Battle of Wai

The Battle of Wai took place in the autumn of 1687 during the Mughal-Maratha Wars. Maratha Chhatrapati Sambhaji dispatched his forces in response to the advance of Sarja Khan, whom Aurangzeb had sent with the objective of capturing Raigad.

Battle of Wai
Part of Mughal-Maratha Wars
DateDecember 1687
Location
Wai, Maharashtra
Result Marathas victory
Belligerents
Mughal Empire  Maratha Empire
Commanders and leaders
Sarja Khan Hambirrao Mohite †

Background

In April 1685, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb managed to consolidate his power by first capturing Maratha allies, the Muslim kingdoms of Golkonda and Bijapur. He broke his treaties with both kingdoms, attacked them and captured them by September 1686. While Aurangzeb was away at the Siege of Golconda, the Mughals invaded Satara district. And after his victory at Golconda, Aurangzeb was able to concentrate on the Marathas.[1]

Battle

Maratha Empire Commander-in-Chief Hambirrao Mohite led the Maratha side in the battle. Sarja Khan (a Bijapur general who has joined the Mughel's) led the Mughal force.[2] Although the Maratha won, Hambirao Mohite was struck and killed by a cannonball during the battle.[3]

Aftermath

While the battle was a victory for the Maratha's, the loss of the celebrated Hambirao Mohite weakened Sambhaji's political position considerably and many of his troops deserted him.[4] Hambirao was replaced as senapati by Malhoji Ghorpade.[5] Sambhaji went to the Western Ghats along with his close friend and counselor Kavi Kalash, leading eventually to the Mughal Army surrounding the Sambhaji's camp and capturing the Maratha king.[4]

References
  1. "Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Satara" Maharashtra (India), Gazetteers Dept. Director of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State, 1963 p94
  2. Pāṭīla, Śālinī. Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, C. 1675-1761 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand & Company, 1987. p42
  3. Joshi, Pandit Shankar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand, 1980. p241
  4. Mehta, Jaswant Lal. Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, 2005. p49-50
  5. Joshi, Pandit Shankar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand, 1980. p262
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