Vijaynagara army was defeated at the Battle of Talikota by an alliance of the Deccan sultanates, resulting in the death of King Rama Raya and a collapse of the Vijaynagara Empire, the last significant Hindu kingdom in peninsular India
(3rd November) Muhi al-Din Muhammad, commonly known as Aurangzeb, was born in Dahod, Gujarat as the third son of the emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
Death of Jahangir, accession of his third son Shah Jahan to the Mughal throne, after defeating his youngest brother Shahryar Mirza and executing all other claimants
House: Mughals
Person:
Birth of Shivaji Maharaj
(19th February) A second son, Shivaji, was born to Shahaji Raje Bhonsle and his wife Jijabai, on Shivneri fort in Junnar, Shahaji's ancestral jagir
Dissatisfied and alienated with the Nizamshahi after his father-in-law Lakhuji Jadhavrao's murder in the Nizamshah's court (in 1629), Shahaji switched to Mughal service
House: Chhatrapati, Mughals
Person:
Crisis in the Nizamshahi
Fath Khan son of Malik Umbar allied with Mughals and surrendered the incumbent Nizamshah Hussain Shah, Shahaji switched to Bijapur service, setup rival Nizam Shah with Bijapur support
House: Mughals, Adilshahi, Nizamshahi
Person:
Birth of Vyankoji Raje
Vyankoji Raje (also known as Ekoji I) was born to Shahaji Raje and his younger wife Tukabai
House: Chhatrapati, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Aurangzeb appointed Viceroy of Deccan
Aurangzeb appointed Viceroy of Deccan, led campaign against Nizamshahi
House: Mughals, Nizamshahi
Person: Aurangzeb
Fall of the Nizamshahi
Final defeat of armies of Nizam Shah III, Nizamshahi divided between Mughals and Bijapur. Shahaji allowed to keep Pune jagir, but forced to move to Bijapur territory Bangalore
Afzal Khan started expedition from Bijapur, to root out the Maratha rebellion. On his way north, he destroyed several important Hindu pilgrimage places, including Tuljapur and Pandharpur, to try to provoke Shivaji into an open battle
Illness of Shah Jahan triggered succession war between his four sons Dara Shikoh, eldest who was nominated as successor by Shah Jahan (Agra), Aurangzeb (Deccan), Shah Shuja (Bengal) and Murad (Gujarat). Aurangzeb emerged victorious, executed Dara and Murad, Shuja escaped to Arakan. Aurangzeb was formally crowned Mughal Emperor
Meeting of Afzal Khan and Shivaji near Pratapgad fort, assasination of Afzal, followed by Battle of Pratapgad in which guerilla Maratha forces ambushed unwary army of Afzal Khan, leading to a decisive Maratha victory
Siege of Panhala Fort by Siddi Jauhar of Bijapur. Bajiprabhu Deshpande defended the rearguard and fought to death against the chasing Adilshahi army, as Shivaji Maharaj escaped with a small band towards Vishalgad (Battle of Pawan Khind). Around the same time, Shaista Khan had seized Pune
Portugal ceded the Port and Island of Bombay to Britain, as part of the dowry when Catherine of Braganza married English king Charles II. This was an important alliance that helped protect Portugal's independence from Spain, and also counterbalanced the Dutch influence in the East Indies
Shivaji raided Pune disguised among a wedding procession, and attacked Shaista Khan who was residing in Shivaji's childhood home of Lal Mahal. Shaista Khan survived the assasination attempt and escaped with lost fingers
Invasion of Mughal army under Mirza Raja Jai Singh. In the Treaty of Purandar, Shivaji agreed to hand over 23 forts, and travel to Agra along with his son Sambhaji Maharaj, to meet the Emperor and accept a commisison in his name
In the first significant action after the escape from Agra, Shivaji's general Tanaji Malusare led his troops to scale and capture Kondhana. Although Kondhana was captured, Tanaji perished in the battle, in his honor the fort was renamed 'Sinhagad'
Maratha army led by Prataprao Gujar and Moropant Pingle routed a Mughal army led by Mahabat Khan and Iklas Khan, at the Battle of Salher - the first major field victory for the Marathas in a pitched battle
Shivaji Raje Bhonsle was crowned as Chhatrapati (Protector), formally establishing the Maratha Empire as an independent entity, 'Hindavi Swarajya' - a champion of Hindu dharma and Hindu resistance against Muslim invasions. The coronation at Raigad was on 6th June 1674, presided over by Gaga Bhatt of Varanasi
Sabaji Bhonsle, received the Sanads for two villages in Berar region from Shivaji Maharaj. Brothers Persoji, Sabaji and Bapuji Bhonsle were sons of Mudhoji Bhonsle of Hingani village near Pune, whose family has already been serving the Chhatrapati's clan since the times of Shahaji Raje
The reigning king of Thanjavur Vijayraghava Nayak was killed during an invasion by the Nayak of Madurai Chokkantha. Thanjavur's minister Rayasam Venkanna asked the Adilshahi to intervene, on behalf of Vijayraghava's grandson Sengamala. Adilshah sent his vassal Vyankoji, who captured Thanjavur. However, with Sengamala being incompenent to rule, Vyankoji was crowned the king in THanjavur, establishing Maratha dynasty there
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Alliance with Qutubshahi
Shivaji signed alliance with Qutubshah of Golconda, and rode on a conquest of South India ('Dakshin digvijay'). Shivaji's stepbrother Venkoji Bhonsle was defeated, after he refused to incorporate his lands with Shivaji's. The forts of Vellore and Gingee and the southern fief around them was captured
Sambhaji Maharaj rebelled against his father and joined the Mughals. Together with Mughal commander Diler Khan, he participated in the siege of Bhupalgad. He however reconciled with his father, and met him in Panhala
With the advice of his wife Deepabai, Vyankoji sued for peace with Shivaji, and agreed to an alliance. He retained Thanjavur and some parts of his former fiefs as his kingdom. The fort of Gingee and the captured southern areas were given into governorship of Harji Mahadik, who was married to Ambikabai, Shivaji Maharaj's daughter with Saibai
House: Chhatrapati, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Death of Shivaji Maharaj
Death of Shivaji Maharaj, accession of Sambhaji as Chhatrapati. Plot by stepmother Soyrabai and her supports to supplant him in favor of step brother Rajaram foiled
Sambhaji Maharaj led a multi pronged attack against Portuguese possessions in Goa and Konkan. He captured several forts, and the capital Ilha de Goa came under siege. However, news of a huge Mughal invasion from the north forced the campaign to be withdrawn
Aurangzeb sent prince Shah Alam to capture Golconda, but the prince instead agreed to retreat following payment of ransom, which viewed by Aurangzeb as treason
On the death of Vyankoji Maharaj, his minor son Shahaji, born in Bangalore in 1671, acceeded to the throne of Thanjavur as Shahaji II
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Fall of the Qutubshahi
Mughal armies again laid siege to Golconda, this time personally supervised by Aurangzed. Golconda fell after several months, and the Qutubshahi was destroyed
Sambhaji Maharaj was betrayed by his brother-in-law Ganoji Shirke and captured by the Mughals in Sangameshwar. After horrific torture, he was finally executed in Tulapur on the banks of the Bhima river on Aurangzeb's orders.
Fall of Raigad to Mughal commander Zulfikar Khan, capture of Sambhaji's wife Dowager Queen Yesubai and seven year old son son Shahu I. Rajaram maharaj was informally crowned as Chhatrapati, and escaped to Ginjee
Although nominally under Mughal occupation, Maharashtra was in unrest and rebellion. Guerilla raids led by Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav led to attrition and fear in the Mughal ranks. Several forts were occupied and stocked by the Mughals, only for them to be retaken by Maratha forces
House: Chhatrapati, Mughals
Person:
Conclusion of Anglo-Mughal war
Anglo-Mughal war concludes, British EIC granted permission to establish British trading post in Calcutta
Fall of Gingee to Zulfikar Khan, escape of Chhatrapati Rajaram back to Maharashtra, where he took up the reigns of the administration again from Satara
Chhatrapati Rajaram first gave the title of 'Senasahibsubah' to Persoji Bhonsle, brother of Sabaji and Babuji Bhonsle of the Hinganikar Bhonsle dynasty
Shahaji II captured Tranquebar, and some districts from Madurai. Shahaji II's was the only reign of the Thanjavur Maratha dynasty when the kingdom expanded beyond its original boundaries
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Death of Rajaram Maharaj
(3rd March) Death of Chhatrapati Rajaram, Regent queen Tarabai proclaimed her infant son Shivaji as Chhatrapati
(18th August) A son was born to Balaji Vishwanath Bhat and his wife Radhabai was born on August 18, 1700, in Sinnar in Nashik district. The boy was named Visaji (or Vishwanath) Ballal Bhat later becoming famous as 'Bajirao' due to his exploits
Mughal occupation of Maratha territory was threatened continuously by guerilla raids. For the first time, Maratha cavalry raided territory north of the Narmada river, led by Nemaji Shinde in Central India and Khanderao Dabhade in Gujarat
A second son was born to Pilaji Gaekwad, and was named Damaji
House: Gaekwad
Person: Damaji_Gaekwad
Death of Aurangzeb
(20th February) Death of Aurangzeb at Ahmadnagar (today Ahilyanagar) at age 88, triggering succession war. Azam Shah declared himself emperor at Ahmadnagar, Bahadur Shah (Shah Alam) in Peshawar
(May 8th) Release of Shahu I after 18 years in Mughal custody by Azam Shah, after Aurangzeb's death. Shahu marched south to claim his title as Maratha Chhatrapati, claimed by Rajaram's widow Tarabai in favor of her minor son Shivaji II. Several chieftains proclaimed support for Shahu, including Khanderao Dabhade and Persoji Bhonsle
Azam Shah killed in Battle of Jajau near Agra, victorious Bahadur Shah crowned emperor at age 64
House: Mughals
Person:
Battle of Khed
Battle of Khed between Shahu I and Dowager Queen Tarabai's forces. Dhanaji Jadhav, Chief Commander (Senapati) who had initially declared for Tarabai, switched allegience to Chhatapati Shahu, leading to his victory
(12th January) Having gained support from a large faction of Maratha nobles, Shahu Maharaj besieged and captured Satara. He was formally crowned as Chhatrapati
Death of Bahadur Shah in Lahore. Jahandar Shah acended the throne, supported by Zulfikar Khan, defeating Azim-us-Shan. Zulfikar considered 'Kingmaker' for helping the weakest claimant ascend as Emperor
