Maratha–Nizam wars
Military conflicts between the Maratha empire and Nizam of Hyderabad in India / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maratha-Nizam wars (1720–1819) was a series of military conflicts between the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad, spanning nearly a century. These conflicts arose primarily from the Marathas' imposition of Chauth, a form of tribute, on the Nizam's dominions, leading to tensions and subsequent hostilities between the two powers. The Nizam's response to the Maratha demands sparked a series of clashes and wars aimed at resisting Maratha encroachment and asserting territorial sovereignty.
Maratha–Nizam wars | |||||||||
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Part of Mughal–Maratha Wars, Anglo-Maratha wars, and Anglo-Mysore wars | |||||||||
Map of India in 1765 (left) and 1805 (right). | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Nizam of Hyderabad Mughal Empire French East India Company(From 1751 to 1798) British East India Company (From 1798) | |||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Shahu I Bajirao I (WIA) Balaji Bajirao Ibrahim Khan Gardi Serfoji I Madhavrao I Raghunathrao Madhavrao II Bajirao II Raghuji Bhonsle Janoji Bhonsle Daulat Rao Shinde Murari Rao |
Asaf Jah I Nasir Jung Salabat Jung Asaf Jah II Asaf Jah III Joseph François Dupleix Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau Michel Joachim Marie Raymond Thomas Arthur, comte de Lally Arthur Wellesley Colonel Stevenson |
Nizamul Mulk Asaf Jah I, a Mughal noble since the reign of Aurangzeb, played a significant role in Deccan's political landscape, engaging in multiple conflicts with the Marathas. His actions included aiding the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah by deposing the Sayyid Brothers. Following this, Nizamul Mulk established his dynasty in Deccan, known as the Asaf Jahi dynasty, after securing victory in the Battle of Shakarkheda. However, tensions arose with the Marathas, neighbouring rulers of the Deccan, who held the right to collect Chauth as promised by the Sayyid Brothers. This conflict initiated the early Nizam-Maratha conflicts, with the Maratha Chatrapatis and Peshwas launching several military campaigns against the Nizam throughout the 18th century.
The Deccan region witnessed a series of significant events during the 18th and 19th centuries, including conflicts surrounding the succession of Asaf Jah I, which involved his sons Nasir Jung, Salabat Jung, and Muzaffar Jung, and the subsequent rule of Asaf Jah II as the Nizam. Concurrently, following the passing of the first Peshwa, Bajirao I, his son Balaji Bajirao ascended to the position of Peshwa. Balaji continued his father's legacy by leading numerous campaigns against the Nizam. Upon Balaji's demise, Madhavrao I succeeded him as Peshwa, despite facing pressure from his uncle Raghunathrao. Madhavrao proved to be a capable leader, leading successful campaigns against the Nizam. Later, an alliance was formed between the Nizam and the Peshwa to confront the Marathas of Nagpur, resulting in the capture of territories from them. The alliance between the Marathas and the Nizam endured until the downfall of Tipu Sultan of Mysore. Following this, Nizam Asaf Jah II signed a treaty with the British, becoming a subsidiary ally of the British Empire, at the behest of Arthur Wellesley.
The third Anglo-Maratha war signalled the conclusion of hostilities between the Maratha Empire and the Nizam. In this conflict, the combined forces of the British and the Nizam captured Nagpur, compelled the surrender of the Peshwa Bajirao II and effectively ended the Maratha Empire. Following these events, the Nizam was declared as the successors of the Peshwa and was relieved from paying Chauth to the Marathas. Additionally, territories such as Vaizapur and Kannad from the Peshwa, as well as Ellora and Aurangabad from Holkar, were annexed to the Nizam's dominions. These conflicts between the Marathas and the Nizam left a significant imprint on the military history of the Deccan during the 18th and early 19th centuries.