Battle of Palkhed

The Battle of Palkhed was fought on 28 February 1728 at the village of Palkhed, near the city of Nashik, in what is now Maharashtra, India, between the Maratha Empire and the Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I of Hyderabad wherein the Marathas defeated the Nizam.

Battle of Palkhed
Part of Battles involving the Maratha Empire
Date28 February 1728
Location
Palkhed, Vaijapur, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
20°11′12.7″N 73°51′50.3″E
Result Maratha empire victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire
Commanders and leaders
Bajirao I
Dawalji Somvanshi
Pilajirao Jadhavrao
Ranoji Shinde
Malhar Rao Holkar		 Asaf Jah I
Aiwaz Khan
Altaz Khan
Battle of Palkhed is located in Maharashtra
Battle of Palkhed
Palkhed battlefield location

Prelude

The battle plan was set by the withdrawal of Baji Rao I's army from the southern reaches of the Maratha empire during May 1727. This was followed by Shahu breaking off negotiations with the Nizam-ul-Mulk about the restoration of the Chauth.[1]

Battle

Baji Rao and the Maratha armies were called back from the south, from the Karnataka campaign. In May 1727, Baji Rao then asked Shahu to break off negotiations with Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I (Nizam-ul-Mulk had called for arbitration over the payment of the Chauth and sardeshmukhi) and started mobilizing an army. With the monsoons over and the land ready for this campaign, Baji Rao moved towards Aurangabad.

After a fight with Iwaz Khan, the General of Nizam-ul-Mulk, in the vicinity of Jalna (the Marathas had by this point gained notoriety for their tactic of not confronting the enemy), Baji Rao walked away from the battlefield in the direction of Burhanpur.

When Baji Rao left North Khandesh and headed west to Gujarat, Nizam-ul-Mulk's army pursued him. The Nizam-ul-Mulk, however, threw up the chase and headed south towards Pune. It is known that the Nizam brought massive army and enough supplies to last the entire campaign with him. However, the Maratha armies were quite small and obtained supplies by pillaging and raiding outposts while travelling.[2]

Sambhaji II's withdrawal

In Baramati, Nizam-ul-Mulk got news of Baji Rao moving towards Aurangabad. Nizam-ul-Mulk began moving northwards to intercept the Maratha Army. By this time he was confident of crushing Baji Rao and his army. However, the Raja of Kolhapur, Sambhaji II refused to join him in this campaign. The Nizam was cornered in a waterless tract near Palkhed on 25 February 1728. Through Iwaz Khan, the Nizam-ul-Mulk sent out a word of his plight, and his army was allowed to move to the vicinity of the river. The Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar appointed Nizam-ul-Mulk as the Subedar of the Deccan.

Outcome

The Nizam of Hyderabad was defeated by the Marathas, and Peshwa Baji Rao I made him sign a peace treaty on 6 March 1728 at the village of Mungi-Paithan.

By the treaty of Munji Shivagaon, the Nizam agreed to make certain concessions to the Peshwa.

  1. Chhatrapati Shahu was recognised as the sole Maratha ruler.
  2. Marathas were given the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Deccan.
  3. Those revenue collectors driven out would be reappointed.
  4. The balance revenue was to be paid to Chhatrapati Shahu.[3]

References
  1. Alamein (Viscount), Bernard Law Montgomery Montgomery of (1968). A History of Warfare. Collins.
  2. New Cambridge History of India. The Marathas - Cambridge History of India (Vol. 2, Part 4).
  3. New Cambridge History of India. The Marathas - Cambridge History of India (Vol. 2, Part 4).

Further reading
  • Palsolkar, Col. R. D., The life of an outstanding Indian Cavalry commander - 1720-1760 the Peshwa., India: Reliance Publishers, 248pp, 1995, ISBN 81-85972-93-1.
  • Paul, E. Jaiwant. Baji Rao - The Warrior Peshwa, India: Roli Books Pvt Ltd, 184pp, ISBN 81-7436-129-4.
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