The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa

Background

The Marathas' strategic expansion into Gujarat and Malwa was rooted in their demand for acknowledgment of claims to these crucial provinces. Balaji Vishwanath, during his return to Delhi in 1719, received imperial commands to secure the chauth of Gujarat and Malwa. In pursuit of establishing a stronghold, the Marathas intensified their attacks in these regions, pressing for the reinstatement of their claims. Despite the financial and geopolitical significance of Gujarat and Malwa, the Mughals and Nizam showed reluctance in committing to the Marathas.

Phases of Maratha Empire Conquest

First Phase: Establishing Claims (Gujarat)

The Maratha claim to the chauth and sardeshmukhi of Gujarat found acceptance from Sarbuland Khan, the Imperial administrator, in May 1726. However, Baji Rao's primary focus remained on Malwa and later the Deccan during this phase. Nevertheless, the Marathas gained control of 28 districts in Gujarat's south. Baji Rao's return in 1730 marked a resurgence in Gujarat's political landscape, with promises of fixed sums and territorial shifts.

Second Phase: Consolidation (Gujarat)

By 1732, the Marathas had effectively acquired control of districts, enforcing their claims. Despite Governor Gaekwar's attempts to oust the Marathas through force, the Marathas retaliated, leading to a shift in the balance of power. The united front of the Marathas prevailed, and Gujarat forces retreated, unable to control the situation.

Third Phase: Annexation (Gujarat)

The final phase witnessed the formal annexation of Gujarat's land. A written grant from the Emperor was all that remained for the Marathas to solidify their control. The appointment of Fakr-ud-Daulah as governor in 1749 marked a final Mughal effort to retake Gujarat, but the fall of Ahmedabad in 1753 signaled the end of Mughal rule in the region.

First Phase: Challenging Chauth (Malwa)

In 1723, Baji Rao orchestrated the first organized attempt to assert the Maratha claim for chauth in Malwa. The appointed Mughal subahdar, Girdhar Bahadur, vehemently resisted Maratha demands. The war that ensued lasted until the Battle of Amjhara in November 1728, resulting in the deaths of Girdhar Bahadur and his cousin Daya Ram.

Second Phase: Territorial Shifts (Malwa)

Baji Rao's invasion of Bundelkhand in the aftermath of the Battle of Amjhara compelled M. Khan Bangash to cede territories in exchange for gratitude. The partitioning of Malwa among Maratha sardars into areas of control marked the second phase.

Third Phase: Mughal Resistance (Malwa)

In 1734-35, Mughal efforts under Wazir Qamar-ud-Din and Bakhshi-ul-Mamalik Khan-i-Dauran reached their zenith to push the Marathas across the Narmada. A powerful alliance of Rajput Rajas and Mughal forces aimed to counter the Marathas. However, despite the formidable strength, the Maratha light cavalry proved decisive, encircling and defeating the regional forces at Toda Tank.

Between 1720 and 1761, the Maratha Empire expanded significantly, eroding the power of the Mughal Empire. By the 1720s, Gujarat and Malwa were wrested from the Mughals. The Maratha king's supremacy over the Deccan was acknowledged by the 1730s. The raid on Delhi in 1737 further extended the Maratha Empire's borders to include Rajasthan, Punjab, and beyond. This historical campaign exemplifies the strategic prowess and territorial gains that marked the zenith of Maratha power in the 18th century.