Canberra, 22nd May 2022 In 1761, the Maratha polity was reeling from the defeat in a battle that need not have been fought. The disaster was the culmination of extended ambition, unwanted hubris, inexperience in diplomacy, strategy, operational art and tactics and flawed command and control arrangements. The defeat of the magnificent Maratha army continues […]
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Tag Archives: Berar
The Marathas Part 14 Peshwa Balaji Rao Section I: A Hesitant Start
January 7, 2022 
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Canberra, 7 January 2022 On the untimely death of Baji Rao, the Deccan faction in the Maratha court once again attempted to stop the hereditary appointment of the Chitpavan Brahmin Bhat family as Peshwas. This faction was led by Raghuji Bhonsle, who was also one of King Shahu’s favourite nobles. Raghuji had been at loggerheads […]
Continue readingThe Marathas Part 11 Beginning of the Maratha Confederacy
October 30, 2021 0 Comments
Canberra, 30 October 2021 Aurangzeb’s death initiated the inevitable succession struggle. Shah Alam, the eldest surviving son based in Peshawar, reached Delhi first and claimed the throne after taking over the treasury. Azam Shah from Ahmednagar opposed him and started the march north, without concluding any formal agreement with the marauding Marathas. On the advice […]
Continue readingThe Marathas Part 9 Triumph of the Marathas
October 16, 2021 0 Comments
Canberra, 16 October 2021 Sambhaji’s brutal execution and Rajaram’s hurried flight to Ginji were events that severely shocked the Maratha psyche. However, the Marathas are one of the most resilient of peoples, oriented towards action and therefore, the despondency did not linger for long. In May 1690 a combined Maratha army, commanded by many military […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 83 Shah Jahan Section III: The Deccan Campaign
November 30, 2020 0 Comments
Canberra, 30 November 2020 Prior to Shah Jahan’s accession, Mughal interest in the Deccan had waxed and waned in direct proportion to the stability and turmoil in North India. Akbar had started a concerted effort to bring the Deccan under the Mughal flag and in 1569 had conquered Khandesh. By 1600, parts of Berar had […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 75 The Tuluva Dynasty Section VIII: Rama Raya-Establishing Aravidu Rule
November 9, 2019 0 Comments
Canberra, 9 November 2019 The regency of Rama Raya can be divided into three distinct phases. The first phase is the time during which Rama Raya carried out the duties of the Regent diligently, ruling on behalf of the infant/boy-king. The inscriptions and chronicles of this period scrupulously maintain the authority of Sadasiva Deva as […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 67 The Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar Section VI: The Beginning of the End
October 1, 2018 0 Comments
Singapore, 1 October 2018 Husain Nizam Shah II was enthroned on the death or murder of his father. Whether the old king was murdered is not clear and would therefore depend on the narrative that one believes in. On becoming king, Husain bestowed favours and rewards on anyone who approached him, irrespective of the services […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 67 The Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar Section V: Stagnation and Confusion – Murtaza’s Last Days
September 15, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 15 September 2018 Shah Haidar had been installed as the Peshwa, helped with the influence of Asad Khan who was an honoured and influential noble of the realm. However, Haidar repaid the good-will by banishing Asad to Daulatabad. Further, Haidar ignored the advice that Murtaza had given him on his appointment and started to […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 67 The Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar Section IV: The Zenith of Power: Murtaza Nizam Shah
September 1, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 1 September 2018 Murtaza Nizam Shah commenced his rule immediately on the death of his father, although the assumption of the throne was delayed on the advice of astrologers. He was officially crowned only on 26 January 1566, seven months after becoming king. At this time, Murtaza was a callow youth and a complete […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 67 The Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar Section III: Turmoil – Hussein Nizam Shah
August 19, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 19 August 2018 On his father Burhan Nizam Shah’s death, Hussein controlled his brothers and disposed off those that seemed to be rebellious, misguided and/or had the propensity to create trouble into the future. He consolidated power rapidly and commenced his rule without any anxiety, believing that any possibility of revolt had been nipped […]
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Sanu Kainikara 
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