House: Mughals
Person:
Accession of Serfoji I in Thanjavur
Shahaji II died without issue, and was succeeded as king of Thanjavur by his younger brother, Serfoji I
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Balaji Vishwanath Bhat as Peshwa
(November 17th) Balaji Vishwanath, who had already shown himself as an able administrator under Senapati Dhanaji Jadhav, was appointed as Peshwa by Shahu Maharaj, in place of incumbent Peshwa Bahiroji Pingle who had been captured by Kanhoji Angre
Rebellion of Farrukhsiyar, son of Azim-us-shan in Bengal, supported financially by Sayyid brothers (Hassan Ali & Hussain Ali)
House: Mughals, Bengal
Person:
Defeat of Jahandar Shah
Jahandar Shah and Zulfikar Khan defeated in battle near Agra, later captured and beheaded in Delhi. Farrukhsiyar ascends the throne as emperor, Sayyid brothers as de-facto power brokers
House: Mughals
Person:
Nizam-ul-mulk appointed viceroy of Deccan
Qamruddin Khan/Chin Cilic Khan/Asaf Jah appointed at Viceroy of Deccan with title Nizam-ul-mulk
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Tarabai usurped and exiled
The other widow of Rajaram Maharaj, Rajasbai, usurped the seat of Kolhapur and had her son son Sambhaji II crowned instead. Shivaji II and his mother Tarabai were imprisoned
Peshwe Balaji Vishwanath instituted the new Maratha revenue collection system, allowing the chiefs to keep newly conquered lands from Mughal territories as their fief, in lieu of a fourth of the revenue (Chauth) remitted to the Chhatrapati. This system became the basis for Maratha expansion in the north
Khanderao Dabhade was given the title of Senapati (Commander-in-Chief) by Chhatrapati Shahu
House: Chhatrapati, Dabhade
Person: Shahu_Maharaj
Farrukhsiyar allows EIC to trade in Bengal
Farrukhsiyar issues a firman allowing EIC to reside and trade freely in Bengal
House: Mughals, Bengal, Britain/EIC
Person:
Hussain Ali appointed to Deccan as viceroy
Hussain Ali appointed to Deccan as viceroy, replacing Asaf Jah, who was demoted to Malwa
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath agrees treaty with Hussain Ali
Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath agreed treaty with Hussain Ali (Mughal viceroy of Deccan) - Chauth & Sardeshmukhi of Deccan, Malwa & Gujarat, recognition of Shahu. Emperor Farrukhsiyar refuses to ratify
Hussain Ali marched on Delhi supported by Maratha troops, including Peshwe Balaji Vishwanath, his young son Bajirao, Senapati Khanderao Dabhade and Santaji Bhonsle, (son of Persoji and brother of Kanoji). Farrukhsiyar was deposed and replaced with Rafi-ud-Darajat , who ratified Maratha treaty but died within 3 months of tuberculosis. Santaji Bhonsle was killed during the campaign
Farrukhsiyar deposed by Sayyid brothers, replaced with Rafi-ud-Darajat , who ratified Maratha treaty but died within 3 months of tuberculosis
House: Mughals
Person:
Sayyid brothers put Shah Jahan II on the throne
Sayyid brothers put Shah Jahan II (Rafi-ud-daulah, elder brother of Rafi-ud-darajat) on the throne, he also died within the year of tuberculosis
House: Mughals
Person:
Accession of Muhammad Shah
Muhammad Shah 'Rangila', son of the fourth son of Bahadur Shah, ascends the throne under the supervision of the Sayyid brothers, fourth Emperor within a year to ascend the throne
House: Mughals, Milestone
Person:
War against Kolhapur
Shahu and Balaji moved against renewed incursions of Kolhapur, defeated Sambhaji II at the Battle of Panhala, and reestablished the borders between Satara and Kolhapur
(17th April) Death of Balaji Vishwanath, Shanu Maharaj appointed his oldest son Bajirao, aged just 20, as Peshwa, despite severe opposition. First hereditary appointment as Peshwa from Bhat family
Factionalism of Sayyid brothers - Hussain Ali got himself appointed to Malwa to replace Asaf Jah, who instead of returning to Delhi marched south towards Deccan
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Battle of Balapur
Asaf Jah defeated Dilawar Ali at Khandwa and Azam Ali, nephew of Sayyid brothers at Balapur He was upported by Maratha chiefs including Bajirao Peshwa and Khanderao Dabhade. For valor shown in this battle, Damaji Gaekwad, a soldier in the employ of Dabhade was granted the title Samsher Bahadur and appointed second in command to Dabhade by the Chhatrapati
Muhammad Shah wrote firman confirming Asaf Jah as viceroy of Deccan
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Nizam appointed as Grand Vizier
Asaf Jah appointed as Grand Vizier, returned to Delhi
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Rise of Pilaji Gaekwad
Death of Damaji Gaekwad, Mutalik (deputy) of Senapati Khanderao Dabhade. His nephew and heir Pilaji Gaekwad was appointed as Mutalik (considered as founder of the Gaekwad dynasty)
House: Gaekwad, Dabhade
Person:
Birth of Nanasaheb
(12th December) A son was born to Bajirao I and his wife Kashibai. The boy was named Balaji Bajirao Bhat, later commonly known as 'Nanasaheb'
House: Peshwe
Person: Bajirao_I, Nanasaheb
Grant of Amravati
Village of Amravati was granted to Ranoji Bhonsle, younger brother of Kanoji, by Chhatrapati Shahu, increasing foothold of the Hinganikar Bhonsle dynasty in the east
Muhammad Shah ordered Asaf Jah to Awadh, at which he resigned as Grand Vizier and moved towards Deccan.
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Sack of Surat
Pilaji Gaekwad, in the name of the Senapati, sacked Surat and defeated the Governor Momin Khan
House: Mughals, Gaekwad, Dabhade
Person:
Raghoji's inheritance
A son, Rayaji, was born to Kanoji, dashing the hopes of his nephew (cousin Bimbaji Bhonsle's son) Raghoji as potential heir. Relations between Kanoji and Raghoji soured, and Raghoji left to serve Chand Sultan of the Gond kingdom of Deogarh, in his new capital city Nagpur
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person: Raghoji_Bhonsle
Battle of Sakharkheda
Governor of Hyderabad Mubariz Khan was ordered to oppose Asaf Jah, but he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Sakharkheda, with help of Marathas under Bajirao I
Emperor forced to recognize Asaf Jah as viceroy of Deccan, de-facto autonomous from Delhi - start of Asaf Jahi dynasty (Nizam) of Hyderabad
House: Mughals, Nizam(Hyd), Milestone
Person:
Raghoji in Satara
Raghoji Bhonsle moved to Satara, under the direct employment of Chhatrapati Shahu. He supported Fatehsinh Bhonsle of Akkalkot in revenue collections, and developed good relations with the Chhatrapati
Bajirao Peshwa negotiated with the Mughal Governor of Gujarat Sarbuland Khan, to allow Sardeshmukhi to be levied in Gujarat directly in the name of the Peshwa. This triggered a bitter and long lasting rivalry between the Peshwa and the Dabhade and Gaekwad dynasties
(25th February) After series of rapid cavalry feints across north Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bajirao succeeded in getting the Nizam to chase, and after cutting him off from his main army, soundly defeated him at the Battle of Palkhed. Treaty of Mungi-Sevgaon reaffirmed soverignity and chauth right of Shahu (6th March)
Serfoji I also died without issue, hence his younger brother and third son of Vyankoji, Tukkaji I succeeded to the throne of Thanjavur
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Battle of Amjhera
Bajirao Peshwa's younger brother Chimaji Appa led his forces north into Malwa, and supported by Maratha officers like Malharrao Holkar and Udaji Pawar, defeated the Mughal Governor Giridhar Bahadur and his cousin Daya Bahadur at the Battle of Amjhera, in which they were both killed
(May 7th) Bajirao Peshwa rode to Bundelkhand to succour Chhatrasaal Bundela, defeated Muhammad Khan Bangash. Chhatrasaal named Bajirao a foster son and granted him a third of his lands in Bundelkhand as inheritance. In Budelkhand Bajirao met and fell in love with Chhatrasaal's illegitimate daughter Mastani, whom he brought back to Pune much to his family's anguish
Death of Khanderao Dabhade, eldest son Trimbakrao Dabhade was appointed Senapati. Trimbakrao continued to nurse grievances against the Peshwa, for perceived interference and loss of revenues in north Gujarat
Shahu took the field against his cousin Sambhaji II, for incursions, defeated him near Panhala. Tarabai and Rajasbai were captured, Tarabai chose to stay at Satara instead of returning to Kolhapur
Shahu unsuccessfully attempted to reconcile Dabhade and Peshwe. Trimbak rao formed coalition with Udaji Pawar, Muhammad Khan Bangash and others against Bajirao, supported by Nizam
(3rd December) Mahadji Shinde, the fifth and youngest son was born to Ranoji Shinde and his second wife Chimnabai
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Rise of Ranoji Shinde
Ranoji Shinde established his capital at Ujjain, being granted the new lands after supporting Bajirao I in various battles and excursions into Malwa (Start of prominence of Shinde dynasty of Gwalior)
Raghoji, supported by his uncle Ranoji, defeated Kanoji Bhosle at Bham. He was captured and imprisoned at Satara. Kanoji's son Rayaji contested the Senasahibsubah title which was given to Raghoji by the Chhatrapati
House: Chhatrapati, Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Bajirao and Chimaji rode against Dabhade
Bajirao proved collusion of Dabhades with Nizam, and despite opposition from Shahu rode against Dabhades to Gujarat with Chimaji
Nizam sent an army to support Dabhade, but Dabhade was routed at Battle of Dabhoi before Nizam's army could reach him. Trimbakrao Dabhade was killed in Battle, and Pilaji Gaekwad was injured. Trimbakrao's minor son was named as Senapati, but his mother Umabai although in named reconciled with the Peshwa, continued to nurse grudge. First of three major confrontations between the Peshwa and Dabhade/Gaekwad dynasties. Shahu sided with Peshwe, marking first ascendency of Peshwe power over the Satara throne
Pilaji Gaekwad was assasinated in Dakor at the behest of Maharaja Abhaysingh of Jodhpur, who was the Mughal appointed Governor of Khambat province. Baroda was captured and handed over to the Mughals in the aftermath. Pilaji's son Damaji Gaekwad II became the Mutalik of the Senapati, and began campaigns to avenge his father
Bajirao led campaign against Siddis in Konkan, after death of Siddi Yasul Rakut created a succession crisis. Pant Pratinidhi led separate campaign against Siddi, and supported by Yashwantrao Potnis captured Raigad after 44 years in Mughal control (8th June)
