Draft:Ambaji Ingle

Early Life
Little is known of the early career of Ambaji, the son of Trymbak Rao Ingle who lived to be eighty years old. he belonged from Ingle Dynasty

Frist notable mention - Helping hand of Jats
The first mention of him occurs in accounts of the First Anglo Maratha War (1772-1779). Ambaji Ingale bursts into prominence in the rescue of Deeg Fort. The Hindu Jat Kingdom of North at a critical point owed its very survival to Maratha intervention when after the death of Jat Raja Naval Singh when Rohilla Mercenary Mullah Rahimdad usurped the Deeg Sinsinwar Throne by installing a child-puppet. He had already planned everything. He was going to mimic Maratha Tactic of placing a local puppet ruler under his "supervision" and lord over the people. In 1775, at the beginning of the rainy season, Rahimdad pitched his camp under the shelter of the fort- guns along with other commanders of the Jat army. He had proved faithful to his paymasters while nothing very covetable tempted his fidelity. On the very night of Nawal Singh's death the Rohilla determined to try his luck by a bold piece of treachery. "Having come to learn that the men inside the city had given themselves up to mourning and were neglecting the defence of the place, Rahimdad Khan considered this to be the most opportune moment, and got 5,000 of his Rohilla soldiers ready for action. At first he himself with a few chosen companions went to the gate of the city which lay opposite to his camp, and secured entrance under the pretence of taking a mere stroll. He seized that gate, and with the assistance of his veteran soldiers, made him- self master of the whole city. He posted Rohillas at every gate to keep watch over it, and captured Naval Singh's infant son Kheri Singh by deluding the ladies of his harem with smooth words of deception. He seated Kheri Singh on the masnad, and got himself appointed his Deputy. He established his authority over the city thus. The local Hindu women were molested en masse. Most Hindu Jat officers were fired from their positions & Deeg was turned into a Rohilla Stronghold under Rahimdad. In Fort of Kumher, Ranjit Singh Jat prepared loyalists to stake claim over Deeg against Rohilla usurper Rahimdad. For this the Maratha Empire's help was invoked.

The mission began at night. 2000 Marathas under Yashwantrao Awliah Maratha (Inglia/Ingale? Appears to be Subehdar Rajashri Ambajiraje Ingale-Chalukya) helped Ranjit Singh Jat appear in the fort of Deeg to help local Hindus revolt, by launching a diversionary attack on the Rohilla forces. 2,000 Maratha Cavaliers dashed upon the Rohilla Camp outside Deeg in the night and rampaged through it. The alarmed Rahimdad rose up and rushed out of Deeg fort to defend his people from the slaughter. In the name of Ranjit Singh Jat, the Hindus poured out of every lane and every street and cut down or captured all the Rohilla Pathans in the town. Rahimdad who had been forced out in the chaos watched all his intricate conspiracy get destroyed in a single night and fled away. Thus, with the Maratha Empire backing him, Kheri Singh was removed & Ranjit Singh became the King of Jats. He repaid his debt by remaining faithful to Shrinath Maharaja Mahadji Shinde in Lalsot Campaign. He was also formally given back the Fort of Deeg by Maharaja Mahadji later.

The Hindu civilians inside the fort had their morale boosted and rose.

First Anglo-Maratha War
Rana of Gohad, who was a vassal of Mahadaji s, was then in conspiracy with the British, who promised to restore the forts of Gwalior and Gohad to him It was then that Mahadaji deputed Ambaji to the north, and hence, when General Popham besieged the fort of Gwalior in August, 1780, Ambaji was in the fort. But Ambaji could not hold it against the superior artillery of the British and the treachery of a certain Sarupchand Gupta in Mahadji's service who disclosed to the British a secret passage leading into the fort. Raghunathrao Ramchandra, the commandant of the fort, died in the following battle, and Ambaji escaped to Shahabad. Mahadaji was naturally upset over the loss of the fort, which, however, he recaptured in July, 1783.

