Draft:Battle of Bidar

The Battle of Bidar that took place in the 18th century. After the death of the Peshwa Madhavrao in 1772, his brother and successor, Narayanrao, was assassinated on August 30, 1773, triggering a civil war among the Marathas.

Background
Raghunathrao, a member of the Maratha royal family marched against the Nizam. Raghunathrao assembled a large army of Maratha soldiers along with contingents from other Maratha confederates, with the objective of extending Maratha influence in the Deccan region.

Battle
In 1773, Raghunathrao launched a military campaign to capture Bidar, an important fortification in the Nizam's territory. The Nizam, with French military support, tried to defend Bidar, but was ultimately defeated by the Maratha army after a month-long battle. Despite this assistance, the Nizam's forces were eventually defeated by the Maratha army.The Nizam's forces were supported by a contingent of French-trained troops during the battle for Bidar. The French had a long-standing alliance with the Nizam and had provided him with military assistance in the past.The French troops played a crucial role in defending Bidar, as they were well-trained and armed with modern weapons. They were also assisted by a French officer, Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau who was in charge of training the Nizam's troops. The Marathas' superior numbers and tactics played a significant role in their victory, but the presence of the French-trained troops and their weapons certainly made the battle more challenging for the Marathas.

Aftermath
For the Marathas, the capture of Bidar gave them a strategic advantage in the region. They now had a strong foothold in the Nizam's territory and could exert greater control over the Deccan. This victory also boosted the Marathas' reputation and further enhanced their military prowess.

On the other hand, the Nizam suffered a major setback. The loss of Bidar weakened his position and diminished his authority in the region. The defeat also strained the Nizam's relationship with the French, as their support was unable to prevent the Maratha victory. The Battle of Bidar was a significant win for the Maratha Empire, with Raghunathrao consolidating his power in South India. The Nizam, in order to conclude peace, offered a territory worth 12 lakhs of rupees to the Marathas.