House: Peshwe
Person: Bajirao_I
Peace signed with Siddis
Peace signed with Siddis, with 4 forts still in their posession, after Siddis signed alliance with the EIC
House: Peshwe
Person: Bajirao_I
Birth of Raghunathrao
(18th August) A second son was born to Bajirao I and his wife Kashibai in Mahuli, near Satara. The boy was named Raghunathrao
House: Peshwe
Person: Bajirao_I, Raghunathrao
Death of Siddi Sat
Siddi Sat plundered the Parshuram temple in Chiplun. Chimaji launched a surprise attack on the Sidd's base in Rewas, and in the ensuing battle Siddi Sat was killed
On the death of Tukkaji, his son Ekoji acceeded to the throne of Thanjavur. He was however in ill health, and died the year after
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Fall of Tiruchirapally
Chanda Sahib, son in law of the Nawab of Arcot Dost Ali Khan, captured Tiruchirapally with treachery, causing the collapse of the Madurai Nayak dynasty. Coalition of hindu kingdoms appealed to Chhatrapati Shahu to intervene against the Nawab
(27th March) the Maratha army led by Sardar Honaji Balkawade and Khandoji Mankar stormed and captured the half completed Portuguese fortress at Thane-Salcette
(28th March) Bajirao circumvented Mughal armies heading south and appeared unexpectedly on the outskirts of Delhi, dashing 200 km in 4 days
House: Peshwe, Mughals
Person: Bajirao_I
Cession of Gujarat revenues to Damaji Gaekwad
The Mughal Emperor appointed Momin Khan as Governor to replace Abhaysingh. Mominkhan sued for peace with Damaji Gaekwad, ceding half of the revenue of several areas in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, to him
House: Mughals, Gaekwad
Person: Damaji_Gaekwad
Succession crisis in Thanjavur
Ekoji II died, and his widow Sujanbai took over the reigns of the kingdon, but plots and claims abounded, leading to a period of anarchy in Thanjavur. Chanda Sahib supported installation of a puppet Shahuji to the throne
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur), Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Battle of Bhopal
(7th January) Emperor asked Nizam for help to cutoff the Marathas retreating from the raid on Delhi, but Bajirao besieged the Nizam at Bhopal and defeated him. Treaty of Bhopal led to concession of Malwa (area between Narmada and Chambal rivers), first formal gain of territory for the Marathas in the North
(10th March) Muhammad Shah surrendered Delhi to Nadir Shah, who massacared thousands of civilians and looted the city, carrying off vast booty, including the peacock throne and the Kohinoor diamond
House: Mughals, Milestone
Person:
Power struggle in the Gond Kingdom
Chand Sultan of Deogarh died, and his throne was usurped by Wali Shah, his illegitimate half-brother. Chand Sultan's widow Ratan Kunwar invoked the aid of Raghoji Bhonsle to support the throne in favor of her sons Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah. Raghoji defeated and killed Wali Shah, and was promised a third of the Gond Kingdom in return
(12th December) Bajirao Peshwa invaded the Nizam's territory in the Deccan, laid siege to the Nizam's son Nasir Jung at Aurangabad. Peace was agreed with some territories ceded to the Maratha crown
After disagreements between Shahuji and Chanda Sahib, illegitimate younger son of Tukkaji, Pratapsingh, acceeded to the thone in Thanjavur, and was soon caught up in intrigues between the British, French and the Nawab of Arcot, fuelled by the outbreak of the Carnatic wars
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Death of Bajirao
(28th April) Death of Bajirao I at Rawerkhedi aged 40 years, eldest son Balaji Bajirao (Nanasaheb) was appointed as Peshwa by the Chhatrapati
Raghoji Bhosle and Damaji Gaekwad tried to prevent Nanasaheb's accession as Peshwa
Raghoji Bhonsle, supported by Damaji Gaekwad, unsuccessfully tried to prevent appointment of Balaji Bajirao as next Peshwa. Raghoji went south again to support Pratap Singh, Maratha ruler of Thanjavur
Raghoji Bhonsle and Fatehsinh Bhonsle defeated Nawab of Arcot Dost Ali Khan at the Battle of Damalcherry pass, and declared his son Safdar Ali Khan as Nawab of Carnatic under his protection
Nanasaheb marched north into Malwa, to get control that was promised but not fully implemented due to his father Bajirao's untimely death. Nanasaheb was accompanied by chieftains like Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde and Udaji Pawar. They captured Dhar, signed friendship with Sawai Jaisingh of Jaipur, and extracted Chauth in Gwalior region before returning to Pune
(25th March) Raghoji defeated and imprisoned Dost Ali Khan's son-in-law Chanda Sahib and captured fort of Tiruchirapally. Murarrao Ghorpade was appointed as governor, and Raghoji returned to the north
Nanasaheb marched on Bundelkhand, to assert control over lands promised by Chattrasal Bundela. He was again accompanied by chieftains like Malharrao Holkar, Ranoji Shinde and Udaji Pawar. He captured important posts like Orchha and Jhansi, but Ranoji Shinde's eldest son Jyotyaji was killed in a trecherous attack by King Veersingh or Orchha
First Maratha invasion of Bengal began, with Raghoji's armies led by Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar captured the fort of Ratanpur in Chattisgarh, and raided Murshidabad, Hoogly and Orissa before returning to Nagpur
Disagreements between Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah led to a renewed incursion of Raghoji, on behalf of Burhan Shah, the elder claimant. Akbar Shah was defeated and exiled, Raghoji made himself Protector of Deogarh, bringing Maratha rule to Nagpur
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person: Raghoji_Bhonsle
Second Maratha invasion of Bengal
Second Maratha invasion of Bengal by Raghoji. Concurrently, Nanasaheb's armies entered Bengal from Bihar. Alivardi Khan met Nanasaheb at Plassey and signed an armistice, with the promise of Chauth. This intervention forced Raghoji to retreat, continuing the animosity between Raghoji and the Peshwa
Third Maratha invasion of Bengal to extract Chauth began. Alivardi Khan invited Raghoji's general Bhaskar Ram Kolhatkar, ostensibly to negotiate governorship of Bihar, and had him and his supporters treacherously murdered (30th March)
Fourth Maratha invasion of Bengal, this time led directly by Raghoji Bhonsle, in retaliation of Bhaskar Ram's murder. Raghoji captured the fortress of Barabati (Cuttack), and appointed Mir Habib as governor of Odisha
(3rd July) Ranoji Shinde, founder of the Shinde dynasty, died and was succeeded by his second son Jayappa (eldest son and heir Jyotyaji having been assasinated earlier)
The first Carnatic war was triggered by the outbreak of the War of Austrian succession in Europe in 1740. In 1746, naval engagements off the east coast of India began between the British and French navies. Already, proxy intrigues were at play since the death of Nawab of Arcot Dost Ali's death at the Battle of Damalcherry had sparked a power struggle between his son-in-law Chanda Sahib, supported by the French, and Muhammad Ali, supported by the British
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Capture of Madras by France
Madras was captured from the EIC by the French, but not handed over to the Nawab of Arcot as promised
Nanasaheb sent 16-year old nephew Sadashivrao Bhau on his first campaign to the Carnatic
House: Peshwe
Person: Nanasaheb
Battle of St. Thomé (Battle of Adyar)
Nawab's army of 10k besieged Madras but was routed by 400 French soldiers armed with muskets and field guns - first instance of european power winning with strength of arms
House: France, Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Mir Jafar castigated by Alivardi Khan
Alivardi Khan appointed Mir Jafar as Bakshi and deputy governor of Odisha, and attempted to recapture Cuttack. However, Janoji Bhonsle, eldest son of Raghoji, arrived in Odisha to support Mir Habib, leading Mir Jafar to withdraw. Alivardi Khan castigated Mir Jafar and removed him from his post
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Bengal
Person:
Accession of Ahmad Shah Abdali
Nadir Shah assasinated, his general Ahmad Shah Abdali crowned himself as Sultan of Afghanistan, and styled himself as Durrani
House: Abdali
Person: Abdali
Abdali's first invasion of India
Ahmad Shah Abdali launched first invasion of India and captured Lahore, but returned to Afghanistan to quell a revolt
House: Abdali, Milestone
Person: Abdali
Succession of Shahu Maharaj
With Shahu Maharaj ailing, and not having a direct heir, rumors began to circulate that he would adopt either Mudhoji, younger son of Raghoji Bhonsle or Sambhaji II, incumbent of the thone of Kolhapur, as heir. However, dowager Tarabai revealed that hitherto undisclosed son of Shivaji II (Tarabai's son and exiled claimant of the seat of Kolhapur) was alive, and should be adopted by Shahu as successor.
Death Nizam Asaf Jah I at Burhanpur, succession disputed between his second son Nasir Jung and grandson (daughter's son) Muzaffar Jung. Asaf Jah's eldest son was at the time in Delhi, and youngest sons Salabat Jung and Nizam Ali were still too young to be independently politically active
House: Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Death of Rayaji Bhonsle
Rayaji Bhonsle, son of Kanoji, died childless, strengthening the claim of Raghoji and his line on the title of Senasahibsubah
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person: Raghoji_Bhonsle
Death of Emperor Muhammad Shah, succession of son Ahmad Shah Bahadur
Death of Emperor Muhammad Shah, during ongoing invasion of Durranis in Punjab. Son Ahmad Shah Bahadur acceeded the throne, but Wazir Safdarjung held a lot of power
House: Mughals, Abdali
Person: Abdali
Abdali's second invasion of India
Abdali's second invasion of India, Mughal governor of Punjab Moin-ul-mulk negotiated terms ceding reveune of several regions
House: Mughals, Abdali
Person: Abdali
Intervention of the British in Thanjavur
Shahuji, pretender to the Thanjavur throne, approached the British EIC for intervention on his behalf, promising the port of Devikottai. However, Pratapsingh bought off the British attack by directly ceding to them the promised port
House: Britain/EIC, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
The war in Europe ended, bringing a conclusion to the first Carnatic War in India. Madras was returned to the British in exchange for Louisbourg in North America.