Petty Chiefs Punished by him for betrayal against Mahadji shinde
Several treacherous chiefs who were discontented with the Hindu Maratha rule went over to the British, and marched with them towards Antri, Sipri and Strong with the object of attacking Mahadjı himself. At this time, it was Ambaji and Sadashiv Malhar that kept a close watch on the movements of the British at Sirony 11 When Col Comak came to Sironj in February, 1781, Mahadaji, who was at Bhilsa, harassed him. Yet he (Colonel Comak) inflicted a severe defeat on Mahadaj at Mahadpur in March. At this juncture, Maharani Ahalyabai Holkar sent 1,500 soldiers under Trimbakji, and these joined Ambujt s army at Rajgad Moreover, Jibva Dada and Ramchandrabuva joined his forces here. He now punished severely the petty chiefs who helped the British. It must be said that in the different battles of this war Ambaji fought bravely against the British.

Disciplining Balwantsingh
Mahadaji now ordered Ambaji to proceed to Delhi to suppress Balwantsinh of Raghavgad and his son Jaisinh, as they had rebelled against him. Durjansal, a former wakil of Balwantsinh, had joined them, together these harassed the Marathas so much that Mahadaji was quite enraged. Hence, he dispatched Ambuj to Delhi, with clear orders to put down Balwantsingh and to destroy the fort of Raghavgad Ambaji defeated Balwantsinh, took him captive, kept him at Gwalior and confiscated all his property. He then proceeded to Karauli to collect the arrears of Rs 50,000 from its Jadouns tribal chief. Mahadaji, having captured Dig Fort in the meantime, put it under Ambaji's charge.

Chastising the Sikh Misls
Again, it was to Ambaji that Mahadji entrusted the task of chastising the Sikhs who were ravaging the region between Lahore and Panipat, and were collecting Rakhi around Delhi Bhagelsinh, Gurudatsinh and Raysinh, the leaders of the Sikhs, met Ambaji and sought an amicable settlement. It was noticed that the Sikhs were divided into two distinct groups those from Lahore and those from Panipat Yet, Ambaji was successful in arriving at an agreement with them. According to the terms of this agreement, the Sikhs were not to extort Rakhi any more, the Marathas and the Sikhs were to collect the revenue jointly and divide it between themselves in the ratio of 2:1. Thereafter, for about twenty years, Delhi was relieved of the Sikh menace, because of this agreement. As Ambaji had to be engaged elsewhere, he left his younger brother in charge of Delhi. This treaty also helped the Marathas to open negotiations with the trans-Sutlej Sikhs against Timur Shah.

saving people of Delhi Subah and Alwar State from Mewatis, Gujars & Afghans
The Mewatis of Alwar used to carry on depredations in the region around Delhi, and in one such action, they happened to take away some of Ambuji's camels So he attacked them, defeated them captured some of their villages and killed many of them. Similarly, the Gujjars, too, were a constant nuisance to Delhi. Ambuji put an end to this nuisance, once and for all, by capturing their leader and beheading him. This pleased the Rao Raja of Alwar very much, as he used to suffer a great deal from the depredations carried on by the Mewatis and the Gujjars Therefore, he complimented both Mahadaji and Ambuji, and sent them robes of honour in appreciation of their services Mahadaji received Rs 10,000, a fort and the expenses of the army, and Ambaji received an elephant and two horses 21 He punished the petty Afghans, too, in the Haryana, and squeezed tributes from the Balochis, slaughtering thousands.

Imperial Affairs at Delhi
Though Mahadaji and the British had agreed to control jointly the imperial affairs at Delhi, the British did not actually collabo- rate with him in this regard 23 At the imperial Court, there were then two rival factions (1) Hamdanı, the commandant of the fort of Agra, and Ismail Beg, his nephew, on the one hand

(2) Afrasiyab Khan and the two Gosavi brothers (Anupgir and Himmatgır) on the other of the first faction, Hamdanı (who had helped the Rana of Gohad against Mahadaji) was bitterly opposed to Mahadaji, and Ismail Beg, who did not like Mahadaji's prominent role in the imperial affairs at Delhi, deeply resented the Emperor's overtures to him The rival faction, however, was opposed to the views of Hamdani and Ismail Beg, as bitterly.

