Battle of Delhi (1764)
 | The verifiability of the claims made in this article is disputed. (March 2024) |
| Battle of Delhi (1764) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Mughal-Jat Wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of BharatpurMercenaries  Dal Khalsa (Sikhs) |
 Mughal Empire Rohilla | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Maharaja Jawahar Singh Supported by Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia |
Najib ad-Dawlah | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
30,000—35,000 troops 100 Canons[1] 15,000 Sikhs[1] |
30,000—35,000 troops Imperial artillery of Delhi[1] | ||||||
The Battle of Delhi (1764) was fought between the Jat Maharaja Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur and the Mughal rulers of Mughal Empire. Maharaja Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur invaded Delhi and laid siege to stronghold of Red Fort.[2]
Background[edit]
On 25 December 1763, Najib-ad Daulah accidentally shot Jawahar Singh's father Maharaja Suraj Mal, leading to his demise. Maharaja Sawai Jawahar Singh started preparing to avenge the death of his father.[3]
Battle[edit]
The initial skirmish on November 15th resulted in significant casualties on both sides, totaling a thousand.[4] Maharaja Jawahar Singh's attempt to assault on the Ruhela trenches near the fort of Feroz Shah Kotla was met with reluctance, as Malhar hesitated to advance further without clearing the Rohillas from the Old Fort. The following day, Maharaja Jawahar altered his strategy, dispatching Raja Balram Singh Sorout of Hodal and a contingent of Jat horse to ford the Jamuna at Amlighat and attack Najib's defenses from the rear. However, the Jat horse's delay in plundering Patparganj alerted Najib's forces, leading to a fierce confrontation. Despite the valiant efforts of Jawahar's troops, they faced overwhelming opposition and were on the brink of annihilation until reinforcements, led by Umrao-gir Gosain, arrived in the nick of time. The battle raged until sunset, with Najib's forces eventually retreating to their camps and Jawahar's troops crossing back to the western bank under the cover of torchlight.[5]
Jawahar Bombards Delhi From The East Bank of Yamuna[edit]
On the 18th, the invading army successfully crossed over to the eastern bank of the Yamuna, strategically positioning cannons along the river to bombard Delhi from across the water. The absence of a protective wall along the city's eastern face left it vulnerable to the onslaught, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. Shahdara, a vital grain storage area for Delhi, fell victim to plunder and devastation, further crippling the city's resources. Najib's troops retreated from their riverbank trenches to seek refuge within the city, while Najib himself took shelter in an underground room in the Buland Bagh. The bridge, crucial for supplies, was heavily guarded by Rohilla forces, ensuring its protection against enemy advances. Despite the ongoing bombardment, Maharaja Jawahar Singh sought alliances elsewhere, turning to the Sikh Jats for support due to his dwindling trust in his Maratha allies. The arrival of a formidable Sikh force near Delhi marked a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict, as other factions like the Budha Dal wreaked havoc across the region, leaving Najib unable to defend his estates against the relentless onslaught of the Jats and Sikh Jats.[6]
Jawahar's Sikh Allies Arrives And Their Attacks on Delhi[edit]
Despite these challenges, a new plan of campaign emerged, with the Jat, Maratha, and Sikh armies strategically positioned around Delhi. The Sikhs, tasked with disrupting the enemy's provisions from the north and west, engaged in daily skirmishes with Najib's forces near the city's walls. However, lacking artillery, they were unable to mount a direct assault on the fort. The situation escalated on January 25th, 1765, when a fierce battle erupted between Najib's troops and the Sikhs, aided by Jats, near the Horse market. Despite significant casualties on both sides, the outcome remained inconclusive.[7][8][9]
Delhi won by Maharaja Jawahar Singh (9th January 1765)
Contemporary Persian letter from Delhi reports- 'Najibu-d-daulah has been defeated by Jawahir Singh, and has retired into the fort. The city has fallen into the hands of Jawahir Singh. Najibu-d-daulah is desirous of going to his own country through the assistance of the Marhattas, who together with a few Sikhs are stationed round the army of Jawahir Singh.'[10]
Peace Negotiations Between Jats and Najib[edit]
Malhar Rao Holkar, the treacherous ally of Maharaj Jawahar Singh wanted to gain money from both sides (Jats and Mughals/ Rohillas) and he had secret settlements with Najib-ad-dwalah. He forced a peace negotiation despite Delhi came under Maharaj Jawahar Singh. Later, Maharaja took away the Ashtadhatu gates of Red fort and gained the war expenses from Najib Rohilla.[11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Jadunath, Sarkar Sir (1934). Fall Of The Mughal Empire Vol II 1754--1771. p. 458.
- ^ Cunningham, Joseph Davey (1849). A History of the Sikhs, from the Origin of the Nation to the Battles of the Sutlej. John Murray.
- ^ Misra, S. C. (1981). Sindhia-Holkar Rivalry in Rajasthan. Sundeep Prakashan.
- ^ Qanungo Kalikaranjan (1925). History Of Jats. p. 175.
- ^ Sarkar Sir Jadunath (1934). Fall Of The Mughal Empire Vol Ii 1754--1771. p. 461-463.
- ^ Sarkar Sir Jadunath (1934). Fall Of The Mughal Empire Vol Ii 1754--1771. p. 463-464.
- ^ Qanungo Kalikaranjan (1925). History Of Jats. p. 176.
- ^ Sarkar Sir Jadunath (1934). Fall Of The Mughal Empire Vol Ii 1754--1771. p. 464-466.
- ^ Hari Ram Gupta (1944). History Of The Sikhs Vol I. p. 210.
- ^ Department, India Imperial Record (1911). Calendar of Persian Correspondence: Being Letters, Referring Mainly to Affairs in Bengal, which Passed Between Some of the Company's Servants and Indian Rulers and Notables ... Superintendent government printing, India.
- ^ Pande, Ram (2006). Social and Political History of the Jats, Bharatpur Upto 1826. Shodhak.