Nizam's Carnatic campaigns (1725-27)

The Nizam's Carnatic campaigns (1725–27) were a series of military campaigns of the Nizam of Hyderabad against the Maratha Empire and the Thanjavur Maratha Kingdom. These campaigns were sparked by the Maratha's attempts to collect taxes from the Nizam's dominions in Carnatic, leading to a conflict over control and revenue.

Nizam's Carnatic campaigns (1725-27)
Part of Maratha–Nizam War
Carnatic region
Date 1725-1727 Location Carnatic region Result Nizam Victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Thanjavur Maratha kingdom	Hyderabad
Commanders and leaders
Baji Rao I Serfoji I Fateh Singh Bhonsale Tulaji	Iwaz Khan
Strength
50,000+	Unknown

Iwaz Khan, the Prime Minister of Nizam Asaf Jah I, led the Nizam forces and seized the Trichinopoly from the Marathas of Tanjore, commanded by Serfoji I. This triumph prompted Shahu I of the Marathas to dispatch reinforcements led by Fateh Singh Bhonsale and Bajirao. However, the Maratha forces suffered another defeat and were compelled to retreat. This significant sequence of events significantly contributed to the escalation of hostilities between Shahu and the Nizam, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the later Nizam-Maratha conflicts.

Background

The Carnatic region was governed by the Carnatic Sultanate, which gained independence from the Mughal Empire in 1710. They transferred their capital from Gingee to Arcot after the independence.^[1] At the same time, Thanjavur was under the rule of Serfoji I of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.^[2]

Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah, who achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1724, appointed Iwaz Khan as the Prime Minister of the Nizam. Iwaz Khan was not only a Mughal commander but also the uncle of Asaf Jah.^[3][4] As part of consolidating power, the Nizam dispatched an army under the command of Iwaz Khan into the Carnatic region to eliminate Maratha revenue collections in 1725.^[5]

The conflicts

The campaign was directed against the Maratha agents stationed within Nizam's dominions, tasked with collecting dues. The Marathas had been granted the right to levy Chauth in these regions under an agreement with the Sayyid Brothers. However, the Maratha revenue collectors had been causing distress to the jagirdars and mistreating the vulnerable peasantry.^[6][7]

 

Serfoji, the then ruler of Tanjore.

Iwaz Khan marched against the Maratha tax collectors in Carnatic, successfully driving them out of the villages. During the ensuing skirmishes, the Marathas sustained substantial losses and were forced to retreat.^[6] Iwaz Khan extended his campaign against the Maratha-controlled Thanjavur Kingdom and captured Trichinopoly from Serfoji I. In response, Serfoji sought assistance from Shahu I, the Chhatrapathi of the Marathas.^[8]

Shahu dispatched Fateh Singh Bhonsale, along with 50,000 soldiers, to support Serfoji for resisting the invasion. According to Govind Sakharam Sardesai, Bajirao personally led the campaign under Shahu's command. In contrast, Stewart Gordon's account suggests that Bajirao was present during the campaign but did not assume command.^[9] Shahu appointed Fateh Singh Bhonsale as the nominal commander of the Maratha army, with directives given to Bajirao.^[9] The Marathas incurred substantial losses and were compelled to retreat resulting the victory of the Nizam's forces.^[8][10]

After two years, in 1727 Marathas under Fateh Singh Bhonsale again made their expedition to the Carnatic region with the support of Tulaji. This campaign also resulted the failure of the Marathas.^[8] Sardesai notes that the initial campaign is named after Chitaldurg, and the second one after Srirangpatnam, both personally led by Bajirao, despite nominal commands being assigned to Fateh Singh Bhonsale.^[9]

Aftermath

After this campaigns, the Nizam became aware of the challenges will be faced that his capital Aurangabad is too close to the Maratha dominions. Thus, he changed his capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad.^[11] By this time, Shahu had realized the mistake of engaging in conflicts with Nizamu’l-Mulk, who was unwilling to cede any portion of his territory or permit the Marathas to impose tribute on the impoverished peasantry of the Carnatic. These expeditions provided an opportunity for Baji Rao to showcase to Shahu the inadequacy of Fateh Singh Bhonsale and other Maratha chiefs while demonstrating his own genuine commitment.^[12] Baji Rao successfully made Shahu understand the unwise decision of campaigning in the south, advocating instead for invasions in Malwa and Gujarat, which were held by weaker forces and offered theater prospects for Maratha expansion. Afterward, the Marathas refrained from encroaching upon the Carnatic and the regions under Nizamul-Mulk's influence in the south for a considerable period.^[12]

See also

• Siege of Trichinopoly (1743)
• Treaty of Mungi-Shevgaon
• Siege of Trichinopoly (1741)

References

1. Porter, Yves; Degeorge, Gérard (2009). The Glory of the Sultans: Islamic Architecture in India. Flammarion. ISBN 978-2-08-030110-9.
2. Bhosle, Prince Pratap Sinh Serfoji Raje (2017-12-20). Contributions of Thanjavur Maratha Kings: 2nd Edition (with a Brief History of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj,Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharajah,Swami Samartha Ramdas, Cholas,Nayakas and Indian Classical Art-Bharatanatyam). Notion Press. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-948230-95-7.
3. Bilgrami, Syed Ali Asgar (1992). Landmarks of the Deccan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Archaeological Remains of the City and Suburbs of Hyderabad. Asian Educational Services. p. 90. ISBN 978-81-206-0543-5.
4. Quddusi, Mohd Ilyas (2002). Khandesh Under the Mughals, 1601-1724 A.D.: Mainly Based on Persian Sources. Islamic Wonders Bureau. ISBN 978-81-87763-21-5.
5. Gordon, Stewart (2007-02-01). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-521-03316-9.
6. Malik, Zahiruddin (1977). The Reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719-1748. Asia Publishing House. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-0-210-40598-7.
7. Nayeem, M. A. (2000). History of Modern Deccan, 1720/1724-1948: Political and administrative aspects. Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute.
8. A Comprehensive History of India: 1712-1772, edited by A. C. Banerjee and D. K. Ghase. People's Publishing House. 1978. p. 208.
9. Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1957). New History of the Marathas: (2. Impr.) : Vol. 1-3. pp. 88 (vol2).
10. Wink, André (2007-12-03). Land and Sovereignty in India: Agrarian Society and Politics under the Eighteenth-Century Maratha Svarājya. Cambridge University Press. pp. 96–98. ISBN 978-0-521-05180-4.
11. Ramaswami, N. S. (1984). Political History of Carnatic Under the Nawabs. Abhinav Publications. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-8364-1262-8.
12. Khan, Yusuf Husain (1963). The First Nizām: The Life and Times of Nizāmu'l-Mulk Āsaf Jāh I. Asia Publishing House. pp. 153–155.