Hamdanı sent an army of 5,000 soldiers to attack Ambaji who, however, besieged the fort of Agra, in a firm bid to punish Hamdanı The fort capitulated in May, 1785, and Hamdani fled. But he continued to plot against Mahadaji In North India then, the Rajputs played the role of the dog in the manger Though they themselves were incapable of controlling the imperial affairs at Delhi, they did not want Mahndaj to have any control either So Hamdani now made common cause with the discontented Rajputs, especially the chiefs of Jodhpur and Jaipur Taking their forces as well as those of Ismail Beg with him, he advanced on Delhi But, on coming to know of this, Afrasiyab Khan and the Gosavi brothers sent an urgent message to Mahadajı, asking for immediate help He immediately sent Ambujt, with whatever force was available, to help Afrasiyab and the Gosavis agunst Hamdanı.

Ambuji was then the Sarsubhedar of Panipat and Dig. From his post in the Doab, he hurried with 5,000 cavalries to carry out his master's command, and Khanderao Hari came from Khushalgarh with 10,000 cavalries to help him. The combined forces of the Mughals and the Jodhpurkar-Jaipurkar Rajputs numbered about 50,000, and Mahadaji's was about half of it They fought what came to be known as the Battle of Lalsot.

The Rajputs made a three-pronged attack, and one of the "prongs' was directed against Ambaji. As he was quite alert, he cut it down easily, killing about a thousand Rathores and Jaipurkars Hamdanı, too, was killed by a cannon ball, which hit him and threw him off his elephant.

Here are the only reliable reports on the battle proceedings, by the Marathas:

Maratha Daftar Letter No. 500 - 30 July 1787

Report on the Battle of Lalsot - the combined armies of Marwar, Dhundar, and the Mughal general Hamdani fought Shrinath Mahadji Shinde.

"The forces of Jaipur, Marwar, and Hamdani joined together and amassed a force of 50 thousand to fight us. To face them, Rajashri Khanderao Hari, Rajashri Ambaji Ingle, were summoned. I had already written about this in earlier letters. Once they arrived, our army was ready. We decided to take the offensive.

On Chaturthi, the army and artillery moved out. The enemy marched out to meet us on the field. Their forces were around 50,000-55,000, and 60 field pieces. For 2 Prahars, there was artillery fire. After our artillery fire started hitting them, their battalions formed 3 columns. Instead of marching on the artillery, they avoided it and made a flanking move on Ambaji Ingle in the Left wing. Ambaji and others led a cavalry charge and were able to break their squares into 2. Rajashri Shivji Vitthal Bapu, Chiranjiv Dharrao Shinde, and Rayaji Patil and Khanderrao Hari were sent to back up Ambaji. The arrival of Maratha cavalry turned the tide, and the enemy (Rathores) ran away by 0.75 kos. On the Right wing, Rane Khan Bhai faced Raja Khasa and Hamdani. They were kept under heavy fire. Hamdani had formed squares and prepared to advance. Just then, an artillery salvo from our side hit him and killed him instantly. On the Left wing, Rathores and Kachwahas had run away, while on the Right, Hamdani and the Raja’s formations were broken. We advanced to finish the battle, but encountered very rough terrain full of nalas (dried riverbeds and streams). For 3 Prahars, our forces had been fighting, but could not get any fresh water. The closest source of water was a river 1.5 kos to our rear. Our horses were too exhausted without a new supply of water. This saved the enemy army from complete destruction. But they (Jodhpur-Jaipur-Mughals) took severe losses. About 1000 of them died in battle. Many of their senior officers were slain. Even more were injured. Shivji Vithal Bapu’s men fought very well. The complete list of injured and dead is being sent. Jaipur and Jodhpur combined their armies and marched on us. Despite this, victory favoured us.

The next day, our army was prepared to renew the battle. But they did not leave their camp and form up for battle. Their camp was very defensible. Surrounded by mountains, a river and broken ground. We could not have advanced on their position. In a few days, if they move, we will fight again and the Shrimant will have complete victory."

But the treachery of Hindustani soldiers in Maharaja Mahadji Shinde's army forced him to retreat as the threat of betrayal loomed large. Shrinath Maharaja Mahadji Shinde had to then retreat to Dig, sending away his family to Gwalior.

