaji's raids. A dispatch from Surat dated 8th December 1679 notes the widespread panic caused by Shivaji's destruction of Dharangaon and Chopda. The letter describes the escape of Company goods from the raided towns and the continued threat of Shivaji’s forces, which were reported to be heading towards Burhanpur.

A subsequent letter dated 24th February 1680 from Chopda mentions that Shivaji’s forces had plundered many towns except those paying him tribute and were focused on capturing forts like Mulher. Despite rumors of his alliance with the Prince and a march towards Surat, there was little credibility to such claims.

A report from Mumbai dated 29th November 1679 incorrectly claimed that Shivaji and his Peshwa were defeated by Diler Khan and Ranmast Khan. However, this was contradicted by reports from Surat, which confirmed Shivaji’s ongoing raids and destruction, including the burning of Chopda and Dharangaon, and his threat to the city of Surat. The Surat Council expressed concern over Shivaji’s actions and the disruption to trade.