Battle of Didwana
| Battle of Didwana | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Maratha-Rajput Wars | |||||||
.svg) Didwana-Kuchaman in Rajasthan | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Maratha Confederacy |
 Kingdom of Jaipur | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Antaji MankeshwarRanoji Bhoite (WIA) Ranoji NimbalkarNimbaji Scindia † |
Anurudh Singh  | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 5000-6000 | 30000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 25 Marathas Wounded |
700-800 men killed and 400 captured by Ranoji Bhoite 300 men again Killed by Ranoji Bhoite 400 men killed by Antaji | ||||||
The Battle of Didwana was fought between the Marathas and the Rajputs in 1755 resulting in victory for Marathas.
Prelude[edit]
On October 10, 1755, Anurudhsingh, with 30,000 troops, encountered the Maratha forces and feigned an intention to negotiate with Bejaisingh. After learning that Diwan Bakhtawar was approaching from Bikaner, he departed from Ramgarh on October 15, arriving at the Marwad frontier the following day. On October 16, Maratha forces led by Ranoji Bhoite attacked the rear of Anurudhsingh's army, killing 800 to 900 men, capturing 1,000 to 1,200 horses, 40 to 50 camels, 2 large and 2 small guns, and 4 cartloads of ammunition. The Marathas prevented the Rajputs from retrieving even their dead. The battle, which lasted 3 to 4 hours in the morning, resulted in 3 Maratha soldiers and 25 horses being lost, with 43 soldiers wounded. This defeat greatly humbled the Kachwahas.[1][2][3][4][5]
Following this, Anurudhsingh's artillery advanced towards Didwana at a pace of 2 to 2.5 kos per day. The Marathas continuously harassed his supply lines, plundering his camels and oxen.[1][2][3][4][5]
By October 20, 1755, Anurudhsingh reached Didwana. On the same day, the Marathas filled all the tanks and wells in the region with stones, sand, and dust, and guarded those that still contained water. This effort continued from morning until midnight, covering 3 kos of his route. Consequently, many Rajput soldiers, horses, camels, and oxen perished from lack of water. Unable to advance, Anurudhsingh was soon besieged in the Didwana fort. Despite reinforcements from Bejaisingh and local support from Didwana, they lacked the courage to confront the Marathas.[1][2][3][4][5]
Battle[edit]
On October 21, 1755, a battle was fought near Didwana between Anuradhsingh and the Marathas. In this confrontation, Nimbaji Shinde Nandurkar was killed, along with 15 horses, while 23 Marathas were wounded. Among the injured were Ranoji Bhoite, who was shot in the thigh, and Ranoji Nimbalkar, who was struck in the neck. The Marathas managed to kill between 200 and 500 Rajputs and captured 400 enemy horses. Surrounding Didwana, the Marathas obstructed supplies and communications to Anuradhsingh, occasionally plundering while keeping a constant watch.[1][2][3][4][5]
The Marathas also plundered supplies near Daulatpur that were meant for Anuradhsingh, and killed an additional 100 to 125 Rajputs. The Rajputs fled to Daulatpura, making it impossible for them to resupply Anuradhsingh. The region faced severe scarcity and famine, with corn prices soaring to 3 to 4 seers per rupee and fodder becoming extremely scarce. Anuradhsingh was confined to Didwana, relying on the local inhabitants for supplies or resorting to plunder. His situation was dire, and the prospect of reaching Nagore seemed impossible. His army was unwilling to advance further, prompting Anuradhsingh to seek peace.[1][2][3][4][5]
On October 31, 1755, Anuradhsingh approached the Maratha camp with 200 horsemen to negotiate a compromise. He met with Narsinghrao Shinde, Khanaji Jadhav, Ranoji Bhoite, and Ramrao Nilkanth. Although Anuradhsingh argued on behalf of Bejaisingh, he ultimately desired peace. He also sent letters to Bejaisingh and Dakhtawarmal to Gajsingh, but the Marathas intercepted and sent these to the Peshwa. The concentration of Maratha forces around Didwana eased pressure on Nagore, allowing Antaji Mankeshwar to prioritize Didwana over Nagaur.[1][2][3][4][5]
Malharrao Holkar, who had supported Bejaisingh, was displeased with the united anti-Maratha stance of the Rajput princes. Although Jayappa Shinde was his rival, Holkar saw his murder as a challenge to the Maratha cause and considered punishing Bejaisingh in Marwad. Meanwhile, Antaji Mankeshwar recruited 5,000 troops from Karauli and Bundi, promising them a year's exemption from tribute. Despite being besieged by Durajmal and Baxi of Jaipur in the Chambal ravines, Antaji escaped and reached Phagi.[1][2][3][4][5]
Antaji sent a message to Madhosingh to come out and fight. Madhosingh's envoys sought a compromise, offering a ransom for Anuradhsingh's release. Antaji refused the offer unless the Maratha dues were settled. He also instructed Raja Gopalsingh of Karauli and Trimbak Mukund to inform Madhosingh that Anuradhsingh should be recalled and that a written agreement would be made after consulting Dattaji Shinde.[1][2][3][4][5]
In the meantime, the Peshwa sent reinforcements to Marwar, including Antaji Mankeshwar, who arrived in Jaipur territory by November 5. On November 4, 1755, Antaji reached Didwana, overcoming the efforts of Alshangarh and Shahpura rulers to prevent his advance. The following day, Antaji plundered Anuradhsingh's camp, killing 400 men. The region was suffering greatly from scarcity, with wheat and grain selling at 2 seers per rupee and water levels at 225 feet deep. Anuradhsingh sought assurances for his life .Antaji ravaged Kachhawa territory. The year had been marked by drought, and grain was selling at five seers per rupee in the Maratha camp, with fodder being extremely scarce. Water levels had dropped causing severe shortages.[1][2][3][4][5]
By November 20, Bijai Singh, unable to withstand the pressure, fled from Nagaur to Bikaner, where conditions were similarly dire. Ultimately, Anuradhsingh was forced to make peace with the Marathas at the end of February 1756. He agreed to a division of Marwar's kingdom with Ram Singh, ceded Ajmer fort and district to the Marathas, and paid a war indemnity of 50 lakhs. By May, Dattaji Rao Scindia had evacuated Rajputana and moved to Malwa.[1][2][3][4][5]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ashok Kumar Arora (1978-01-01). Randput Maratha Relations 1707-1760 AD (Vol. 1). pp. 498–501. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. p. 384. Search this book on
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Misra, S. c (1981). Sindhia-holkar Rivalry In Rajasthan. p. 39. Search this book on
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Tikkiwal, H. c (1974). Jaipur And The Later Mughals. p. 125. Search this book on
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 R.K. Gupta (2008-01-01). Studies In Indian History Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs Set Of 5 Vols. unknown library. Sarup & Sons. pp. 119–120. Search this book on
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