Battles That Shaped Vidarbha: A Historical Overview

thenewsdirt
Apr 24
5 min read

Vidarbha, located in eastern Maharashtra, has long stood at the crossroads of power struggles between empires.

Its fertile lands and critical position on the trade routes of central India made it a coveted territory, drawing the attention of the Mughals, Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the British East India Company over different periods.

Across centuries, the region became the backdrop for several important military conflicts, which influenced not only Vidarbha's governance but also contributed to shaping the political landscape of India.

Shifts of Power and Influence

The history of battles in Vidarbha begins with the Mughal Empire's attempts to secure dominance in the Deccan during the 17th century.

The region, which included important centres like Nagpur, Akola, Amravati, and Buldana, served as a frontier between competing interests.

As the Mughal grip weakened, the Marathas emerged as a rising force, contesting control over the area. Subsequently, the Nizam of Hyderabad asserted his authority, before British military campaigns gradually dismantled Maratha power in the early 19th century.

Throughout this period, several battles stand out for their scale, strategic importance, and outcomes. Each conflict reflects the complex web of alliances, betrayals, and rivalries that shaped the course of Vidarbha's history.

The Mughal Campaign at Nagpur

One of the earliest major military engagements in Vidarbha was the Siege of Nagpur in 1637.

The Mughal Empire, led by Khan-i-Dauran and supported by generals such as Jai Singh, Krishna Shah of Chanda, and Sipahdar Khan, laid siege to Nagpur to enforce tribute payments from Kok Shah, the ruler of the Kingdom of Deogarh.

Kok Shah had defaulted on his obligations and allowed passage to Jhujhar Singh, a rebellious raja, which angered the Mughals.

The siege involved strategic mining of the fort walls and the destruction of two bastions. Following an intense assault, the fort’s castellan, Deoji, was captured.

Kok Shah eventually submitted to Mughal authority, agreeing to pay 150,000 rupees and 170 elephants as compensation.

An annual tribute of 133,333 rupees was fixed, and Nagpur was restored to Kok Shah under Mughal suzerainty. This victory secured the Mughal foothold in Vidarbha and integrated the region into the empire’s revenue network.

Maratha Assertion and Internal Mughal Struggles

The weakening Mughal authority in the early 18th century led to power struggles within the empire, one of which unfolded at Balapur in the Akola district.

The Battle of Balapur, fought between June and July of 1720, was a significant episode in the Mughal civil conflicts.

The Sayyid Brothers, known as the Kingmakers, clashed with forces loyal to Shah Alam I. The Sayyid faction secured support from several allies, including the Marathas and regional powers such as Rohilkhand and Bundi.

Balapur’s strategic location made it a vital point of control in Vidarbha. The involvement of the Marathas in this conflict highlighted their growing influence in the region’s affairs.

The defeat of Shah Alam I’s forces at Balapur contributed to the destabilisation of Mughal authority, allowing the Marathas to further their reach into central India.

Two years later, in 1724, another significant conflict unfolded at Buldana. This battle saw Asaf Jah I, a Mughal governor who would later become the Nizam of Hyderabad, challenge the imperial governor of the Deccan.

Asaf Jah's victory at Buldana marked his declaration of independence from the Mughal emperor. While the Nizam claimed sovereignty, administrative control and revenue rights, particularly the collection of chauth, remained with the Marathas. This arrangement created a dual structure of authority in Vidarbha that persisted for several decades.

The British Campaigns and the End of Maratha Sovereignty

The early 19th century witnessed a series of military campaigns by the British East India Company against the Maratha Empire.

Vidarbha, being under the control of the Bhonsale dynasty of Nagpur, became one of the key theatres of these wars. The Capture of Gawilghur Fort in 1803 was one of the most decisive battles of this period.

Gawilghur Fort, situated in the Amravati district, was considered nearly impregnable due to its formidable natural defences and the fortifications of its inner and outer walls.

British forces under Arthur Wellesley, later known as the Duke of Wellington, laid siege to the fort as part of the Second Anglo-Maratha War. After two unsuccessful frontal assaults, Captain Campbell led the 94th Highlanders through a ravine to scale the walls of the inner fort.

This manoeuvre enabled the British to breach the defences, resulting in the capture of Gawilghur and a major setback for Raghoji II Bhonsle, the Maratha ruler of Nagpur.

During the same conflict, Raghoji II allied with the Peshwa against the British. The defeats suffered by the Maratha confederacy led to the Treaty of Deogaon in 1803, which forced Raghoji II to cede significant territories, including Cuttack, Sambalpur, and parts of Berar.

These territorial losses substantially weakened the Maratha position in Vidarbha and established British military and political dominance in the region.

The British further consolidated their hold during the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1817. The Battle of Sitabuldi, fought at Sitabuldi Fort in Nagpur, was a critical engagement during this phase. Mudhoji II Bhonsle, despite having a treaty with the British, joined forces with the Peshwa against them.

The British forces successfully defended the fort and defeated the Maratha army, leading to further territorial losses for the Bhonsale dynasty. Following this victory, parts of Berar were transferred to the Nizam of Hyderabad, while other areas came under direct British control.

This battle effectively ended Maratha sovereignty in Nagpur and confirmed the British East India Company’s authority in Vidarbha.

Smaller Conflicts and Succession Disputes

While major battles define the broader military history of Vidarbha, smaller conflicts also played a role in shaping regional power dynamics.

One such event was the Battle of Panchgaon in 1772, a local succession conflict within the Bhonsale family.

Mudhoji Bhonsle secured the regency for Raghoji II after defeating his brother near Nagpur. Though this battle did not attract the attention of imperial powers, it was significant in determining leadership within the Bhonsale dynasty.

There are indications of other skirmishes and minor battles at fortresses such as Narnala in Amravati and across the Akola district.

These conflicts likely involved local chieftains, Maratha factions, the Nizam’s forces, or tribal groups.

However, comprehensive records of such encounters are limited, often due to the focus of historical accounts on larger battles involving major empires.

The battles fought in Vidarbha across different periods reflect the region’s importance as a contested zone between rival powers.

From the Mughal assertion of tribute collection to the Maratha rise and the British military campaigns, each conflict contributed to political shifts that altered the course of Vidarbha’s history.

However, available historical documentation leans heavily towards larger battles, often overlooking minor conflicts and local disputes.

These gaps highlight the need for deeper research through primary sources, including Persian chronicles, Marathi historical texts, British military records, and regional archives.

Further exploration of local oral histories and archaeological studies may help uncover additional details about the lesser-known military engagements that shaped Vidarbha’s political and social landscape.

References

Eaton, R. M. (2005). A Social History of the Deccan, 1300–1761: Eight Indian Lives. Cambridge University Press.
Gordon, S. (1993). The Marathas 1600–1818. Cambridge University Press.
Maxwell, H. (1861). The Life of Wellington: The Restoration of the Martial Spirit of the British Army. Sampson Low, Marston.
Maharashtra State Archives, Pune. Accessed local Bhonsale dynasty papers and Mughal-era documentation.
Gazetteer of Nagpur District (1908). Government of Bombay, Central Provinces Series.
Sarkar, J. (1947). Fall of the Mughal Empire. M.C. Sarkar & Sons.
History of Nagpur (Government Publication). Available at: https://archive.org/details/historyofnagpur
British Parliamentary Papers on India (1803–1818). British Library Collections.