Rajputana : Troubles and his ability to resolve them
In Rajasthan, Mahadaj s troubles began when Zala Jalimsingh of Kota and Bijesingh of Marwad instigated the Rana of Mewad to carry on depredations in parts of Mahadaji's territories As the Rana of Mewad was a minor, it was largely Jalimsingh's will that prevailed at the Court in Udaipur So, for the establishment of peace in Mewad, it was essential that Jalimsingh should be made to withdraw himself from Mewad affars As "he had always preserved strict amity with Ambuji and his regard had the cement of gratitude to the Maratha [ Ambuji ], whose father Trimbakji had saved his life". Ambuji was able to bring about his withdrawal from Mewad affairs. It is to be noted that one of the wives of Zalim Singh Jhala sent a 'Rakhi' to Raja Ambaji throuh Lalaji Ballal in 1789 which shows that he was his adopted brother.To secure the release of Zalim Singh Ambaji approached Mahadji through his wife who was the adopted sister of Mahadji and used to send 'Rakhi' to Mahadji.She was instructed by Ambaji to demand the release of Zalim Singh on some auspicious occasion and the opportunity came the same year.Zala Zalim Singh always had a sense of gratitude towards the Maratha House of Ingale Chalukyas. Then Mahaday thought of proceeding to the south but the forcible occupation of Chitod by Bhimsingh of Silumbra obliged him to put off his return to the south Again, it was to Ambuji that Mahadaj assigned the task of restoring Chittor to its Rana Ambuji besieged Chitod and forced Bhimsinh to surrender.

Maratha Daftar Letter No. 599 - 4 December 1791 Siege of Chittorgarh

"Bhimsinh held the fort of Chittor. But the Rana had no control over it. The Ranaji met us for the same. He requested us to restore it to him. We marched with him and set up camp near it. Bhimsingh fired upon us, so we set up batteries and invested the fort. After 12 days of bombardment, on Karthik month Thursday, (17 November 1791), he asked for peace terms. The fort was handed over to Ranaji and raised his flag. In the past, the Mughal emperor Akbar had to spend a long time sieging this fort. But it fell within 12 days to us. We left some cavalry and battalions with Ranaji, we marched to Ujjain."

When Chittor was restored to its Rana Mahadaji decided to proceed to the south.

Ambaji earned considerable fortune in Rajasthan and it was the states of Rajasthan where Raja Ambaji reached to the zenith of his military and administrative success. The Raja of Alwar paid compliments to Ambaji and honoured him for his illustrious services to the state. Clothes of honour, one elephant, and 2 horses were presented to Ambaji. Ambaji's illustrious military career and his rise to a subsidiary chief has much to with planes of Rajasthan. Zala Zalim Singh of Kota wielded great influence in the politics of Rajasthan. Ambaji enjoyed cordial relations with Zala Zalim Singh as Ambaji’s father Trimbakji had on one occasion saved his life. In the battle of Sipra, Zalimsingh lay wounded and fell into the hands of Trimbakji as a prisoner. Trimbakji treated him with hospitality. It is to be noted that one of the wives of Zalim Singh sent 'Rakhi' to Raja Ambaji throuh Lalaji Ballal in 1789 which shows that he was her adopted brother. To secure the release of Zalim Singh Ambaji approached Mahadji through his wife who was the adopted sister of Mahadji and used to send 'Rakhi' to Mahadji. She was instructed by Ambaji to demand the release of Zalim Singh on some auspicious occasion and the opportunity came the same year. Zala Zalim Singh always had a sense of gratitude towards the house of Ingles. Ambaji Ingle governed Mewar as Scindia's representative exactly like and as agent to the Governor General in British India with full Civil and military powers. Ambaji's administration in Mewar for eight years from 1701 forms an important and integral part of his diplomatic and military life. Ambaji became so powerful in October,1796 that "Ambaji was a subsidiary chief rather than a servant." (Poona Residency Correspondence,VIII Resident to G.G October,1796). "He maintained in his immediate pay a force equal to that of Scindia in Hindustan. He possessed immense personal wealth and farms above crore of Scindia's revenue having Gwalior and other places in his custody." (Anglo-Maratha Relations, 1785-96 By Sailendra Nath Sen, page300,). Holkar, with connivance of Scindia, placed Ambaji under surveillance and demanded 65 lacs of rupees from him. (Waqai-I-Holkar, folio177b) According to Tod, Rs. 55 were extorted from Ambaji (vol. 1, p. 535). Ambaji, at his own request, was allowed to go to Kota with Amir Khan and Bapuji Scindia to decide for the payments. Ambaji succeeded in paying nearly half of the demand made upon him.

