Draft:Maratha-Rajput wars

The Rajput-Maratha War was fought between Marathas and Rajputs. While Marathas fought independently Rajputs before 1707 fought under Mughals and then form 1707 upto late 1820 they fought independently. At first Rajputs attacked Marathas as they were working under Mughals, when Mughals started to grow weak and Marathas started to grow stronger, Marathas invaded Rajputana in order to collect chauth.

During this 17th to 19th century the country experienced a number of significant conflicts between both parties. It started with the Mughal rajputs general attack in 1664 and ended with Rajputs being defeated and devestated by Marathas in 1820 and this chaos ended after the fall of Marathas in Third Anglo-Maratha War with the end of Maratha Empire.

Overview
Shivaji who founded the Maratha Empire faced the Mughal invasions to end his rebellion in which he faced some strong rajput commanders of Mughal Empire.

Even after the death of Shivaji the relation between Maratha and rajputs were no good. Maratha first enter Rajputana under Baji Rao and then the invasion of Marathas were frequent.

For Mughal Empire
Rajputs used to work for Mughals they used to accompany Mughals for various expenditions and even some where at high ranks in Mughal court.

Fail expedition of Kondhan(1664)
In 1664 Jaswant Singh Rathore was sent by Aurangzeb to manage the affairs of Deccan where he laid an expenditure to Kondhana which huge Army, the Marathas inside the Fort defended and Invaders fail to capture the Fort. Aurangzeb disappointed by Jaswant Singh called him back to Agra.

Battle of Purandar(1665)
Aurangzeb in order to crush Shivaji then sent Jai Singh along with Diler Khan who lead seige to Purandar Murabaji with his 700 Marathas defended the fort against the outnumbered army but atlast he was killed by Diler Khan.

Shivaji seeing his people dying for no reason atlast surrendered and treaty of Purandar took place where Shivaji surrendered 23 forts to Mughals. Jai Singh emerged victorious and was praised by Aurangzeb

Battle of Sinhagad
This battle took place in 1670 between Udyabhan Rathore and Tanaji Malusare. Udyabhan was appointed as killedar of Sinhagad, when Shivaji was recapturing all his Fort which were given to Mughals he sent Tanaji Malusare along with his brother Suryaji and Shelar Mama.



A fierce Battle took place between Tanaji and Udyabhan in which both killed each other. Then the Marathas under Suryaji defeated the remaining army and the fort was captured.

Independent
The early invasion of Marathas started in 1715 where Marathas were repulsed but with their victory in 1717 over Bundi,Marathas successfully invaded Rajputana. Marathas under commanders like Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde, Jayappaji, Jankoji, Samsher bahadur Antajii Mankehwar etc invaded Rajputana.

Battle of Pilsud(1715)
Marathas officers invaded Rajputana in 1715 nearly 42000 Marathas and 12000 Afghans combined invaded Rajputana. Meanwhile only 10000 rajputs were present in army of Sawai Jai Singh and chhatrasal Bundela even being outnumbered the Marathas were repulsed by the combined efforts to Jai Singh and chhatrasal.

Battle of Fatehgarh(1717)
Not much is known about this battle but a small mention is found stating that the general of Sawai Jai Singh defeated Marathas in 1717.

Invasion of Bundi-Kota (1726-30)
In 1726 Marathas Invaded Bundi and Kota and plundered nearby villages.The Rani of Bundi (wife of Budh Singh)asked help of Malharrao Holkar to Enthrone her husband again, at her request Malharrao Holkar along with Ranoji Shinde attacked Dalel Singh and re-enthroned Bundh Singh and they were given a huge tribute for their help.

Battle of Mandsaur


Chimaji Appa despatched Malharrao Holkar in command of Maratha forces along with Ranoji Shinde. The forces reached Mandusar when Sawai Jai Singh came to know about the arrival of Marathas he immediately marched a fierce battle took place between them. Initially Jai Singh made Malharrao Holkar retreat 30km but with reinforcement of Ranoji Shinde he attacked Jai Singh who was then forced to retreat 16 km. Jai Singh unwilling to continue the battle and also being surrounded decided surrendered and agreed to pay chauth. Malharrao Holkar lost 15 officers while Jai Singh only 1 tho the remarkable victory went to Marathas.