House: Britain/EIC, France
Person:
Fifth Maratha invasion of Bengal
Fifth Maratha invasion of Bengal, led by Mir Habib and Janoji Bhonsle, penetrated large parts of Bengal and Bihar from their base in Odisha, raiding and extracting Chauth
Alivardi Khan captured Cuttack in a surprise attack, but the Marathas were able to recapture it from Alivardi's exhausted garrison later in the year
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Bengal
Person:
Start of second Carnatic war
Chanda Sahib was ransomed by the Marathas, combined army of Chanda Sahib, Muzaffar Jung (Nizam claimant) and the French defeated Anwaruddin at Ambur, Chanda Sahib declared himself Nawab of Arcot
House: Peshwe, Bhonsle(Nagpur), Nizam(Hyd), France, Britain/EIC
Person:
Siege of Thanjavur
Thanjavur was besieged by Chanda Sahib and French forces. Pratapsingh allied himself with the British EIC and their claimant Muhammad Ali. Thanjavur was saved with news of approaching army Nasir Jung and the British EIC
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Accession of Rajaram II as Chhatrapati
(4th January) Chhatrapati Shahu's adopted son was crowned Chhatrapati as Rajaram II (commonly known as Ramaraja).
(29th September) Treaty of Sangola was signed between the newly crowned Chhatrapati Ramaraja and Nanasaheb Peshwa, which transferred executive, administrative, and military power of the Maratha Empire from the Chhatrapati to the Peshwa. It cemented the Peshwa as the de facto ruler and shifted the core power center to Pune
(22nd November) Resentful of the Treaty of Sangola, Dowager Queen Tarabai imprisoned her grandson Chhatrapati Rajaram II when he visited her on Ajinkyatara Fort in Satara, and made overtures to to several chiefs to support her against the Peshwa. Senapati Dabhade's widow Umabai and her lieutenant Damaji Gaekwad marched on Satara. Raghoji Bhonsle visited Satara and was reinvested as Senasahibsubah by the new Chhatrapati, but refused to support Tarabai against Peshwa
With both armies exhausted and in financial duress, treaty was signed between Alivardi Khan and Raghoji Bhonsle, ceding control of Odisha to the Marathas
British supported Nasir Jung as Nizam and Muhammad Ali as Nawab of Arcot, the French Muzaffar Jung and Chanda Sahib. Nasir Jung was killed by rebellious Nawab of Cudappah, allowing Muzaffar Jung to be crowned Nizam
Muzaffar Jung was killed in an ambush, younger son of Asaf Jah I Salabat Jung was crowned Nizam with French support. Peshwa Nanasaheb pushed for Asaf Jah I's eldest son Ghaziuddin to be nominated as Nizam, and started campaigning against Salabat Jung
House: Nizam(Hyd), France, Britain/EIC, Peshwe
Person: Nanasaheb
Safdarjung asked help from Holkar and Shinde
Safdarjung asked help from Malharrao Holkar and Jayappa Shinde to counter Rohilla rebellion
Damaji Gaekwad named Sena Khas Khel in place of Dabhade
Damaji Gaekwad agreed to leave Dabhade fold and was named Sena Khas Khel in Gujarat instead (Start of prominence of Gaekwad dynasty of Baroda). Half of the revenues of Gujarat were promised to the Peshwa in exchange for support to capture Ahmedabad
(12th April) 'Ahadnama' signed that promised that the Marathas would protect Mughal empire from internal and external enemies, after Holkar and Scindia help Safdarjung quell Rohilla rebellion
Ahmad Shah's third invasion of India, after Moin-ul-mulk did not pay agreed tribute. Moin-ul-mulk defeated in battle, but appointed as Punjab governor under Durrani rule. Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah signed treaty to formally cede Punjab to the Durranis
House: Mughals, Abdali
Person: Abdali
Assasination of Ghaziuddin
Ghaziuddin started towards Deccan, supported by Holkar and Scindia, but died of poisoning at Aurangabad before battle with Salabat Jung could happen
(24th November)Salabat Jung marched on Pune, supported and instigated by the French forces of de Bussy, but could not gain any conclusive gains. Treaty of Bhalki gave the Marathas fort of Trimbak and some areas in Berar
House: Peshwe, Nizam(Hyd), France
Person: Nanasaheb
Chanda Sahib’s forces were defeated by the British and their ally, Muhammad Ali. Thanjavur's Maratha forces participated on the side of the British. Chanda Sahib was executed by Mankoji, commander in chief of Thanjavur, dealing a heavy blow to French ambitions.
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Nanasaheb's first Karnataka campaign
(8th January) Having secured the front against the Nizam with the Treaty of Bhalki, Nanasaheb launched his first Karnataka campain to bring the other southern principalities under control. Treaty of friedship was signed with King Krishnaraj Wodeyar of Mysore, and tribute extracted
House: Peshwe, Mysore
Person:
Imad-ul-mulk appointed as Vizier
Ahmad Shah Bahadur appointed Imad-ul-mulk (Son of Ghaziuddin Khan, eldest son of Asaf Jah I) as Wazir, to counter Safdarjung
Peshwa nanasaheb sent an Army under command of his younger brother Raghunathrao to Gujarat, captured Ahmedabad from Mughal governor Jawanmardkhan Babi with support from Damaji Gaekwad, as well as other chiefs like Holkar and Shinde. Large areas of Gujarat came under direct control of the Gaekwads. Some areas in Kathiawar including Junagarh were allowed to be governed by Jawanmardkhan Babi and his decendents as Maratha vassals, sundering the link of Gujarat from the Mughal throne
Fallout of the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur with Imad-ul-mulk, who allied himself with the Marathas and defeated Ahmad Shah Bahadur and Safdarjung at the Battle of Sikandrabad, supported by Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar
Muhammad Ali Wallajah crowned Nawab of Arcot with British support
House: Nizam(Hyd), Britain/EIC, France, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Capture of Gwalior
Maratha forces led by Vithal Shivdeo Vinchurkar captured the fort of Gwalior from the Rana of Gohad, to whom the Mughal subhedar had handed over the fort in anticipation of the Maratha attack
House: Mughals, Shinde, Peshwe
Person:
Assasination of Jayappa Shinde
During the siege of the fort of Nagore in Rajputana, Jayappa Shinde was ambushed and assasinated by Rajput soldiers. His 10 year old son Jankoji Shinde was nominated to the seat of the Shinde dynasty, under regency of his uncle Dattaji
House: Shinde
Person:
Death of Raghoji Bhonsle
(14th February) Raghoji Bhonsle died in Nagpur, his eldest son Janoji was invested with the title of Senasahibsubah. However, there was animosity between him and his younger brother Mudhoji Bhonsle 'Senadhurandhar' over territory division
Siraj-ud-daulah became Nawab of Bengal, captured Calcutta
(10th April) Siraj-ud-daulah became Nawab of Bengal on death of his grandfather Alivardi Khan. He demanded fortifications at Fort William be demolished, and captured Calcutta from the British when this demand was not met
(28th January) Ahmad Shah Abdali occupied Delhi, reinstalled the incumbent Alamgir II as Mughal emperor, but with Najib-ud-daula, who had defected to the Afghans, in control as wazir. He returned to Kabul, leaving his son Timur Shah as governor in Lahore
(23rd June) Battle of Plassey, British victory when Siraj-ud-Daula's commander in chief Mir Jafar was bribed to betray his master in lieu of becoming Nawab of Bengal. EIC gained territory and tax exemption in Bengal
(26th September) In response to Imad-ul-mulk's request for help, Nanasaheb Peshwa despatched an army under the command of his younger brother Raghunathrao to the north, to counter the Rohillas and Afghans. Raghunathrao captured Delhi from the control of Najib Khan Rohilla, and placed placed Antaji Mankeshwar as governor in the city
(24th September) Of the five Mughal provinces in southern India (the Nawab of each was a nominal feudatory of the Nizam), 4 had been subjugated by the Marathas - Shira, Savanur, Arcot and Kurnool. Nanasaheb sent a campaign against the last, Kadapa (Cudappah), under the leadership of Balwantrao Mehendale and Visaji Krishna. In the ensuing siege and battle, Nawab Abdul Majid Khan was killed, and Kadapa captured
(17th December) Nizam Salabat Jung replaced his Diwan Shahnawaz Khan, who asked Peshwa to intervene. Nanasaheb besieged Aurangabad, and defeated Nizam's forces in Battle of Sindkhed. Several forts and areas ceded to Marathas. Nizam's younger brother Nizam Ali became de-facto power holder in Hyderabad
Peshwa offered support to the British in Bengal, but succession crisis after Raghoji Bhonsle's death and Abdali's invasion in the north forced Maratha attention away from Bengal
The fort and city of Gwalior became the de-facto capital of the Shinde dynasty and their base for future operations in the north, although the official capital remained in Ujjain
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Capture of Attock
Raghunathrao Peshwa marched further north from Delhi, captured Sirhind in Punjab (8th March) and Lahore (11th April). Timur Shah escaped to Peshawar. Finally, the army crossed the Ravi river and captured the fortress of Attock on the eastern bank of the Indus (10th August). Raghunathrao was accompanied by chieftains like Tukoji Holkar, Sabaji Shinde and Manaji Paigude. This marked the largest geographical extent of Maratha influence, still famous in the Marathi language with the expression 'The flag beyond Attock' (Atke-par jhenda). Raghunathrao's campaign earned him the moniker 'Ragho Bharari' (whirlwind), but the campaign put the Peshwa deep in debt
The third Carnatic war was triggered by the start of the Seven Years' War in Europe
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Capture of Fort St. David
French forces under Count de Lally arrived in India and aggressively attacked the British, successfully capturing Fort St. David.
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
French siege of Thanjavur
Lally besieged Thanjavur, attempting to extract revenues earlier promised to Chanda Sahib. But the Marathas put up a staunch defence, and with approaching British support, Lally abandoned the siege
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Assasination of Hyder Ali
The Diwan (prime Minister) Hyder Ali of Nizam Salabat Jung was assasinated by the Nizam's younger brother Nizam Ali in a power struggle, creating chaos at the court of the Nizam. Hyder Ali was a confidante of the French commander deBussy, who in retaliation assasinated Shahnawaz Khan, former diwan allied to Nizam Ali and to the Peshwa, and tried to capture Nizam Salabat Jung. The Nizam escaped, but was captured instead by his brother Nizam Ali. De Bussy, fearing retaliation by Nizam Ali, moved all his french forces out of Hyderabad
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Nizam(Hyd), France, Peshwe
Person:
Ahmad Shah Abdali's fifth invasion of India
Ahmad Shah Abdali's fifth invasion of India, in response to Maratha invasion of Punjab and capture of Lahore and Attock.
