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Capture of Delhi (1719)

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Capture of Delhi (1719)
Part of Mughal–Rajput Wars
DateFebuaray,1719
Location
Result
  • Delhi captured by Sayyid brothers and Emperor Farrukhsiyar deposed and executed with the help of Marathas and Ajit Singh
  • Sayyid Brothers made Mirza Rafi ud-Darajat the new Mughal Emperor.
Belligerents
Sayyid brothers
Supported by:
Maratha Empire
Kingdom of Marwar
Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Hassan Ali Khan Barha
Hussain Ali Khan Barha

25pxBalaji Vishwanath
25pxBajirao I
25pxAjit Rathore
Farrukhsiyar Executed[1]
Strength
15,000 Maratha Cavalry Unknown

Background[edit]

Farrukh Siyar made secret alliances with powerful chiefs against Sayyid Brothers[2], including Ajit Singh and Daud Khan Panni, who later turned against him. When the Emperor sent Husain 'Ali Khan against Ajit Singh, he also dispatched a message to Ajit Singh to fight and kill Husain 'Ali Khan. Farrukh Siyar also attempted unsuccessfully to persuade the Marathas to aid Daud Khan Panni in his campaign against Husain 'Ali, who was the governor of the Deccan.[3] The image that Farrukh Siyar projected was that of a deceitful, fickle, and ungrateful person who could not be trusted. The Saiyids tried to suppress the Marathas, but when they realized that their own security and position were in danger from their master, they reversed their policy and sought Maratha friendship.[4]

At Satara, negotiations took place for some days, but details are not recorded. Shahu supported the plan due to his mother, wife, and brother being held captive in Delhi as hostages. Balaji included a condition in the treaty to release them. The terms agreed upon were:[5]

  • Shahu would receive all territories known as Shivaji's swarajya with forts.[6][7]
  • The Marathas would collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the six Mughal Subahs in the south and provide a contingent of 15,000 troops for the Emperor's protection in return for Chauth. They would maintain order by preventing robbery and rebellions in return for Sardeshmukhi.[6][7]
  • The Emperor would release and send back Shahu's mother, wife, and brother with their followers from Delhi. Saiyad Husain Ali agreed to these terms and promised to get them formally ratified by the Emperor.[6][7]

In 1718, Balaji Vishwanath led a contingent of 15,000 Maratha troops to Aurangabad in fulfillment of the treaty. The Emperor disapproved of this and appointed his own officials in the Deccan.[8] Saiyad Husain Ali put down these officials and strengthened his resources. Nizam-ul-mulk, Sarbuland Khan, and Ajit Singh were called back to Delhi. Saiyad Abdulla also strengthened his forces and called for his brother's immediate return. Husain Ali arranged his plans with Balaji's help and Shahu supported the project.[9][10] Husain Ali left Aurangabad with Alam Ali Khan and Saif-ud-din Ali and posted Shankaraji Malhar to support them. Burhanpur was left in mid-December, and Delhi was reached on February 16, 1719. Each Maratha trooper received one rupee per day for expenses from the imperial treasury.[11][10]

Capture[edit]

As Husain Ali approached Delhi, the Emperor became afraid and sent messages to stop him. The Maratha commanders refused to return unless Shahu's mother and party were released. Husain Ali reported this to the Emperor, who realized he couldn't offend his Maratha allies. The capital of Delhi was filled with Maratha forces and other Rajput rulers and Muslim grandees.[12] The populace was alarmed, and the Emperor tried to send away Jaysingh and Ajit Singh, but they remained nearby. In late February, the brothers besieged the palace and fort, posted their own guards at the gates, and guarded strategic points in the city.[13] Saiyad Abdulla and Ajit Singh argued with the Emperor all night, and in early morning on February 28, they decided to depose him. The Emperor was blinded, imprisoned, and murdered at the end of April.[14][15] The Marathas remained in Delhi for more than a month's time. During this period, they received three significant documents. The first document granted them the right to collect a tax known as chauth, which was traditionally paid by the people residing in the surrounding regions to the Mughal emperor. The second document granted them sardesmukhi, which was a tax levied on salt. However, the third document was particularly significant as it granted them swaraj, or the right to rule independently over the hereditary lands of Shivaji. After receiving these documents, the Marathas left Delhi on March 30, 1719.[16]

The financial difficulties of the Emperor further weakened his position, as he could not afford the expenses of his wala-shahi troops while the wazir maintained a strong army that formed the core of the Saiyids' power. In the end, the Saiyids were able to seize control of the fort and palace without encountering armed resistance due to the Emperor's weakness.[17]

Aftermath[edit]

After overthrowing Farukhshiyar[18], the Sayyid Brothers placed Rafi-ud-Darajat, son of Rafi-us-Shan, on the throne with their support. However, Rafi-ud-Darajat was ill with consumption and remained a puppet under their control. They later deposed him and put his elder brother on the throne.[19][20]

References[edit]

  1. Sen, S. N. (2006). History Modern India. New Age International. p. 3. ISBN 978-81-224-1774-6. Search this book on
  2. Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. p. 266. ISBN 978-0-521-56603-2. Search this book on
  3. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 44. Search this book on
  4. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 45. Search this book on
  5. Sardesai Govind Sakharam (1948). New History Of The Marathas Vol-ii 1707-1772 (1948). B. G. Dhawale, Bombay. p. 41. Search this book on
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 55. Search this book on
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Farooqui, Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 329. ISBN 978-81-317-3202-1. Search this book on
  8. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 55. Search this book on
  9. Farooqui, Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 329. ISBN 978-81-317-3202-1. Search this book on
  10. 10.0 10.1 Sardesai Govind Sakharam (1948). New History Of The Marathas Vol-ii 1707-1772 (1948). B. G. Dhawale, Bombay. p. 43. Search this book on
  11. Sardesai Govind Sakharam (1948). New History Of The Marathas Vol-ii 1707-1772 (1948). B. G. Dhawale, Bombay. p. 43. Search this book on
  12. Sardesai Govind Sakharam (1948). New History Of The Marathas Vol-ii 1707-1772 (1948). B. G. Dhawale, Bombay. p. 45. Search this book on
  13. Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-0-521-56603-2. Search this book on
  14. Tod, James; Crooke, William (2010-01-01). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 1025. ISBN 978-81-208-0380-0. Search this book on
  15. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 45. Search this book on
  16. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 56. Search this book on
  17. Malik, Zahir Uddin (1977). The Reign Of Muhammad Shah 1919-1748. p. 45. Search this book on
  18. Orsini, Francesca (2023). East of Delhi: Multilingual Literary Culture and World Literature. Oxford University Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-0-19-765829-1. Search this book on
  19. Narayan, Jagadish (1976). A Study Of Eighteenth Century India Vol. 1. p. 35. Search this book on
  20. Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-0-521-56603-2. Search this book on


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