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 […]
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Tag Archives: Berar
Indian History Part 83 Shah Jahan Section III: The Deccan Campaign
November 30, 2020 
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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 […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 66 The Adil Shahis of Bijapur Section III Growing Strength
May 28, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 28 May 2018 On Ibrahim Adil Shah’s death, even though the succession was trouble free, the Bijapur kingdom was thrown into a brief period of confusion. Taking advantage of this limited time of uncertainty the ruler of Ahmadnagar, Hussein Nizam Shah invaded Bijapur. He was assisted by the Qutb Shahi ruler of Golconda. Ali […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 66 The Adil Shahis of Bijapur Section II Entrenching the Dynasty
May 18, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 18 May 2018 When Yusuf Shah died, his son Ismail Shah was only 13 or 14 years old (some reports state his age as 9 years). On his deathbed, Yusuf appointed a trusted noble, Kamal Khan to be the guardian of the young prince and also the regent till Ismail achieved majority. He […]
Continue readingIndian History Part 65 The Bahmani Kingdom Section IV Last Days and Break-Up
April 8, 2018 0 Comments
Canberra, 8 April 2018 The Divisions in Court The Tarafdari system that was instituted by Hasan did not take long to become entrenched in the socio-political structure of the kingdom. Gradually, the tarafdars, the governors of the tarafs or provinces, started to acquire local prestige. This trend invariably led to greater separatist tendencies that […]
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