House: Mughals, Abdali, Milestone
Person: Abdali
Alamgir II assasinated and replaced with Shah Jahan III
(30th November) Alamgir II assasinated on orders of Imad-ul-mulk, and replaced with Shah Jahan III. Prince Ali Gauhar, future Shah Alam II, escaped to Bengal
House: Mughals, Bengal
Person:
Capture of Ahmadnagar
Maratha invasion of Deccan under Sadashivrao. Ahmadnagar fort captured
House: Peshwe, Nizam(Hyd)
Person: Nanasaheb
Power struggle between Janoji and Mudhoji
The Battle of Nandgaon-Rahatgaon: Despite the Peshwa's attempt to allocate lands between them, there was animosity between Senasahibsubah Janoji and his younger brother 'Senadhurandhar' Mudhoji Bhonsle. Mudhoji tried to break Janoji's commander Raghoji Karande to his side, but was defeated in the battle of Nandgaon-Rahatgaon
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Ibrahim Khan Gardi joins Marathas
Nizam Ali was appointed prime minister in Hyderabad. He removed Ibrahim Khan Gardi from his role as chief of artillery, he joined the Maratha army of Sadashivrao Bhau
House: Peshwe, Nizam(Hyd)
Person: Nanasaheb
Mir Qasim became Nawab of Bengal
The EIC forced Mir Jafar to abdicate in favor of his son in law Mir Qasim
House: Bengal, Britain/EIC
Person:
Battle of Barari Ghat
(10th January) Durrani's forces combined with Najib-ud-daula, killed Dattaji Shinde at the Battle of Barari Ghat near Delhi
House: Shinde, Abdali
Person:
Capture of Udgir
Capture of the fort of Udgir. Peace treaty signed with forts of Daulatabad and Asirgarh as well as several cities like Burhanpur, Nanded, Bijapur ceded to the Marathas
(13th March) On news of Dattaji's Shinde's death and Malharrao Holkar's defeat by Abdali, Maratha force under Sadashivrao Bhau (Nanasaheb's cousin, son of Chimaji Appa) and Vishwasrao (Nanasaheb Peshwa's eldest son and heir apparent) proceeded north.
British forces led by Sir Eyre Coote decisively defeated the French army under Count de Lally, breaking the back of French military power in southern India
House: Britain/EIC, France, Nizam(Hyd), Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Sadashivrao Bhau on Abdali's trail
(2nd August) Sadashivrao Bhau captured Delhi, and was forced to melt silver from the Royal halls to mint coins to pay arrears to the army. Shah Jahan III was deposed by the Marathas, and Prince Ali Gauhar was declared as emperor Shah Alam II, in exile. His son Jawan Bakht ruled in his name in Delhi. Marching further noth, Bhau captured Kunjpura (17th October) and Panipat (1st November) from the Afghans)
(14th January) After facing each other for over 2 months in a standoff, each cut-off from their homeland byt the other, the decisive Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and Abdali, leading to a crushing Maratha defeat. Death of Vishwasrao, Sadashivrao Bhau, Jankoji Shinde, Tukoji Shinde, Antaji Mankeshwar. Escape of Malharrao Holkar, Mahadji Shinde, Damaji Gaekwad, Nana Phadnavis. Abdali returned to Kabul, after recognising Shah Alam II as emperor in Delhi (in exile)
(23rd June) Death of Nanasaheb in Pune, after abandoning his march north near Jhansi, after hearing of the loss in Panipat
House: Peshwe
Person: Nanasaheb
Accession of Madhavrao as Peshwa
(20th July) 16 year old Madhavrao, younger son of Nanasaheb, became Peshwa on Nanasaheb's death, inheriting an administration in chaos after the loss at Panipat. Disagreements began between him and his uncle Raghunathrao, who had ambitions to become Peshwa himself
Janoji Bhonsle, switched sides and allied with the Nizam, with the promise of the regency of Satara after 'freeing' the Chhatrapati from the influence of the new Peshwa Madhavrao
Death of Tarabai, aged 86, some months after she invested Madhavrao as Peshwa. Rajaram II allowed out of imprisonment on Satara fort, but remained confined in Satara town
House: Chhatrapati, Peshwe
Person: Madhavrao
Lahore captured by Sikhs
Lahore was captured by the Sikhs from the Durrani governor
Rudraji Dhulap, who was a naval officer serving with the Angres, was entrusted with the responsibility of the Maratha Navy by Madhavrao Peshwa
House: Peshwe
Person:
Shivaji III crowned in Kolhapur
Dowager Queen Jijabai adopted the son of Shahaji Bhonsle Khanvatkar and crowned him as Shivaji III in Kolhapur
House: Kolhapur
Person:
Battle of Uruli
Nizam Ali, prime minister and brother of Nizam, invaded Maratha territory but was defeated at the Battle of Uruli near Pune. Nizam Ali on his return to Hyderabad usurped his brother Salabat Jung and became Nizam
Raghunathrao, unhappy with his perceived minor role in the administration, raised a rebellious force, supported by the Nizam and Janoji Bhonsle, but Madavrao with foresight yielded, avoiding a civil war. Yielding of Madhavrao caused Janoji and the Pratinidhi to waver in their alliance with the Nizam
Hyder Ali subjugated several smaller states in Karnataka like Bednur and Sunda, and allied himself with Balasat Jung, brother of the Nizam, against the Marathas
The Nawab of Arcot Muhammad Ali Wallajah attempted to invade and capture Thanjavur, but Pratapsingh managed to seek British intervention to protect Thanjavur's independence. However, the resultant payments agreed made Thanjavur further dependent on the British EIC
(10th February) Treaty of Paris ended the seven year war, and the third Carnatic war. Pondicherry and Chandernagore were returned to the French, but with strict conditions: they could only operate as trading posts and were forbidden from being fortified or maintaining large standing armies. Salabat Jung was recognized as Subhedar of Deccan and Muhammad Ali as Nawab of Arcot by European powers. Britain becoming the foremost European power in India
House: Nizam(Hyd), Britain/EIC, France, Milestone, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
On the death of Pratapsingh, his son Tuljaji suceeded to the throne of Thanjavur
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Favoritism of Raghunathrao
Raghunathrao gave posts to his favorites, attacked and captured the fort of Miraj from Govindrao Patwardhan who supported Madhavrao (supported by Damaji Gaekwad). Govindrao joined the Nizam, who renewed invasion against the Marathas
(10th August) Running battles between Nizam and Raghunathrao's armies (including Damaji Gaekwad) - Raghunathrao attached Hyderabad, Nizam attacked and burned Pune. Finally Nizam defeated at the Battle of Rakshasbhuvan. Malharrao Holkar participated in the Peshwa's armies. Treaty gave the Marathas significant territory in Godavari region. Janoji Bhonsle left and did not participate on the Nizam's side. Although he got his share of the spoils in the agreement with the Nizam, Madhavrao castigated him for switching sides
Ranoji Shinde's four eldest sons had been killed (Jyotyaji at Orchha, Jayappa at Nagore, Dattaji at Barari Ghat and Tukoji at Panipat). Jayappa's son and nominated Shinde scion Jankoji was also killed at Panipat, aged 16. His cousin Kedarji Shinde, son of Tukoji, was nominated to the seat, supported by Raghunathrao, but abdicated in 1764. Ranoji's youngest son Mahadji was the strongest claimant, but the womenfolk of the Shinde family opposed him, claiming him to be illegitimate
(3rd May) Mir Qasim opposed the EIC's expectation of trade without taxes, and formed an alliance with the exiled Emperor Shah Alam II and the Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-daulah. The alliance was defeated at the battle of Buxar near Patna by the EIC's army
Madhavrao led campaign against Hyder Ali, who had captured many Maratha territories north of the Tunghbhadra
House: Peshwe, Mysore
Person: Madhavrao
Continued intrigues for Shinde seat
Manaji Shinde, grandson of Ranoji's younger brother Sabaji, was nominated to the Gwalior seat by Raghunathrao, but Mahadji contested the nomination, supported by Madhavrao
(20th May) Death of Malharrao Holkar, aged 73, Succeeded by grandson Malrao
House: Holkar
Person: Malharrao_Holkar
Raghunathrao's second northern campaign
Raghunathrao led a campaign to the north, but could not capture the fortress of Gohad in Rajputana, and returned to Pune after some months without much success
Death of Malrao, his mother Ahilyabai Holkar as regent for administrative affairs and relative Tukoji in charge of military
House: Holkar
Person:
Madhavrao's second campaign against Hyder Ali
Madhavrao began his second campaign against Hyder Ali, defeated him and captured several territories, including fortress of Srirangapatnam. Hyder Ali recognized authority of the Peshwa, was recognized as Nawab of Mysore
Rahunathrao adopted Amrutrao, from Bhuskute family
House: Peshwe
Person: Raghunathrao
Raghunathrao's second rebellion
Raghunathrao assembled a rebellion against Madhavrao, supported by Janoji Bhonsle and Damaji Gaekwad, but was defeated and placed under house arrest. Damaji's son Govindrao was captured, but after paying imdemnity and swearing fealty to Madhavrao, was nominated as successor after Damaji's death
Death of Damaji Gaekwad, succession crisis in Baroda
Death of Damaji Gaekwad. Claim of Sayajirao I Gaekwad (eldest son of Damaji) was upheld by Ramshastri, placing him on the seat of Baroda with Fateh Sinh as regent (Sayajirao being mentally incapacitated), creating succession struggle between Fateh Sinh and Govindrao
House: Gaekwad
Person: Damaji_Gaekwad
Accession of Mahadji Shinde
Mahadji Shinde was formally nominated to the Gwalior Shinde seat in Pune by Madhavrao
House: Peshwe, Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
EIC attempted cession of Odisha
The EIC wrote to Janoji to ask to cede Odisha to them
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Britain/EIC
Person:
Madhavrao sent a large force north
Madhavrao sent a large force north under Visaji Krishna Biniwale, supported by Mahadji Shinde and Tukoji Holkar, to re-establish control on Malwa and Bundelkhand
Madhavrao, supported by the Nizam's troops, invaded Janoji's territories and marched on Nagpur. Janoji launched retaliatory attack on Pune, but retreated in face of large Peshwa army. Janoji accepted peace with the Peshwa, ceding significant territory and the right to negotiate with foreign powers like the EIC
Capital of Nizam formally established in Hyderabad
The capital of the Nizam was formally established in Hyderabad in place of Aurangabad. The move was informally already ongoing since the treaty following the Battle of Rakshasbhuvan in 1763, since Aurangabad was now too close to the Maratha territories defined in the treaty
Madhavrao set out for the Carnatic to deal with incursions from Hyder Ali, but was forced to return to Pune due to ill health, leaving the campaign under the leadership of Trimbakrao Pethe. Trimbakrao inflicted a major defeat on Hyder Ali near Srirangapatnam, and concluded peace with ceding of territory
House: Peshwe, Mysore
Person: Madhavrao
Marathas conquer Mathura and Agra
Maratha army captured Mathura and Agra without much effort from the Rohillas. They rejected a truce proposed by Najib Khan, and crossed the Yamuna at Mathura to enter the Doab. Najib Khan retreated to his capital Najibabad, and died there in October 1770
(21st January) Maratha army besieged Ahmad Khan Bangash (son of Muhammad Khan Bangash) at his capital of Farrukhabad. Ahmad Khan Bangash sued for peace and agreed to pay tribute to the Marathas
(10th February) The Maratha forces under Biniwale, supported by Mahadji Shinde and Tukoji Holkar allied with Shuja-ud-daula and emperor Shah Alam II, and marched into the Doab and Rohillkhand. They defeated Zabita Khan (son of Najib-ud-daula) and captured Delhi
