Battle of Dabhoi explained

Conflict:Battle of Dabhoi
Partof:Maratha Civil Wars
Date:28 April 1731
Place:Dabhoi (in present-day Gujarat, India)
Coordinates:22.1376°N 73.4162°W
Result:Bajirao I's victory[1]
  • Peshwas' dominance in Gujarat
  • The dominance of the Senapati Dabhade over Gujarat ended
Combatant1: Trimbakrao's Maratha faction Supported by:
Nizam of Hyderabad[2]
Url:https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.1545/page/n159/mode/2up
Editor1-Last:Sardesai
Editor1-First:Govind Sakharam
New Cambridge History of Marathas Vol 2
Page:143

The Battle of Dabhoi was fought on 28 April 1731, and it was a major confrontation between the Trimbak Rao Dabhade and Baji Rao I due to political interference of Peshwas in Gujarat Province.[3] It was fought due to rights of Chauth (Tax Collection) of Gujarat. The rights of collecting Chauth of Gujarat was held by Dabhade clan from the time of Khanderao Dabhade. Baji Rao I ask Trimbak Rao Dabhade to share the rights of Chauth of Gujarat to him. But Trimbak Rao refused and due to this Baji Rao attack suddenly on the army camp of Dabhade's in April 1731. The Pawar brothers of Dhar were also upset with Baji Rao I due his policy in Malwa so they also join Trimbak Rao's side. Some other sources says that Trimbak Rao join Nizam of Hyderabad due to which Bajirao I attack him.[4]

Background

In the year 1731, Baji Rao I ask Trimbak Rao Dabhade to share the rights of Chauth of Gujarat to him. But Trimbak Rao refuse to share the rights of Chauth and due to this the battle was fought. The Pawar brothers of Dhar were also upset with Baji Rao I due his policy so they also join Trimbak Rao's side.

Battle

This move was considered unacceptable Chimaji Appa, who led a large army to intercept Trimbak Rao Dabhade during the Battle of Dabhoi. Where in battle Trimbak Rao who was seated on an elephant was shot by a musketeer and due to which the morale of his troops started decreasing. Trimbak Rao's father-in-law; Maloji Pawar of Waghale was also killed in this battle. Many commanders of Peshwas died in this battle.[5] After the death of Trimbak Rao in battlefield Chimaji Appa retreat his force and moved towards Satara.[6]

Aftermath

The matter was settled by Shahu between Peshwa and Senapati of Maratha Empire. Yashwant Rao Dabhade were given the title of Sersenapati. Pilaji Gaekwad was appointed as chief of Gujarat Province. The Chauth in Malwa were given to Pawar brothers.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mediaeval Deccan History- Commemoration Volume in Honour of Purshottam Joshi. 9788171545797. Rā Kulakarṇī. A.. Nayeem. M. A.. De Souza. Teotonio R.. 1996. Popular Prakashan .
  2. Book: New Cambridge History of Marathas Vol 2 . Sardesai . Govind Sakharam . 143.
  3. Book: Mediaeval Deccan History- Commemoration Volume in Honour of Purshottam Joshi. 9788171545797. Rā Kulakarṇī. A.. Nayeem. M. A.. De Souza. Teotonio R.. 1996. Popular Prakashan .
  4. Book: New Cambridge History of India. The Marathas - Cambridge History of India (Vol. 2, Part 4). Johnson. Gordon. Bayly. C. A.. Richards. John F.. Cambridge University Press. 1993. 2003. 0-521-26883-4.
  5. Book: Bāhekara, Esa. E.. Raṇa jhuñjāra Senāpatī Umābāī Dābhāḍe. 2000.
  6. Book: Jaques, Tony. Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A-E. 2007. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-313-33537-2. 281.
  7. Book: Chhabra, G. S.. Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). 2005. Lotus Press. 22. 978-81-89093-06-8.