Peshwa's Expedition of Shrirangapattan

Peshwa's Expedition of Shrirangapattan
Part of Maratha-Mysore War
Date January 1757 Location Srirangapatna Karnataka Result Maratha victory Territorial changes Srirangapatna and Shira Annexed by Marathas
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	Kingdom of Mysore
Commanders and leaders
Balaji Baji Rao Sadashivrao Bhau Murari Rao Balawant Rao Mhendale Muzaffar Khan	Krishnaraja   Nanjaraj

Peshwa's Expedition of Shrirangapattan ^[1] also known as Siege of Shrirangapattan ^[2] was fought between the expanding Maratha Empire and the declining Hindu Kingdom of Mysore in which the Peshwa Army commanded by Sadashivrao Bhau and Murari Rao force the Mysore Ruler Krishnaraja Wadiyar II to surrender and pay chauth and Sardeshmukhi. ^{[3] [4]}

Battle

Following the Peshwa's expedition into Karnataka in 1757, where he aimed to take possession of the capital town Shrirangapattan, important events unfolded. During the siege, a stray gunshot damaged the golden pinnacle of the renowned shrine at Shrirangapattan, seen as an ill omen prompting negotiations. Eventually, an agreement was reached where the Raja and his minister agreed to pay a tribute of 32 lacs, with only five lacs in cash and the remaining amount secured by mortgaging 14 valuable districts. Upon his return to Poona in May, the Peshwa left Balavantrao Mehendale in charge to complete the remaining tasks, including capturing the formidable stronghold of Shira on the journey back. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

After 1757, the Peshwa refrained from personally leading further expeditions in the south. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Aftermath

Afterward, his deputies finished what remained to be done. Over the final three years, Maratha rule expanded across the entire Carnatic region, encompassing present-day Mysore State, stretching from the Kaveri River to the eastern coast. Initially, the Maratha State's southern boundary ran roughly from the Krishna River's mouth in the east to Goa in the west. However, the accomplishments of Gopalrao Patwardhan, Balavantrao Mehendale, Visaji Krishna, Raste, and Panse between 1757 and 1760 far surpassed the Peshwa's own gains from 1753 to 1757 in conquering territory beyond this line. The setback at Panipat provided Haidar Ali with a significant opportunity to reclaim these conquests and largely reverse the earlier Maratha successes. ^[1]

Maratha ambitions in the Karnataka region primarily focused on subjugating the four Nawabs who had held sway since Aurangzeb's era: those of Shira, Savanur, Karnool, and Kadappa. The Nawab of Arcot, supported by the British, managed to evade Maratha advances. Shira and Savanur were subdued directly by the Peshwa himself. Kadappa, claiming authority over the districts of Kolar, Hoskote, and Balapur, which once belonged to Shahji Raje's Jagir, fell to the valorous efforts of Balavantrao Mehendale. Abdul Majid Khan, the Nawab of Kadappa, distinguished for his courage and resources, met his end along with four hundred of his men in a fierce battle near Sidhout on 24th September 1757. That very night, Kadappa was seized. Subsequently, Visaji Krishna turned his attention towards Bednur, but his duties in Poona called him away abruptly. It was during this period that Haidar Ali, commanding the Mysore army, rose to prominence and vigorously resisted Maratha advances. He proved himself a daring and skillful military leader, unparalleled in his understanding of warfare, and he trained his troops with Western discipline, making them formidable opponents in the southern regions. ^[1]

Gopalrao Patwardhan made concerted efforts to capture Mysore but was summoned back to Poona midway through his campaign. Meanwhile, Visaji Krishna managed to subdue Ongole, Vellore, Sarwapilli, Kalahasti, and other strategic posts along the eastern coast before his sudden recall to Poona. ^[1]

References

1. Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.2. pp. 330–331.
2. Sinha, narendra Krishna (1941). Haidar Ali. pp. 20–21.
3. Muthana, i m (1962). History Of Karnataka. p. 220.
4. New Cambridge History of India. The Marathas - Cambridge History of India (Vol. 2, Part 4). p. 135.