(29th March) The emperor Shah Alam II abandoned his alliance with the EIC after humiliations and broken promises and put himself under the protection of the Marathas. He left Allahabad and finally entered Delhi with Mahadji Shinde as escort (6th January 1772) - 'Maratha Resurrection'
Having secured Delhi, Mahadji Shinde attacked Rohillkhand, the stronghold of Zabeda Khan. The fortress of Shukratal was captured (4th March) and then the capital of Najibabad itself. Najib Khan's tomb was destroyed, and a lot of treasure as well as women which were captured after the loss of Panipat were recovered from Patthargarh fort in Najibabad
Death of Janoji Bhosle, succession crisis in Nagpur
Janoji Bhonsle came to meet the critically ill Madhavrao Peshwa at Theur, and got his agreement to recognize Raghuji II Bhonsle, infant son of his younger brother Mudhoji, as Senasahibsubah, with Mudhoji as regent. Upon death of Janoji, succession dispute for regency flared with Mudhoji and another brother Sabaji. Janoki's widow Daryabai took over as regent, with the support of Sabaji
Death of Madhavrao Peshwa. Accession of Narayanrao
(18th November) Death of Madhavrao Peshwa of tuberculosis, aged 28. His younger brother Narayanrao was vested as Peshwa by the Chhatrapati (13th December), but was viewed as impetuous and immature by the court. Appointment resented by his uncle Raghunathrao, who again saw it as an usurpation
Death of Ahmad Shah Abdali, succeeded by son Timur Shah as Durrani Sultan
House: Abdali
Person: Abdali
Delhi without Maratha control
Death of Madhavrao forced Tukoji Holkar and Mahadji Shinde to ride south from Delhi to Pune, leaving Delhi unexpectedly in control of Shah Alam, without Maratha control
Fateh Sinh Gaekwad, distrustful of the Peshwa despite being made regent in Gujarat by the Peshwa Court, approached the EIC at Surat for the first time, requesting a support army, but was turned down
House: Peshwe, Gaekwad, Britain/EIC
Person:
Battle of Kumbhari
An inconsequential clash took place betweenthe forces of Mudhoji and Sabaji Bhonsle. In the aftermath, Mudhoji reconciled with the Dowager Daryabai and his younger brother Sabaji, to recognize Mudhoji's son Raghoji II as Senasahibsubah. However, later rifts again surfaced with Sabaji
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Intrigues in Pune
Narayanrao Peshwa upheld the claim of Sabaji as Senasahibsubah, and sent forces to support him. Envoys for both factions were in Pune, and those in support of Mudhoji were attempting to get Raghunathrao released, to support their claim
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Peshwe
Person:
Bharuch captured by EIC
British EIC captured Bharuch from independently governed nawab, and pensioned him off. Fateh Sinh Gaekwad attempt to buy Bharuch from the EIC, but was refused. The EIC though ratified a treaty with Fateh Sinh, agreeing to continue to pay three-fifth's of the revenues of Bharuch, same as what the Nawab was expected to do
(30th August)Murder of Narayanrao at the Shaniwarwada in Pune, and althrough Ragunathrao was proven to be complicit in the plot, he was invested with the post of Peshwa, there being no other stronger claimant
After the murder of Narayanrao, claim of Govindrao Gaekwad in Baroda was again upheld by Raghunathrao, and he returned to Gujarat to claim his seat from Fateh Sinh, but was unsuccessful
House: Peshwe, Gaekwad
Person: Raghunathrao
EIC Capital established in Calcutta
EIC Capital established in Calcutta, Warren Hastings appointed as first Governor-General
House: Bengal, Britain/EIC
Person:
Raghunathrao supported Mudhoji
Raghunathrao again upheld Mudhoji's claim and invested his adopted son Raghoji II formally with the robes of Senasahibsubah
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Peshwe
Person:
Invasion of Thanjavur
Thanjavur was invaded by the Nawab of Arcot, supported by tropps of the the British EIC. Tuljaji was imprisoned, and Thanjavur was garrisoned with the Nawab's troops. For the first time, Thanjavur came under direct Muslim rule. Raghunathrao demanded the restoration of the Tuljaji, on the premise that he was the Chhatrapati's vassal and not the Nizam's, but he was unable to intervene militarily due to intrigues ongoing in Pune
With the death of Madhavrao, the Nizam and Hyder Ali began incursions into Maratha territory. Nizam was defeated and forced to return, Hyder Ali was given some forts in lieu of some money
(29th May) The 'Baarbhai' conspiracy was executed in Pune, where 12 ministers led by Nana Phadnavis overthrew Raghunathrao's claim as Peshwa, in favor of infant son Sawai Madhavrao born on Purandar fort to widow of Narayanrao, Gangabai. Mahadji Shinde supported and was part of the Baarbhai councillors
(10th January) A son was born to Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai, when they were both in confinement of the Baarbhai at Dhar. He was named Bajirao, who went on to become Peshwa Bajirao II, the last Peshwa of the Maratha empire
House: Peshwe
Person: Raghunathrao, Bajirao_II
Battle of Panchgaon
Civil war between Sabaji and Mudhoji Bhonsle, with Mudhoji emerging victorious, killing Sabaji in the field
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Raghunathrao in Gujarat
Raghunathrao moved to Gujarat and joined forces with Govindrao Gaekwad and besieged Baroda. Army led by Haripant Phadke, supported by Shinde, Holkar and Fatehsingh Gaekwad forced him to lift the siege and retreat, but his forces were chased and defeated at Battle of Wasad
House: Peshwe, Gaekwad
Person: Raghunathrao
Treaty of Surat and the First Anglo-Maratha war
(6th March) Raghunathrao approached the Bombay government for intervention, and signed the Treaty of Surat, ceding Bassein Salcette and some other islands close to Bombay to the EIC, in exchange for assistance against the Baarbhai. Govindrao Gaekwad agreed to cede full revenues of Bharuch. Nana Phadnavis rejected the treaty, triggering the First Anglo-Maratha war
Treaty of Surat was annulled with intervention of the company government in Calcutta and replaced with the Treaty of Purandar. The EIC kept control of Salcette, but abandoned the cause of Raghunathrao and pensioned him off. Treaty of Purandar caused confusion regarding distribution of coastal Gujarat between the EIC, Peshwa and Gaekwads, not resolved until the end of the Peshwai
The British EIC restored Tulaji to the throne of Thanjavur, but on condition of his signing the subsidiary alliance with the company, effectively making Thanjavur subservient to British interests. With the Nawab also a puppet of the British EIC, they become the strongest power in the Coromandel region
(9th December) Death of Rajaram II. His adopted heir, son of Trimbakji Bhonsle of Wai, acceeded the throne as Shahu II
House: Chhatrapati
Person:
Mudhoji Bhonsle and the EIC
Mudhoji Bhonsle entered discussions with the EIC, and kept out of the First Anglo-Maratha war. Nana Phdnavis tried to influence Mudhoji into opening multiple fronts against the British EIC, but Mudhoji prevaricated and did not attack
House: Peshwe, Britain/EIC
Person:
Increasing strength of Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali captured all Maratha territory south of the Krishna
House: Peshwe, Mysore
Person:
Battle of Wadgaon
(13th January) The Bombay government was not happy with the Treaty of Purandar. With increasing French influence at the court in Pune, and Morba Phadnavis' appeal to the EIC to reinstate Raghunathrao as Peshwa, the Bombay government sent a force up the Bhor ghat towards Pune. The force under Colonel Keating was forced to retreat to Wadgaon, was surrounded and defeated. The Treaty of Wadgaon was signed, but rejected by the EIC officials in Calcutta
(26th January) British army under General Goddard captured Dabhoi, Fateh Sinh Gaekwad was forced to sign alliance with the British - first breakaway alliance of Maratha power with the British. Goddard captured Ahmedabad and handed it to Fatehsingh
House: Peshwe, Gaekwad, Britain/EIC
Person:
Second Anglo-Mysore war
Start of second Anglo-Mysore war, with Hyder Ali capturing Mahe, which had been taken from the French by the British, and which Hyder claimed to be under his protection
Tipu defeated the British garrison in Thanjavur and occupied the city for about 6 months, leading to further deprivation and loss of revenues and stability
(6th June) Treaty of Salbei was signed by Mahadji Shinde with the EIC, on behalf of the Peshwa, restoring the territorial agreements of the Treaty of Purandar, end of the first Anglo-Maratha war
(7th December) Death of Hyder Ali, accession of Tipu to the seat of Mysore. Tipu refused to acknowledge the treaty of Salbei, continued aggressions against British posessions in the Carnatic, and claimed Bijapur district from the Nizam
(8th April) Maratha Naval commander Anandrap Dhulap captured 5 English ships off the coast of Ratnagiri, forcing the British to return coastal outposts, as was stipulated in the Treaty of Salbei. Last significant naval victory by the Maratha Navy over European powers
House: Peshwe, Britain/EIC
Person:
Establishment of the USA
(3rd September) Formal recognition of the cessesation of the 13 colonies, establishment of the USA through the Treaty of Paris
(21st July) The kingdom of Gohad, which had gained control of Gwalior fort, refused to accept Maratha overlordship that was agreed in the treaty of Salbei. As a consequence, Mahadji Shinde besieged and captured Gwalior
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Capture of Gohad and the recruitment of De Boigne
(6th April) Continuing the campaign against the Rana of Gohad, Mahadji Shinde's forces captured the fortress of Gohad. During this siege, the queen of Gohad attempted to enlist french mercenary artillery officer Benoit De Boigne, instead Mahadji employed him. De Boigne became crucial in modernizing the Shinde army in the coming years
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Mahadji Shinde conferred Wakil-i-mutluq
(14th November) After treaty of Salbei, Mahadji Shinde became the most powerful force in Hindustan. He was conferred the title of Wakil-i-mutluq (regent of the empire) and given command of the emperor's army and charge of the provinces of Delhi and Agra
End of second Anglo-Mysore war with the treaty of Mangalore, with status quo restored
House: Mysore, Britain/EIC
Person:
Incursion of Tipu in northen Karnataka
Tipu captured fortress of Nargund near Hubbali from the Marathas. Nana Phadnavis sent a Maratha force under Haripant Phadke, Mudhoji Bhonsle and Tukaji Holkar to reclaim territory
Tipu's claims on Nizam's territories in Bijapur province led to the Nizam supporting the Maratha invasion of Mysore, after Tipu's capture of Nargund
House: Peshwe, Nizam(Hyd), Mysore
Person:
Capture of Agra
(March) Mahadji Shinde's forces recaptured the strategically important fort of Agra from Mughal commander Muhammad Beg Hamdani after a long siege. This ensured a direct continuous Maratha area of control from Gwalior to Delhi
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Charles Cornwallis appointed Governor General
Charles Cornwallis (who signed the surrender at the American war of Independence in 1781) was appointed as Governor General
House: Britain/EIC
Person:
Capture of Badami
Combined Maratha and Nizam forces captured fortress of Badami from Tipu Sultan. Khandoji Bhonsle (son of Senashibsubah Mudhoji) participated in the siege.
