The Marathas Part 14 Peshwa Balaji Rao Section IV The Battle of Panipat

Canberra, 28 February 2022 The Inexorable March to the Debacle The army that was put together to avenge Maratha honour consisted at the core of the Peshwa’s personal soldiers who were surrounded and supported by soldiers owing allegiance to other Maratha sardars, chiefs. The total fighting strength was around 25,000. When Sadashiv Rao Bhau left […]

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The Marathas Part 13 Peshwa Baji Rao I Section III Visions of Northward Conquests

Canberra, 22 December 2021 As soon as the Peshwa returned to the Deccan, the Mughals started to push back, and the negotiations were broken. The Mughal emperor withdrew forces that were guarding the north-western borders and passes to reinforce the contingent fighting in Central India. This decision was to have disastrous consequences for the empire […]

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Indian History Part 80 Humayun Section II: Trouble Brews in the East

Canberra, 12 April 2020 Although no material gains had been made in the campaign that he had mounted to Gujarat and Malwa, on his return to Agra Humayun celebrated his ‘victory’ with full-fledged revelry that lasted for nearly a year.  Meanwhile Afghan power was resurgent in Bihar, now under the able leadership of Sher Khan. […]

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Indian History Part 79 Babur – First of the Great Mughals Section IV: Winning a Critical Encounter

Canberra 3 April 2020 The Lodi advance party was met by the right flank of the Mughal army under Humayun, Babur’s eldest son. The Mughals were able to defeat and rout the Lodi forces with the Mughals taking 100 prisoners and capturing eight elephants. Babur was overjoyed, not only because of the success, but since […]

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