The Golden Period : Zenith of Ambaji as Administration of Mewar
When Mahadaji was due to proceed to the south, two things worried him greatly the future administration of Mewad and the regular collection of the dues from that State For a time, he even thought of associating Rawat Bhimsingh, the Salumbra Chief (the rebel who had forcibly occupied Chitod) with his own general Ambuji, in the task of governing the State Eventually he left Mewad in the sole charge of Ambujt, who was to govern it only in the name of the Rana Yet, as he was allowed full civil and military power as Shinde s representative his position in Mewad was comparable to that of an Agent of the Governor-General in British Indi To enable him to enforce his authority, 10 000 horse and four battalions of infintry were posted under him, and Jalimsingh of Kota was appointed his local adviser.

His administration of Mewad for eight years (1791-1799) forms an important part of his career Since the death of Rana Hamir in 1778, two factions had ruled the Mewad Court (the heir being a minor) the Saktwats, who were favoured by Jalimsingh, and the Chandrawats, who were the rebels So Ambuj was confronted with several tasks the restoration in full of the Rana's authority, the recovery of the crown lands from rebellious chiefs and merce nary soldiers, the expulsion of the pretender to the Mewad throne from Kamalner, the capture of Godwar and the termination of the feud in Bund, 30 Putting down the Chandrawats with a firm hand, Ambuja compelled them to apologise to the Rann and imposed a fine of twenty lakhs of rupees on the Chandrawat leader Bhimsingh of Salumbra. To defray the cost of his military operations in connection with Mewad, he collected twelve lakhs from the Chandrawats and eight lakhs from the Saktawats He restored in full the authority of the Rana, recovered the crown lands from the rebels and ousted the pretender from Kamalner. It took him two years to perform these tasks. His efforts soon bore fruit, and the revenue collection of the year reached the high figure of fifty lakhs, completely due to Marathas only. Though Godwar was yet to be captured, and the feud in Bundi remained unresolved, Ambuji was now appointed Sarsubhedar of Mewad Moreover, the young Rana, appreciating Ambuji's work and realising the neces sity of the protective force which he supplied, made a contract with him and assigned him eight lakhs a year for the expenses of his army This was possible because of the favourably changed times ushered in by Ambuji's administration. When he took over the administration, the income of Mewad was so low that the Rana had to borrow over seven lakhs from him for buying the ornaments required at the time of the marriage of his sister. During his assignment in Mewad, Ambuji was almost a kingsmaker. Anti-Maratha Mewari Darbar employee Gaurishankar Ojha said, "Mahadaji appointed Ambuj his deputy in Mewad, and Ambuj began to consider himself the maker of States in Rajasthan.". Indeed, he was.

Colonel James Tod, the Anti-Maratha developer of Rajput chauvinism and identity, in his Annals, says

"Umbaji remained eight years in Mewad, reaping its revenues and amassing those hoards of wealth which subsequently gave him the lead in Hindusthan and enabled him nearly to assert his independence et although he accumulated £ 2,000,000 sterling from her soil, exacting half of the produce of agriculture, the suppression of feuds gave to Mewar a degree of tranquillity and happiness to which she had long been a stranger."

T. S. Broughton in his Letters written in a Maratha Camp describes Ambaji Ingalia's personality as follows (LETTER VII, p. 48)

"Ambaji is a tall, hale-looking man for his age, which is said to be upwards of eighty. His complexion is dark; and there is much humour and intelligence in his countenance. His dress wasremarkably plain, almost amounting to meanness; consisting of a common chintz jacket, quilted with cotton, a coarse red shawl, and a white turban." Ainbaji Ingle took security measures, as desired by Bhim Singh Jodhpurkar, during the pilgrimage of his Guru to holy places in North India.

Estimate of Ambaji's administration in Rajasthan- Historians have several opinions on Ambaji's position in Mewad. Gaurishankar Ojha opines that Mahadji appointed Ambaji as his deputy in Mewad and Ambaji began to consider himself as the master and the maker of the states of Rajasthan. (James Todd, Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan). Ambaji without any doubt, during his 8 years' administration reaped its revenues and amassed those hordes of wealth which subsequently gave him the lead in Hindustan and enabled him to assert his independence. Ambaji's administration in Mewad gave it what was fairly its long due-a sound administrative system, with Zala Zalim Singh as his trustworthy adviser. Raja Ambaji gave to Mewad a degree of tranquility and happiness of which she was long deprived of and earnestly longing for. Ambaji's work in Mewar forms an important part of Maratha legacy to the other provinces. The result of Ambaji's able administration can be derived from the fact that the state began yield an annual income of Rs. 50 lacs.