Death of Tuljaji, succession to the Thanjavur throne was nominally planned for his adopted minor son Serfoji II, with Amarsingh who was an illegitimate son of Pratapsingh, as regent
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Mahadji Shinde faced local rebellions
Several Rajput and Muslim jagirdars rebelled against Mahadji Shinde, but were finally defeated after a series of skirmishes
House: Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Raghoji Bhonsle II accession in Nagpur
Death of Mudhoji, his son Raghoji II Bhonsle came to power, already being invested with the tile of Senasahibsubah as an infant
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Gulam Qadir had Shah Alam II blinded
Gulam Qadir, son of Zabita Khan and grandson of Najib-ud-daula, who had been raised as a prisoner protege at the court of Shah Alam, stormed an unguarded Delhi with his Rohilla followers. He had Shah Alam II blinded, and put Prince Bedar Bakht on the thone as Shah Jahan IV. Mahadji's forces stormed the city 2 months later, captured and killed Ghulam Qadir, and reinstalled Shah Alam II on the throne
House: Shinde, Mughals
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Negotiation between Mahadji and Timur Shah Abdali
Timur Shah Abdali threathned to invade Hindustan to reinstate Shah Alam II, but was reassured of this being done by Mahadji Shinde
House: Shinde, Abdali
Person:
Death of Fateh Sinh Gaekwad
Death of Fatehsing after fall from balcony, Manaji Gaekwad given caretakership of Baroda despite opposition from Govindrao, who was living in obscurity near Pune, on condition of clearing debts accrued to the Peshwa by Fateshsingh
House: Gaekwad
Person:
Tipu began invasion of Travancore
Tipu began invasion of Travancore, an ally of the EIC
(25th June) Armies of Mahadji Shinde defeated the combined Rajput forces of Jaipur and Jodhpur at the Battle of Patan, cementing Maratha supremacy in Rajputan
(10th September) Mahadji Shinde dispatched his modernized army trained by French general Benoît de Boigne and decisively crushed the Marwar forces at the Battle of Merta
Raghoji Bhonsle did not join alliance against Tipu
Raghoji Bhonsle pleaded that he could not join the alliance against Tipu, fearing that his brother would usurp rule in his absence, but promised to pay part of the costs
House: Peshwe, Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Failed EIC siege of Srirangapatnam
Failed siege of Srirangapatnam by the British army led by Charles Cornwallis
House: Mysore, Britain/EIC
Person:
Second and successful siege of Srirangapatnam
Second and successful siege of Srirangapatnam by the allied forces, Tipu sues for peace. Half of his territories are divided between the EIC, Nizam and Marathas
Mahadji reached Pune, met Nana Phadnavis, and in a grand ceremony declared the Wakil-i-mutluq title from the Emperor to belong to Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao, with the Shindes as deputy
House: Peshwe, Shinde
Person: Mahadji_Shinde
Further treaty between EIC and Thanjavur
The British EIC forced through another treaty on Amarsingh, that allowed the company to directly extrace revenues if the state was not able to pay the agreed amount
House: Britain/EIC, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Revolutionary France declared war on Britain
Revolutionary France declared war on Britain
House: Britain/EIC, France, Milestone
Person:
Death of Manaji Gaekwad
Death of Manaji, Govindrao Gaekwad finally acceded to the Baroda seat and got the title of Sena Khas Khel, again on condition of clearing large unpaid debt to the Peshwa
House: Gaekwad
Person:
Negotiation between Nizam and Marathas broke down
Negotiations between Hyderabad and Pune over accounts settlements after the war with Tipu broke down, and the Nizam started preparing for war, with his troops being drilled by the French
House: Peshwe, Nizam(Hyd), France
Person:
Battle of Lakheri
(1st June) The jealousy and hostility between the Holkars and Shindes burst open. Over disagreements of share of spoils in Rajputana, Tukoji Holkar's forces attacked Mahadji Shinde's but were soundly defeated at the Battle of Lakheri near Ajmer. Hostilities were ceased pending mediation by the Peshwa
With support of the EIC governor in Madras, Amarsingh had the adoption of Serfoji II to be declared illegal, and himself crowned formally as the King in Thanjavur
House: Britain/EIC, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Death of Mahadji Shinde
(12th February) Death of Mahadji Shinde at Wanawadi near Pune, his grand nephew and heir Daulatrao Shinde came to the seat of Gwalior, with the Peshwa's blessing
(12th March) The Nizam took the field and invaded Maratha territory, over revenue disputes after the war with Tipu. The Peshwa's call to arms was supported by Daulatrao Shinde, Tukoji Holkar, Govindrao Gaekwad, Raghoji Bhonsle as well as Patwardhan, Raste - the last time a united Maratha army took the field. The Nizam was soundly defeated in the Battle of Kharda, and was forced to cede Aurangabad, Daulatabad and Solapur, and an indemnity of 3crores. EIC stayed neutral
(13th August) Death of Ahilyabai Holkar, after which Tukoji formally acceeded to the seat of Indore
House: Holkar
Person:
Death of Sawai Madhavrao
(27th October) Death of Sawai Madhavrao (likely by suicide), falling from the walls of Shaniwarwada
House: Peshwe, Milestone
Person:
Bajirao II accession as Peshwa
Parshurambhau Patwardhan put Chimaji, younger son of Raghunathrao on the Peshwa seat, after getting him adopted by Sawai Madhavrao's widow Yashodabai. However, Nana Phadnavis with support of Daulatrao Shinde, Tukaji Holkar and Raghoji Bhonsle got the official investiture as Peshwa for Raghunathrao's elder son Bajirao II, and put him on the seat, ousting Chimaji and declaring the adoption to be illegal
(15th August) Death of Tukoji Holkar, succession crisis: Death of Tukoji Holkar, succession war between his sons Kashirao, Malharrao, Yashwantrao and Vithoji. Daulatrao Shinde supported Kashirao, and in a skirmish supported by him, Malharrao was killed, and Kashirao acceeded to the seat. Yashwantrao escaped to Nagpur, initially offered protection by Senasahibsubah Raghoji Bhonsle. However, hearing of communication from Peshwa Bajirao II ordering his arrest, he escaped into Malwa and continued skirmishes
Nana Phadnavis was released, and agreed to be reinstated as head of Pune administration
House: Peshwe, Shinde
Person: Bajirao_II
Nizam signed subsidiary alliance with EIC
Raymond, officer in charge of 14k French soldiers in the pay of the Nizam, was found dead, possibly poisoned. The EIC signed a subsidary alliance (the first in India) with the Nizam to employ British contingents instead, and to disband the French
House: Nizam(Hyd), Britain/EIC, France
Person:
Richard Wellesley appointed as Governor General
Richard Wellesley appointed as Governor General. Wellesley was concerned that French merceneries in pay of Tipu, the Nizam and Shinde would unite against British interests
Following disagreements with Amarsingh regarding taxes, the EIC Governor declared the accession of Amarsingh to be illegal, and reinstated Serfoji II as King of Thanjavur. However, the revenue and judicial systems were taken over by the EIC, leaving Serfoji as a mere titular head.
House: Britain/EIC, Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Wellesley launched an invasion of Mysore
Wellesley launched an invasion of Mysore. Srirangapatnam was besieged and captured, Tipu was killed (4th May). Nominally the Wodeyars were reinstated to the throne of Mysone, under British control
House: Mysore, Britain/EIC, Milestone
Person:
Faction struggle over the seat of Indore
Yashwantrao claimed the seat of Indore, as regent in the name his true-born minor nephew Khanderao, son of Malharrao, who was in the custody of Daulatrao Shinde
House: Holkar, Shinde
Person:
Death of Nana Phadnavis
(13th March) Nana Phadnavis died in Pune at the age of 58, leaving behind a political vacuum, with three immature disunited men at key positions - Bajirao Peshwa II, Yashwantrao Holkar and Daulatrao Shinde
House: Peshwe
Person:
Administration of north Gujarat
After death of Nana Phadnavis, in a bid to rid himself of Nana's influence, Bajirao II ordered Govindrao Gaekwad to take over Ahmedabad from Nana's ertwhile confidante Aaba Shelurkar, with the result that the administration and revenue of whole of North Gujarat passed from the Peshwa to the Gaekwad dynasty
House: Peshwe, Gaekwad
Person: Bajirao_II
Daulatrao Shinde moved back north
Daulatrao Shinde moved back north, to protect his dominions in Malwa and Hindustan. Skirmishes between his forces and Yashwantrao Holkar continued
House: Holkar, Shinde
Person:
Death of Govindrao Gaekwad
Death of Govindrao Gaekwad, accession of his son Anandrao to the seat. Faction struggle between his Diwan Ravji Appaji Phanse and uncle Kanhoji Gaekwad to maintain control over Anandrao. Both factions approached the British EIC Governor at Bombay for support, promising concessions
House: Gaekwad
Person:
Favoritism of Bajirao II
Bajirao II pursued revenge against several families who he perceived had wronged him or his father. His forces captured Vithoji Holkar (brother of Yashwantrao), who was executed in Pune
The British EIC sent a force into Gujarat, and agreed to support the faction of Ravji Appaji Phanse. Anandrao Gaekwad signed the Treaty of Cambay with the British EIC on 29th July 1802, under which they agreed to support and maintain the autonomy of the Baroda state, in lieu of direct cessation of several districts, and revenue share of some others to the EIC. First ever direct treaty of a Maratha state with the British EIC
House: Gaekwad, Britain/EIC
Person:
Yashwantrao's invasion of Pune
(25th October) Yashwantrao Holkar crossed the Godavari and invaded Pune. The combined forces of Bajirao II and Daulatrao Shinde (including some support forces sent by Raghoji Bhonsle II) were defeated by Holkar at the Battle of Hadapsar. Bajirao II was ousted as Peshwa and his adopted older brother Amrutrao was instead placed on the seat
(31st December) Bajirao II escaped Pune, and via a number of hill forts, made his way to Bassein, and signed the subsidary alliance with the British, with the Treaty of Bassein.
