Draft:Battle of Vani-Dindori

The Battle of Vani was an important military engagement fought between the Maratha ruler Shivaji and the Mughal Empire in 1670. It took place near the town of Vani in present-day Maharashtra, India. The battle was part of the ongoing conflict between the expanding Maratha Empire and the Mughal forces seeking to assert control over the region.

Background
During the late 17th century, Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire had successfully challenged the authority of the Mughal Empire in western India. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, determined to bring Shivaji under his control, launched several military campaigns against him.Daud Khan was despatched to stop Shivaji from carrying the loot he looted during the Second Invasion of Surat.In night the Mughal Van under Ikhalas Khan ascended near hill saw Maratha Calvary drawn for battle in the plain below. Shivaji with 10000 cavalry decided to fight with Mughals instead of withdrawal.

Battle
The Battle of Vani began with skirmishes between the advancing Mughal forces and the Maratha defenders. Shivaji employed guerrilla tactics to harass the Mughal army. The Marathas fought fiercely, inflicting heavy casualties on the Mughal soldiers.The terrain around Vani proved challenging for the Mughal cavalry, limiting their mobility and preventing them from launching coordinated attacks. Shivaji's forces, on the other hand, utilized their knowledge of the local terrain to their advantage, ambushing Mughal supply lines and disrupting their communication channels.

But the Bundela infantry of the Mughal army with their abundant firearm kept the Marathas back. daud khan himself entered the fight and rescued the wounded Ikhlas Khan. Meantime, in another part of the field, mir Abdul Madoob, the Darogas of the divisional artillery, who had separated from the main army by a fold in the ground, was attacked. He was wounded with one of his sons and some followers, while his other son and many soldiers were killed; and his flags and horses were carried out by Marathas.

On the whole 3000 Mughals and a few Marathas were killed in the battle. 4000 horses were captured by the Marathas along with a number of officers and soldiers. They were subsequently released by Shivaji and allowed to go back to their home with safety.

Aftermath
At night both Marathas and Mughals withdrew their camp. The next day Daud Khan marched with his battered army to Nashik from their the wounded soldiers were sent back. Marathas marched descended at Konkan on their way to Kunjargad.