Holkars of Indore: Malhar Rao & Ahilyabai

The Holkars of Indore

• Malhar Rao Holkar established the Holkar rule in Indore.
• He served the Maratha state for a long time.
• He was skilled in guerilla warfare.
• He fought in the northern campaigns with Bajirao I and Nana Saheb Peshwa.
• He aided Peshwa Madhavrao in reviving Maratha prestige after the defeat at Panipat.
• Khanderao Holkar, Malhar Rao's son, died in the Battle of Kumbheri.
• After the deaths of Khanderao and Malhar Rao, Ahilyabai Holkar assumed control.
• Ahilyabai Holkar managed Indore's administration.
• Ahilyabai was capable, astute, and an excellent administrator.
• She implemented laws for agriculture and revenue collection.
• Ahilyabai encouraged land cultivation and built wells for farmers.
• Ahilyabai promoted trade and industry as well as constructed lakes and tanks.
• Ahilyabai built temples, ghats, maths, dharmashalas, and drinking water facilities across India.
• She personally delivered justice.
• Ahilyabai ruled for 28 years and expanded Maratha prestige in the north.
• Ahilyabai brought peace and order to the kingdom.
• Yashwantrao Holkar tried to save the Maratha kingdom when it declined.

The Bhosales of Nagpur

• Parsoji Bhosale was granted the jagir of Varhad and Gondwana by Shahu Maharaj.
• Among the Bhosales of Nagpur, Raghuji Bhosale stood out as brave and capable.
• Raghuji Bhosale brought Tiruchirappalli and Arcot under Maratha control.
• Shahu Maharaj granted Raghuji Bhosale the chouthai rights for Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• In 1751, Bhosale of Nagpur captured territories in Odisha from Ali Vardi Khan.
• Marathas dominated Odisha until 1803.
• The British dug a ditch around Calcutta over fear of Marathas.
• The ditch was known as the Maratha Ditch.

The Shindes of Gwalior

• Baji Rao I recognized Ranoji Shinde's capabilities.
• Ranoji Shinde was made a Sardar in the north.
• After Ranoji's death, his sons Jayappa, Dattaji, and Mahadji proved their strength.
• They strengthened Maratha rule in North India.
• Peshwa Madhavrao gave Mahadji the family title of Shinde.
• Mahadji was a brave general and an astute statesman.
• Mahadji helped re-establish Maratha supremacy in the north after the defeat at Panipat.
• He realized that guerilla tactics were ineffective in the plains of the north.
• Mahadji modernized his army with new weapons and artillery.
• Mahadji was aided by French military expert de Boigne.
• Mahadji's trained army kept the Rohillas, Jats, Rajputs, and Bundelas in check.
• After the Maratha defeat at Panipat, the British tried to control Delhi.
• Mahadji Shinde fought the British and restored the Mughal emperor to the throne.
• The Mughal emperor gave him the title of Vakil-ul-Mutlaq.
• As Vakil-ul-Mutlaq, Mahadji had civil and military rights in the Mughal empire.
• Mahadji accepted the position of Vakil-ul-Mutlaq on behalf of the minor Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao.
• Mahadji managed Delhi affairs amidst turmoil from 1784 to 1794.
• Najim Khan's grandsons continued to scheme against the Marathas.
• Ghulam Qadir, Najim Khan's grandson, captured Delhi, tortured the emperor, and seized wealth.
• Mahadji restored the Mughals' wealth and reinstalled the emperor, enhancing Maratha prestige.
• Mahadji controlled Delhi politics by placing the emperor under Maratha authority.

Conflict with the British and Decline of Maratha Power

• Raghunath Rao sought help from the British to become Peshwa.
• Other Maratha statesmen opposed this alliance with the British.
• This led to conflict between the Marathas and the British.
• The conflict between these two great powers would determine the ruler of India.
• Maratha army under Mahadji Shinde and the British met at Vadgaon.
• The British were defeated at Vadgaon, and they had to return Raghunath Rao to the Marathas.
• Mahadji settled Delhi affairs.
• Mahadji died in Wanawadi, Pune, where a memorial called Shinde Chhatri was built.
• Kanhoji Angre and his son Tulaji strengthened the navy raised by Shivaji Maharaj.
• They defended the coastline from the Portuguese, British, and Siddis.
• Khanderao Dabhade established Maratha power in Gujarat.
• After Khanderao's death, his wife Umabai fought the Mughal Sardar of Ahmedabad.
• Umabai forced the Mughal sardar to retreat.
• Gaikwads established their seat of power at Vadodara in Gujarat.
• Pawars of Dhar and Dewas aided the Shindes and Holkars.
• After Peshwa Madhavrao's death, Nana Phadanvis and Mahadji aided in stabilizing the Maratha State.
• Nana Phadanvis was aided by Patwardhan, Haripath Phadke, and the Rastas.
• Maratha supremacy was reaffirmed in the south.
• After the deaths of Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadanvis, Maratha power declined.
• Bajirao II, Raghunath Rao's son, became Peshwa.
• Bajirao II lacked leadership qualities and failed to unite the Maratha Sardars.
• Strife among the Sardars weakened Maratha power.
• During Bajirao II's rule, Maratha power declined further.
• The British replaced the Marathas as the dominant power.
• In 1817, the British captured Pune and hoisted the Union Jack.
• In 1818, the British defeated the Marathas at the Battle of Ashti in Solapur district.
• Maratha power came to an end.
• Medieval period ended in 1818.
• Modern Indian history began in 1818.