Shindes, Bhonsles and Holkars all refused to accept the Treaty of Bassein. Daulatrao Shinde allied himself with Raghoji II Bhonsle and declared war on the British, but Yashwantrao Holkar refused to join the coalition (Start of the second Anglo-Maratha war)
(20th April) Arthur Wellesley marched on Pune, Daulatrao and Amrutrao abandoned the city, and Bajirao II was put back on the Peshwa seat, under British control
(6th August) Death of Asaf Jah II, his son Mirza Sikandar acceeded to the throne as Nizam Asaf Jah III
House: Nizam(Hyd)
Person:
Battle of Delhi
(11th September) EIC army under General Lake captured fort of Aligarh, and defeated Daulatrao Shinde's combined Maratha and French forces at the Battle of Delhi, the last engagement between British and French troops in India. Emperor Shah Alam II switched back again to the protection of the EIC
House: Shinde, Mughals, Britain/EIC, France, Milestone
Person:
Battle of Assaye
(24th September) EIC army under Arthur Wellesley defeated a combined army of Daulatrao Shinde and Raghoji Bhonsle at the Battle of Assaye near Jalna, Maharashtra
(1st November) EIC Army under General Lake defeated a combined army of Daulatrao Shinde and Raghoji Bhonsle at the Battle of Laswari near Alwar, Rajasthan
(15th December) EIC Army under Arthur Wellesley besieged and captured the seemingly unassailable fortress of Gavilgad, dealing a major blow to Raghoji II Bhonsle
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur), Britain/EIC
Person:
Raghoji Bhonsle II signed the subsidary alliance
(17th December) Raghoji Bhonsle II signed the subsidary alliance with the Treaty of Deogaon, ceding the province of Odisha to the EIC
(30th December) Daulatrao Shinde signed the subsidary alliance with the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon, ceding large territory in Hindustan, including Delhi-Agra and the Doab, to the EIC
House: Shinde, Britain/EIC
Person:
Battle of Farrukhabad
(16th November) EIC Army under General Lake fended off Yashwantao Holkar's siege of Delhi, pusued the retreating forces and defeated them at the Battle of Farrukhabad
Maharaja Serfoji II installed the first ever printing press in Devngagri script in India. Serfoji II devoted his life and wealth to the patronage of arts and culture, for which Thanjavur is still well known.
House: Bhonsle(Thanjavur)
Person:
Anandrao Gaekwad signed the subsidary alliance
(21st April) Anandrao Gaekwad signed the subsidary alliance with the Treaty of Baroda. This treaty consolidated and replaced the first subidary treaty signed at Cambay in 1802
House: Gaekwad, Britain/EIC
Person:
Yashwantrao Holkar signed the subsidary alliance
(24th December) After a series of unsuccessful skirmishes, Yashwantrao Holkar signed the subsidary alliance with the Treaty of Rajghat, ceding territory including Bundelkhand to the EIC
House: Holkar, Britain/EIC
Person:
Conclusion of second Anglo-Maratha war
Conclusion of second Anglo-Maratha war, with subsidiary alliances signed with the Peshwa and all four major Maratha chiefs separately, dismembering the Maratha empire
Death of Shah Alam II, Akbar Shah II (Titular 'King of Delhi' in British influence) came to the Mughal throne
House: Mughals, Britain/EIC
Person:
Death of Khanderrao Holkar
Death of Khanderrao Holkar (still in minority), Yashwantrao formerly regent acceeded seat of Indore formally
House: Holkar
Person:
Gilbert Minto was appointed Governor General
Gilbert Minto was appointed Governor General
House: Britain/EIC
Person:
Death of Shahu II
Death of Shahu II, succeeded by his son Pratap Singh
House: Chhatrapati
Person:
Death of Yashwantrao Holkar
(27th October) Death of Yashwantrao Holkar, his minor son Malharrao III Holkar acceeded to the seat, with his mother Tulsibai as regent
House: Holkar
Person:
Trimbakji Dengle appointed as administrator in Bajirao II's government
Trimbakji Dengle was appointed as administrator in Bajirao II's government. Trimbakji advised the Peshwa to increase the military at his disposal, with the eventual aim to try to eradicate the British yoke
House: Peshwe
Person:
Sambhaji III crowned in Kolhapur
Sambhaji III came to the seat in Kolhapur
House: Kolhapur
Person:
Attempt to unite Maratha houses
Trimbakji Dengle became Bajirao II's main advisor, to the suspicion of the British resident Montstuart Elphinstone. Envoys were sent to Nagpur, Indore, Gwalior to explore possibility to reinstate a united Maratha front
House: Peshwe, Britain/EIC
Person: Bajirao_II
Murder of Gangadhar Shastri
Gangadhar Shastri Patwardhan, Diwan of the Baroda court, came to Pune under British protection to negotiate revenue sharing arrangements with the Peshwa. Shastri had taken the position from Diwan after Ravji Appaji's heir Sitaram had been ousted from it, and Shastri was a strong supporter of the British in Baroda. While on pilgrimage to Pandharpur with the Peshwa, Gangadhar Shastri was murdered, blame was fixed on Trimbakji and he was arrested and imprisoned at the fort of Thane
(22nd March) On the death of Raghoji II, the title of Senasahibsubah passed to his son Persoji II. He was however partially paralysed and of unsound mind, hence a power struggle for the regency began between Mudhoji Bhonsle (son of Raghoji II's younger brother Vyankoji) and Dharmoji Bhonsle (Raghoji II's younger son). Mudhoji rallied enough support to get Dharmoji arrested, and claimed the regency
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Escape of Trimbakji from Thane
(12th September) Trimbakji escaped, and began gathering an insurrection, of which the Peshwa feigned ignorance
(1st February) Persoji II was found dead, with no clear cause. Mudhoji II claimed the title and seat of Senasahibsubah, amidst rumors of having orchestrated the assasination of his nephew Persoji II
House: Bhonsle(Nagpur)
Person:
Treaty of Pune
(13th June) The British resident became convinced that the Peshwa Bajirao II was complicit in the insurrection and the attempt to raise the Maratha houses against the British. The British army surrounded Pune, and forced the Peshwa to give up 4 hill forts in the Treaty of Pune.
House: Peshwe, Britain/EIC
Person: Bajirao_II
Third Anglo-Maratha war
(5th November) Maratha forces burned the Residency in Pune, and attacked the British garrison, but were routed at the Battle of Khadki, starting the Third Anglo-Maratha war
Daulatrao Shinde was coaxed by the British to remain neutral during the third Anglo-Maratha war, although he was forced to cede territory in Rajasthan as payment for the action against the Pindaris
House: Peshwe, Shinde, Britain/EIC
Person:
Indore declared support for the Peshwa
On the outbreak of the third Anglo-Maratha war, regent Tulsibai Holkar tried to ally with the British, but was killed by her own troops, and Indore declared support for the Peshwa in the name of Malharrao III
House: Peshwe, Holkar, Britain/EIC
Person:
Battle of Mahidpur
Holkar forces were routed in the Battle of Mahidpur
(26th November) Mudhoji Bhonsle II declared support for the Peshwa and attacked the British Army at Nagpur, but was defeated at the Battle of Sitabuldi and escaped into exile. The British resident put Bajiba, grandson of Raghoji II on the seat at Nagpur, as Raghoji Bhonsle III
Satara was captured by the British, and Pratap Singh was given the title of King of Satara, as a British dependency separate from the erstwhile realm of the Chhatrapati
House: Chhatrapati, Peshwe, Britain/EIC
Person:
Battle of Koregaon-Bhima
The Peshwa left Pune and was pursued by the British Army, his forces were defeated at the Battle of Koregaon-Bhima
(31st May) Bajirao Peshwe II surrendered to the British. Peshwai was abolished, Bajirao II exiled with a pension to Bithoor near Kanpur. Conclusion of Third Anglo-Maratha war, with EIC victory over the Peshwe and the major Maratha chiefs (Holkar, Shinde, Bhonsle and Gaekwad) individually, leaving the British EIC in direct control of much of the Indian subcontinent. Erstwhile Maratha chiefs were reduced to Princely states under British suzerainty. The seat of the Chhatrapati was also converted into an independent subsidary state with the title 'King of Satara'
With the dissolution of the Maratha Empire, the British became the paramount power in India. Of the great Maratha houses, Shinde (Scindia) of Gwalior, Holkar of Indore and Gaekwad of Baroda as well as the Chhatrapati rival claim house of Bhonsle of Kolhapur survived as princely states in the British Raj until Indian independence. In 1947 there were 565 Princely States in the Raj, which included a large number of Maratha states. Several Maratha states were forcibly annexed into the Raj under the doctrine on lapse, notably Bhonsle of Satara (1849), Bhonsle of Nagpur (1853), Newalkar of Jhansi (1853), Bhonsle of Thanjavur (1855). The remnant Mughal Empire was formally abolished after the Mutiny of 1857, in which other than the titular head of the Mutiny Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, another important leader was the adopted son of Bajirao Peshwa II, Nanasaheb II.