Last Days
As per the article second of the said agreement, Ambaji was to hand over the fort of Gwalior which did not do. So, Raja Ambaji lost both-the favour of the English and the loyalty of his master. Broughton tells us about the last days of Raja Ambaji Ingle. It is probably the only authentic source which informs us of Raja Ambaji's glorious military and diplomatic career which took a gloomy turn at last. "… Raja Ambajee is said to be dying: he was taken ill some days ago, and sent to request Mr. M. to come and see him once more. He found him in a wretched little tent, in the rear of the batteries, with very few attendants, and no kind of comfort, about him. Mr. M. returned two days after by appointment; and was informed that the Raja had quitted camp that morning, and was gone to a spot about eight miles off, on the banks of the Bunas; partly for change of air, and partly to meet his wife and family. At his advanced age the annoyance of public business, and the state of continual apprehension in which he is kept by his formidable colleague, will probably soon tend to bring his days to a close. He is said still to be possessed of immense wealth...To a European mind it will appear inexplicable that a man so completely independent, who had experienced in his own person such indignities, and who is fully aware what reliance can be placed on Mahratta faith, could, by any offers of influence or wealth, be induced a second time to put himself in their power. (LETTER X, p.78, Ibid)

Ambajee is at length dead. He died at the town of Bugera, not far from camp (Dunee), on the morning of the 5th, May 1809 (Broughton, p.99, LETTER XIII, Ibid) while Poona Residency Correspondence, XI, No. 286, p.431 states night of 4th May, 1809. And is said to have left immense wealth behind him: report states it at three crores of rupees; or as many millions of pounds sterling. Report doubtless exaggerates in this as in all such cases; but from his regular and long-established habits of economy, and the many opportunities he had, during his protracted life, of amassing, there can be little doubt but that his wealth was very great. One of his son, named Dajee was with him at his death; and his brother, Bala Rao, set off from camp, attended only by five horsemen, upon learning his danger. He returned the next day, and on the following afternoon we went to pay him the customary visit of condolence. He was seated upon the ground, in a miserable tent, with no clothing, but a pair of common gootinnas, and a coarse cloth thrown over his head. On these occasions it is not usual for the visitors to take any notice of the mourner either upon entering or departing, nor during the visit: a third person does the honours, communicating the speeches of condolence, and returning the answers which are made; and which always run in one common strain, upon the certainty of death, the virtue of resignation, and the futility of useless sorrow. Bala Rao, however, talked a little himself; and expressed himself with propriety and feeling on the loss he had sustained in his brother's death; who appears to have been very generally looked up to, and esteemed by his friends. (LETTER XIII, p.99, Ibid). Ambajee's widow and son, with a large suite of followers, arrived in camp on the 24th, and were visited the same evening by Seendhiya, attended by the Mamma, Surjee Rao,and most of the principal Surdars in camp. He expects to receive a present of four or five lakhs of rupees, as a douceur to ensure his protection towards the family (Broughton, p.115, Ibid). On the opposite bank of the river commences the province of Ajmeer, or Chuoaleesa, so-called from its containing forty-six Parganas, or small districts. It was rented by Ambajee, and since his death, has been continued to his brother Bala Rao. This province is reckoned one of the finest in this part of India, and is certainly one of the most important, from its situation in the centre of the Rajpoot states of Jypoor, Juodpoor, and Oodipoor. (Broughton, p.132, LETTER XVII Ibid).

Dajee, the son of Raja Ambajee was nominated Subedar of Gwalior and he has even been presented with the customary 'Khilut' upon the occasion. He agreed to pay a peshkee, or advance, of eleven lakhs for the appointment. (Broughton, p.147, LETTER XIX). After the death of Ambajee Ingle, Daulatrao Scindia requested that Ambaji’s pension be continued to his heirs. But The East India company declined and did not grant Daulat Rao’s request. (IOR/F/4/311/7100 May 1806-Dec 1809 in British Library, Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections)