The Unsung Hero of India

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar

By

Sanjay Sonawani

Maharaja Yashvantrao Holkar Gaurav Pratishthan,

Pune
1

Holkar dynasty: A glymps

The land of Maharashtra has produced great personalities, who have left
their indelible mark on history. Men and women who have changed the course of
history have been recognised and found a place in the hearts of the people.
However, a few of them went into oblivion for various reasons. Maharaja
Yashwantrao Holkar was one such extraordinary son of the soil who rebuilt the
Holkar state from scratch. He not only did that but also saw the advent of the
British power and the ill effects of their ‘divide and rule’ policies. Hence, he took
up the cudgels against the colonial power and did all that he could to unite the
Indian princely states. However, he was left to fend for himself due to the selfish
nature of contemporary Indian rulers.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar’s life was an epic journey. Though his life
story is largely unknown, shrouded in ambiguity and deliberately spread
misconceptions, a deeper search reveals a bright character. He was a man of
foresight, strategy and extreme adventure, which not only earned him the title
‘King of Independent Kingdom of Malwa’ but also gave him the courage to wage
lonely wars against the British to free the country from their clutches. He was the
first such warrior even before the so-called First War of Independence or the
Revolt of 1857. He died young, at the age of 35, and still this short span changed
the course of Indian history.

First, let us have a brief look at the remarkable history of the Holkar
dynasty.

A pillar of Maratha Empire: Subhedar Malharrao Holkar

The history of the Holkar dynasty begins with Subhedar Malharrao Holkar,
who had a humble background and rose to prominence due to his valour and
strategic talent. He had become a living legend of his times. A glance at his career
is necessary before one goes into the details of Yashwantrao’s life.
Malharrao was the son of a shepherd (a member of the Dhangar community)
named Khandoji Veerkar Chougula belonging to village Wafgaon in Pune district.
Their traditional profession was shepherding, which involved moving with herds of
sheep in search of pasturelands. When he had camped at Hol village in the same
district, Malhar was born on March 16, 1693. His father died when he was a child.
As a family feud arose just after the death of Khandoji, his mother was left with no
choice but to leave Hol with her son and seek shelter at her brother’s home. Her
brother, Bhojraj Bargal was a resident of Taloda village, which came under then
Sultanpur Pargana of Khandesh. Though she had left Hol, the surname Holkar
stuck to Malhar, who was destined to become a dynast and create his lasting
impression on Indian history. Though history has been unjust to Malharrao and his
successors, historians agree that without Malharrao, the Marathas couldn’t have
established their hold in North India.

The history about his joining hands with Bajirao (I) is shrouded in many
popular myths, which has to be examined carefully on the basis of proofs available
in bits and pieces. It was the need of the hour that these two ambitious and leading
personalities came together. He did not join Bajirao as a chieftain or sardar as is
generally believed but as an equal partner in their endeavours. As per recorded
history, the events that took place before he joined hands with Bajirao do not
indicate at all that the relations between the two were that of master and servant.
Let us have a brief look at these events.

While at his maternal uncle’s home, as a young boy, Malharrao used to herd
sheep flocks. At the age of 16, he joined as an ordinary soldier in a small force of
his maternal uncle, who used to be a part of the army of Kanthaji Kadambande,
whenever the need arose. His marriage with Gautamabai, the daughter of his
maternal uncle Bhojraj, an able administrator in later years, took place at his very
young age.

Kanthaji Kadambande was loosely associated with Maratha warlord

TrimbakraoDabhade. Bhojraj’s association with Kadambande was not a permanent
one. He also undertook independent campaigns in the North. From 1690 onwards,
after the death of Sambhaji (the son and successor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhosale,
who was the founder of the Maratha kingdom), the central control over the
regional satraps was lost. Like Maharashtra, the political situation in Central India
also had become unstable. After the cruel assassination of Sambhaji, the Maratha
Empire was on the verge of collapse.

When Shahu, Sambhaji’s son, was released by the Mughals in 1707, another
power struggle began between Shahu and Tarabai (the widow of Rajaram, the
younger son of Shivaji), and the then regent of Shivaji’s kingdom. The Maratha
sardars (warlords) were confused as to whose side they should take. Kanthaji
Kadambande chose to support Shahu, but his independent military campaigns in
Gujarat and Malwa did not stop.There was no effective control and direction due to
the succession struggle for the central power.This had made the kingdom weak and
was on the verge of a divide.

Due to frequent raids in Malwa and Gujarat as a young soldier, Malharrao

minutely observed the political situation in Malwa, where the central rule had
weakened giving rise to anarchy. Malhar saw an opportunity in the unstable
situation there and started recruiting his own soldiers from the Dhangar, Bhil and
Pindari communities.
 In 1717, Balaji Vishwanath was appointed as the Peshwa because he had
played a key role in stabilising Shahu as the king by organising support from some
major Maratha chieftains. Balaji, though not a warrior, was a great diplomat of his
times. He had the ability to execute successful strategies. Still, he could not secure
total control over the chieftains located in the bordering regions of the then divided
Maratha kingdom. Besides undertaking independent campaigns, Dabhade,
Kadambande and their associates with their independent troops would frequently
change sides as per their convenience.

We have to understand warfare practices of those times. None could afford

to maintain a permanent standing army. They would invite independent soldiers
and troops to join on missions with an arrangement that the loot by a particular
troop would belong to that troop.

By this time, Malhar was consolidating his hold over Malwa. He had built
his own troop of about 150 soldiers and had started undertaking independent
military missions at the age of 19. From 1718, as history tells us, Malhar had
started his independent military career. His correspondence with Nandlal Mandloi,
a feudal lord of Malwa, is evidence to this fact. Young Malhar joined the
expedition of Balaji Vishwanath to Delhi as an independent troop leader. It is said
that Malhar and Bajirao got introduced to each other after a small skirmish during
this expedition, which ultimately turned to friendship after six years. Bajirao was
wise enough to understand that if he had to make his politics North-centric, he
needed visionary warriors like Malharrao who had thorough knowledge about
politics in the North.

The Delhi expedition was a turning point for both, Bajirao and Malharrao, as
they both understood how weak the Mughal rule in Delhi had become giving an
opportunity to expand in the North. However, Malharrao did not join the Maratha
forces immediately. During 1720-21, Malharrao went to Barwani to protect this
small kingdom when Bajirao’s forces had laid siege on it. Malharrao, with his now
around 1,500 strong army, defeated the forces of the Peshwa. When Bajirao
realised that he could not win against Malharrao, he wrote to the latter and
requested him to mediate between King of Barwani Mohan Singh Rane and his
forces. Malharrao successfully mediated and a peace pact was signed between
both. This was Malharrao’s first notable political achievement. Bajirao, of course,
was very much impressed and started persuading Malharrao to join his camp. Still,
Malhar maintained his independent career till 1725. However, Bajirao knew very
well that if he had to expand in the North, he needed a warrior and ambitious
strategist like Malharrao. He started to approach him through Kadambande and
Malharrao’s maternal uncle Bhojraj Bargal. Finally, both formalised the
association.

The glorious era of Malharrao’s life began in 1728-29 as he routed Mughal

Subhedar Daya Bahadur using guerrilla tactics near Dhar. Malharrao then
established his control over Ujjain. In 1731, when Bajirao was engaged in a
conflict with his commander Trimbakrao Dabhade, Malharrao ensured that Nizam-
ul-Mulk Asaf Jah (I) and Bangash do not provide any military help to Dabhade.
Bajirao succeeded in this war only because of the tactical moves of Malharrao.
Malharrao’ssuccess peaked when the famous Palkhed war began. Malharrao
successfully cut off all supplies to the camp of the Nizam forcing his army to
starve. This war was won without spilling a drop of blood. The Nizam
unconditionally accepted the defeat and saved himself and his starving army.

Later, Malwa was divided between the Holkars, the Scindias and the Pawars
with an equal share to the Scindias and the Holkars. Malharrao got a special
treatment as he received a grant of 11 districts to begin with in 1728, which grew
to 74 districts with ancestral rights over Indore and Maheshwar cities for his
private expenses. His wife Gautamabai also was granted with private property.
Malharrao was the only chieftain in the Maratha confederacy, who got these
special privileges and an honorific title ‘Subhedar’ in 1758 after the famous Delhi
war and the campaign at Attock.
Malharrao created his supreme position in the North with his own valour. He
successfully used guerrilla tactics in the northern plains. A mere rumour that
Malharrao was coming to their village would force villagers to vacate it, such was
his threat. In 1738, during the battle of Bassein when it had become impossible to
capture the fort, Malharrao, risking his life, had detonated explosives himself to
destroy the fortification. The famous victory of Bassein had been achieved only
because of Malharrao. His personal power in the North grew to such an extent that
he would decide who the Emperor of Delhi would be. Ahadnama, a treaty between
the Emperor and the Peshwa for the protection of Delhi was signed only at the
behest of Malharrao. Following this treaty, the Marathas became the defacto rulers
of Delhi. It was Malharrao, who kept his permanent army to potect Delhi under the
command of his son Khanderao.
 Unfortunately, visionary Bajirao died young in 1740 at the age of 40 at
Raverkhed. His 20 years of glorious reign had fuelled ambitions among the
Marathas. He threw his might behind his generals, who had capabilities and were
equally ambitious, on the condition that they should follow the doctrine of
controlling the politics of the North. His death was a great setback to the Maratha
Empire. Bajirao’s successor Balaji Bajirao alias Nanasaheb Peshwa was not as
visionary as his predecessor. On the contrary, he was always afraid of the new
creed of chieftains such as the Holkars, the Scindias and the Pawars, if united
would rebel against his authority. He practised divisive politics, even after the
debacle at Panipat. This again affected the ambitions and policies of the Maratha
generals. The new Peshwa could never realise the dream of Bajirao. In fact, he
became a hurdle in its way. The death of Dattaji Scindia at Buradi Ghat was the
worst outcome of his policies. These events have not been analysed historically, in
the light of available proofs for some reasons. It is necessary to track some major
events after Bajirao’s death.

In 1753, Suraj Mal Jat had attacked Delhi, Khanderao had routed him near
Feroz Shah Kotla and had forced him to flee. The Emperor requested him to chase
Suraj Mal and destroy him completely. To make him accept this job, the Emperor
showered gifts on Khanderao. He turned down the request because he did not want
to act without orders from Malharrao. The Emperor asked Ghazi ud-Din to
persuade Khanderao to undertake the mission, which was important for the Mughal
Empire. Still, Khanderao did not accede to his repeated requests. Later, he
demanded Agra province in exchange, if he at all undertook a campaign against
Suraj Mal Jat. However, after Malharrao cleared his way, Khanderao marched on
Suraj Mal Jat’s region, ravaged many villages, and destroyed many forts. Jat was
fleeing from one place to another.When he realised that it was impossible to face
Khanderao, he took shelter in the strong fort of Kumbheri and sent a message of a
truce to Raghobadada Peshwa. Khanderao laid siege to the fort. Malharrao,
Raghobadada and Dattaji Scindia joined him later with their forces to strengthen
the siege.
When Khanderao realised that Suraj Mal could not be subdued as long he
was behind the strong walls of the Kumbheri fort, which had adequate supplies, he
started digging an underground tunnel to reach the foundation of the fort so that he
could bring down the walls with explosives and enter the fort. The idea was good.
The Maratha commanders offered all support for digging the tunnel. Jat was
observing the activities of Maratha soldiers from the rampart. He was already
enraged against Khanderao, who had plundered his region and had forced him to
take shelter in the fort like a coward. (New History of the Marathas: The
Expansion of Maratha Power, 1707-1772 by G.S. Sardesai)
 He ordered his gunmen to target Khanderao and have him killed. Khanderao
was overseeing the digging work and retaliating the fire from the fort. The gunmen
from the fort were in search of a chance to kill him. One fateful day, Khanderao
was close to the wall of the fort. A shot hit him and he collapsed.
The news of his son’s death hit Malharrao like a bolt. Saddened, incensed against
Suraj Mal, he vowed that he would destroy the Kumbheri fort. But yet another
calamity was awaiting him. Ahilya, along with other wives of Khanderao,was
preparing to perform the Sati ritual, in which the widow of a dead man immolates
herself in the funeral pyre of her husband. He rushed to the camp, where Ahilya
was lodged. He wailed and urged Ahilya not to leave the world as she was his only
hope. Ahilya listened to Malharrao and changed her decision.

Khanderao: An able son and a warrior

Khanderao had a good understanding of Jat and Rajput politics. Malharrao

had assigned him many independent duties of settling political feuds, which
occasionally arose. After the death of Sawai Jai Singh, a Mughal vassal of Jaipur, a
dispute over his inheritance erupted. It assumed the proportion of a war within his
family. On the request of Maharana Ishvari Singh, in 1747, Malharrao had sent
Khanderao with his army to assist him. Khanderao marched towards the Rajmahal,
where a war broke out between him and contender of the kingship Madho Singh’s
dispatches. Khanderao won the battle and moved towards Jaipur. Hearing the news
of the defeat, Madho Singh fled from Jaipur. Khanderao successfully accomplished
the mission. Similarly, in 1750 he had participated war over Bundi dispute for
treachery of Ishvari Singh, which he won and was resulted in suicide of Ishvari
Singh.
It seems Malharrao had specially trained him in the politics of the Rajputs
and the Jats. His correspondence with Maharana of Udaipur is available, which
throws light on his political wisdom. Khanderao was involved in many campaigns
in Rajputana.
From March 1751 to April 1752, Khanderao was engaged in a mission
against the Bangash and the Rohillas to assist Safdar Jang, who was a major figure
at the Mughal court and later became the Nawab of Oudh. Khanderao finally
emerged victorious. Besides independent campaigns, he participated in many wars,
along with his father Malharrao. In fact, Malharrao was training him in every
aspect of politics and warfare.
The loss of such a heroic son was a big setback to Malharrao. But recovering
from the grief, he concentrated on his duties of preparing Ahilya as his successor.
Simultenously, he also focused on elevating his second rank-in-command to
replace his deceased son Khanderao in the form of Tukoji Holkar, who was
Malharrao’s nephew or a distant relative and an able warrior. Though there is no
direct record available to establish their exact relationship, Tukoji, after the death
of Khanderao rose in ranks and most historians treat him as Malharrao’s adopted
son.
Malharrao, alongwith Raghobadada, Mahadaji Scindia and his commander
Tukoji Holkar expanded the Maratha rule upto Attock. At that time, Ahmad Shah
Abdali was engaged in aconflict with the Shah of Iran. Abdali aka Ahmad Shah
Durrani was the founder of the Durrani Empire. He is regarded as the founder of
modern Afghanistan.
Malharrao had advised Raghobadada that this was an opportune time to have
a treaty made between the Marathas and Abdali to the effect that both would help
each other militarily when the need arose. However, Raghobadada neglected this
advice and was happy to have the Maratha boundaries expanded upto Attock. For
almost one-and-a-half years, Tukoji was stationed at Attock safeguarding the
newly extended boundaries.
In fact, this was a great achievement of Malharrao and Maratha commanders
that their supremacy was established in the Indian subcontinent. Malharrao had
already become a key figure in Indian politics. His expeditions to the South had
also added glory to the Maratha Empire. Still, he is often blamed for the Panipat
debacle by people without knowing the facts, which are not much publicised or
suppressed by historians. One can deal with these baseless accusations.
The foremost accusation is since Malharrao forced Raghobadada to release
Najib Khan alive, he could invite Abdali and the Panipat battle took place. In fact,
there is no evidence to suggest this. Had Najib been killed at that juncture, his rival
Ghazi ud-Din would have gone out of control. To keep Ghazi ud-Din in check,
keeping Najib alive was politically necessary. After recovering ransom from Najib,
he was released.
In 1754, Intizam-ud-Daulah was dismissed and Ghazi ud-Din alias Imad-ul-
Mulk was replaced as the grand vizier of the Emperor. Ghazi ud-Din was
ambitious but treacherous and was defamed for his brutal acts. Though he always
favoured the Marathas, and Maratha support to him in turn defamed Maratha
forces as well for this immoral association.
The conflict between the Emperor and Ghazi ud-Din had gone to such an
extent that the latter had held the Emperor captive in his own palace and had
stopped his food supply so that the Emperor and his family would starve. He had
plundered many towns in Doab, including Secunderabad.
In the month of May 1754, Intizam-ud-Daulah somehow managed to
shift the Emperor with his family to Secunderabad. Malharrao was angry with the
Emperor because he had offered his active help to Suraj Mal Jat against the
Maratha forces, though the Emperor himself had incited Khanderao Holkar to
subdue Suraj Mal. Khanderao’s death had already made Malharrao furious and
revengeful. His army attacked and plundered the Emperor’s camp at
Secunderabad.
After this, Malharrao wrote a letter to the Emperor raising some demands.
Intizam-ud-Daulah was not happy with these demands. Instead, he decided to wage
a war against Malharrao. Till that time, Malharrao had plundered the area
surrounding Delhi. When the news of Malharrao’s wrath reached the Emperor, he
accepted all the demands raised by Malharrao.
On June 1, 1754, Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur appointed Ghazi ud-Din as
his chief minister (vizier). But ungrateful Ghazi ud-din dethroned him on the very
next day and declared grandson of Bahadur Shah, Aziz ud-Daulah, as the new
emperor after renaming him Alamgir II. Ahmad Shah and Udhambai were
imprisoned. He did not stop there. Ghazi-ud-Din killed both after making them
blind on June 24, 1754. This incident defamed the Marathas for their support to
Ghazi ud-Din, who was an ungrateful, unreliable and cruel man!
After Abdali’s fourth Indian campaign, Najib Khan shot to
prominence and established his control over Antarved, the North. Ghazi ud-Din
never tolerated Najib Khan’s meddling in Delhi politics. In 1757, Ghazi ud-Din
sought help of Raghobadada to handover Delhi to him by removing Najib Khan.
He took refuge with the Marathas. Gazi ud-Din, himself a traitor, helping him
could not be politically a wise decision. Ghazi ud-Din and Najib Khan were sworn
enemies. The power conflict between them had invited Abdali to interfere in Indian
politics. Keeping one evil alive and eliminating the other would create more havoc.
Malharrao was aware of this possible situation. He preferred to save Najib to check
the treacherous politics of Gazi ud-Din. The Emperor had also preferred Najib to
Ghazi ud-Din. Najib, on the order from the Emperor, looted Ghazi ud-Din’s
mansion and threw out his wives and children. No one lamented for this insult to
the chief minister’s family because Ghazi ud-Din deserved it. On November 29,
1759, Ghazi ud-Din assassinated Emperor Alamgir II as well.
In this context, one needs to study whether the move to support Ghazi ud-
Din was right or not. Indeed, it was Raghobadada’s mistake to support the
murderer of the Emperor. Even if Najib was captured alive, killing him could not
prove beneficial to the Marathas in any way. In fact, Najib was the one at that time
who could control the hideous politics of Ghazi ud-Din. Killing Najib would set
Ghazi ud-Din free and unchecked in his vicious activities.
The initiative to invite Abdali was taken by Emperor Alamgir and Malika
Jamani. Raja of Jaipur Madho Singh had also invited Abdali. When Ghazi ud-Din
came to know about the invitations extended to Abdali from the Emperor, he
beheaded Alamgir II and two other diplomatic advisors in a fit of rage in 1759. By
then Malika Jamani had reached Punjab to welcome Abdali!
 It will be incorrect to accuse only Najib for inviting Abdali and causing the
ill-fated Panipat war. In fact, accusations against both, Najib and Malharrao, are
baseless. Abdali had not invaded India for the first time, but he earlier had four
successful campaigns to India. This would be his fifth campaign that changed the
course of India’s history and caused a great setback to the Marathas’ ambitious
plans.
There is another misconception about the Holkar-Scindia alliance. There is a
general understanding that though the Scindias and the Holkars were initially
friends, later, a rift developed between them. The cause of the Panipat debacle is
often attributed to the hidden tussle between them. But history tells us otherwise.
Firstly, Ranoji Scindia, the founder of the Scindia dynasty was never known
as a warrior. On Malharrao’s request, Ranoji, an ordinary servant, was raised to the
rank of a sardar. Hence, Ranoji and his sons always remained grateful to
Malharrao. Ranoji never undertook any independent campaign. Nor is he known
for showing any valour in any battle. His part in the campaigns was that of a
subordinate to Malharrao.
Ranoji died in 1745. His elder son Jayappa was a brave man but was always
uncertain in his political vision that ultimately resulted in his murder. When
Malharrao had lost his son in the Kumbheri battle, Dattaji signed a truce against
the wishes of Malharrao. Dattaji declared Suraj Mal Jat as his brother and accepted
only Rs 40 lakh against initial demand of Rs. 80 lakh as ransom and lifted the siege
of Kumbheri fort. Raghobadada also joined hands with Scindia leaving mourning
Malharrao in dark about their treacherous decision. And yet, Malharrao forgave
both and marched towards Delhi to settle a score with the Emperor himself, who
had deceived the Marathas by sending assistance to Jat, who was his sworn enemy
a few months ago.The Emperor had instigated Khanderao to wage war against Jat.
His anger and his plundering of the Emperor’s camp were justified. But no other
Maratha commander, including Scindia, joined him in his endeavours. Still, his
actions does not show if Malharrao had any grudge against the Scindia brothers.
Another accusation is that Malharrao ill-advised Dattaji and Jankoji Scindia
that if Najib was eliminated, they would be left with no work.The Peshwa would
ask them to wash their lion-clothes. First of all, this statement occurs only in the
‘Bhausahebachi Bakhar’! That too in same words but thrice and in entirely
different contexts. Firstly, when Malharrao met with Dattaji, secondly when
Malharrao met with Jankoji and at the third place, the same advice in the same
words is given by Sardar Vinchurkar to both the Scindia brothers!
This is an interesting accusation. First of all, it demeans the Scindias as if
they did not know, where they should conduct their campaigns. It is claimed that
there was enmity between the Scindias and the Holkars.Even if one considers it as
true, were the brothers fools to seek advice from a deemed rival Malharrao and
accept it? And most importantly, why would Vinchurkar give the same advice to
the Scindias? So, we can take this as a concocted story.
Let us take a look at the factual historical events, which led to the death of
Dattaji in Buradi Ghat. It is accused that a rift developed between the Scindias and
the Holkars after the Kumbheri event as Scindia had signed the truce with Suraj
Mal Jat on very easy terms, though he had deliberately killed Khanderao Holkar. It
is a fact that Malharrao was not happy with this as it was going against his vow to
destroy Suraj Mal Jat completely. Still Malharrao was a practical and forgiving
man. He continued his alliance with the Scindias as the history has evidence that
they together fought many other wars, including the expedition to takeover Attock.
When Dattaji Scindia was being attacked unexpectedly at Buradi Ghat by crossing
Yamuna though it was flooded, Malharrao was in Rajputana on the mission to
recover pending dues from the Rajputs. When he received an urgent missive from
Dattaji, he immediately left for Buradi leaving the task at hand incomplete. Forces
of Tukoji already had joined Dattaji. But before Malharrao could reach Buradi,
Scindia’s army was routed and Dattaji was killed. Though it was a big jolt to the
Maratha power, blaming Malharrao for his death by later historians was a grave
mistake or they were trying to make Malharrao a scapegoat.
Dattaji’s mission was, in fact,on the advice of Nanasaheb Peshwa and was
an independent one. While on the mission, he was trapped by Abdali and was
killed in that unexpected skirmish. During the Attock expedition, Nanasaheb had
written to Raghobadada Peshwa that, “wherever you are, there seems no possibility
of getting money, hence go to the east and plunder Patna.”
On May 2, 1759, Nanasaheb Peshwa ordered Dattaji that, “…even if
Shujaud-Daula seems to be breaking the agreement, if great financial gains are
anticipated, use him. Take Kashi, Prayag with all efforts. Dattaji, you must be
worried about the burden of loans on us.” (Shuja ud-Daula was the Grand Vizier,
Subhedar and Nawab of Oudh) (Reference: Marathyancha Itihas: Sadhan
Parichay – Editor AR Kulkarni)
Raghobadada was wise enough to neglect the advice of Nanasaheb. But
Dattaji took his advice seriously as he was really worried about the debt-ridden
Peshwa. He undertook the mission in the east on the orders of the Peshwa, not
Malharrao or Vinchurkar.If someone has to be blamed for the death of Dattaji, it is
Nanasaheb Peshwa himself, not Malharrao.
When Dattaji got stuck at Shukratal, he had already received reinforcement
in the form of Tukoji, the commander of Malharrao. Abdali proved a better
commander, who crossed the flooded Yamuna river against the expectation of the
Maratha forces and gained victory in that brief battle. It can be surmised that it is a
blame game to say ‘Dattaji undertook the mission on Malharrao’s advice’ in rainy
season and got killed. Had there been any rift between Holkar and Scindia,
Malharrao would not have rushed towards Buradi Ghat from Rajputana leaving his
talks incomplete. An overconfident Dattaji sent three contradictory messages to
Malharrao at different times. His last letter dated December 28, 1759, which was
received by Malharrao on January 3, 1760 invited the latter urgently to help him.
Malharrao left Jaipur on the same day, i.e. on January 3, 1760, leaving the affairs
incomplete to join Dattaji. Before he could reach Buradi Ghat, the battle was over
and Dattaji was killed. Though Malharrao had an earnest desire to rescue Dattaji
from the impending calamity, Dattaji’s wrong calculations had brought his death.
Malharrao joined Jankoji Scindia near Kotput on January 15, 1760, who was
severely wounded and immediately undertook his next mission to challenge the
invader, Abdali. The accusation holding Malharrao responsible for Dattaji’s death
is unfounded in the absence of any evidence. Malharrao’s actions speak otherwise.
He was in Rajputana at the Peshwa’s orders to recover heavy sums as tribute from
principalities, especially from the Rana of Mewar. He fought many wars to subdue
the Rajputs. When he was following orders of the Peshwa, it was not his duty or
responsibility to save Dattaji, who was stranded at Buradi Ghat because of his
overconfident attitude.
Now, let us verify a major chapter of the history which is completely
suppressed as no one ever talks about this for some unknown reasons. The fact is
that the Scindias had weakened after the death of brave Dattaji at Buradi Ghat.
Jankoji Scindia was young, inexperienced and wounded. Still, undeterred
Malharrao took help of his sworn enemy Suraj Mal Jat immediately after the
Buradi Ghat episode and started pursuing and attacking forces of Abdali using
guerrilla warfare tactics, along with Jankoji Scindia, from January 14, 1760 till
February 28, 1760. He even captured Secundarabad and recovered a heavy ransom
of 25 lakh rupees. He cut off supplies to Abdali’s forces. Also, approaching
summer was making Abdali’s army uncomfortable.The result of this was frustrated
Abdali made truce with Malharrao. Through Rohilkhand regent Hafiz Rahmat
Khan, the terms of the truce were finalised that Najib Khan would continue to
control his region in Doab and the next emperor would be Shah Alam. The people
who took lead in diplomatic discussions from the Maratha side were Gangobatatya
(the ambassador of the Holkars) and Mahadevpant Hingane (the Delhi-based
representative of the Peshwa). Suraj Mal Jat also participated in these talks.
Scindia and Holkar together were at Bharatpur when these diplomatic talks were
on. On March 13, 1761, both the parties arrived at the final agreement and it was
signed.
Abdali was now ready to go back to his country. However, after his
successful diplomatic mission against the Nizam, Bhausaheb alias Sadashivrao
Peshwa, the younger cousin of Nanasaheb Peshwa, began his march towards the
North from Partud to avenge the killing of Dattaji on March 14, 1761. When the
news reached Najib, he got frightened as he knew he would be the first victim if
the Maratha forces attacked. He requested Abdali to extend his stay and break the
agreement that was already signed. Malharrao was aware of the repercussions of
the newly arisen situation. He sent a letter to Bhausaheb to not cross Chambal river
and to not march further towards the North. Malharrao still tried a modified truce
but it did not happen.
Malharrao wrote on June 12 that, “Hafiz Khan came to Bharatpur. He is in
talks with Gangadhar Chandrachud, Najib Khan still wants the truce but the terms
now do not appear as per my wishes. Shrimant (Bhausaheb) is also coming forth.”
(Ref: Marathi Riyasat – Vol 4)
The following facts emerge:
1. The truce between the Marathas and Abdali had taken place. He was
readily leaving India.
2. The terms of the truce meant Shah Alam would be the next emperor
instead of Shahjahan Sani.
3. The boundaries of Hindustan were fixed till Sirhind (Attock).
After this truce,since Abdali was ready to leave India, Bhausaheb had no
reason to march to the North with a massive army. He could have listened to
Malharrao’s advice to stay beyond Chambal and not disturb the settling situation.
He also had informed Bhausaheb that Holkar and Scindia are capable of tackling
Abdali. But Bhausaheb did not pay heed to the suggestion of an experienced
commander of the Maratha forces, who was an expert in the politics of the North
since Bajirao’s times.
In fact, there was fear or doubt in the Peshwa family that Malharrao could
take over the North independently on his own. They did not even trust
Raghobadada, who knew the North very well and was acquainted with the Mughal
and the politics of northern principalities, including the geography. Bhausaheb was
completely ignorant about the North. He was an able accountant, not a strategist
warrior. His appointment to the North, in historian Shejwalkar’s words, was a
grave mistake of Nanasaheb Peshwa.
Since Bhausaheb gradually continued his march towards Delhi, Abdali
conceded to the request of Najib and decided to stay put against the will of his
forces, making the truce meaningless. In a way, the battle of Panipat became
inevitable because of Bhausaheb’s stubbornness. However, Marathi historians
mostly avoid discussing the activities of Malharrao and Jankoji that took place
during the period between Dattaji’s death and Bhausaheb’s arrival in the North.
After the victory at Kunjpura, Malharrao had suggested Bhausaheb to return
to Delhi to ensure uninterrupted supplies and easy communication. Still the latter
did not listen to him. Instead, he marched ahead towards Kurukshetra as he wanted
to complete the pilgrimage. The defeated Afghan-Rohilla soldiers were
unmindfully employed by Vitthal Sadashiv Vinchurkar, who proved to be
dangerous during the Panipat war.
Further, Marathas got trapped at a very inconvenient place, at Panipat, which
brought disaster to the Marathas. Bhausaheb had unnecessarily insulted Suraj Mal
Jat to add to the enemies at such difficult times. Bhausaheb was determined not to
listen to the experienced generals in the North.
During the Panipat episode, Bhausaheb only trusted and consulted
Balwantrao Mehendale and Ibrahim Gardi. Gardi was a salaried recruit, who was
taken into the service from the Nizam’s camp as Bhausaheb was impressed with
his westernised infantry. He kept both Holkar and Scindia out of the strategic
discussions, mostly depending on the advice of Mehendale and Gardi, ignoring the
fact that all wars won in the North by the Marathas were the outcome of the
guerrilla tactics of the Holkar-Scindia duo.
Two skirmishes before the final war were won by the Scindia-Holkar
combine. However, they had to retreat without fighting a conclusive war as they
did not receive much needed reinforcement. The battle fought on November 22,
1760 with Shahwali Khan could have been decisive in favour of the Marathas as
Scindia–Holkar together had routed his forces in spite of Shuja and Najib sending
extra reinforcement. They had to flee the battleground. Had they been chased with
additional forces, Abdali could have been defeated that very day but Balwantrao
Mehendale preferred to inactively watch the battle instead of moving his army to
assist the Scindia-Holkar duo.
On January 14, 1761, the starving Maratha army decided to attempt an
escape. For a safe escape, a round formation of the army was planned on Ibrahim
Gardi’s advice, in which the army would encircle the camp followers for their
safety and move towards Yamuna River. Malharrao was against this type of
western formation, mostly used for the safe escape. However, Bhausaheb was not
in any mood to listen to Malharrao. Since Bhausaheb was now the commander-in-
chief, Malharrao obeyed his orders. The positions of the commanders were fixed
and rules of this round formation were laid down by Gardi, which were:
1. No commander will break the round; will not leave his predefined place,
even if there is attack on the nearest troops of other commander.
2. One will leave their position only in case the attack of the enemy is on their
troops. They should defend the attack and come back again to take their
original position.
The Maratha chieftains got scattered in every direction in this round
formation.The march began early morning towards the east to cross Yamuna River.
At around 8 am, the enemy sensed that the Marathas were leaving the battleground
secretly. The war broke out at around 11.30 am. Due to the rules of the formation,
every commander fought his war alone. The army that was now far behind taking
care of another side of the round mostly remained inactive, thus weakening the
front side of the formation, where the enemy had taken their position. Abdali, with
his reserved forces, was stationed far behind observing and taking necessary
instant decisions. Bhausaheb, was rather confined to the front because of the
specific formation of his army. He neither had an alternative plan, nor did he
change his formation as an able commander as per the need of the time.
Scindia-Holkar were stationed side-by-side at the western end of the
round confronting Shuja, Jahan Khan and Najib. Till afternoon, the Maratha side
was successfully defending but Bhausaheb never thought of gathering his entire
forces at the front to launch an offensive. Hence, the battle became a series of
skirmishes at different places.
Abdali went on the offensive at about 3.30 pm. Even then the Marathas
could defend successfully but at about 4.30 pm, Vishwasrao Peshwa died in
gunfire.
At the same time,the infantry of Ibrahim Khan Gardi was also completely
routed by the enemy. These incidents were the turning points in the battle of
Panipat. Bhausaheb was in a vulnerable position following the death of
Vishwasrao. News of Vishwasrao’s death reached Malharrao at about 5 pm.
Alarmed, he instantly sent Jankoji and his commander Santaji Wagh to help
Bhausaheb, though he and Scindia’s rest of the army under Mahadaji were engaged
in a fight with Najib, Shah Pasand Khan and Shuja. Jakoji and Santaji marched
towards Bhausaheb’s position with their forces crossing the distance of about three
kilometres.
Santaji and Jankoji reached Bhausaheb’s place at about 5.30-6 pm and got
engaged in a fight. By then, another man-made tragedy occurred that finally wrote
the fate of the Marathas.
Vinchurkar had employed about 2,000-3,000 defeated Rohilla-Afghan
soldiers after victory of Kunjpura. As Gardi suffered complete rout and arrest,
these Rohilla-Afghan soldiers removed their identity marks wrapped around their
head.They started yelling that the Marathas were defeated among camp followers
and began a loot. Terrified camp followers and the nobles stationed at the back side
started fleeing in a frenzy. Around this time,Yashwantrao Pawar also fell and his
army also went helter-skelter. It was Vinchurkar’s grave mistake to employ
defeated enemy-soldiers but he is hardly blamed for this.
Bhausaheb was now in extreme danger. Santaji Wagh died while fighting.
Jankoji was wounded and captured. No one knows for sure till date what happened
to Bhausaheb in the absence of a conclusive proof.
Malharrao was holding his position till 5.30 pm. As rumours spread and
camp followers and other nobles started fleeing, contagiously Scindia and his army
also fled. Malharrao and Mahadaji had to leave the battleground reluctantly as it
was meaningless to pursue the fight as Bhausaheb had disappeared in the battle.
Most of the commanders, including Vinchurkar, had left the battleground.
It is not true that Malharrao made his safe passage in the afternoon of that
fateful day. Had it been the case, how could he have sent his commander Santaji
Wagh to help Bhausaheb at about 5.30 pm, Santaji died in the battle.
Nana Purandare, the childhood friend of Bhausaheb, writes in his letter that
he left the battleground with Malharrao. (Purandare Daftar 3 ले. 209) This means
Malharrao was at the battleground till the end.When the defeat seemed inevitable,
he had to leave. Had the accusation been true that Malharrao left the battleground
in the middle of the war; the Marathas would have been defeated much earlier as
his flight would completely demoralise the Maratha army.
Also, Malharrao met with Bhausaheb’s wife, Parvatibai, on the way and he
took her with him till Chambal. Had Malharrao left battleground much earlier this
meeting was impossible. Satvoji Jadhav wrote another letter on January 19, 1761
that looking at her pitiable condition, Malharrao safely took Parvatibai ahead with
him.
Not a single contemporary record blames Malharrao for the debacle of
Panipat. Later, historians, particularly Marathi historians, found a scapegoat in the
form of Malharrao because they thought none from his illiterate community would
ever defend him. They did not remain honest with the available proofs.
Malharrao Holkar was assigned the duty to finalise terms of the truce with
Abdali post-Panipat war. Soon Malharrao strengthened his army and crushed
rebellions, which arose thinking the Maratha power had weakened after the defeat
of Panipat.
He also waged successful wars against the British. The battle of Buxar on
October 23, 1764 is remarkable, in which Shuja, Bengal’s suspended Nawab Mir
Qasim and Emperor Shah Alam together were defeated by the British Forces.
Frustrated by this defeat, Shuja sought help from Holkar. In response to his call,
Malharrao rushed to help him with his army. Holkar used his guerrilla tactics to
destroy the positions of Major Fletcher. On May 3, 1765, at the battle ground of
Kura, Malharrao routed the infantry of Fletcher and forced him to flee. On his way
back, he established his station at Kalpi, which was later captured by Malharrao’s
army. The detailed description of this tactical war is available in a letter written by
Appajiram to Sardar Purandare dated June 27, 1765. (Marathi Riyasat, Vol.–5)
When the news of this victory reached Ahilyabai, she exclaimed, “Deeds of
our people are unparalleled, but none openly admits them. Those who keep on
bragging of petty deeds gain instant popularity, such are the days!”
This agony of Ahilyadevi proved true in the course of the time when the
entire Holkar family was either blamed for no reason or their noble deeds remained
suppressed.
 Within a year after this battle, Malharrao died on May 20, 1766 at Alampur
owing to the old age.
Malharrao was a great strategist and warrior. His vision to control the North
helped the Maratha confederacy to expand their empire. He was humble by nature,
but was a fierce warrior. His strategies in the time of political tumult at Delhi
ultimately proved beneficial to the Maratha Empire. He had to deal successfully
with the treacherous, untrustworthy and characterless adversaries, who kept them
busy all the time in hatching conspiracies against each other. He also had to deal
with his own jealous colleagues such as Scindia and Pawar. Still, he had a natural
inclination towards forgiveness. Had this not been the case, he could have waged
his personal war against Suraj Mal Jat and Scindia following the killing of his only
son by Jat’s mercenaries. Despite this, Scindia made a grave mistake of forming
the truce with Jat. He, in later years, looking at the need of the time for the benefit
of the empire, came to terms with them and again led an alliance to fight out the
enemy.
The truce of March 13, 1760 was historic and a product of his ability of
bringing the adversaries together forgetting own grief or personal enmity. Had that
truce been honoured by Nanasaheb Peshwa and had Bhau listened to the advice of
his most able commander, the Panipat episode could have been averted. However,
it seems jealousy brought that disaster.
The greatest gift of Malharrao to the Maratha Empire was Ahilyadevi.She
was trained by him in every aspect of politics and administration, including
warfare. Her rule of 28 years was most glorious in the history of India and the
credit goes to Malharrao.

**

Ahilyadevi Holkar the Great!

Though her personal life was ridden with tragedies, Ahilyadevi Holkar
attained a special status in the history of India. The daughter of an ordinary
shepherd and hamlet chief Mankoji Shinde became the daughter-in-law of
Subhedar Malharrao Holkar. She changed the destiny not only of herself but the
entire Holkar dynasty. Her peaceful rule of 28 years over Malwa is a golden era
that North India ever witnessed in the times of political upheavals and turmoil,
which is a miracle in itself. Such is her fame that she is still called ‘Devi’
(Goddess) and ‘Matoshree’ (Mother) in Madhya Pradesh.
 She was born in a village called Chaundi in Marathwada, which was a part
of the Nizam’s territories. Ahilya was born to Mankoji and Sushila Shinde on May
31, 1725. Just two years before her birth, Nizam-ul-Mulk had rebelled against
Delhi, attacked Subhedar of Deccan Mubariz Khan and after his defeat, established
his capital at Hyderabad. This development destabilised the socio-political and
economic conditions of the entire region giving rise to freebooters roaming freely,
looting and ravaging the region. Ahilya must have come to know the world around
her teaching her early lessons of life, though she had no formal education.
It is not known exactly how Malharrao Holkar chose her as his daughter-in-
law though there are a couple of folklores about it. It appears that being from the
shepherd community (leading the life of nomads), they travelled to far away lands
in search of pasturelands and knew the members of their own community in every
area they went; thus, Malharrao or his close relatives could have known Mankoji
Shinde for a long time.When she reached the age of marriage, her marriage was
fixed with Khanderao.
At the time of her marriage, Malharrao was already a prominent figure. Her
young husband was participating in military campaigns. The marriage took place
in 1733, when she was just eight years old as per the custom of child marriages
prevalent in those days. However, she stayed at Chaundi till she attained puberty.
In 1738, she was taken to Indore ceremoniously, which was now the capital of
Holkar’s regime. Malharrao was converting that village into a commercial centre,
where he was inviting artisans and traders from across the country. Horizons of
young Ahilya started expanding at this juncture.
In a way, this was a new world for a thirteen-year-old girl, who had come
from a hamlet situated in a neglected and politically less-important region.
Adjusting with the new circumstances, Ahilya had to first control her ease-loving
husband. She could fearlessly admonish him to tread the right path and be serious
in the political affairs that Malharrao was overseeing. On her behest, Malharrao
gave him the responsibility of Rajputana that finally yielded rich fruits to the
Holkar dynasty. The fiefdom of Rampura and Hinglaj Gadh was a beneficial
output of Khanderao’s valour and diplomacy. After his success in this mission, he
was gifted a court dancer, Ramzanibai, in the similar fashion Bajirao got famous
Mastani from King Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand.
Later, Ahilya gave birth to a son, Malerao, and a daughter, Muktabai.
She accompanied Khanderao during most of his political as well as military
campaigns, including the ill-fated Kumbheri siege. The first bolt of destiny struck
her when Khanderao was killed during the Kumbheri siege in 1754.
Widowed Ahilya had readied herself to go Sati, along with other wives and
concubines of Khanderao, but Malharrao’s immense grief stopped her. She
changed her decision and as Malharrao had said, as a tribute, she tried her best to
fill the void his only son, Khanderao, had left.
She became a protégé of a great diplomat and visionary warrior like
Malharrao. She learnt every lesson of diplomacy and civil administration from
him. Malharrao used to be always on military campaigns, in the North or the
South, her duties were not just limited to administering the regions under the
Holkars’ control but also to make available war supplies to Malharrao, wherever
his mission was and secure the routes.
Under Malharrao’s command, she had to wage war against the feudal lord of
Gohad state to make him obey the orders issued by Malharrao. She destroyed the
fortifications of Gohad and fought till the feudal lord surrendered. She secured the
highway leading to Delhi by attacking the dacoit gangs that had made it insecure.
She started a military training school for the women of her state, which was a
revolutionary step at that time as nowhere else in the world such training was
available for women. Ahilya built an army of 500-strong women warriors. In a
way, she became second-in-command after Malharrao. She had to deal with many
complex situations in this process.
One should bear in mind here that the time one is talking about was not
conducive for women’s emancipation. They were denied the right to education and
undertake political or administrative positions. They, especially widows, were
expected to be confined to a dark room of the house. Every person would look
contemptuously at widows. In such an era, a visionary and revolutionary man like
Malharrao broke social barriers and provided freedom to Ahilyabai.
Making of Ahilya had begun when she had ceremoniously brought to Indore
as a bride. Her mother-in-law Gautamabai was also an able administrator, who
played an important role in building Ahilyabai’s personality. After Gautamabai’s
death, though Malharrao had other two surviving wives, he appointed Ahilyabai as
the sole administrator of the private property held by Gautamabai.
 Malharrao breathed his last on May 20, 1766 at Alampur (Madhya Pradesh)
when he was on a northern campaign. This was another blow to Ahilyabai.
Malharrao was a father figure and a mentor. After Malharrao’s death, Ahilyabai’s
son Malerao was appointed as the next Subhedar. However, his reign proved to be
short-lived. The lone campaign he conducted during his reign was against Jawahar
Jat on the Peshwa’s command, which proved successful as he could settle the issue
of pending tribute. Soon after this mission, back in Indore, he found a person
having illicit relationship with one of his maids. In a fit of rage, he killed the man
without an inquiry. Later, it was revealed that the person was innocent, which
disturbed him so much so that he lost his mental balance. This illness led to his
death on March 27, 1767. This was the third calamity, which struck Ahilyabai.
Since Malerao died childless, a complex situation arose about an heir to the
dynasty. Gangadhar Chandrachud, the divan of the Holkar state, tried to take
advantage of the situation. He hatched a conspiracy, in connivance with greedy
Raghunathrao Peshwa. His idea was to relieve Ahilyabai of her rights, ask her to
adopt a male child and as a regent, he would look after the affairs of the Holkar
state. Raghunathrao would receive handsome returns for his interference and
military help.
This news reached Ahilyabai through Harkubai (Malharrao’s wife) and
Udabai (Malharrao’s daughter). Ahilyabai summoned her administrators. Without
showing anguish or grief, she said, “This crooked Brahmin (Gangadhar
Chandrachud) has some evil traits of his caste. I warn them, do not undermine me
for being a woman. If I stand in the battleground holding spear in the hand,
Raghobadada will have to pay a heavy price. If someone, because they are
Brahmins, even think of grabbing our property, I will not let it happen.”
Ahilyabai did not stop at that. She sent her emissary to Madhavrao Peshwa
and summoned Tukojiraje Holkar and other commanders such as Dabhade,
Bhonsale and Scindia with their armies to protect Indore.
Madhavrao Peshwa permitted Ahilyabai to protect her interests, no matter
who she was fighting against. Tukojiraje immediately left for Indore with his army.
Scindia and other commanders extended their support to Ahilyabai. Raghunathrao
still marched towards Indore with his army. Ahilyabai wrote to him very
diplomatically that “…if you have decided to wage war against me, I will welcome
you with my 500-strong women’s army and will certainly defeat you. If you defeat
me, it will be considered as a defeat of a woman against strong male army and
none will laugh at me. But if I defeat you, you will have to save your face…the
whole world will mock at you!”
The message was enough for Raghunathrao to understand the repercussions
of his venture as by now Tukojiraje had also arrived with his army. Raghunathrao
had to abandon his selfish mission. This is an excellent example of brave
demeanour and diplomacy of Ahilyabai, who could become tough, if situation
demanded.
Later, Ahilyabai was made the head of the Holkar state and the military
division’s command was given to Tukojiraje.
When Ahilyabai assumed power, the social life of her subjects was filled
with many difficulties. Dacoits had ravaged the northern region of Malwa. Being a
social reformer herself, Ahilya had not allowed child marriage of her daughter
Muktabai. When she saw the situation was deteriorating because of thieves and
dacoits, she declared in her court that anyone who could ward off the menace of
dacoits would receive her daughter Muktabai in marriage. This was the boldest
step by her as the marriage did not demand the brave person to be from her caste.
This was an attack on the caste system, which was deeply rooted in the Indian
psyche. The challenge was accepted by a young man,Yashwantrao Phanse, who
successfully destroyed the stronghold of the dacoits, killed and arrested many
thieves bringing peace to the affected regions. Muktabai got ceremoniously
married to him.
Soon after coming to power, Ahilyabai had shifted her capital to Maheshwar
and she started building this small village situated on the banks of Narmada into an
industrial and trade centre. She invited artisans from across the country, built
colonies for them to reside and operate manufacturing and trade units. Due to her
vision, Maheshwar soon became an important economic centre.
She undertook construction of many public places such as ghats, roads,
temples, step-wells, rest centres for travellers and pilgrims not only within her state
but across the country. In a way, she was building the nation through her public
works. Pilgrim centres in her times were the places, where people from across the
country would visit, which helped to kindle a sense of unity. Ahilyabai undertook
this task not because she was deeply religious, but she knew, like her father-in-law,
if the people of the country were united, their own rule could be established one
day. Ahilyabai did this task diligently. Her works are alive even today across the
length and breadth of the country.
During that period, numerous states were ruled by Muslim kings. For
example, when she built the Somnath Temple, the local ruler was Muhammad
Khanji, a Pathan, belonging to the Babi dynasty. She used not only her diplomacy
of persuading the king but also threatened to use Tukojiraje’s strong army to have
permission to build the temple. She built temples at Ayodhya, which was ruled by
Asif ud-Daula Amani using her diplomatic relations with the Delhi court. She
could build the Kashi Vishweshwarnath temple because Amani was administrating
that part as well. In the South, where Tipu Sultan ruled, she built many temples at
Shrirangpattanam and elsewhere because Tipu was an admirer of her pious and
valorous nature. Ahilyabai also had helped him in making Mysore a silk city.
Unless she was a diplomat par excellence, no Muslim ruler could have allowed her
to build temples.
Ahilyabai had made it a point to have her embassy almost in every court of
her contemporary rulers. These embassies not only informed her of the affairs
taking place there but also safeguarded interests of the Holkar state.
Thus,Ahilyabai would become aware of developments taking place in the country,
which would help her to form her own opinion. There are many instances, where
she had forewarned the Peshwa of the repercussions of political happenings.
Warning against the British expansionist policy was one such instance, which was
not heeded that brought the calamity on the Indian rulers.
Ahilyabai was a warrior. She herself was an expert in spear-throwing so
much so that her skills were applauded by contemporary rulers, including Tipu
Sultan. She was the first ruler who had established a trained army of women.
Bringing out women from the confines of their homes was a revolution that had
not taken place even in Europe. She broke the social norms she thought were evil
and against the freedom of the people, men and women equally. A staunch enemy
of the Holkar dynasty, Sir John Malcolm, in his ‘Memoirs of Central India’ does
not stop praising Ahilyabai for her virtues and her rule. She was not only a just
ruler, a pious woman but was also a revolutionary in social aspects that no other
Indian ruler of medieval India could ever think of, let alone practise.
She had to go on war against the Chandravats of Rampura, who were her
feudatories. When Ahilyabai came to rule the Holkar state, they started evading
tribute payments as they thought they could easily side-track a female ruler. But
this was not to happen. The story goes like this:
The Chandravat brothers were the appointee to look after the revenue affairs
of Rampura region, which was given to the Holkars as a gift by Madho Singh of
the Jaipur state against the military help rendered by Khanderao in settling the
power struggle. Malharrao had appointed the Chandravats to look after the revenue
affairs of this region. When Ahilya came to power, the Chandravats thought this as
an opportunity to overlook the authority of a woman ruler. They were avoiding to
pay their revenue share. Ahilyabai warned them repeatedly, tried to resolve this
matter through mutual understanding. In 1787, when she realised that they needed
to be dealt with firmly, she marched with her army on the Chandravats. Sharifbhai,
Abajipant and Ragho Ranchhod were her commanders in this campaign while
Ahilyabai herself was leading it. A fierce fight ensued near Mandsaur, which was
won by Ahilyabai. Rampura was visited with a stringent punishment. Leaders of
the Chandrawats fled to Amad. Subhag Singh Chandravat received many burn
injuries because Ahilyabai used her ‘Jwala’ cannon, which would emit terrific fire.
He was captured and chastised with capital punishment by Ahilyabai. His brother
Bhawani Singh managed to flee with his remnant of the army.
 Ahilyabai’s success in checking rebellions was applauded throughout the
country. A Grand Darbar was held at Shaniwarwada in Pune to celebrate this
victory. Nana Phadnavis praised the valour and martial skills of Ahilyadevi, who
was till that time looked upon as a righteous and pious lady. (Ref. Life and Life’s
Work of Shree Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar edited by VV Thakur)
After this event, no other feudatory ever thought of revolting against her.
This was the only war she had to wage after she came to power.
As per the arrangement, Tukojiraje was her commander-in-chief, who had to
join the military campaigns planned by the Peshwa. Being a true soldier,
Tukojiraje’s most of the life was spent on the battlefield. He was not politically
ambitious or a kind of diplomat to attempt higher influential positions in the
Peshwa durbar. He dutifully joined the campaigns and bravely fought to preserve
the glory of the Maratha Empire.
Tukojiraje had deep respect towards Ahilyabai and always addressed her as
Matoshree. Some failed missions undertaken by the Peshwa would sometimes
financially overburden him. Ahilyabai was very strict in accounting and would
never allow over-expenditures to be paid. It was a rule that expenses of a campaign
must be recovered from the campaign itself. Sometimes, there were minor clashes
between them but Tukojiraje never crossed his limits. He was always grateful to
Ahilyabai, who had elevated him to the rank and position of a Subhedar.
Ahilyabai’s personal life was an unending saga of tragedies. After her
husband’s and son’s deaths, her grandson Nathu died very young in 1787. In 1792,
another bolt of destiny hit her as her son-in-law Yashwantrao Phanse died
following a brief illness. Mukta decided to perform the Sati ritual. She tried her
very best, pleaded, urged, cried but Muktabai was determined to go Sati.
Helpless Ahilyabai had to watch her only daughter die on the funeral pyre.
She collapsed. She spent her remaining time with young Yashwantrao and
Malharrao (II), the sons of Tukojiraje in later years. The personal tragedies did not
stop her from performing her duties as the head of a state and accomplish the tasks
she had undertaken. When this tragic incident took place, the construction work of
the Kashi Vishweshwar temple was completed and the Shiva idol at the Somnath
temple was being consecrated.
Ahilyabai the Great died on August 13, 1795.
British poetess Joana Belly called her rule of 28 years as the rule of God.
Ahilyabai was the only ruler from India, on whom a long poem is written by a
foreigner. Tipu Sultan called her ‘Philosopher Queen’. She was praised by all for
her pious nature and her just diplomacy. Anant Fandi, a Marathi poet was so much
impressed by her character that he abandoned writing Lavani (romantic songs sung
in Tamasha, the folk theatre of Maharashtra). He turned towards writing devotional
songs. During her rule, travellers and pilgrims could roam freely and fearlessly
within her state. No rich person ever tried to hide his wealth for the fear of loot.
She was a social reformer par excellence. She made a rule that issueless widow
scould adopt sons and enjoy fruits of the property as long they lived. This ended
the draconian tradition that demanded the property of a widow to be confiscated by
the state. She empowered women by not only allowing them get education but also
trained them as warriors. She was against the social customs of child marriage and
marriages within the caste. She set an example through the marriage of her
daughter.
Historian Jadunath Sarkar states that Mahadaji Scindia could never have set
his foot in the North without Ahilyabai’s help. American scholar Eleanor Zelliot
states that Ahliyabai set a great example of women’s emancipation and their
abilities.
She was a warrior-saint.
Her memories are alive today not only for her just and peaceful rule but also
for the public works throughout India. She was truly a mother to her people. Her
work was an attempt to unify the diversified country. She was secular in nature.
Sharif Bhai was the commander of her bodyguard squad. At Chaundi, her
birthplace, a mosque was erected adjoining her ancestral home. She built temples
but never tried to demolish mosques built on the place of destroyed temples.
Instead, she chose the nearby places to have her objective completed without
hurting the religious sentiments.
Ahilyabai was a visionary woman ruler of the 18th century. She would
always remain a guiding light for the feminist movement!

Trusted Commander-in-Chief Tukojiraje Holkar

Not much is known about the early life of Tukojiraje Holkar. Some
historians say he was a nephew of Malharrao, some say he was a cousin brother
while some opine that he was a distant relative of Malharrao. Another opinion is
that he was neither adopted nor related to Malharrao. It is certain from his surname
that he also belonged to Hol village and was younger to Malharrao. His birth-year
given by some sources is 1723. When he exactly joined the forces of Malharrao is
not known. He, in all probability, joined the Holkars in the capacity of a troop
leader. His name first appears in historical documents in 1750.
 After the death of Malharrao’s only son Khanderao, Malharrao started to
entrust more responsibilities to him elevating his position to the commander. Their
relationship grew to the extent that Malharrao started treating him as if he was his
adopted son.
Tukoji was a brave man. He was a true soldier. He remained obedient and
grateful to his benefactors Malharrao and Ahilyabai throughout his life. Though a
brave warrior, he was not interested in politics and diplomacy. He just followed the
commands of Malharrao dutifully and brought several successes to him. He was
not even good at accounts as he never felt he needed those skills. In fact, he might
not have thought that he could hold the highest office of a Subhedar. He had
accepted his secondary position voluntarily and was happy with it.
Till Malharrao was alive, Tukoji’s most of the campaigns were under the
command of Malharrao, who trusted his valour. During the most celebrated Attock
campaign in 1758, Tukoji personally reached first and achieved the victory. This
was the most glorious part of his military career but remained uncelebrated
because he was not the commander-in-chief of this campaign. After this victory, he
was stationed at Attock to protect the newly expanded boundaries of the Maratha
Empire for one-and-a-half years. He had to return because he was ordered by
Malharrao to help Dattaji Scindia, who was fallen in unfortunate circumstances.
After the Panipat debacle and the death of Malharrao Holkar, a new
arrangement was made between Ahilyabai and Tukojiraje.The military would be
looked after by Tukoji and the administration would be the responsibility of
Ahilyabai. The Peshwa durbar had also authenticated this arrangement.
Tukojiraje’s entire life was spent on numerous military campaigns. After
Malharrao’s death, he had no mentor-guide. He befriended with Mahadaji Scindia,
to whom Ahilyabai had provided timely financial support to rise in power.
Mahadaji was an able commander and strategist, with whom Tukojiraje was
closely associated due to their joint campaigns.
Mahadaji, at times interfered or ill-advised Tukojiraje on financial matters.
Later, the history saw the growing rivalry between the two. They started going on
independent campaigns. Tukoji, though a great warrior, was a simple man, to
whom the practicality of life was unknown. This would sometimes create disputes
between Ahilyabai and Tukojiraje, but he always accepted Ahilyabai’s advice.
Tukojiraje had two wives. From his first wife, Rakhmabai, he had two sons:
Kashirao, Malharrao (II) and from the second wife, Radhabai, had two sons Vithoji
and Yashwantrao. His wives would accompany him on many long-distance
missions as per the set norm of those times.
His campaign against Tipu Sultan in 1786 was another glorious chapter in
his career, in which he had decisively defeated Tipu and drawn the final boundary
lines between the Maratha Empire and the Mysore kingdom. He was the only
warrior, whose horses had run across the lands from Tungbhadra river in the South
till Attock in the North-West.
Tukojiraje played a major role during the first Anglo-Maratha war (1775-
1782). During this period, he was stationed at a fort built by him at Wafgaon,
where an underground mint was started to facilitate payments to his soldiers.
Tukojiraje and Mahadaji had forced the British to retreat from Talegaon to
Vadgaon by cutting off the supplies and by blocking them from all sides. At
Vadgaon, on January 12, 1779, the British forces found themselves surrounded by
the Marathas forcing them to surrender and enter into a treaty at Vadgaon. It was a
great setback to the British policy to reinstate Raghunathrao Peshwa in Pune.
During this war in April 1781, Tukojiraje applied the scorched earth policy
and guerrilla warfare, along with his fellow chieftains such as Parshurambhau
Patwardhan, and defeated British General Godard at the summit of Borghat and
saved Pune from their attack.The threat of General Godard’s movements had
triggered panic in Pune, so much so that Peshwa Madhavrao (II) fled to Purandar.
Most of the inhabitants of Pune abandoned the town. (The First Anglo-Maratha
War, 1774-1783: A Military Study of Major Battles by MR Kantak, Popular
Prakashan, 1993, page 175). Tukojiraje had learnt the guerrilla practices from
Malharrao.
But the pages of history do not credit to the Holkars the numerous decisive
victories of the Marathas brought by them.
Mahadaji Scindia doubtlessly was a great warrior and strategist. He
engaged with the rivals, along with his benefactor the Holkars. Tukoji’s fame and
valour was intolerable to him and using his diplomatic tactics, he always tried to
 surpass Tukoji. No matter how much Mahadaji Scindia has overweighed the
modern history, the facts are otherwise.
It is often said that the rivalry between Scindia and Holkar grew from the
Rajasthan events, beginning with the Kumbheri siege, where Malharrao lost his
only son and Scindia made peace with Suraj Mal Jat. But had Malharrao been
angered with the Scindias for their selfishness, Malharrao would not have
undertaken campaigns against Abdali after the death of Dattaji Scindia. (Scindia-
Holkar Rivalry in Rajasthan by Misra, SC)
However, the Peshwas, for political reasons, always saw to it that both the
dynasties should not remain on friendly terms as it was not in the Peshwa’s
interest. Contemporary records show that Nana Phadnavis was more responsible in
causing the rift between both the chieftains, thus providing the background to the
war of Lakheri.
As mentioned earlier, Tukoji was not politically ambitious, but Mahadaji
was. The battle of Lakheri was an outcome of Scindia’s political ambitious nature
against the simple-natured Tukoji Holkar. Tukoji had control over the political
affairs of Rajputana, where Mahadaji had started meddling in to reduce Holkar’s
influence. The ruler of Jaipur wanted peace with Mahadaji with the help of Holkar,
in the same way Khanderao Holkar had helped Madho Singh to retain the throne in
1750 at the behest of Malharrao. But for some unknown reasons, the Jaipur ruler
renounced the patronage of Tukoji as he learnt about the arrival of Mahadaji at
Sambhar in December 1790 and agreed to pay him Rs 17 lakh in February 1791
through his minister Rodji Khavas. Furious over the treachery, Tukoji raided Jaipur
territories. Though in order to appease Tukojiraje, Madho Singh had also offered
Rs 17 lakh to him, but Tukojiraje never received the money. To the dissatisfaction
of Tukojiraje, Mahadaji established his full and firm control over Marwar and
Mewar. The rivalry between the most important dynasties, in fact, started from this
event. This shows how the Maratha Empire was on the verge of disintegration.
During this conflict between the Holkars and the Scindias on the Rajasthan
issue, Tukoji made temporary compromise with Scindia’s generals. Accordingly,
they retreated northwards of Jaipur and Alwar territories. Still not happy with the
compromise, Tukoji sent a missive to Ahilyabai stating how Scindia’s forces had
turned arms against Holkar’s and must be avenged.
Young Malharrao (II) by then had assumed supreme command of the Holkar
forces. When their forces advanced towards Panchilas, both the forces clashed
resulting in the defeat of the Holkars. (Scindia-Holkar Rivalry in Rajasthan by
Misra, SC, page 123)
Ahilyabai, though now old, was so much incensed by the humiliating
defeat that she decided to lead the campaign if her officers faltered. But
emboldened by the victory, Scindia’s forces chased Holkar’s fleeing army that
ended up in a decisive battle at Lakheri in Rajasthan on June 1, 1793. Although
Malharrao (II) fought back bravely, he was severely wounded. Holkar’s French
General Chevalier Dundenaic was also injured. French General De Boigne had led
the forces of the Scindias.
Due to this defeat, the Holkars lost their control over Rajputana. This was a
big setback to the supremacy of the Holkars in the North. The enmity between the
two dynasties strengthened after this battle as it was a humiliating blow to the
Holkars.
Soon after this battle, on February 12, 1794, Mahadaji Scindia died at his
camp at Wanavdi, Pune. He had left no heir. Daulatrao Scindia assumed the
Gwalior throne, who was the grandson of Mahadaji’s elder brother Tukojirao.
In 1795, Ahilyabai passed away owing to old age. Tukojiraje now had real
power. He was enthroned but he too died on August 15, 1797 at Khadki, Pune. A
glorious military career came to an end.
The struggle for power within the Holkar family was brewing during his
final days. Tukojiraje had appointed his elder son, Kashirao, as his heir apparent.
However, Kashirao was not an able leader. He was also physically handicapped.
Malharrao II was brave and possessed all the abilities of a ruler and a warrior.He
staked claim to the throne, which was supported by most of the Indore court-
officers and the people. Skirmishes began between the forces of the two brothers.
Daulatrao Scindia decided to take advantage of the situation. He supported
Kashirao openly, which forced Bajirao Peshwa (II) to side with Kashirao by
sending the attires of honour in acknowledgement of his hereditary right over
Indore state.
In fact, Bajirao and Daulatrao’s main intention was to grab the immense
wealth that had been accumulated by the Holkar dynasty and the territories they
possessed. Kashirao did not understand the conspiracy and apparently fell prey to
their designs.The Holkar state went under the control of Daulatrao leaving
Kashirao desperate and hopeless.
A saga of tragedies began that finally saw the rise of a great hero,
Yashwantrao Holkar, from ashes.

*
2

Early life of Yashwantrao

Yashwantrao was the youngest son of Tukojiraje Holkar. He was born on

December 3, 1776 at the fort of Wafgaon (dist. Pune) to Yamunabai when his father
was busy in fighting the first Anglo-Maratha war. Most of his childhood was spent
in the company of his brothers and sometimes with grandmother Ahilyabai at
Maheshwar. Being the youngest in the family, he knew he had to subordinate to his
elder brothers.Thus, he did not nourish political ambitions. As a scion of a warrior
family, he got the necessary military training. In the battle of Lakheri, he had
fought bravely, along with his elder brother Malharrao.When the latter was badly
wounded,Yashwantrao had successfully carried him to a safer place carrying him
on his shoulders. He was fond of Malharrao and always supported Malharrao’s
claim over the throne.
At the age of 19, along with his father, he participated in a war against the
Nizam of Hyderabad at Kharda, in 1795. The Nizam was defeated in this war.
According to Holkaranchi Kaifiyat, he got first involved in warfare at the age of
12, but no conclusive proof of this is available. However, war with Nizam is the
first authentic reference to Yashwantrao’s military activity. Sensing defeat in the
war, the Nizam had appealed to young Yashwantrao to mediate in the negotiations
for an agreeable truce between him and the Peshwa. The negotiations were
concluded in April 1795. It seems Yashwantrao, though young, had an aura of
diplomatic understanding.
After the death of his father, the family feud soon became public. Kashirao,
being the eldest, had the right over the throne. However, being weak and of
unstable mind, he was widely considered incapable to run the affairs of the state.
As compared to him, Malharrao was more popular among the subjects of the
Indore state as he had displayed valour and leadership qualities in the battle of
Lakheri. Under his command, the Holkar forces had continued the fight, even
though the defeat seemed inevitable.This war had caused immense damage to the
glory of the Holkars.
Malharrao did not leave the battleground till he fell unconscious.
Yashwantrao had carried him away to safety. Though defeated, the glory of
Malharrao spread far and wide as he had fought bravely till he fell unconscious. He
soon became a legend. To the people, he was the rightful claimant to the throne,
much to the dismay of Kashirao.
Looking at the growing support to Malharrao, it was but natural that
Kashirao started feeling uneasy. Instead of preferring to open a dialogue with his
brothers, he sought help from the enemy, Daulatrao Scindia. He camped in Pune.
People perceived this as an act of treachery and infuriated them against him.
From Pune, Kashirao was insisting with Daulatrao to take action against
Malharrao, who was firm on his claim and was supported by the people. Daulatrao
was in no hurry. Kashirao was on the verge of losing his patience. Malharrao was
constantly writing to the Peshwa to legitimise his claim, but Peshwa Bajirao (II)
was indecisive.
Bajirao (II) was more interested in finding pleasure in the company of
women. Stories of his lust-filled life are famous even today. He used to sleep with
wives of his courtiers. His habit had forced them to marry more women to fulfil
their master’s lust, saving their lawful wives. Some abandoned Pune to avoid these
sinful acts. The Peshwa, all the time in the company of women, whether wives of
his nobles or courtesans, had no time for conducting the affairs of the state. His
friends such as Sarjerao Ghatge, Baloba Kunjir, though courtiers from reputed
families, acted as if they were pimps and were in the forefront in ill-advising him.
(Fall of Mughal Empire Vol. 5 - 1789-1803)

Besides, Bajirao was a casteist person. He was not educated as his childhood
was spent under house arrest, along with his father Raghunathrao, a murderer of
teenager Narayanrao Peshwa. An example of his discriminatory casteist mentality
can be cited here. He had allowed non-Brahmins but high caste servants to carry
home drinking water from Shaniwarwada. Women often used this facility during
water shortages in Pune. When officers of the Peshwa saw two untouchable
women taking water, the Peshwa conducted an inquiry and awarded a severe
punishment to the untouchable women.He showered lavish donations on the
Brahmins and spent heavily in organising feasts for them. Daulatrao Scindia used
to be stationed in Pune for most of the time. His Pindaries, irregular military
plunderers and foragers, would ravage the surrounding areas for loot. Bajirao used
to turn a blind eye to the sufferings of the people. While the people were getting
impoverished, the Peshwa and his men were busy in spending on their luxuries.
The central power was thus collapsing and disintegrating under the rule of an
unmindful, visionless, vicious Peshwa.

When Malharrao realised that he was not receiving any response from the
Peshwa to resolve the issue, he decided to visit Pune. Thus, he came to Pune, along
with his brothers Vithoji and Yashwantrao. Instead of camping at their usual place,
Khadki, he preferred to stay at Bhamburda, close to Shaniwarwada with his
brothers, pregnant wife and soldiers.
Kashirao, knowing the intentions behind his younger brother’s Pune visit,
got upset over these stay arrangements. He contacted Daulatrao and asked him to
help him arrest Malharrao before he meets the Peshwa for the redressal of his
grievances. He knew very well that the Holkar soldiers will not wield weapons
against another scion of the Holkar dynasty, even under him. Daulatrao, being a
greedy man, designed a game plan and asked Kashirao to follow it. Accordingly,
Kashirao sent a few messages to Malharrao advising him to leave the separate
camp and stay with him. Malharrao was no idiot to fall for these earnest-sounding
messages. Kashirao never wanted a competitor, who could endanger his position.
Unfortunately, he did not realise if he had a rightful claim on the Indore throne, he
should have been at Indore to look after the wellbeing of his subjects under the
Holkars’ command. He was not brave enough to confront his own brother and
discuss the matter. He sought refuge with Daulatrao, who was his family’s enemy.
Kashirao’s first plan was sabotaged as Malharrao did not respond to his
messages. He discussed with Daulatrao the next plan of action. Daulatrao advised
him to raid Malharrao’s camp and have him killed. Kashirao, though pleased with
this advice, knew very well that he had no ability to execute the raid. Instead, he
requested Daulatrao to undertake this mission in exchange for Rs 6 lakh.
Perturbed by irresponsive Peshwa Bajirao, Malharrao was still patiently
trying hard to see the Peshwa in person. The Peshwa was either advised by
Daulatrao not to give audience to Malharrao or he was busy in his pleasures
whatsoever, the Peshwa did not respond to Malharrao.
On September 14, 1797, just a month after the demise of Tukojiraje, the
troops of Daulatrao suddenly raided Malharrao’s camp and started a massacre in
the middle of night. Malharrao had never anticipated this treacherous move. He
awoke from his deep slumber and heard wails of his dying soldiers, sensing danger
he rushed out wielding a sword. He fought bravely against the marauders.
Yashwantrao and Vithoji too joined him. But the unequal fight was certain to be
lost.
Malharrao was killed on that fateful night. Most of his soldiers were wiped
out by the enemy. Yashwantrao and Vithoji realised that they were no match to the
assaulting party. They were left with no choice but to leave Pune for their own
safety. They escaped from the macabre scene though they knew the enemy would
chase them.They somehow managed to cross Mutha river, walked along for some
distance and took different routes with the promise that they would meet soon and
avenge the killing of their brother.
 After the assassination of Malharrao (II), his pregnant wife Jijabai was
arrested and kept in custody. She delivered a baby boy in custody. He was named
Khanderao (II). The wife of Yashwantrao was also held in custody, including
Yashwantrao’s newborn girl child, Bhimabai. They were kept in arrest till
Yashwantrao attacked Pune and got them released in 1803.

A series of tragedies
Yashwantrao, a young man in his early thirties, had received the first jolt of
the destiny. His beloved step-brother was killed before his own eyes by the power-
hungry eldest brother with the help of an enemy, who had defeated the cause and
glory of the Holkar dynasty. The Peshwa had proven to be useless. If not so, then
how Daulatrao could have the courage to attack their camp being so close to
Shaniwarwada? This was a treacherous move, causing resentment in the heart of
young Yashwantrao about the Peshwa.
Vithoji moved towards the North to seek refuge in Khandesh. Yashwantrao
decided to visit Nagpur and seek help from their family friend Raghoji Raje
Bhonsale to counter the designs of the Peshwa, Daulatrao and his eldest step-
brother. As the enemy was desperately searching for him and Vithoji, he first
stealthily reached Jejuri by walk. Since Khandoba was the family deity of the
Holkar dynasty, Malharrao, Ahilyabaiand Tukojiraje had built massive public
places at Jejuri and had earmarked salaries to the priests (the Gurav
community).Expecting assistance in such a grave situation from them was not
wrong on the part of penniless Yashwantrao. He felt that since the people of Jejuri
were indebted to the Holkars, they would receive him well and would make
necessary arrangements to travel to Nagpur. But this was not to happen. Only a
subordinate priest lent him Rs 400 and a horse. He later, in 1802, rewarded the
priest handsomely.
His journey to Nagpur was not smooth. All the posts were forewarned that if
they come across the brothers, Yashwant and Vithoji, they should be killed.
Yashwantrao took odd routes and somehow managed to reach Nagpur.
Raghoji Bhonsale (II) was a friend of Tukojiraje. They had fought many
wars together. Yashwantrao was expecting a warm welcome, which he did receive.
He made arrangementsfor their stay in a mansion and told them that he would do
everything possible to defeat the schemes of the Peshwa and Daulatrao. According
to the British records, the first meeting between the two was held in January 1798.
It was impossible that Daulatrao and the Peshwa were ignorant about this meeting.
Yashwantrao was waiting for financial assistance and an army contingent
from Raghoji, which he did not get. Meanwhile, his relative Harnath Holkar from
Indore joined him.He had brought along some family jewellery. Till March 1798,
Raghoji did not make any move to provide any kind of support to Yashwantrao as
he himself was unable to pay pending dues to his soldiers.
To get his financial problems solved, instead of helping Yashwantrao, he
demanded the jewellery brought by Harnath. Yashwantrao refused to oblige.
Bhonsale initially had decided not to pay attention towards the messages from
Pune to arrest Yashwantrao and send him back to Pune because doing so could not
financially help him too. Finally, treacherously he put Yashwantrao and his aides
under house arrest.
It seems that Raghoji seized the family jewellery brought by Harnath during
this house arrest, leaving Yashwantrao penniless again. Bhonsale was uncertain
now whether to send Yashwantrao to Pune to remain in good books of the Peshwa
and Daulatrao. In Pune, Daulatrao was pressurising Kashirao to make agreed
payment of Rs 6 lakh for completing the task of eliminating Malharrao II. As
Kashirao could not pay the sum in time, Daulatrao started encroaching Holkar
estates in Malwa against lame protests by Kashirao.
Yashwantrao was aware of the situation, which was worsening day-by-day.
Finally, he decided to make a bold escape. Unless it was done, not only his life but
the very existence of the Holkar state could be in grave danger.

The Great Escape

A month after his arrest, sensing the porous security at night, Yashwantrao,
risking his life, jumped over 11-feet tall wall and sneaked out of Nagpur. Harnath
followed him and took different route. Yashwantrao had told him to move towards
Indore while he went towards Khandesh, where his elder brother Vithoji had taken
shelter.
On his way to Khandesh, he was joined by Bhawani Shankar Khatri, an
accountant and a part-time warrior. History is not clear how and why Khatri, who
hailed from Bhopal, came to Nagpur. Khatri’s diary, too, is ambiguous about this
event. It can be assumed that Yashwantrao began to gather friends, no matter in
what financial condition they were.
News of the escape of his captives reached Bhonsale. He got enraged. He
sent troops to bring Yashwantrao back, dead or alive. The escape had spoiled
Bhonsale’s plans. It was a great insult to him.
But Yashwantrao somehow managed to dodge the chase. Khatri helped him
immensely in many events when the arrest was imminent. At one place, when
Khatri was busy in cooking, Yashwantrao visited market to buy some provisions.
Looking at a stranger, local guards arrested him. When he did not come back for
some time, Khatri searched for him. When he came to know that Yashwantrao was
in captivity, he pretended in front of the guards that he was the master and started
scolding ‘his servant’ Yashwantrao for being late.The guards got confused. Khatri
played the master’s role so perfectly that they released Yashwantrao.
They had to march ahead with caution, avoiding villages and towns, to reach
Akrani, the capital of a small feudatory state situated in the tribal area of
Khandesh. Indebted to the Holkars, Bhau Singh, a Rajput king, gave a warm
welcome to the duo. Vithoji already had secured refuge in Bhau Singh’s state.
Soon, Yashwantrao started gathering supporters though the conditions
around them were not favourable. News of his escape from Nagpur had reached
Pune, which had worried the Peshwa and Kashirao, who had declared a reward to
capture Yashwantrao. Khandesh was being ruled by the Holkars as long as
Tukojiraje was alive. After the Lakheri debacle and Kashirao’s inability to control
the Holkar state, the feudatories had become almost independent or were brought
under control by Daulatrao Scindia. He wanted to crush rebellious Yashwantrao,
who was a major obstacle in his attempts to control the entire Holkar State.
Yashwantrao managed to mobilise an army of handful of Bhil, Pindari and
Pathan warriors, along with the leaders such as Zunjar Naik, Govardhan Naik,
Vazir Hussain, Shahmat Khan, Harmat Chela, Jiwaji Yashwant and others.
However, Yashwantrao had no money to pay their salaries. He had to undertake
raids in Malwa, Gujarat to raise funds. The regions being raided were controlled by
either Daulatrao or the Delhi Sultanate. This enraged both the powers.
Meanwhile, as a strategy, Yashwantrao had not stopped sending request
letters to Bajirao Peshwa to release his wife, daughter, and Khanderao, the infant of
Malharrao (II), and bestow the title of Subhedar on Khanderao to end the family
feud and regularise the affairs of the Holkar state. He showed his readiness to act
as a regent of Khanderao till his adulthood. The Peshwa did not pay any heed to his
earnest letters.
By the time, Yashwantrao had gathered a force of 2,000 cavalry and 5,000
foot-soldiers. Malwa was hit by a major drought in the same year (1797-98). The
raiding missions became useless even as the rich people had gone broke.
Yashwantrao felt helpless as the situation was deteriorating.
However, by a stroke of luck, he received an urgent invitation from the ruler
of Dhar state, Anandrao Pawar, to save him from his rebel Divan, Rangnath
Odhekar, who was being provoked by Daulatrao Scindia. Odhekar was determined
to grab the throne of Dhar. A war was about to begin between them. The king was
helpless as his own army had refused to obey him. Anandrao Pawar sought urgent
military help from Yashwantrao as he had no other alternative.
Yashwantrao saw an opportunity in this as this could be an indirect attack on
Daulatrao’s selfish intents. He immediately rushed to Dhar with his army. He
fought against rebel Odhekar’s Pathan-Afghan army and forced them to retreat.
However, the enemy again marched ahead. Yashwantrao fought from the front and
repelled the attack. Odhekar, along with others, fled from the battlefield and
reached Ujjain, which was being controlled by Daulatrao Scindia.He sought refuge
with Scindia.
It was an indirect defeat of Scindia as well. This victory of Yashwantrao
against wicked Daulatrao, who had ravaged Central India, was received with grand
celebrations. People got a true rebel in the form of Yashwantrao, who could change
their destiny. The glamour around him grew to the extent that people started seeing
him as the heir to the Holkar dynasty.
Yashwantrao received some money from Anandrao Pawar for this help,
which was used in building and equipping his army.
By that time, Daulatrao had established his rule in Indore. His native
and foreign army under French General Chevalier Dundenaic, who was now in the
service of Scindia, was already stationed at Indore. The capital, Maheshwar, was
also seized by Scindia. The entire Holkar state had gone in possession of Daulatrao
Scindia. Kashirao Holkar, a claimant to his own state, was stationed in Pune
helplessly, spending time in making series of unheeded requests with Bajirao. He
had no voice in the Pune court. Before his own eyes, the state of the mighty
Holkars was being looted but due to his own follies, he had to keep mum.He had
no might to challenge treacherous, aggressive Daulatrao. Assassinating his own
brother at the hands of family enemy had proven disastrous.
Rising from the ashes, Yashwantrao knew very well that unless he freed the
captured regions, the Holkars’ past glory could not be restored.
He executed his plans so swiftly that within a few months he drove out the
forces of Daulatrao from the Holkar state and coroneted himself as an independent
king. This was a great shock not only to Daulatrao and Kashirao but also to the
Peshwa. History is silent about how Yashwantrao regained his hold over Indore.
This unsung saga needs to be made public! It is interesting to see how a penniless
rebel young man reached glorious heights to become a king in the times of
anarchy, treachery and constant violence!

*
3

The coronation and the ceaseless struggle

Yashwantrao’s army could not match the massive well-trained army of

Chevalier Dundenaic. However, his strength was his indomitable will power,
unparalleled skills in the guerrilla warfare, his quick decisions and surprising
moves.
Dundenaic’s army was stationed south of Indore. Yashwantrao made a
plan to reach his state’s capital, Maheshwar, which was also well protected.
However, it was impossible without confronting Dundenaic’s army to gain control
over Maheshwar. Yashwantrao knew he could not wage a direct war on his enemy
as his forces were weak as compared with the enemy. He decided to use different
tactics to disintegrate the army of Chevalier Dundenaic by making swift and
unexpected moves.
Yashwantrao first marched towards the far-east station, Nimwad. He acted
so swiftly that the town was completely looted before the troops stationed there
could retaliate. Without waiting there for even a rest, he immediately moved
towards Handia and Bhikangaon and raided both the trade centres. To do this, he
had to cross Narmada river twice in the rainy season.
As this news reached Chevalier Dundenaic, he had to send his troops in
three directions. However, before they could reach any destination, Yashwantrao
had taken another direction and headed towards Kasrod, where Dundenaic’s two
mighty battalions named Najib and Telanga were stationed. They had never
expected that someone could dare to attack them. They were caught unawares.
Yashwantrao’s small army routed both the battalions in a short time. The enemy
soldiers left their cannons, provisions and treasure and fled towards Indore.
When Dundenaic heard of these defeats, he got incensed. He had no clue as
to how to chase Yashwantrao’s army. He sent urgent missives to Pune urging to
send additional forces to rein in the devil called Yashwantrao. He retreated to
Indore and waited for the reinforcement.
Daulatrao Scindia and the Peshwa were boiling with anger. But they had to
save their face. They dispatched Nago Jivaji with the army to assist Dundenaic.
Meanwhile, Yashwantrao was targeting the traitor revenue collectors of the Holkar
state. Some collectors willingly accepted the sovereignty of Indore while a few
defied it. Yashwantrao had no choice but to subjugate them.
 He raided Depalpur, a rich commercial city, which was close to Dundenaic’s
another base. He recovered heavy ransoms from the town and left instantly for
Mahidpur, where the revenue collector was Chimanrao Wagh, a distant relative of
the Holkar family. Yashwantrao did not expect much resistance from him. But this
was not to happen. He was also sold out to Daulatrao. However, he acted as if he
was ready to fall in line but secretly tried to create a divide in Yashwantrao’s army.
As soon as Yashwantrao realised the treacherous tactics played by Wagh, he
ravaged Mahidpur and recovered a ransom of Rs 5 lakh and distributed the amount
amongst his soldiers. It is said that Mir Khan (later known as Amir Khan), a leader
of the Pindaris, joined Yashwantrao’s forces at this time, who later became a
trusted aide of Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao immediately ordered Mir Khan to march towards Sagar in
Bundelkhand. Though Mir Khan’s mission proved unsuccessful, Yashwantrao did
not forsake his new recruit and retained him in his services.
Meanwhile, the forces under Nago Jivaji had crossed Narmada. Emboldened
Dundenaic now decided to make a decisive attack on Yashwantrao’s camp as soon
as Jivaji reached Indore. The exact location of Yashwantrao was yet unknown. He
was trying to get this information but the movements of Yashwantrao were swift
and unpredictable. Innovative tactics were necessary to catch Yashwantrao.
As usual, very unexpectedly, Yashwantrao was marching towards
Maheshwar to win back the Holkar capital.
Ahilyadevi had built the capital, from where she had reigned a glorious era
for 28 years. It was beckoning Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao fought with an army contingent at Maheshwar. In the end of
December 1798, he defeated it easily and entered the famed capital of the Holkar
dynasty with his army and captives.

The Coronation without pomp and show

Yashwantrao’s repeated letters to Bajirao II had been ineffective. Bajirao

was not ready to release Khanderao after conferring on him the post of Subhedar.
Yashwantrao was anyway a rebel for him, whom offering the same position was
beyond imagination. The Peshwa supported Daulatrao not because the latter was
favouring him. A rift between them became public as Bajirao felt uncomfortable
with Daulatrao’s excesses. He wanted to get rid of Daulatrao but he had no guts to
take any action on his own as Daulatrao had been instrumental in installing him as
the Peshwa. Bajirao II was closer to Baloji Kunjir and Sarjerao Ghatge, the
Peshwa’s other nobles, not for their bravery but their enthusiasm in providing him
women to satiate his lust. His behaviour had become unpredictable.
 Bajirao had no interest in the statecraft. He did not know how to manage the
Maratha Empire that once was an epitome of glory. He did not know how to
control Daulatrao. Instead, he had become a puppet in the latter’s hands.
Yashwantrao, a visionary, knew what he had to do in the circumstances.
Yashwantrao could not manage the state as he had won it without the valid
authority.
He would always be a rebel to his adversaries, which could jeopardise his
mission to have a permanent control over the Holkar state. He needed the authority
to do this seamlessly.
And there was only one way left for him! He took a drastic decision to
coronate himself as a sovereign king!
As he entered Maheshwar, he immediately commanded to arrange for the
coronation ceremony without pomp and show. The arrangements were made
swiftly. On January 6, 1799, Yashwantrao Holkar got himself coroneted and
assumed the title of ‘Maharaja’, released his official seal, made necessary royal
appointments. He raised his forces to 8,000 cavalry and 15,000 foot soldiers.
The coronation of a penniless and hunted young man was a miracle in itself.
This coronation was similar to the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With
this coronation, Yashwantrao declared his independence by cutting off the
historical political links with the Maratha confederacy.
Sir Jadunath Sarkar states about this incident in‘The fall of Mughal Empire’
that, “Strong in men and money, undefeated in battle, Jaswant (Yashwantrao) now
turned to win his patrimony after this victory he wrote to the Holkar government' s
officers in Maheshwar (Ahilyabai's capital) to come and wait on him, if they
desired their own good. Dundenaic, after learning of the defeat of his battalions,
left Maheshwar and fell back on Indore. All the other officers came and offered
their submission to Jaswant.
“Jaswant next marched to Maheshwar, ascended the family throne
(beginning of January 1799). All the usual gifts, appointments and rejoining of a
royal coronation now took place. During the halt at this capital, the forces were
raised to nearly 8,000 horse and 15,000 foot.” (The fall of Mughal Empire – 4,
page no 169)
However, the enemy was still pursuing him with all their might. The forces
of Dundenaic and Nago Jivaji had started their march towards Maheshwar, where
Yashwantrao was busy in restructuring his administrative machinery. As soon as
the news reached him that Nago Jivaji had reached Indore and would soon
combined forces will attack Maheshwar, he got worried. This time, the collective
forces of Dundenaic and Nago Jivaji were far stronger than Yashwantrao’s
strength. He decided to plan a different strategy.
 He swiftly decided to vacate Maheshwar, along with his army and treasure.
He was well acquainted with the geography of the region as he had spent most of
his childhood with Ahilyadevi at Maheshwar; he quickly surrounded Maheshwar
from distance by taking key positions, which enemy would not even imagine.
When Dundenaic and Nago Jivaji reached Maheshwar, they were surprised by the
absence of Yashwantrao’s forces. They waited at a safe distance as they did not
want to fall into a trap laid by Yashwantrao. But when they came to know that
Yashwantrao had left Maheshwar hurriedly, they assumed that he had fled out of
fear. They decided to enter Maheshwar.
As they started their ‘victorious march’, suddenly the troops of Yashwantrao
launched a violent attack from three sides. Both the commanders had not expected
this. Before they could counterattack, half of their army was mercilessly
slaughtered. Nago Jivaji and Dundenaic had never witnessed the level cruelty of
Yashwantrao’s forces. The trained soldiers of Dundenaic were so terrified that they
started fleeing from the battleground. Nago Jivaji was helplessly trying to
encourage his forces to fight back but in vain.
Their defeat was certain. Both the commanders surrendered. Nago Jivaji was
arrested and sent to jail. Dundenaic humbly made pleas that he should be pardoned
as he had no personal enmity with Yashwantrao. Being a salaried soldier, he was
acting on the instructions of his master. Yashwantrao showed mercy on him and
asked him to leave Maheshwar.
The defeat of the mighty nobles such as Nago Jivaji and Dundenaic was a
big shock for Pune Darbar. They did not know how to crush this enemy. They
realised that the coronation of Yashwantrao had to be taken seriously. However,
Pune Darbar could not prepare any strategy against Yashwantrao even after long
deliberations. Then a rumour hit Bajirao that Yashwantrao’s elder brother Vithoji
had entered Maharashtra and many rebel chieftains were joining him. The Pune
Court could not know the purpose of Vithoji’s sudden entry and its possible
repercussions. Bajirao felt a strong need of able advisors such as Nana Phadnavis,
who was imprisoned in the Ahmednagar fort. Bajirao decided to release him and
use his skills for the state.
Yashwantrao instructed his men to complete a long-due task of construction
of the Chhatri (memorial) of Ahilya Devi at Maheshwar. He was personally
monitoring all activities taking place at Pune and elsewhere. As soon as he knew
that Nana Phadnavis was released from the Ahmednagar prison, he sent a letter to
the latter in July 1799 stating how pleased he was on the release and that he still
was expecting the release of Khanderao by conferring the title of Subhedar upon
him. He showed his readiness to attend the services of the Peshwa with his army, if
this condition was fulfilled. He urged Nana to persuade the Peshwa in this matter
though he knew that the Peshwa would not accept this. But he needed friends in
Pune and Nana was the best choice. The correspondence between Nana and
Yashwantrao continued for some time. Nana had accepted him as an independent
king and this relationship helped Yashwantrao get a peek into the internal affairs of
Peshwa Darbar and to influence some decisions that could go against Yashwantrao
as he needed some time to organise his forces and the financial affairs of the
Holkar state. He had to establish control over those revenue collectors, who still
sided with Kashirao and were not accepting Yashwantrao as their sovereign king.
He took control of all such regions by sending his army, fired or punished
disobedient officers and replaced them with his loyal officers.
The only thought nagging him was his wife Ladabai and daughter Bhimabai
as well as Khanderao and his mother who were still in the custody of the Peshwa.
He had to find a way out. He had no option but to wait.

The rebellion of Scindia widows

In 1799, three widows of Mahadaji Scindia started raising their pending

demands again with Daulatrao, their adopted son. They were demanding their
proper rehabilitation and a share in the family estate for over two years, to which
Daulatrao had turned a deaf ear. The matter was taken to the Peshwa and even the
British to act as mediator to resolve the dispute but Daulatrao was determined to
neglect any advice. On the contrary, Daulatrao robbed them of their valuable
possessions. While doing so, goons of Sarjerao Ghatge manhandled them. The
widows were arrested and were sent to the Ahmednagar fort. But some loyal
soldiers and a few troop leaders, who still felt grateful towards Mahadaji and had
respect for his widows, not only released the widows en route but stayed with them
for their protection. Many others joined them in due course and started looting the
region to meet the expenses of the army while the widows caused havoc in
Maharashtra.After realising that neither the Peshwa nor the British could solve
their grievances, they left Maharashtra toward Ujjain.
When Daulatrao learnt about this, he knew the widows would approach
Yashwantrao, his enemy, for help. So, he wrote to Yashwantrao to stop the widows
before they crossed Narmada. How could Yashwantrao assist a shameless and
treacherous enemy like Daulatrao? He instead decided to help the widows, not out
of sympathy but to settle an old score with cruel Daulatrao.
The widows, as expected, approached Yashwantrao, along with their noble
Lakhobadada Lad. They, in return, offered him some Scindia-controlled regions
and money for his military help.
Yashwantrao agreed to their proposal but soon realised that the widows were
ill-advised by their chief commander Lakhobadada Lad, who started violating the
terms of the agreement. Lakhobadada was trying to attract Yashwantrao’s key
troop-leaders to his side by offering them high salaries. Yashwantrao realised this
soon and decided to keep away from the widows.
But the situation soon took a turn against the widows. Daulatrao sent
massive forces against the widows. Lakhobadada sent an urgent missive to
Yashwantrao to capture Ujjain before the forces of Daulatrao could cross Narmada.
Ujjain was the capital of the Scindia state. Abaji Ingale, a noble of Daulatrao, was
in-charge of the capital. Yashwantrao seized this opportunity to teach a lesson to
Daulatrao and suddenly attacked Ujjain.
In May 1799, the battle broke out between their armies. On the very second
day, Yashwantrao captured Ujjain as the Scindia army fled away. He handed over
Ujjain to the Scindia widows and sought the agreed fees, which the widows started
avoiding by giving false excuses. Yashwantrao patiently waited for a few more
days. As he realised the intention of the widows, he raided rich traders and money
lenders of Ujjain and recovered his dues.
Daulatrao learnt of the fall of Ujjain and Yashwantrao’s presence at his
capital, he played another game. He came forward for a truce with his widowed
mothers. Ingale played a major role in this. Enraged Yashwantrao extracted heavy
ransom from him and left the family feud to be solved to Daulatrao and the
widows.
Lakhobadada Lad yet did not realise Daulatrao’s nature. As per the truce,
Daulatrao had agreed to dismiss Sarjerao Ghatge from his court and return the
property belonging to the widows. The widows and Lad reached Pune to see the
truce being broken as Sarjerao had been reinstated to his old position in
Daulatrao’s court. In the absence of the widows at Indore, Daulatrao had again
established his command over the capital.
On the midnight of January 14, 1800, hired goons entered the residence of
the widows and tried to kill them. In this attempt, widow Yamunabai was seriously
injured. Hearing the commotion, guards got alerted and rushed to the scene. They
could catch a few assailants, who revealed the conspiracy. Lakhobadada Lad
realised what a scum Daulatrao was. Fearing arrest or another attack, he, along
with the widows, hurriedly left for Burhanpur.
Meanwhile, Yashwantrao had to face some retreats too. He had lost Tonk
and Rampura provinces to General Perron, the commander of the Scindia army in
the North. Perron was now moving towards Maheshwar. Yashwantrao decided to
give one more shock to Scindia and diverted Perron from his mission. He decided
to use the widows in this plan. Deceived widows were burning with rage against
Daulatrao. They had started to gather forces from all sides to teach a lesson to
Daulatrao though they knew very well that it was next to impossible to defeat
Daulatrao in the war with their small army.
 They had misbehaved with helping Yashwantrao. Now they had no courage
to ask for his help. But it was Yashwantrao who came voluntarily forward and
showed his readiness to help them on different terms and conditions. The widows
would agree to any terms and conditions as they were in distress.

The British and the Peshwa

Meanwhile, Nana Phadnavis, the last sensible diplomat from the Maratha
confederacy, died of old age. Daulatrao became more aggressive, so much so that
he would disobey and openly insult the Peshwa, who deserved it as he was equally
greedy and cruel and had seized the mansion of Nana. Nana’s wife Jiubai had to
seek shelter at Lohgad fort. A supporter of Nana Phadnavis, Appa Balwant
Mehendale committed suicide by consuming poison as he feared his arrest and
torture. The situation of the commoners in Maharashtra was pitiable. It was being
closely observed by the British. The British Resident stationed at Pune, Mr Barry
Close, was intimating the political developments to Governor Lord Wellesley. As
soon as Close realised that Bajirao wanted to get rid of Daulatrao, he started
weaving his web around the Peshwa. A secret correspondence started taking place
between them. The British were ready to ouster Daulatrao from Pune and provide
complete protection from Yashwantrao Holkar. On April 12, 1800, Governor
General Wellesley wrote to the Resident that he could enter in an agreement with
the Peshwa on these conditions. The agreement did not come into effect because
Scindia was closely monitoring the Peshwa’s moves. However, the secret
correspondence between the British Resident and the Peshwa continued for a long
time.
The Peshwa seemed to have lost his mind around this time. To forcibly
remove Daulatrao, he could very easily seek help from Yashwantrao, instead of the
British. Yashwantrao would happily help him, had he paid heed to Yashwantrao’s
pending demands. But the Peshwa chose to tie with the British and the fate of
Maratha Empire was sealed.
Bajirao was not in a position to ouster Daulatrao. He had to succumb to the
latter’s wishes. On his instructions, Bajirao had to seize lands of Dhar and Dewas
states. He tried the same with the Sawants of Sawantwadi, but rebellious Sawant
foiled this attempt. The loot of the rich people had become a regular affaire. The
state economy began to collapse as traders and money lenders started deserting
Pune. Women were not safe. The untouchables’ life had become miserable as many
inhuman restrictions were imposed on them. People were demanding that a new
Peshwa should be appointed. Amrutrao, the step brother of Bajirao, became serious
contender for the position of the Peshwa as the situation began changing rapidly. A
new politics started brewing in the capital of the collapsing Maratha Empire.
 End of Scindia-widows’ rebellion

Yashwantrao took the widows along with him and attacked Ujjain again. In a
brief battle, he captured it and started ravaging nearby regions. Then he turned
towards Handia (Near Narmada), from where the Scindia troops were coming
towards Ujjain. Just after they crossed Narmada, the forces of Holkar attacked
them and forced them to retreat.
Since Yashwantrao sided with the widows, he got an opportunity to ravage
territories of Scindia, a fitting reply to Daulatrao as he had ravaged the Holkar state
earlier and had interfered in Holkar’s family matters.
Yashwantrao then started recapturing lost regions to Scindia as their forces
were divided in an attempt to chase the widows and Lakhobadada. He had to fight
on many fronts during this period. Due to this, General Perron also had to change
his strategies. His forces were divided on various fronts. Chasing Lakhobadada and
the widows was another headache to them. General Perron finally tightened his
noose around Lakhobadada and a war broke out at the Seundha fort. Lakhobadada
bravely fought but got seriously injured in this war. Sensing complete rout, he still
managed to rescue the widows to a safe place. He could not ever recover from his
injuries and breathed his last on February 7, 1803. It was a tragic end of the last
loyalist of Mahadaji Scindia.
Yashwantrao was relentlessly attacking provinces of Scindia. General Perron
was trying hard to defend Scindia’s territories. He was also entrusted with other
responsibility of protecting Emperor Shah Alam. He faced many difficulties to
safeguard Daulatrao’s interests. Yashwantrao was an invisible enemy because his
actions were unpredictable and swift. Yashwantrao had sacked Mandsaur and
Bhansoda. It was feared in Scindia’s camp that Yashwantrao may raid the estates of
Scindia located in Antarved, in the North. If this happened, Daulatrao feared that
Scindia’s prestige would diminish at the Delhi darbar. He realised that an able
commander like General Perron was no match to Yashwantrao. However,
Daulatrao was still stationed in Pune. But the news of the retreats of his forces
started reaching him. Instead of reaching his capital, he, though unwillingly, started
peace talks with Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao was firm on his demands, which included unconditional return
of all provinces of Holkars illegally occupied by Scindia; release of his and
Malharrao’s families from his custody. Daulatrao started giving excuses and
delaying his acceptance of the demands.
Yashwantrao knew Daulatrao’s tactics. He ravaged the entire Scindia state
and recovered heavy ransoms from his subjects. Now Daulatrao was left with no
choice but to leave Pune and face the situation. He left Pune on December 5, 1800.
As if in no hurry, he slowly reached Jamnagar. He camped at Jamnagar for four
weeks and reached Burhanpur on January 19, 1801. He camped at Burhanpur for
four months as he spent time in hunting and kite flying. Reports of devastation of
his state were reaching him, but he still had trust in Perron’s skills. He was not
ready to face Yashwantrao. He hoped if Perron could defeat Yashwantrao before he
crosses Narmada, he would be saved from a fight with the unpredictable enemy.
But the news was not ready to provide him any solace or relief. Finally, he
left Burhanpur and arrived at Handia, located on the banks of Narmada, on July 2,
1801. The rainy season had begun. Narmada was flooded. He had to camp there
again with the only hope that Yashwantrao would not dare to cross flooded
Narmada and attack him.
But this was not to happen. A couple of troops of Yashwantrao crossed
Narmada in the midnight on July 4 and attacked the north-facing side of Scindia’s
camp. This attack was foiled by Commander Brownrig, who used cannons against
the attackers. But after some time, another troop emerged and a battle began. This
troop used guns against Brownrig and stayed at a distance to avoid the range of the
cannon fire. The battle continued till next day. Scindia’s forces were now on a high
alert. All cannons were brought in to crush the raiders, who were a few as
compared to the huge army of Daulatrao. And yet the fight was fierce as the Holkar
troops were viciously and yet tactically fighting the battle.
Daulatrao was shocked by the swift actions of Yashwantrao. He was
enraged. He wanted to annihilate Yashwantrao’s troops but to his surprise, they
suddenly stopped fighting and left the battleground in the afternoon and crossed
the flooded Narmada again in boats.
Yashwantrao had been successful in giving a jolt to Daulatrao. Due to this,
the latter did not try to cross Narmada for next four months. From the banks of
Narmada, Yashwantrao again marched towards Ujjain, where John Hessing was
stationed to protect the capital with his five platoons. He had not expected any
attack in the rainy season. But as Yashwantrao’s forces raided his army, he was
flabbergasted. He somehow gathered his strength and made formations of his
platoons to retaliate the attack. He launched a massive gun and fired against
Yashwantrao’s troops. The battle continued for two days. Yashwantrao was in no
hurry. But on the third day, suddenly the sky became cloudy and there was heavy
shower in no time making it difficult for Hessing’s gunners to load and fire.
Yashwantrao was patiently waiting for this moment. He asked his
companions to fire rockets in the sky. It was a signal for his army, which instantly
attacked the enemy with their swords and spears. Hessing was trying his best to
defend his front, but it soon collapsed as the Pindaris launched a vicious attack on
them. The guns and bayonets became useless before the spears and swords of the
Pindaris. Hessing’s platoons were being massacred as the heavy rain and muddy
ground made retreat or fleeing impossible. Only the cavalry could escape the
wrath. Around 3,000 soldiers of Scindia’s army were killed in a few hours. Injured
Hessing managed to escape to Bhairavgadh, but his eight European commanders
were killed while three were arrested. Sixty guns and massive arsenal was seized.
This was a complete rout of Scindia, who was still stranded on the banks of
Narmada. Yashwantrao emerged victorious in this war but he did not try to trouble
citizens though the war customs of those times would justify that.
The news of the humiliating defeat reached Daulatrao. It was, in fact, his
mistake as he had delayed his journey by luxuriously spending time. He had lost all
links with his predecessor Mahadaji, who always was swift in military and
diplomatic actions. The delay punished him with this terrible defeat. His capital,
Ujjain, was now under Holkar’s control. Yashwantrao avenged what Daulatrao had
done to the Holkar state.
Incensed, the latter ordered all forces stationed in different regions across the
country to gather near Narmada. In August, he also invited Sarjerao Ghatge with
his entire army. He had decided to crush Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao was facing a few difficulties during this time. His European
generals such as Plumet had been lured by Scindia. He now lacked trained
parading forces. He had to handover the command of European style battalion to
an inexperienced person like Harmat Chela. He was aware how Scindia had
managed to maintain several battalions commanded by hired French and British
personnel. He was aware of the mobilisation of massive forces by Scindia and
knew very well what his intentions could be. As the monsoon receded, Scindia sent
Ghatge and Colonel Brownrig with a huge army to subjugate Indore. Yashwantrao
rushed to Indore to protect it.
This time the fight was unequal. Yashwantrao had to depend on cavalry and
foot soldiers whereas his enemy had modern cannons, guns and trained army. The
battle was fought viciously from both the sides. Yashwantrao and Mir Khan were
personally present at the battleground. But in two days, the result dawned on
Yashwantrao and he had to retreat to Jamghat with his survived forces.
He was not discouraged by this retreat and loss of his soldiers. He had
accepted the verdict of the destiny. He changed his tactics as he learnt that Indore
was not only being destroyed but its citizens were looted and women raped. Many
mansions were set on fire. A flourished city and once the capital of Holkar’s had
been reduced to ruins. Ghatge had led the forces on Daulatrao’s command.
Yashwantrao started attacking Scindia’s region with lightning speed. Scindia
forces had gathered at one place. Hence no one was protecting his state, except for
some scattered soldiers. Hearing the attack on his region, Daulatrao was shocked
as he had expected that Yashwantrao would be demoralised following the
destruction of Indore and would surrender. Daulatrao, Ghatge and their European
commanders deliberated on strategies to rein in Yashwantrao but they found it hard
to locate Yashwantrao as his movements were unpredictable and speedy making
chase impossible. Scindia’s losses were mounting. The revenue collectors of his
state were forced to pay heavy ransoms. The rich community of Ujjain was forced
to pay him war expenses.
Daulatrao was deeply upset. But he was helpless. His massive army proved
useless in crushing a lone warrior with meager resources. He finally decided to go
for a truce in utter frustration. But there was no way to contact Yashwantrao. He
finally moved his camp and started his march towards his capital Ujjain.
Yashwantrao now changed his target. He won back Indore again and started
to rebuild it. He made a plan for rebuilding his capital and moved towards the
north and his raids grew to such an extent that he ravaged every village and town
that was under Scindia’s control.
General Perron was assigned a duty by Scindia to somehow contact
Yashwantrao and make him agree to a truce. A messenger of Perron somehow
managed to have a personal meeting with Yashwantrao in an unpopulated area with
his army. He was surprised to see that Yashwantrao was sitting on the bare ground
with a spear in his hand. He heard the messenger calmly and replied, “I do not
make truce with treacherous people. Tell Daulatrao, I use shield for shadow and
spear for livelihood.”
The messenger had to return empty handed. Even after being a coroneted
king, Yashwantrao never spent his time in luxuries. He knew ballads of his victory
over Ujjain were being sung by bards from across the north but that did not boost
his pride. The kings and nobles of the north were now scared about Yashwantrao.
Even the British had taken cognisance of Yashwantrao for his lonely fight
against the powerful Peshwa and his aides.
Khanderao was lodged at Asheri in captivity. Kashirao taking advantage of
Scindia’s absence in Pune escaped to Maheshwar to win Yashwantrao’s sympathy
and help to restore his rights. Yashwantrao met him briefly at Maheshwar in
August 1801 and asked him to go to Khandesh, where he would be safe. But a
person like Kashirao who had grown amidst conspiracies doubted Yashwantrao’s
motives. When he realised that in Yashwantrao’s opinion Khanderao was the
legitimate heir of the Holkar dynasty and Kashirao had no role to play in the affairs
of the state, he left from Maheshwar and sought shelter at the Sendhva fort.
It was a mistake on Kashirao’s part that he invited a deceitful person like
Daulatrao to retain his position as the Subhedar against his step-brother Malharrao
II. It was his mistake that he was instrumental in murdering Malharrao II and the
plight of Yashwantrao and Vithoji. He relied on the most unreliable Peshwa, who
had no intention to resolve the matter of Holkar Estate at the behest of Daulatrao,
who wanted to grab the Holkar state. Ultimately, he caused destruction of his own
state. Though he had realised that the Peshwa and Daulatrao had deceived him, he
was not ready to trust Yashwantrao, his own brother.
Yashwantrao, though coroneted as the king, was still struggling to save the
state and repelled the enemy attacks. His struggles had become endless. He was
just 25 years old then. His wife and daughter were still being held captive in Pune
in a mansion. He had no means to contact them as they were heavily guarded.
Every moment after he escaped from Pune had posed challenges before him.
A saga of fight against the destiny was on. Moments of happiness were the
victories against the enemy. Otherwise, there was no place or time for personal
pleasures. He would be mostly on horseback darting in different directions to find
the enemy posts and destroy them. But because of this nature of Yashwantrao, he
earned tremendous respect and obedience from his commanders and soldiers. He
had given them a dream to re-establish the kingdom and achieve the same height of
glory again that Ahilya Devi’s era had witnessed.
But the saga of tragedies was not ending. Destiny was waiting to deal
another blow to Yashwantrao. At that juncture, nobody knew that India was going
to plunge into darkness because of a series of events, which was about to follow.

*
4

The assassination of Vithoji Holkar

Arrival of Vithoji Holkar, the elder brother of Yashwantrao, proved another

catastrophe for Bajirao II. While Yashwantrao was fighting against the forces of the
Scindias and the Peshwa to free Holkar’s provinces, Vithoji, had left for
Maharashtra with a small troop of soldiers. The idea was to engage the Peshwa on
multiple fronts and free Pune from the brutal clutches of the evil-minded ruler.
Vithoji entered Maharashtra in 1798 after his earlier escape from Pune. He
spent some years in understanding the political situation and identify disgruntled
people, who could possibly rebel against the Peshwa. Amrutrao Peshwa, the
brother of Bajirao II, was desperate to assume the Peshwa title by dethroning his
brother. But his side was too weak. He could be used as a puppet to entice
opponents of Bajirao for a strong and successful revolt. However, Amrutrao was in
two minds. He had ambitions but did not have enough courage to defy his brother
openly. He was solely dependent on his supporters, who were mere flatterers.
Vithoji realised this and on his own started gathering his forces.
Balkrishna Bavanpage was the first chieftain who joined forces with Vithoji.
With a handful of soldiers, they started attacking bordering areas of the Peshwa
state. They collected ransoms, with which they hired more mercenaries. Vithoji
then resorted to guerrilla tactics. He established his temporary capital at
Pandharpur and lived in a mansion built by his father Tukoji Holkar. Since people
of Pandharpur and the temple trustees were indebted to the Holkars for their
charities, he did not face much resistance from the local people.
Vithoji attacked Kurkumbh, Jejuri and surrounding areas close to Pune.
Peshwa feared that Vithoji could raid Shaniwarwada and kill him. Reports of
Vithoji’s attacks reached far and wide. The Peshwa sent nobles such as Panse and
Patwardhan to rein in Vithoji. However, both of them were defeated by Vithoji at
Purandar, 30 miles away from Pune. This caused a great concern in the Peshwa
Darbar. Vithoji was not just a rebel but was determined to overthrow the Peshwa.
His intentions were clear. His brother was assassinated in Pune by Scindia with
support from the Peshwa. Vithoji could not forgive them for the sin.
Meanwhile, Amrutrao Peshwa declared his support to Vithoji. He gave his
written consent to acts Vithoji may perform in establishing him on the Gaddi. This
had provided a moral support to Vithoji, which he could use to attract more people
from the Peshwa camp to his side.
As Bajirao realised this and Vithoji being so close to Pune, all loyal nobles
gathered to decide the future course of action against Vithoji. They felt relieved as
Yashwantrao was engaged in battles in the north and possibly could not turn
towards Maharashtra to support his elder brother. However, the threat by Vithoji
was real and at the doorsteps.The Peshwa decided to seek help from the British.
British Resident Mr. Close agreed to provide a couple of armed companies. Bapu
Gokhale, the mighty noble from the Maratha confederacy decided to lead the
forces. He left Pune with his forces to wage war against Vithoji.
The war ensued near Purandar. Vithoji and Bavanpage with their cavalry and
foot soldiers were ready to take on the enemy. Though Vithoji and his companions
fought the battle bravely, it did not last long as the British troops opened gunfire.
This was the first time when the Peshwa had used British forces to settle scores
with an internal rival. Vithoji was defeated. He was arrested, along with his wife
and son, and was brought to Pune.
Bajirao was too happy when he learnt of the arrest. His joy knew no bounds
as a danger man was captured by his nobles. He did not know what repercussions
his act might invite. His cruelty and dirty mind were at play. He kept Vithoji in
captivity at Bhamburda, across the river in front of Shaniwarwada. Vithoji was
beaten brutally. He was being punished for rebelling against a brute power.

The cruellest assassination

It was April 16, 1801. Citizens of Pune were invited by the Peshwa to
Shaniwarwada to watch a spectacle. In anticipation of entertainment, people
gathered at the vast ground in front of Shaniwarwada before the sunset to catch
nearby places. In no time, the ground was swarming with excited people. They
knew about the arrest of Vithoji; hence anticipated his public hanging.
Peshwa, Baloji Kunjir and other key nobles pompously greeted public
from the decorated canopies built above the huge gate of Shaniwarwada. The
Peshwa signalled at his aides and sat in the chair. The crowd was euphoric as
chained Vithoji was brought to the ground by the soldiers. He was spat at and
abused by the soldiers as he was being dragged in a humiliating way. His horrified
wife and child were watching this scene and were begging to not humiliate him.
The humiliation was not yet over.
Vithoji was brought to the main square in front of the gate, from where
the Peshwa could closely watch Vithoji being tortured. He was tied facing to a
pole. His cloak was removed. He was asked to bend. A punisher came close with a
splint of fresh bamboo, sharp. He glanced at the Peshwa, who nodded and the
punisher started lashing Vithoji’s bare back, which was getting torn with every hit.
His back soon turned into blood and flesh. He was yelling in pain. His wife had
already fainted but was being brought back to her senses to watch how cruel the
Peshwa could become to those who revolt against his rule.
The punisher continued with lashing till the count of two hundred was
complete. People were watching this barbaric act in sheer excitement. They were
yelling with every hit. They were enjoying the cruelty, a rare experience to come
across.
Vithoji was half conscious. He thought that the worst punishment was
over. He would be taken away to nurse his wounds. But that was not to happen.
Brutalities were not over yet.
He was separated from the pole. Water was poured on him to keep him
awake so that he could suffer the most torturous pain.
An elephant was brought to the ground. Vithoji’s wife was trying to rush
to the Peshwa to beg for her husband’s life. She had sensed what was in store next.
She cried, yelled and finally cursed the Peshwa as Vithoji was being tied to a leg of
the elephant. The mahout signalled the elephant to drag Vithoji’s body. His skin
was getting brutally scratched against the rough ground. People were rushing to
watch closely the pitiable outcries of Vithoji. The entire ground became a horrific
scene with onlookers watching the torture.
The elephant took a complete round of Shaniwarwada. Vithoji was
trying hard to not get trampled by the elephant. Flesh from his body was exposed
to dust, through which he was being dragged. He fell unconscious when he was
brought before the gate again.
Lot of water was poured on him again. He was motionless. The mahout
looked up at the Peshwa. He thought for a moment and then nodded. The mahout
signalled the elephant, which lifted its leg and crushed Vithoji’s head.
Vithoji’s body was unchained. It was laid on a platform. Humiliation
was still not over. His body was not handed over to his wife for next two days as
the Peshwa wanted to remind citizens how rebels would be punished.
But this barbaric act did not go down well with the nobles. Patwardhan
thought the Peshwa should not have executed Vithoji, who could have been
pardoned and retained by the Peshwa in his services and use his skills for the
benefit of the state. Alas! The Peshwa invited wrath on the state! Pune was really
doomed!
Vithoji’s wife wanted to go Sati but her wish was turned down. She,
along with her child, was put under house arrest. She was not allowed to
communicate with anyone.

Yashwantrao’s march toward Pune

 Bajirao II thought that Yashwantrao would be defeated by Daulatrao’s
commanders sooner or later. But this was not to happen. Euphoria over Vithoji’s
killing now gave way to fear. This news had reached Yashwantrao. However, he
did not react immediately. He maintained his composure and wrote to the Peshwa
diplomatically. In his letter, Yashwantrao said, “I am aware that Vithoji disobeyed
the Master and plundered areas surrounding Pandharpur. Hence, the angered
Master punished him. What could we do against God’s will? Our father had served
the state with all humility and fought numerous wars against the enemy to add to
the glory of the Marathas but it seems that my brother had missed the point
somewhere. I am still eager to serve the Maratha state if our Swami (master)
approves my demands.”
Yashwantrao was a diplomat par excellence. He never boasted but
always acted in such a way that baffled his enemies. The letter reached the Peshwa.
It satisfied his ego that the verdict was humbly accepted by Yashwantrao. However,
this letter was a ploy. Yashwantrao slowly started moving his troops towards Pune.
He ensured that Kashirao remained safe at the Sendhva fort so that he
could not meddle in his politics in any event. His friends in Pune were updating
him about political developments and remained prepared. Daulatrao was in the
north to manage disrupted affairs of Ujjain. Yashwantrao deployed major forces in
the north to keep Daulatrao engaged. In Yashwantrao’s absence, Scindia attacked
Maheshwar. However, the forces of Holkar posted a strong resistance and he had to
retreat. Yashwantrao himself entered Rajputana to recover dues from the princely
states as part of war expenses. He spent three months in Rajputana.
Then he headed towards Narmada. Troops were already sent ahead as a
precautionary measure. They started raiding the Peshwa regions, as a precursor to a
war.
Yashwantrao divided his army in three sections, Shahamat Khan and
Fattehsinh Mane commanded two sections while he himself commanded the rest of
the army. For speedy movements cavalry was used. The trio took different
directions and started galloping towards Pune.
The Peshwa sent a noble, Dhondopant Godbole, to resist Yashwantrao
but Yashwantrao attacked him near Chandwad and forced him to take flight.
Yashwantrao had not suspended political dialogue with the Peshwa as he wanted
the latter to be under the impression that Yashwantrao hoped for a truce.
On May 4, 1802, Yashwantrao crossed Khandesh. Shahamat Khan
entered Nashik region and destroyed the posts of Peshwa. Heavy ransom was
recovered from revenue officials and rich landlords. Ahmednagar area was being
ravaged. Meanwhile, Yashwantrao reached Sangamner, from where Nashik and
Ahmednagar were at equal distance. He had divided his army anticipating a
collective attack from the Maratha confederacy. He did not want to have all his
commanders and their army together to get stuck at one place. Instead, he
maintained distance among all three sections so that any section could be moved in
either direction to support another in case of the need.
Daulatrao Scindia was protecting the Ahmednagar Fort. After ravaging
the surrounding areas, Fattehsinh Mane attacked the fort, which was surrounded by
thousands of Pathan soldiers. Mane’s forces attacked so swiftly that half of the
Pathans fell on the battleground in no time. The market of Ahmednagar was looted.
As he brought Ahmednagar under complete control, he sent Abaji Laxman to
Jamgaon, Scindia’s ancestral village. He captured the village and destroyed Scindia
mansions.
The Peshwa got frightened. He sent his representatives to Yashwantrao
suggesting a truce. Yashwantrao was in no mood to waste time on negotiations
with a treacherous man. However, he suggested the Peshwa should ask Bhonsale of
Nagpur to mediate. The terms of the truce would be the release of Khanderao and
all Holkar family members and their custody would be given to Yashwantrao. The
Holkars would be reinstated in the affairs of the Maratha Confederacy as equal
partners. If they jointly attacked the British, their expansion would be checked.
Following the subjugation of the British, further arrangements could be made on
the advice of Bhonsale. If these terms were not agreeable, he would not enter into a
truce.
Yashwantrao had good understanding of the real situation and had the
immediate remedy to correct it. He had realised that the British were the real threat
to the Indians. Had the Peshwa displayed sanity, he could have united the Maratha
forces under one flag to fight against the foreign power. Yashwantrao was ready to
forgive Bajirao II for the assassination of his brother.
However, the mean-minded Bajirao II was not ready to share power
with anyone, though he was a powerless man himself. He was living in a fool’s
paradise without realising that he had become a puppet in the hands of his coterie.
Yashwantrao moved towards Aurangabad as he had learnt that the
Nizam was in talks with British diplomats with the intention to start a combined
campaign against the Marathas. He ravaged Nizam’s territories, including Vaijapur
which was an important station of the Nizam’s army. The Nizam had to wind up
talks with the British envoy.
Yashwantrao then started his march towards Pune. He was hopeful that
the Peshwa might gain sense as he neared Pune. On the way, he forcefully
collected sums from the local feudal lords and government revenue collectors. He,
however, did not cause trouble to commoners. A letter written by an unknown
person dated October 13, 1802 provides an account of Yashwantrao’s humble
behaviour with pilgrims and travellers passing through the war zone.
 Meanwhile, in July 1802, Mane had already started to move towards
Bhima river. On the way, he had to confront a strong resistance from Scindia’s
troops. Mane crushed the resistance and moved further as planned. Shahamat Khan
joined him after crossing Nashik, Sinnar and Rahuri, subjugating all the army
stations of the Peshwa. They met on the banks of Bhima river. The river was
flooded. Near Daund, both the nobles had to camp for about a month waiting for
waters to recede. As they started crossing the river after water receded, Pandoba
Kunjir reached there with 2,500-3,000 soldiers to stop Mane’s and Shahamat
Khan’s advance.
Pandoba Kunjir, though ill-equipped, was carrying the Jaripatka (the
Maratha Flag) with a hope that its sight might soften the Holkar’s forces. Mane
fired guns without paying any respect to the flag. The Peshwa and his nobleman
Purandare were targeted. Kunjir did not venture into the war. He backed off leaving
behind armaments he had brought with him. The Peshwa was fuming with anger
due to the insult to the flag and sent a message to Mane. Unperturbed, Mane
neglected this lame threat and moved towards Pune.
Fearing attack on Pune, the Peshwa again ordered Kunjir, along with
Ganpatrao Panase, Maloji Ghorpade and Nana (Trimbak Mahipat) Purandare, to
stop Mane from advancing. The Peshwa army was stronger this time and was
carrying the Jaripatka flag. They halted at Jalgaon near Baramati, just a few miles
away from Mane’s camp. Mane sent them a missive stating that he had no intention
to fight with the Peshwa army (Hujurat) and that he was on his way to Jejuri to pay
respects to Khandoba.
Emboldened, Purandare sent another threatening message that the
Peshwa army had come there to punish the Holkars. With this threat, the Peshwa
army marched ahead and started firing at Mane’s troops. A battle was inevitable.
However, Mane had received clear instructions from Yashwantrao that unless
minimum 50 rounds are fired by Peshwa’s army, his army would not retaliate.
Yashwantrao, though had enmity with Bajirao II, was not against Swaraj that was
founded by Shivaji Maharaj.
Mane patiently counted 50 rounds from the Peshwa army, keeping his
army out of range and then started heavy retaliation. His cavalry galloped to crush
the ego of Peshwa. The bloodbath continued for about an hour and the nobles fled
from the battleground with their remaining army. They were so much terrified that
not only cannons, they forgot to take back the Jaripatka flag. The fleeing army was
chased by Mane’s soldiers and killed.
Pandoba Kunjir lost his mental balance and went into hiding for three
days. Wounded Maloji Ghorpade was captured alive. The arsenal of the Peshwa
army was seized by Mane.
 After end of the skirmish, Mane, took down the flag with due respect
and by packing it carefully sent it back to Purandare, who was in hiding at
Purandar. Maloji Ghorpade’s injuries were treated and he was also sent back to his
camp in a palanquin.

Battle of Narayangaon

While these events were taking place, Yashwantrao had reached

Sangamner, where a massive army of Daulatrao Scindia had blocked the way to
Pune. Yashwantrao changed his strategy and ordered Mane to attack Pune from his
side while he instructed Shahamat Khan to enter Junnar region to distract Scindia’s
army. Shahamat Khan not only entered Junnar but also reached up to Ganeshkhind
that was so close to Pune. After plundering the area, he joined Yashwantrao. These
swift actions distracted Scindia’s army as expected. It got divided also.
Yashwantrao then decided to confront Scindia near Narayangaon.
Scindia had engaged his heavy artillery to resist Yashwantrao’s attack. A
fierce battle took place in the first week of October. Shahamat Khan got injured
while fighting. Yashwantrao’s horse was also hit by a bullet. Yashwantrao
somehow managed to keep him safe and fiercely attacked the enemy. The enemy
forces were taken by surprise by this terrific counter-attack. Before they could
reorganise themselves, Yashwantrao in lightning speed crossed Narayangaon to
reach Morgaon, where Mane had camped. Scindia’s forces could not dare chase
their enemy. Frustrated, they came back to Pune.
Mane was getting updates what Purandare and other nobles were up to.
Purandare was trying to gather forces at Purandar from all directions. However,
very few joined him due to the Peshwa’s reputation of not paying salaries on time.
The Peshwa’s policy to keep his mighty nobles engaged in internal fights now put
him in more trouble. Yashwantrao had realised that he would mainly confront with
the forces of Scindia and his hired foreign generals in Pune.
Yashwantrao already had reached Morgaon. Since Mane had fallen sick,
Yashwantrao had to prolong his stay at Morgaon. It was possible that his first
meeting with Tulsabai, later destined to become Yashwantrao’s wife, took place at
Jejuri. She was the daughter of Anyaba Mahanubhav, whose anecdotes are
unknown to the history. Though Yashwantrao might have got attracted to her at this
time, their marriage took some years later in the north. It can be said that this was
an inter-caste marriage, a bold step in those times.
Yashwantrao performed all religious rituals at the Khandoba temple, his
family deity, declared the pardon at the village and paid donations to the temple
and priests. Jejuri was already enriched by the many beautiful constructions on the
temple premises and in the town by Ahilyabai and his father Tukoji. The prayers
provided him much needed solace and strength.
Yashwantrao assured the residents of Jejuri that he would not trouble
them and camped three miles away from the pilgrim centre.
Around October 21, Scindia’s army arrived in Pune as a war became
inevitable. At Wanavdi, the army was being mobilised from all directions. Bajirao
II did not want to be in Pune if war broke out. He spread a rumour that he was
going to Mahabaleshwar. But he was in close contact with British Resident Barry
Close through his noble Sadashivrao. He was trying to arrive at a truce with the
British in order to tackle Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao got wind of Bajirao’s move. He felt upset. He was already
disturbed due to the involvement of the British in local politics. He tried to his best
to avoid confrontation within the Maratha confederacy. He wrote to Bajirao II
saying the same privileges rendered to Scindia, should be endowed upon the
Holkars.He also asked the Peshwa to take the lead to sort out the issues between
the Scindias and the Holkars so that both can safeguard the interests of the
confederacy from the foreign enemy. He stated in this letter that the Peshwa could
send responsible delegates to discuss this issue.
Meanwhile, Peshwa had already spent Rs 2 lakh on Baloba Kunjir, who
was entrusted with the job of mobilising the army. Yashwantrao knew this and
moved his forces in advance and camped at Theur. He did not want to spend time
in useless talks. He again sent a missive to the Peshwa from Theur that if the latter
was not ready to compromise, then he would attack Scindia’s army on October 25,
1802.
The missive terrified the Peshwa. To avoid the impending danger, he
had almost decided to agree with the terms presented by Yashwantrao. However, he
was ill-advised by the overconfident army heads of Scindia who boastfully laughed
away the threat and persuaded the Peshwa that they could easily defeat the Holkar
army.
To prolong a possible confrontation, the Peshwa sent some subordinate
delegates in heavy protection to Yashwantrao’s camp for talks on October 24.
Yashwantrao did not waste time in discussions with these delegates. He said he
would only talk to Baloba Kunjir, Nimbaji Bhaskar or their likes. They were
dismissed at the middle of the night who could reach Pune early morning where
they came across the Diwali preparations. There was no sign of the impending
danger whatsoever.
The Peshwa was busy in arranging the festive feast. He hurriedly went
through the message given by Yashwantrao and instructed Kunjir and others to
contact the Holkar camp. Kunjir and others had no guts to visit Yashwantrao,
instead they reached the Scindia camp.
 Yashwantrao was ready to face the enemy. He knew the Peshwa was
dependent on the British help.In a way, he had prepared enough background for the
Treaty of Bassein.

The Battle of Hadapsar

Yashwantrao’s army reached Hadapsar on October 25, 1802. He had

instructed his army that they would wait till 25 gunfires by the Peshwa army, then
only they would launch the counter-attack.
On Scindia’s side, seven battalions of Abaji Ingle under Kulb Ali Khan,
four battalionsof General Sutherland under Captain Daves and Sadashiv Bhaskar
Bakshi’s cavalry on the left side were ready. On the backside was the Peshwa army
while heavy artillery was in the front.
On the Holkar’s side, Mir Khan’s cavalry and foot soldiers were in the
front; Colonel Harding was with his four brigades, five battalions of Vickers and
three of Dode while on the left were Shahamat Khan, Fattesinh Mane, Bhavani
Shankar Khatri and Shivaji Shenavi. One hundred cannons were brought to the
front. Yashwantrao, along with his cavalry, was watching the battleground from a
hilltop.
As soon as twenty-five cannon balls were fired at the Holkar army, the
cavalry of Holkars galloped and a bloodbath followed. Yashwantrao sensed that
Scindia’s cavalry was overpowering Mir Khan, he joined the war so fiercely that
the advancing cavalry of Scindia was forced to retreat. Then Yashwantrao attacked
artillery of Scindia so violently that the gunners fled leaving the guns. This was a
morale-booster for the Holkar army as Yashwantrao himself was fighting gallantly.
Within hours, Scindia’s army started fleeing towards Pune. The Peshwa’s royal
squad had already vacated the battleground. The foreign generals also suffered
heavy losses. Over 5,000 were killed and thousands were wounded. The victory
favoured Yashwantrao.
Bajirao II was watching the battle from the Parvati hill. Later, he
hurriedly left Parvati to reach Donaje village, without waiting for the outcome of
the war.
The retreating army of Scindia was ridiculed and insulted by the
residents of Pune. People threw stones at them. They thought they had finally got a
saviour in the form of Yashwantrao. Daulatrao Scindia became a victim of savage
treatment he meted out to commoners. Though it was Diwali festival, people were
not celebrating it as the city was in chaos. As soon people learnt that the Peshwa
had fled the city, the news caused terrible uncertainly.
Mir Khan suggested they should loot Pune. However, Yashwantrao
turned down the suggestion and instructed his commanders that the army would
not leave Wanavdi. He, in fact, ordered that nobody would march toward Pune
unless ordered so. Anybody found causing trouble to common citizens would have
to lose their limbs. Knowing how strict Yashwantrao was in maintaining discipline,
his army obediently followed the orders.
By evening, Yashwantrao came to know about the Peshwa’s flight and
that he was stationed at Donaje village at the foothills of Sinhagadh fort. He
decided to bring him back respectfully. He sent a troop and a palanquin to Donaje.
However, by the time the troop reached there, the Peshwa had left the village.
Later, the Peshwa, along with Baloba Kunjir, rushed to Raigad, where he engaged
in talks with the British to reach an understanding. Meanwhile, Yashwantrao sent
many messages to him requesting his presence at Pune to sort out all issues
between them but the Peshwa didnot pay any heed.
In a way, Peshwa was determined to seek help from the British. He
neither wanted Daulatrao Scindia’s supremacy nor liked growing power of
Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao had not attacked Pune to avenge his brother’s
assassination or arrests of his wife and daughter but had tried to solve the issues
amicably. So far, he had respected the seat of power. He had tried to avoid a clash
but he was continuously attacked after his entry in Maharashtra. He was talking to
the Peshwa through correspondence and through the Peshwa’s representatives. His
demands were simple and justified. He wanted the release of his nephew
Khanderao (II), his wife Ladabai and daughter Bhimabai. He wanted that the
Peshwa should check anti-Holkar activities of Daulatrao and return of the Holkar
territories grabbed illegally but the Peshwa had no guts to go against vile wishes of
Daulatrao.
It became clear that the Peshwa had no intention to come back to Pune.
The administration had collapsed. Looting became rampant in Pune. Yashwantrao
had no choice but, though temporarily, undertake the administration. To stop
anarchy, he established check posts in Pune. To bring Pune back to life, he opened
markets and controlled inflation. He also released Morobadada Phadnis, Phadke
brothers, Moropant Chakradeo and others kept in custody by the Peshwa. The aides
and advisors of Scindia and the Peshwa were punished by seizing their properties.
People started enjoying normal life, thanks to the just rule of Yashwantrao.
Yashwantrao never camped in Pune. He remained stationed at the
Scindia’s residence at Wanavdi for about four months.
Yashwantrao was facing an unforeseen problem, to which he needed to
find solution. The seat of Peshwa was now vacant. As funds had dried out, he was
not in a position to pay salaries to his soldiers. He could have recovered ransoms
from the rich people of Pune but he had deliberately avoided that course of action.
 Finally, he sent his representatives Morobadada and Baba Phadke to
Amrutrao Peshwa with an invitation to come to Pune and act as the Peshwa, on
behalf of Bajirao II, on certain terms and conditions for the time being. Amrutrao
was eagerly waiting for this opportunity, which was eluding him for years. He
came to Pune on November 12, 1802 and became the acting Peshwa. But soon, it
became clear that Bajirao II was not coming to Pune. Yashwantrao made an
agreement with Amrutrao on the following conditions.

1. Release Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa’s widow, Yashodabai, who was kept in

arrest at Raigad fort. She should adopt Amrutrao’s son, who will officially
be declared the Peshwa by the Chhatrapati of Satara. Amrutrao should act as
the caretaker Peshwa on behalf of his son.
2. Amrutrao will have protection from Yashwantrao.
3. In return, Amrutrao should pay Rs 1 crore as war-expenses to Yashwantrao.
But Yashodabai’s release could not materialise. Bajirao II was at
Suvarngarh at that time. May be, he was responsible for stalling the move.
Yashwantrao then sent Fattesinh Mane to Satara and brought the attires of honour
from the Chhatrapati for the new Peshwa Amrutrao.
But Amrutrao got frightened when the actual long-nourished moment of
becoming the Peshwa approached. He was aware that Bajirao II had support of the
British. He realised that when Yashwantrao went back to his capital, he could not
face Bajirao and the well-trained British army.The possible repercussions had
frightened him. He rejected the attires of honour.
Also, he had no money to pay to Yashwantrao. When Yashwantrao
started pressurising, he decided to fix a war-tax on the rich people and assigned
Haripant Bhave the duty to recover the tax. Bhave was his army chieftain with no
manpower! Amrutrao requested Yashwantrao to help him with his additional force.
Yashwantrao accepted the request by appointing Nago Jivaji, Harnath Singh and
Shekhji for help.
If we see the detailed account of this war-tax recovery, it becomes clear
that it was imposed by Amrutrao to pay war expenses, which were so far being
borne by Yashwantrao. According to the then customs, it was the responsibility of
the beneficiary to pay them. Atrocities were committed on people while recovering
the tax by Amrutrao’s men but Yashwantrao was blamed for the same.
No proof has ever surfaced to substantiate this blame on Yashwantrao.
G.S. Sardesai has clearly stated about this incident that, “Amrutrao’s aides were
looting Puneites for four months. Haripant Bhave ceremoniously spent on the
feasts for Brahmins using this loot. When Yashwantrao was approached by the
Brahmins of Chinchwad to complain about the atrocities being committed on them,
he issued a pardon and provided them security…” (Marathi Riyasat, Vol.8)
 John Malcolm, a sworn enemy of Yashwantrao, clearly states in his
‘Memoirs of Central India’ that Yashwantrao, after he entered Pune, did not allow
Amrutrao to recover war taxes from commoners for the first two months. When
Amrutrao became the temporary Peshwa, defacto ruler of Pune, he started
recovering the taxes using illegal means as he had to pay Yashwantrao war
expenses as agreed. Yashwantrao was stationed in Pune till 13th March 1803
whereas Amrutrao left Pune on 19th April. There was extreme loot after
Yashwantrao had left Pune.

Another source states that, “When Amrutrao learnt that Daulatrao

Scindia was moving towards Deccan in January 1803, he had some disagreements
with Yashwantrao over paying of one crore rupees as war expenses to the latter. So
Amrutrao started recovering those expenses forcefully from commoners. When the
British forces approached on 19th April, he hurriedly left Pune. While leaving
Pune, Amrutrao carried the loot on ephants and camels, etc. On his way, he also
looted Chakan, Rahuri, Sangamner and Nashik.(Ref, Marathyancha Itihas, Vol.3,
Ed. A.R. Kulkarni, G.H. Khare)

In a nutshell, Amrutrao looted Pune. He committed atrocities on the

people while recovering taxes. He exceeded all limits of the humanity.
Yashwantrao was paid only Rs 10 lakhs, a meager sum as against the promised
amount of Rs 1 crore.Yashwantrao did not get any war expenses. His only gain was
that he could get his wife and daughter released from the custody of the defeated
Peshwa. Khanderao Holkar, the heir to Malharrao, was still in Daulatrao’s custody
elsewhere; hence he could not have him released. Also, he could have used his
might against the Peshwa and Daulatrao, but he had never imagined that the
Peshwa would join hands with the British. In a way, it was a big blow to him as it
was evident that the British would play a significant role in politics of
Maharashtra. This was a bad omen.
It was not the case that the Peshwa surrendered to the British only out of
fear for Yashwantrao. He was trying to form a truce with the British since 1800.
Just 10 days before the Hadapsar war, he was secretly conducting discussions with
the British Resident in Pune. Instead, he could resolve the pending issues with
Yashwantrao and the matter would be over. He chose to run away to secure his
future with British help.
This incident changed the course of thinking. Yashwantrao realised how
interference by the British in Maratha politics was dangerous. When he realised
that Amrutrao would not pay war expenses and he was economically weak to wage
war against the British forces approaching Pune with the Peshwa, he left for his
capital. But he had definite plans to break the treaty the Peshwa had entered into.
*
5

Beginning of the First War of independence

BajiraoPeshwa lost his sovereignty over the Maratha Empire as a result

of the Bassein treaty. He became a puppet in the hands of the British. Bajirao
thought the treaty freed him from the clutches of Daulatrao Scindia and checked
the threat posed by Yashwantrao Holkar. He was never in a position to accept
genuine demands made by Yashwantrao because his dealings with Malharrao and
Vithoji Holkar were influenced by Daulatrao Scindia. His other chieftains such as
Baloba Kunjir and Sarjerao Ghatge always ill-advised him. He had no guts to
overcome that influence. Hence the ultimate result was inevitable. He had to seek
outside support to keep his position and honour safe. But this move proved
disastrous.
Other Maratha chieftains were not party to the Bassein treaty; hence, it
was not binding on them. Yashwantrao already had declared his independence but
the Scindias and the Bhonsales of Nagpur got confused over the new situation.
Bajirao, in a way, had deceived them too! Remaining loyal to the Peshwa was now
impossible. The British policies were crystal clear. They expected the chieftains to
follow Bajirao and enter into separate treaties. The regions under them were also
now endangered. They had to decide the future course of action.
Barry Close and Mount Stuart Elphinstone again coroneted Bajirao as
the Peshwa on 13th May 1803.
Just before this incident, while going back to his state, Yashwantrao had
visited Aurangabad again, which was under the Nizam but in protection of the
British forces. The Nizam had already made peace with the British. Yashwantrao,
in anger, damaged the British platoons and recovered ransom from the city and
went ahead. Sir Arthur Wellesley became upset on hearing this news. He took this
as an attack on the British supremacy and an act of declaration of the war.
Yashwantrao replied to him that the Nizam had avoided to pay back revenue of the
two villages, which were Yashwantrao’s ancestral property; hence, he had to attack
Aurangabad to recover those unpaid dues and that he had left Aurangabad after
recovering them.
Wellesley was not satisfied with this reply. Yashwantrao was still
stationed seven km away from Aurangabad.This was a matter of worry for
Wellesley. He wrote to Lieutenant General Stuart to watch movements of
Yashwantrao as he was afraid that he might attack forces of Colonel Stevenson,
who was 50 km away from Aurangabad. He was also worried that
Yashwantraomight move further towards Hyderabad after attacking Stevenson. He
also had apprehensions that the Scindia and Bhonsale armies would join hands to
wage war against the British. However, Wellesley knew Holkar’s might and to
keep him neutral, he continued his correspondence with Yashwantrao.
The political situation had become foggy as no one knew whom to trust.
Yashwantrao was a bigger threat due to his success in the Pune war. He was
considered as an invincible enemy. The British were in utter dilemma in those
times because they had still not assessed a situation that might arise following
weakening position of the Peshwa. They were unaware of possible reactions.
Hence, they were sending messages to the Scindias, the Bhonsales and the Holkars
to enter into a treaty on separate terms and conditions.
The Scindias and the Bhonsales were not at all in favour of the treaty
the Peshwa had entered into with the British. They were more concerned about
their own position in the changed scenario. Here, Yashwantrao played a major role.
Sensing the confusion among the Maratha chieftains, he proposed that the three
generals should come together to negate the British supremacist moves.
“Indians should decide their own fate,” he appealed to them. While
doing so, he was ready to forget the past enmity and issues pending with Scindia.
His only demand was the release Khanderao Holkar and his mother from the
latter’s custody. With Bhonsale, though he experienced treachery, he started
corresponding and appealing to him to sort out internal issues after the British
threat was mitigated.
In the beginning, the response was cold and slow. Bhonsale and Scindia
knew very well that they could not take on the British forces on their own. The
British were rapidly subjugating local rulers by making them vassals. Though
Scindia and Bhonsle knew well what Yashwantrao was proposing was right,
Scindia was not ready to give back captured territories to the Holkars. Yashwantrao
spent almost six months in negotiations. However, he finally left Maharashtra as he
did not get any response.
Bhonsale and Scindia were apprehensive about Yashwantrao as they
were convinced that Bajirao’s decision to sign the Bassein treaty was only due to
Yashwantrao. This was not true. Rather, Yashwantrao had tried his best to bring the
Peshwa back with all respect, but Bajirao was determined to take refuge with the
British for many other reasons already discussed. The poison of distrust among the
Maratha chieftains had spread to an alarming level.
The British were keenly watching the moves of these three pillars of the
Maratha Empire. The trio coming together was against their interest. When
Yashwantrao finally left for Indore, they must have had a sigh of relief. They
ordered Colonel Stevenson not to make any attempt to stop him. The British were
well aware of the enmity between Scindia and Holkar and also the distrust between
Bhonsle and Yashwantrao. As Yashwantrao left Maharashtra, the British were
convinced that the three would not join hands to fight the British.
Yashwantrao already had financial problems. He needed to strengthen
his army. As soon as he reached Indore, he started gathering more forces, recovered
pending tributes and then wrote to Bhonsale and Scindia again that they should
come together and defeat the British forces. The internal issues could be sorted out
later.
He had realised that the entire Indian subcontinent was rapidly going
under the British control. He learnt in Pune how the Peshwa had become a mere
puppet in the hands of the British. Meddling by the British in local politics was
dangerous. By signing the Bassein treaty, Bajirao had ended India’s freedom. So,
Yashwantrao decided that it was not right time to engage in a clash, though Scindia
was not releasing unlawfully grabbed regions owned by the Holkars. He earnestly
requested both to join hands with him. Scindia finally agreed to his proposal
because he had also realised that unless the Peshwa was freed and reinstalled to his
original position, his authority would not remain legitimate.
Daulatrao Scindia, Raghoji Bhonsale had some discussions.By
accepting Yashwantrao’s proposal; they left with their armies near Narmada river.
They were familiar with this battlefield and knew the tactical benefit they would
have, if they declared war from here.
When the forces came together, it was a show of strength of the Maratha
unity. Raghoji somehow managed to persuade Daulatrao to agree to the demands
made by Yashwantrao. Khanderao and his mother were released, which
pacifiedYashwantrao for the time being.
The three generals got busy in making a war plan…However, destiny
had something else in its mind.
Amrutrao Peshwa, through his loyalists, got hold of a letter Scindia had
addressed to Bajirao Peshwa. Though equally a scheming person, Amrutrao also
was shocked after reading it. The letter said, “…they are going to wage war against
the British. As soon as we defeat the British, you (Bajirao) should join us to
destroy Yashwantrao, who brought a humiliating defeat to their forces at
Hadapsar.”
Amrutrao thought over this and decided to use this letter for his own
benefit. General Wellesley had recommended Rs. 7 lakh annual pension to
Amrutrao for not causing trouble to Bajirao II’s position. Thus, he thought that if
he broke the news of the plan being hatched between the Peshwa and Scindia, his
pension would become a reality. He sent this letter to Wellesley. Wellesley, a
seasoned diplomat, was already worried about the threat that was being posed by
these three mighty chieftains. He knew well if the trio marched on the British
together, it would be highly difficult to defeat them. With this letter, his trust in the
Peshwa was shaken. He thought over the letter and secretly made an arrangement
to deliver it to Yashwantrao.
Whatever might have been Wellesley’s intentions, it was natural that
Yashwantrao got enraged due to the back-stabbing by Daulatrao Scindia, whose
intentions were hideous and ill-thought right from the beginning. Yashwantrao was
sure that they together could defeat the British.However, these vultures were
planning to destroy him…the man who had devised the unity forgetting the past.
He was incensed with this treachery. He decided to fight with the British
on his own without getting entangled in the trap laid by Scindia and Bhonsale. He
decided to abandon the Maratha confederacy and walk alone. He moved his army
back to Indore.
Historians have deliberated whether the letter sent by Scindia was
genuine or was forged by Wellesley. However, the chain of events and after
analysing Scindia and Bhonsale’s nature, it becomes clear that the letter was
genuine. It was natural on Scindia’s part that he would not forgetthe severe defeats
he suffered at the hands of Yashwantrao. Planning to destroy Yashwantrao after the
immediate danger of the British was eliminated was certain. However, Wellesley
became successful in breaking the unity that really had posed a threat to the
British.
As soon as Wellesley knew that Yashwantrao had left the camp, he
started threatening Scindia through Colonel Collins. Scindia was shocked at
Yashwantrao’s unannounced departure. He did not know at that time that
Yashwantrao came to know about his plan. He got baffled as he started receiving
threats and proposals of taking protection under the British. He was left with no
choice but to wage war against the British.
Wellesley was an expert strategist who divided the North from the
South India to cut off any assistance from any friendly state to both the generals.
He gave responsibility of the North to General Gerard Lake while he himself
looked after the South. Simultaneously, he devised a plan to take over the control
of Emperor Shah Alam, who was being protected till then by Scindia.
One by one, the territories held by Bhonsale and Scindia from Bengal,
Orissa to Gujarat were captured by General Lake. Both did not know which way to
march and stop the well-planned rapid attacks. Both became helpless. The war
declared on 6th August by Wellesley was soon to end.
Scindia suffered subsequent defeats at Ahmednagar, Adgaon.Finally, on
rd
23 September 1803, Scindia was completely defeated at Assaye. Immediately
after Scindia’s defeat at Adgaon, Bhonsale also met with the same fate. Bhonsale
finally accepted his defeat and entered into a truce with the British on 17 th
December 1803 at Devgaon. Scindia also had no choice. He signed the truce at
Surji Anjangaon on 30th December 1803 and became a mere vassal.
 This way, the Maratha Confederacy went under the control of British
power. Both had to cede their territories to the British and had to be content with
limited power.They had invited their destiny. Had they not wasted time and energy
in petty internal politics and constant wars and plunder of the common people
through their Pindari chieftains, the British could never defeat them. But they had
lost trust of not only their rank but of the public as well. The way the British army
was swelling with local recruits was an indication how the local populace had lost
their faith in the local rulers. In a way, this was an inevitable result of their past
misdeeds.
This was an unfortunate moment in the life of Yashwantrao. Though he
had shown readiness to lead the combined Maratha forces and wage war against
the British, Scindia and Bhonsale tried to backstab Yashwantrao. Their treacherous
nature could not be forgiven.Yashwantrao had to disassociate from both.

Path to Freedom

But Yashwantrao had chosen a new path. The path of freedom. He was
well aware that after defeating Scindia and Bhonsale, the British certainly would
engage with him in a war. He was well aware of the pitiable political conditions
India was in. From Gujarat, Bundelkhand, Rajputana, Punjab…everywhere the
British had established their commands. South India was no exception. Emperor
Shah Alam was already under the British control. Though the Emperor was a mere
puppet, he was recognised as the central power of India. By controlling him, the
British indirectly became defacto rulers of the country.
If any independent power was existent in India, it was only the
Holkars.It was obvious that unless this kingdom was overtaken, the British could
not claim to be the paramount power in India.
Knowing the inevitable, Yashwantrao got busy in strengthening his
army. He decided to increase western-type trained platoons to match the British
forces. Simultaneously, he got engaged in a nationwide campaign to appeal to all
the principalities to join him to end the British supremacy.
But by this time, almost all chieftains as vassals had accepted
deployment of forces by the British and had placed their loyalty at their feet. This
new provision of deployment of forces was introduced by Wellesley, which
ensured a risk-free life to them. Now, they were free from all tensions of constant
conflicts and could engage themselves in pleasures. Hence, initially, there was no
response from any principality. But Yashwantrao was determined and was
undeterred by their cold response. He was advancing slowly but firmly towards his
goal.
 However, the British were disturbed by his appeals because if some of
the chieftains or principalities would respond to his call, the British power could be
jeopardised. In the event of a mutiny, the British could suffer heavy losses. Hence,
it became their top priority to pacify Yashwantrao. Wellesley knew very well that
Yashwantrao would not refrain from hostilities.
An attempt was made to bribe three British officers serving
Yashwantraofor training his troops.As soon Yashwantrao came to know about their
treachery, he beheaded them without showing any mercy. Though they had no
connection with East India Company, they were still citizens of British Dominion.
The news infuriated Wellesley. But he was also in trouble. His armies were
scattered in different regions.

Putting pressure for truce and then requests….

As expected, the British started pressurising Yashwantrao for a truce

soon after gaining control over the rest of India. The British were still not mentally
prepared to wage war with a highly skilled warrior, who had never lost any war.
His army’s strength and its quality were unsurpassable. The British were well
aware of this fact. Though they started threatening him in the beginning, they came
up with another proposal when they found Yashwantrao was not paying heed to
their threats.
They suggested to Yashwantrao to form a truce of friendship. With this
truce, sovereignty of his state would remain intact and both, the British and the
Holkars, would not attack each other. Holkar also should not wage any war with
tributary states.
This type of friendly treaty was offered by the British to Yashwantrao
only. Any princely state would have delighted if such friendly truce would have
been offered. But Yashwantrao knew this was a ploy. As soon as the British got an
opportunity, they would break the terms of the treaty. Yashwantrao very
thoughtfully offered his own terms for the truce such as -

1. The British should give back all Holkar-owned territories located in

Bundelkhand and Doab.
2. He should get rights to recover annul Chowth (one fourth of the revenue)
from Rajputs and other princely states.
3. The company should pay an annual tribute to the Holkars.
These terms baffled the British which, if accepted, could shatter the
already established British supremacy. As anticipated by Yashwantrao, General
Gerard Lake rejected these demands. Following persistent offers made by General
Lake, Yashwantrao wrote to him-
 “My wealth and my country are on the saddle of my horse. Whichever
direction my soldiers turn their horses, the lands in that direction will be captured
by us. If you are wise and sensible, you will accept what my representatives are
telling you to do.”
General Lake was never confronted with such an insult. The underlying
threat in this letter was a fitting response to the threats made by the British.
On 22nd March1804, General Lake, through a letter, urged pitifully to
permit him to declare a war against the Holkars. In this letter he said:
"I was never so plagued, as I am with this devil; he just, nay hardly,
keeps within the letter of the law, by which means our army is remaining in the
field at an enormous expense. If he is not destroyed right away, after monsoon
he will become more troublesome. There should be no doubt that this man is a
great enemy of English power. I feel shame while praising this robber. He will
not start war with me, instead will keep on mounting pressure. And if I start
marching on him, he will deploy his old tactics, will give me a slip and will enter
our territories with his horse and burn and destroy.”
It appears that British had well studied the past adventures of
Yashwantrao. Hence, they knew well about his swift and sudden unexpected moves
to ravage enemy territories. They knew he was very cruel with the enemy. Their
fear of Yashwantrao was not ill-founded. General Lake, though was asking for
permission to declare war, was concerned about the outcome, which is evident
from this letter.
Also, by then the strength of Yashwantrao had grown substantially.
According to the English estimates, Holkar had 1,50,000 horsemen, in addition to
40,000 Rohillas who had offered to serve him for three years without pay on
condition to plunder the Company’s territory. Though the threat was imminent,
Governor General Wellesley had no choice but to declare a war. He did so on 16th
April 1804 and started consultations over the war strategy.
Arthur Wellesley suggested that he would march from the South, while
Lake would advance from the North and Murray and Monson from the West so
that they could trap Yashwantrao from three sides and he could be crushed easily.

Triumphant war tactics!

Yashwantrao was ready. He decided to use his tactics to surprise and

baffle the enemy. General Lake had started his march on 18th May towards Agra.
Yashwantrao was aware that Lt. Fawcett’s camp was at Kutch, Bundelkhand. To
disrupt enemy plans, Yashwantrao commanded Amir Khan, who was in the vicinity
of Kuch, to attack Fawcett’s camp. On 22nd May, Amir Khan, along with his 5,000
strong Pindari army, attacked the camp at lightning speed. Fawcett’s two battalions
were massacred. Terrified Fawcett left guns and other war provisions behind and
fled towards Betwa river leaving Bundelkhand open to the enemy.
The effect of this unexpected attack and humiliating defeat resulted in
the removal of Fawcett from his command. Though, later, his successor Lt.
Colonel Martindell tried his best to regain control of Bundelkhand, he could not
succeed till 1809.
So, the war was declared by the British Generals but it was started by
Yashwantrao. He had his strategy ready. He knew well that the success of his
enemy forces, those were advancing from different directions to trap him,
depended on their regular communication.
He decided to cut off that communication. He ensured that the
messengers did not reach their destinations. It resulted in miscommunication and
chaos among the English forces as they got confused about each other’s
movements. For example, Lake assumed that Arthur Wellesley had started from
Deccan due to a lack of communication whereas Wellesley was still stuck up in
Deccan. Since his message to advance from Gujarat, in tandem with the
movements to be undertaken by Lake, could not reach Colonel Murray. So, he
advanced slowly and undetermined.
The British troupes felt more confused as they could not locate
Yashwantrao making it tougher to decide a collective strategy.
Yashwantrao was playing a smart and bold game against the all-
powerful enemy. His strategy was so successful against the enemy’s plan to
surround him from all sides that they were completely misled and confused.
Yashwantrao had fixed his target. He entered Rajputana and recovered
heavy ransoms from Rajput principalities posing a further challenge to the English
forces. Knowing that Yashwantrao was plundering Jaipur, Lake dispatched Colonel
Monson on 18th April towards Jaipur with three battalions. By the time Monson
could reach Jaipur, Yashwantrao gave him a slip and moved southwards.
Meanwhile Rampura, a Rajput town in possession of the Holkars, was
taken by Lt. Colonel Patrick Don after a big fight on Lake’s command, who was
then stationed at Tonk. Yashwantrao had crossed Chambal river by then. Realising
that it was futile to chase Yashwantraoat longer distance in the scorching heat, and
no communication from Murray or Monson, Lake retired back to Agra.
Monson, emboldened by the additional forces he had received, decided
on his own to enter the Holkar territories. The detachment handed over to Monson
was five battalions equipped with artillery. Also, he got additional force from
Scindia in the form of a large contingent of cavalry. En route, the victorious
battalions also joined him from Rampura. Since Monson thought Rampura was
now their stronghold and Holkar seemed in no mood to retaliate, without thinking
of the summer heat, which was troubling his European soldiers and officers, and
the threat of the approaching monsoon, he decided to enter the Holkar territories.
In fact, he thought Yashwantrao retreated from Jaipur because of him. He did what
Yashwantrao wanted him to do and to think.
And the contingent of Scindia that had joined Monson was led by
Bapuji Scindia. Bapuji was a sympathiser of Yashwantrao, who, as the British
commanders believed, later became a traitor.
Monson entered Mukundara Pass and won Hinglaj Gadh easily on 2nd
July without much effort. This victory boosted his moral. Yashwantrao took him on
his back, making a show as if he was fleeing from Monson. While chasing
Yashwantrao, Monson faced difficulties in supplies. Still, he was moving towards
Chambal, where Yashwantrao had reached by now. Murray was just 40 km away
from that place. However, due to a lack of communication, he thought that
Yashwantrao was preparing for an attack on his army with great strength. He
decided to retreat since he knew well that he could not take on Yashwantrao
independently.
This made Monson’s condition more precarious. He had no additional
help as was decided prior to his departure. There simply was no communication as
no message from him was ever answered. Still, he decided to face Yashwantrao on
his own.
He had fallen in Yashwantrao’s trap. Yashwantrao had chosen him as his
target and allowed him to arrive at the place, where he wanted. He had left Jaipur
on approach by Monson as a meticulously designed plan. Monson fell in the trap
and now was in the condition he wished he should not have been.
Because he was left with supplies that could feed his forces for two days
only and now the way messages were intercepted, his supplies were also cut off.
Lake or Arthur Wellesley did not know Monson’s whereabouts at all.
And to add to his misfortune, heavy rains began. His advance became
slower and difficult. He was left with only two choices: Either retreat or face
Holkar. Retreating would have been a blot on his glorious career. To save his face,
he painfully decided to move ahead in rain.
However, Chambal was also flooded.Yashwantrao was not in sight.
Looking at the fury of Chambal river, his heart sank and he decided to retreat. He
thought Yashwantrao’s light infantry might launch a sudden attack on his tired
forces, but that did not happen. Monson left Captain Lukan and Bapuji Scindia
behind to take care of artillery and heavy loads of ammunition to make his retreat
faster towards the Mukundara pass.
Yashwantrao was waiting for this moment. Before Captain Lucan could
organise himself, he attacked Capt. Lucan’s forces with all might and wiped out all
the 5,000-strong army. Capt. Lucan was wounded and was taken into the custody
while Bapuji Scindia was released, who reached Mukundara unattended to give the
saddening news of Lucan’s terrific defeat and capture.
What happened to Capt. Lucan after his captivity is unknown. British
sources think that he either died due to serious injuries or was killed by “savage”
Yashwantrao. Whichever could be the case, Monson’s humiliating retreat began
from here, due to which the prestige of British power was damaged across the
globe.

Monson’s Retreat

To slow down the chase of Yashvantrao, Monson asked Lt. Colonel Don
to check Yashwantrao’s advance at the Mukundara pass by fortifying it, thus, he
could get more time to run away. Unfortunately, heavy rains and lightning humbled
Don. As torrential rains started flooding the rugged way, Don too was left with no
choice but to retreat. It was a most difficult situation to pull heavy guns and
luggage under the fury of rains. Yashwantrao had estimated the arrival of monsoon
very intelligently before he lured Monson to his region. He used the monsoon as
his companion to defeat mighty English power.
On 12th July, Monson with his tired force arrived somehow at Kotah,
where Zalim Singh, a British vassal, was a ruler. Monson desired to purchase
supplies from him and secure heavy guns in his custody. Zalim Singh refused to
take guns in his custody. He instead pleaded Monson to leave Kotah as he was also
afraid of Yashwantrao.He did not intend to incur Yashwantrao Holkar’s wrath.
Monson could halt for a night at Kotah and leave on 13th July but his
further retreat became very difficult as the terrain had become utterly muddy and
sticky. He could reach Gamach Ghat (Ford) somehow on the banks of flooded
Chambal. Monson had to halt two days there to arrange boats to cross the river. His
provisions had dried up and his soldiers started starving. He had to abandon heavy
guns, elephants and camels in an attempt to cross the flooded river. He was aware
that Yashwantrao was still following him, slowly but decisively to catch him in the
most vulnerable position. Monson had to move fast but could not. As if in no hurry
Yashwantrao continued the slow but steady chase, enjoying the predicament of
Monson.
Bullocks were being butchered to satiate hunger of Monson’s force. In
the afternoon of July 17th, they came across Mej stream, which was over-flooded
too. Crossing this stream proved to be a nightmare for his remaining force. An
officer named Dalton drowned in the stream while crossing it. Except the artillery
men, no one else could cross the stream that day. On the second day, when they
started crossing the stream, Yashwantrao’s troop attacked Monson suddenly. The
skirmish lasted for a few hours but dimmed the remaining spirit of Monson.
 The troop returned after exacting the desired effect, which forced
terrified Monson to march towards Rampura, which was previously Yashwantrao’s
estate. It took him nine days to cross that stream as he had to wait for waters to
recede. He had lost his considerable force of camp-followers and soldiers in an
attempt to cross this stream.
On July 27th after crossing the Mej stream, he had to cross Lakheri pass.
Near this pass, the Minah tribals took advantage of hurriedly retiring, terrified
English force and killed many. Though Monson was hurrying his force, he could
reach Rampura only on 30th July. He was desperately trying to establish
communication with General Lake but failed as Yashwantrao had made
arrangements to ensure no communication took place among the British forces.
Hence, Monson’sbefforts to strengthen his position failed. However, he came
across two battalions of the Native Infantry at Rampura.vBut instead of helping;
they became a burden as they had scanty supplies.
News of Yashwantrao approaching Rampura, along with Bapuji Scindia,
the erstwhile colleague and commander of the British forces, hit like a bolt from
the blue. It sent tremors among Monson’s forces. Monson decided to leave
Rampura and march towards Agra. Though, so far, Yashwantrao had not opened a
decisive war, the nature had already caused heavy damage to Monson’s forces. He
fled from Rampura on 21st August towards Khushalgadh.
Another terrifying obstacle in the form of flooded Banas river was
awaiting him, some 20 miles away from Rampura. Monson had to obtain boats to
cross the river. He could obtain six boats and ferried sick and wounded first. As
soon as a half of his force had crossed the river, Yashwantrao appeared with his
force. This attack was terrific. Monson’s forces were trapped between the flooded
river and the enemy. His army, including his 12 officers and commander Major
Sinclair, was slaughtered. Monson somehow managed to cross the river to join his
fleeing forces.
Monson reached Khushalgadh with his remaining army in most
frustrated and humiliating condition. Here too, before his starving forces and camp
followers could be fed and had some rest, Yashwantrao closed in. Monson had lost
all his courage to turn back and give a brave fight. He again hurriedly left from
Khushalgadh to reach Agra, where the British had a strong military base.
But now his retreat was not easy. Monson’s remaining army had lost
courage and determination. Yashwantrao’s fearhad crippled them so much so that
the otherwise known for discipline, Monson’s battalions were running helter-
skelter. The soldiers and camp followers mixed up. Yashwantrao increased his pace
and his army was firing at fleeing soldiers and camp-followers making the flight
even dangerous. Monson was constantly losing his men. Many officers attempted
independent flight leaving Monson behind. The flight became so pitiable at one
place that villagers started attacking fleeing soldiers.
The humiliation of Monson’s fleeing army is well portrayed by a poet of
those times in following words,

"Ghore par hauda, hathi par jin

Jaldi bhag-gaya Kornail Munsin!"

("Horses with howdahs, and elephants saddled

Off helter-skelter Colonel Monson skedaddled.")

Near Fatehpur, on 28th August 1804, Yashwantrao made his decisive

attack to end this cat and mouse game. Monson had lost his entire 10,000 army and
3,000 camp followers, except for merely 200-300 soldiers. Monson had to accept
his defeat and request Yashwantrao to save his life.
Yashwantrao had achieved what he wanted. For almost two-and-a-half
months, he had chased his enemy patiently in heavy rains, serially killing his
enemy to gain this unforeseen victory. He let go Monson with his handful of
soldiers to Agra. Monson reached Agra on 30th August.
When Murray learnt of Monson’s defeat, he also fled, from where he
was stationed and awaiting instructions. He did not know, from which direction
Yashwantrao would attack him too!
General Wellesley was dumbfounded on dealing this biggest ever blow
to the British might. The glory of British that ruled almost half of the world had
shattered. Wellesley feared, after this defeat, what if other princely states start
joining Yashwantrao, which could prove fatal for the Company government. He
wrote: “You will have heard of Monson’s reverses. I tremble for the political
consequences of these events.”
Yashwantrao was now perceived as the biggest threat to the British
Empire. "I will not at present say anything more upon this disgraceful and
disastrous event…a finer detachment never marched, and sorry as I am to say…I
have lost five battalions and six companies, the flower of the army, and how they
are to be replaced at this day God only knows. I have to lament the loss of some of
the finest young men and the most promising in the army," Lake wrote. The loss of
Monson's army was a deadly blow to British prestige; it proved the British were
not invincible.
This defeat was vehemently discussed in British Parliament also. Lord
Wellesley’s fate was marked. The policies about India had to be changed and
Yashwantrao had to be pacified at any cost to avoid all possible future dangers.
 Noted historian John Pemble observes, "Here was a Maratha leader
who, though encumbered with something like 200 guns, managed to pursue and
harass, at the height of the monsoon, through the black cotton soil of Malwa and
across two rivers, a lightly equipped British force for a distance of 250 miles. It
was a remarkable achievement, which, as Lake admitted, 'afforded proofs of a
greater degree of efficiency and enterprise than could have been expected, and
rendered it difficult to estimate what they might venture to undertake or be able to
accomplish.'"
This was an unprecedented victory as a great hero had achieved using
his unique tactics, military skills and foresight.
 But his war with the British had not ended, though the British had to
suffer such a humiliating defeat. Yashwantrao continued his mission to drive out
the British from the country.
Capturing Delhi and taking custody of the Emperor was his next target!


6

Series of victories and Desi deceit

Yashwantrao, determined to give unimaginable shocks to the British,

had a very bold plan in mind. Though the Delhi Emperor was now powerless, his
status as the central power remained unquestioned. Without his formal ordinance,
no one could be considered an official ruler or commander. Official coins being
used in all princely states used to bear the official legend of the Emperor.
Previously, Daulatrao Scindia had established control over him.Thus, he had
become powerful. Now, the supremacy over the Emperor after the defeat of
Scindia and so the right to rule India had come to the British. Now, Yashwantrao
decided to capture Delhi and bring the Emperor under his control. If succeeded, it
would be a great jolt to the ambitious British plans.
After defeating Monson, Yashwantrao stayed put at Mathura for a few
days to decide his strategy, without returning to his capital. Actually, the war with
Monson had put him in financial losses, though he was victorious. He did not have
enough money to pay his soldiers. Many had started abandoning him. But
Yashwantrao’s fame had peaked. Though many deserted him, new recruits
doubled. His gracious and valiant nature attracted the youth of those times. The
British could never understand this underlying power of Yashwantrao and
eventually had failed to analyse his real strength.
From Mathura, Yashwantrao began his march to Delhi after recovering
heavy ransoms to pay salaries of his soldiers. After Monson’s defeat, the British
forces were quite confused as to what unpredictable steps Yashwantrao might take.
They had still to recover from the tragedy that Monson had suffered. The forces
kept in Delhi to protect the capital were not an exception.
Yashwantrao reached Delhi on 8th October 1804. On the way to Delhi,
Yashwantrao wrote to Vyankoji Bhonsale of Nagpur to march on Calcutta, the
headquarter of East India Company so that both the capitals could be captured
simultaneously and the British forces would be divided on two fronts. However,
Vyankoji Bhonsale preferred to keep quiet.
He laid siege on Delhi as soon he arrived and started firing cannons to
break strong fortifications. That time Lt. Colonel Ochterlony and Lt. Colonel Burn
were the commanders of the British forces. Initially, they were taken aback when
they realised that Yashwantrao had surrounded Delhi. After recovering from the
initial shock, they started retaliating to protect Delhi. Soon, a fierce war broke out.
Yashwantrao was attacking the enemy from several fronts.
 As the Emperor learnt that Yashwantrao Holkar had come to rescue him
from the British custody, he was so happy that he conferred a title on Yashwantrao
in his court. It read: “Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Alijabahaddur”. It prayed for
his success.
Yashwantrao was trying to bring down fortifications and enter the
capital. He had tightened the noose around Delhi. General Lake, learning this news
had started for Delhi with his forces from Mathura. Meanwhile, Yashwantrao was
able to breach a wall.
But this was a moment when his friend and commander Bhavani
Shankar Khatri defected and left the battlegroundwith his army. He was rewarded
with a fiefdom and a mansion in Delhi as a bribe by the British. This was a severe
setback to Yashwantrao. When the moment of the victory was at the doorstep, this
defection by his trustworthy commander weakened his position. He had no one to
trust. General Lake was also marching toward the capital. He realised that in those
circumstances, it would prove fatal to continue fighting the war.
He changed his plans and swiftly left the battleground with his
remaining forces. He could not afford new defections as he had realised that the
British had resorted to unethical practices to break his might. Though Bhavani
Shankar Khatri had gained by acting treacherous, people did not forget his
treachery. In old Delhi, near Chandani Chowk, he had a mansion, which stands tall
till this date but its popular name is “Nimakharam ki Haveli” (Mansion of a
traitor).
Yashwantrao though felt sad about this treachery and the incomplete
mission, he was determined to achieve his goal. As soon as he left Delhi, he
entered the Doab region and ravaged regions controlled by the British. He reached
Ayodhya and met the Nawab, who was not ready to give up the protection
extended by the British. He was regularly sending letters to all princely states
appealing them to join his mission. But except Bharatpur ruler Ranjit Singh, no one
responded.
Yashwantrao now began his journey towards Bharatpur. He sent his
main army towards the fort of Deeg and he camped at Farrukhabad.
General Lake was busy in gathering information about Yashwantrao. As
soon as he learnt that Yashwantrao was moving towards Deeg and was camped at
Farrukhabad, General Lake worked out his strategy. He sent his one division
towards Deeg and he himself marched speedily towards Farrukhabad, where he
reached on 16th November.
Yashwantrao was very alert following Khatri’s defection. He had sent
most of the army under the command of Amir Khan because he wanted to test
Khan’s loyalty as well. Hence, he had stayed back at Farrukhabad with a small
army. In fact, a small-time Pindari, a free booter, Amir Khan had risen in ranks
only because of Yashwantrao’s gracious nature. He was made Nawab of Tonk. So
far, like Khatri, he was also loyal but as the British had started to break his trusted
people by offering them big fortunes, Yashwantrao had to test all his main
commanders.
Yashwantrao was busy in getting news from Deeg as well as from
General Lake, who was about 20 miles away, near Mainpuri.Hence, Yashwantrao
relaxed but this time General Lake made rapid moves and suddenly attacked his
camp by night of 17th November. Yashwantrao reacted quickly. Around 150 British
soldiers were killed in that battle. Yashwantrao managed to escape. He was being
chased by General Lake’s forces under Captain Thorn but it proved fatal to him as
3,000 of his cavalry fell in this vain attempt. General Lake had larger army than
Yashwantrao’s. General Wellesley pulled up General Lake after learning about the
brave escape of Yashwantrao.
The British forces under General Fraser laid siege on Deeg fort on 13th
November. Monson was still serving General Lake and had sworn to avenge his
defeat. The Holkar army gave a tough fight to the British forces. In the battle,
General Fraser and Captain Noford were killed, along with 700 gunners. Amir
Khan was the commander and was on the verge of winning but the Holkar army
abandoned the guns and returned to the fort due to Khan’s deliberate actions and
confusing commands.The British, especially Monson,were happy to see those
guns, which were captured by Yashwantrao from him in the Mukundara war.
The Deeg fort was still in the possession of the Holkars. Yashwantrao
reached Deeg from Farrukhabad while fighting with the chasing army of General
Lake at four places damaging his courage. At Deeg, the British knew that unless
they capture the fort, a decisive victory was impossible. General Lake summoned
special cannons used in breaking huge walls from Agra. The walls of Deeg fort
were 40 feet wide and impregnable. The guns arrived on 13th December and only
after that British started their efforts to capture the fort. However, they did not
succeed till 24th December. On the night of 24th, the British forces began to get
some success. They were surprised as there was no resistance posed by the Holkar
army. On 25th December, they entered the fort but found the fort empty to their
surprise. The Holkar army had given them a slip, as if to mock at them.
After suffering heavy losses and death of two commanders and 227
soldiers, the British could gain the guns they once owned.
General Lake naturally got frustrated and tried to find the exact location
of Yashwantrao. The Deeg episode was another setback to him. He captured the
fort Yashwantrao didnot own. So, it was not a loss for him. The only long-term
benefit they had, to some extent, they could influence Amir Khan. Had Amir Khan
not caused confusion at a crucial juncture, the British forces could have suffered a
defeat at Deeg!
 Yashwantrao had not forgotten Amir Khan’s treachery and the eluding
victory at Deeg. He could defect openly any moment, he thought. To avoid this
danger and to show everything was normal within his camp, he commanded Amir
Khan to move towards Bundelkhand so that the British too would be forced to send
some army to chase him, thus the British strength could be reduced. Amir Khan
had to accept orders from Yashwantrao, his master, and unwillingly left for
Bundelkhand.

The Great War of Bharatpur

The battle of Deeg did not yield any benefit to the British forces.
General Lake was apprehensive about a possible alliance between Jat ruler Ranjit
Singh and Yashwantrao. Feats of Yashwantrao possibly could attract other rulers,
he feared. Lake had no choice but to march towards the Bharatpur fort, which was
far more invincible. He left for Bharatpur on 28th December to encounter
Yashwantrao. He was weighing other options as well to break this alliance.
Brigadier-General Monson, Colonel Murray, Colonel Don, Colonel
Berne, Major General Jones, General Smith, Colonel Maitland, Setan and others
accompanied him.They reached Bharatpur on 2nd January 1805. The siege of
Bharatpur began on the very day and gunfire was started on 7th January.
Much to the chagrin of General Lake, the strong walls of the fort did not
crumble due to the constant gunfire. On 9thJanuary, he got some success as a
cannon ball breached a wall. General Lake had prepared his troops to enter the fort
as soon they got some way, but before his two troops could move, Holkar’s
soldiers rushed out and attacked the troops not allowing them to enter. They fled
and got killed by the Holkar’s troops. In this battle, Crosswell, Maitland and Setan
were slain, which dealt a big jolt to General Lake.
Though this was a warning signal to General Lake, he instead became
more adamant as this war could decide his fate. He continued the gunfire. The
Holkars responded by firing their cannons.
Yashwantrao was not stationed inside the fort.His camp was outside the
fort to make two fronts to fight. His rapid action troops could launch guerrilla
attacks on General Lake’s army. Troubled General Lake had to move his camp to a
safe place and arranged extra force for its safety. General Lake was now caught
between the fort and Yashwantrao’s camp.
The Bharatpur fort was surrounded by a water-filled moat. General
Lake made a plan to cross this trench using wooden planks and ladders and break
open the door, where there was little force. General Lake, under the command of
Lt. Colonel Macrae, arranged enough force to accomplish this task and surprised
the enemy. To divert Holkar’s attention from this side, General Lake started heavy
gunfire from the other side.
Lt. Col. Macrae started his efforts early in the morning. Unhindered, he
could place ladders and planks to make a small bridge over the trench. The Holkar
force did not resist as if they did not know what their enemy was attempting. They
had stored lot of water in the bund feeding water to the moat. As soon as Lt Col
Macrae and his force started crossing the moat, they released heavy water from the
bund. The overflowed moat washed away the bridge and the crossing soldiers.
Before the survivors could recover from this shock, heavy gunfire began suddenly
from the ramparts, taking a heavy toll on the British soldiers. This unexpected
attack made the British force to run helter-skelter. Including Lt Colonel Macrae,
nearly all the officers of the European detachments, were killed or wounded, along
with 560 soldiers.
General Lake still could not gauge Yashwantrao’s acumen in warfare.
The loss suffered during this misadventure of crossing the moat to enter the fort
was so heavy and demoralising that General Lake remained idle almost for a
month, from 21st January till 20th February! He had despatched some soldiers to
chase Amir Khan and to know his plans.Hence, he had to wait for reinforcement
and ammunition. The guerrilla attacks by Yashwantrao were worrying him. He
spent this month to reorganise his strategies and forces. He had realised that only
military power was not enough. Hence, he was trying to find political alternatives
as well. His representatives were in talks with Ranjit Singh. Yashwantrao was
waiting patiently for General Lake to make a move. However, he was not aware of
the General Lake’s political moves as he trusted Ranjit Singh’s unequivocal
support.
As soon as additional battalions and ammunition arrived, General Lake
started his fieldwork. He got tall scaffoldings erected to mount cannons so that
shells could cross the ramparts and destroy properties and enemy inside of the
walls.
On 2nd February, General Lake launched a strong attack on the
ramparts of the Bharatpur fort. Cannonballs, now, were crossing the ramparts and
causing heavy damage inside. He used maximum arsenal that day, which resulted
in the partial collapse of a wall. Under Captain Taylor, a buoyant battalion marched
ahead to enter the fort.
However, success was eluding this time too. Again, before the army
could reach the entry point, the Holkar army vehemently attacked the intruders.
The attack was so vicious that the initial courage of the British soldiers evaporated
and they started fleeing. From the ramparts, bullets were being fired at the fleeing
enemy. Around 900 British soldiers were killed while thousands were wounded.
This was a big setback to General Lake. His soldiers’ morale was at an all-time
low.
General Lake had to do something to boost their morale. Next day, he
gave them a lecture during the morning parade. The lecture by seasoned General
Lake was really encouraging and morale-boosting. He asked them to forget the
past episode and undertake the task of decisively defeating the enemy with a
renewed vigour. The soldiers readied themselves to give an equally brave fight
without lamenting over the defeat.
General Lake applied his whole might that day and made a severe
attack. But the Holkars too retaliated so gallantly that it has no parallel in the
military history. From the ramparts, guns, rockets were heavily fired. The soldiers
on the walls, too, threw down upon them pieces of timber, flaming packs of cotton
soaked in oil, solid shots, pots filled with gunpowder, and other explosives. The
deadly shower of fire and stones wiped out almost a half of the British army. This
battle lasted for just four-and-a-half hours, which flattened the spirit of General
Lake too!
The survivors fled from the battleground. Those who were wounded
were left behind unattended to die. The British soldiers never ever had confronted
such a deadly attack. The discipline of British forces was broken for the second
time by Yashwantrao. The Holkar army marched ahead and chased the fleeing
soldiers and massacred those who came across.
General Lake lost 3,292 soldiers and 103 European officers. Captain
Taylor, Colonel Don, Captain Grant were among the dead. This was another
humiliating defeat for General Lake. His failure to conquer the Bharatpur fort
shattered the myth of invincibility of the British arms and raised fears about the
revival of Maratha Confederacy against Wellesley’s aggressive policies in
India. The British Prime Minister was, therefore, constrained to retort that "the
Marquis had acted most imprudently and illegally, and that he could not remain in
the government". Thus, Wellesley was recalled. (J. L. Mehta, Advanced study in
the history of modern India – 1707-1813. P. 649) India long remembered how the
great warlord sustained repeated defeats at Bharatpur.
.
Treachery by Ranjit Singh

When a decisive defeat of the British forces was imminent, Ranjit Singh
committed a blunder by accepting the call for friendship from General Lake.
General Lake used other-than-military tactics to win the war. He used threats
against Ranjit Singh saying Yashwantrao could not protect him for a long time. If
he still backedYashwantrao, the British forces would destroy Bharatpur as soon as
Yashwantrao leaves the fort.To keep the Indian kings divided, the British declared
that they would distribute the territory of the Holkars amongst its Indian friends.
General Lake promised a bigger share of this to Ranjit Singh. This enticed Ranjit
Singh, who decided to join the British at a very crucial juncture.
Ranjit Singh told Yashwantrao that he wanted no more wars on his
land.Yashwantrao should leave the fort. This made Yashwantrao furious but he had
decided not to fight wars with other Indian rulers. So, he decided to leave
Bharatpur. The Indian kings were short-sighted and had lost all courage to stand
together to fight against their common enemy. They did not heed to Yashwantrao’s
appeals.Some showed interest but did not act accordingly. This fight became a one-
man mission.
Amir Khan entered Bundelkhand after ravaging Doab.Knowing Amir
Khan’s nature, Yashwantrao had permitted him to keep the money he had
recovered. This temptation stopped him from defecting immediately and he tried to
take this opportunity to his benefit. Because of this, General Lake had to part with
some of his divisions to chase Amir Khan.
Meanwhile Daulatrao Scindia also thought of joining Yashwantrao and
left for Bharatpur but delayed his plan due to interference by the British. Daulatrao
was not mentally ready to invite the British wrath, though initially Yashwantrao’s
valour had softened his stance towards him. Finally, on the banks of Chambal
Yashwantrao met with Scindia personally. Scindia had organised a grand Darbar to
show off his wealth. Scindia proposed a treaty of friendship with Yashwantrao,
which was rather meaningless as a war with the British was mentioned
nowhere.This treaty, though signed, remained on paper. The only benefit he could
get was that he could recover money from Chieftain Abaji Ingale to support his
mission.
The British inked a formal treaty with Ranjit Singh on 17th April 1805.
Raja Ranjit Singh died eight months later. According to this treaty, the British
handed over the Deeg fort back to him and guaranteed his protection. They also
accepted sovereignty of the Bharatpur state, though it proved temporary. Indian
kings never understood the treacherous policies of the British.
Yashwantrao’s fame spread across the world. The British officers who
fought in Waterloo, later admitted that the Bharatpur siege was more difficult than
Waterloo. Yashwantrao then came to be known as Napoleon of India. Lord
Wellesley was blamed for the debacle of Bharatpur and was called back. New
Governor Lord Cornwallis was appointed on 30th July 1805 with clear instructions
to make peace with the Holkars at any cost. But the new governor general’s
appointment was short-lived as he died on 5th October 1805 at Gazipur due to
illness. He was then replaced with George Barlow.
General Lake was unaware of Yashwantrao’s next moves. He was aware
that Yashwantrao was meeting with the nobles and kings appealing them to join
him and also sent similar letters to others across the country. This was worrying
General Lake. He had a task to design new strategies for every king and noble to
dissuade them from joining Yashwantrao. He was losing land and money to them
and threatening wherever needed. The British used same tactics with Scindia, made
a new truce and offered more territories to him.Though Scindia favoured freedom,
they stopped him from joining Yashwantrao.
Meanwhile, Bajirao Peshwa (II) wrote to the Governor General that
“Yashwantrao Holkar, unlike Scindia, acts on his own counsel. He is cruel by
nature and this devil needs to be destroyed.”
Those who should have supported Yashwantrao to preserve their own
freedom and dignity were asking a foreign power to destroy him.
Yashwantrao, however, received some good messages from Punjab.
Hence, he decided to meet with Sikh Chieftains in Punjab. When General
Lakecame to know that Yashwantrao was headed towards Lahore in response to
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s interest in joining his campaign against the British, he had
to act fast before both could meet.
While marching with a new hope towards Lahore, Raja Mansingh
joined him with his forces. This boosted Yashwantrao’s confidence. Kings of Jind
and Patiala also showed interest in Yashwantrao’s campaign.
General Lake, worried about these developments, started following
Yashwantrao but he did not dare stop Yashwantrao’s march. He had lost his
significant force in the campaign against Yashwantrao and now did not want to
lose anymore.
Instead, he sent an urgent message to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and
threatened him with dire consequences, if he joined Holkar. Maharaja called a
meeting of chieftains from his and nearby states. In the meeting, Fateh Singh
Ahluwalia and others suggested him not to join Yashwantrao. Meanwhile, General
Lake sent Bagh Singh, Maharaja’s uncle, who had tremendous influence over the
latter. General Lake could use this influence successfully. Finally, Maharaja
changed his mind and decided to remain neutral. By that time, British counsels
reached Lahore and signed a new treaty in favour of Maharaja and Fateh Singh on
17th December, 1805. In return, Maharaja and Fateh Singh promised the British
that they would not align with Holkar.
Yashwantrao got enraged when he came to know about this
development. Maharaja and other Sikh leadership dashed the last ray of hope.
Maan Singh too deserted Yashwantrao and left for his state. No other king was in
sight who could support the noble mission of Yashwantrao.
He met with Maharaja, tried his best to persuade him, but since
Maharaja had already sold his honour, he failed.
 He had to turn back from Lahore. While crossing a river, he had many
difficulties as the British had safeguarded all the important posts, from where river
could be crossed. The Sikhs were also not ready to provide him sailable boats to
cross the river. Without anybody’s help and giving a miss again to the British
forces, Yashwantrao crossed the river and vanished. Major Berne got very upset by
Yashwantrao’s mysterious river crossing under their watchful presence. He wrote
to his superiors that this was as shameful a setback to the British Army as was
Monson’s retreat!
The British knew that Yashwantrao Holkar had no allies, but they were
still afraid of him as he had fought all wars alone. Governor Barlow was pestering
General Lake to enter in a treaty with Yashwantrao on any terms but pacify him.
General Lake sent numerous messages to Yashwantrao camping on the banks of
Beas river.
Yashwantrao had his own problems as well. He was running short of
funds, artillery and ammunition. His own force was also reduced due to frequent
wars. He had to rebuild his own disciplined army to wage future wars with the
British. He was determined but needed some time to organise his side. He did not
expect any help in the future. He had lost all hopes.
He had neglected his own kingdom for quite some time and his
presence was needed there to streamline the state affairs. Amir Khan was now in
direct talks with the British as if he was an independent authority. Though the
British knew the actual position of Amir Khan, it was obvious that they would use
him to their benefit. Yashwantrao needed to resolve this issue of treachery as well.
Now, he was looking at the proposals of peace made by the British
positively. The peace treaty, the British signed with none else, could maintain his
honour and provide him time to make further arrangements, he thought!
A British delegation came to meet him to discuss clauses of the treaty.
th
On 24 December 1805, the British agreed to the terms suggested by Yashwantrao,
but General Lake had no authority to accept those terms since they were damaging
the British interests.
General Lake sent the draft treaty to Governor General Barlow for his
approval. Barlow accepted all the terms of the treaty without any hesitationas he
was very anxious to end the era of debacles.
According to this treaty, the Holkar’s state was sovereign. The British
would need prior permission to enter his state even if they just wanted to cross over
to reach the South. The right to recover Chauth from Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota and
Bundi would remain intact and unobstructed. The British would not interfere in his
conflict with Scindia. In turn, Yashwantrao Holkar would not wage war against the
British and would maintain friendly relations with them. Also, he would not
employ any British citizen in his service.
 The treaty was signed on 6th January 1806 at the camp near Beas river,
on Raipur Ghat, in a small ceremony.
However, Yashwantrao knew the British would not stick to the clauses
of the treaty. But would Yashwantrao be honest with the dishonest? He had his
future plans.
Following the treaty, Yashwantrao wrote to Bharmal Holkar, his trusted
aide looking after the day-to-day affairs of his state. The content showed the inner
grief of Yashwantrao. He wrote:
“…Those who should have supported us in the war against the
foreigners were busy in saving their skin. This is a sad time when the Hindu
religion has no saviour. Leaving my territory unattended, I rushed for lone wars
and amassed debts for nothing. I had to enter into the treaty unwillingly due to the
selfish natives…..”
On 15th February, he wrote to Vyankoji Bhonsale from the Doab of
Sutlej and Vyasganga rivers, which shows how saddened he was about the treaty
and the inactiveness of Bhonsale.
He wrote, “….The British occupied almost every territory of “Swaraj”.
Without caring for my own kingdom, for the past two-and-a-half years, I fought
constantly raising army spending crores of rupees. I forgot past sins of Daulatrao
Scindia and extended a hand of friendship to give a joint fight, but he failed me, I
reached till Lahore but the Sikhs too preferred slavery over freedom. The British
were following me all the time keeping a distance of 25-30 miles.From Patiala,
they tried to make peace with me. There was a time when unity was the symbol of
Swaraj and hence the Maratha confederacy could rule India. But now, everyone
acts against each other for petty benefits. I waited for you with your army too but
your promises remained on paper. Even if, as promised, you had marched towards
Bengal, why did you not understand what impact it could have made? Did this
mean that only I had to fight and incur losses when others were enjoying luxuries?
Looking at the actions of others, I had to accept the peace terms of the British
Governor…..”

Yashwantrao was welcomed in Malwa like a victorious king, but he was

not at all satisfied with the course of events. He was uneasy. Until he would fulfil
his dreams, he would not become happy. He got to work as soon he reached Indore.
He shifted his capital to Bhanpura (now in Mandsaur district). He was aware that
now he could not procure artillery from elsewhere. He opened a foundry to
manufacture them. He needed to raise trained army and cavalry, which could match
the British war strategies.
 He started recruiting soldiers in his army on a mass scale. He attempted
to raise his cavalry to one lakh horses. He divided his two battalions in regiments
and batteries. The new recruits were being trained in modern warfare rigorously.
He bade goodbye to Amir Khan by giving him Tonk with ancestral
rights.
Major Malcolm, who was present when the peace treaty was signed and
was specially appointed by General Lake to destroy Holkar, states:
“Yashwantrao himself would pour melted metal in dyes. He was
committed to his aim. Any person in his place, after going through constant wars, a
longest and perilous journey, would have spent some time to rest when days of the
peace had come. But Yashwantrao was a strange man who thought otherwise.”
Yashwantrao had the boldest ever plan in his mind.
He needed a massive trained army to attack the capital of East India
Company, Calcutta.
The task that was assigned to Bhonsale, who had disappointed
him.Yashwantrao was going to accomplish it on his own.
This was the only way to drive out the British from India.
But his life was filled with unexpected tragedies and disappointments.
Destiny had something else in store.

*
7

And the tempest calmed down!

On 15th February, Yashwantrao was on his way back home from the
North, he learnt that his nephew Khanderao died following a brief illness at
Shahupura. To get young Khanderao released from the custody of Daulatrao
Scindia, Yashwantrao had relentlessly pursued the matter with Scindia. Daulatrao
had kept on delaying the release till Yashwantrao appealed to him to launch a joint
front, along with the Bhonsales, against the British. However, the unity could not
materialise due to Scindia’s mischief.Finally, Scindia and Bhonsale were defeated
separately and were forced to become the vassals of the British. On learning the
news of Khanderao’s demise, Yashwantrao was saddened.
Yashwantrao Holkar was a sovereign King from 6th January 1799 when
he coroneted himself. The Peshwa had no right to command him as the head of
Maratha confederacy, which had become weak and meaningless. The British were
aware of Yashwantrao’s stature. Hence, they too had accepted his sovereignty.
After the truce, conspirators, including the Peshwa and Scindia, were attempting to
dethrone Yashwantrao. However, it was not possible till Yashwantrao could be
defeated. This was impossible. Therefore, they hatched another conspiracy.
When Yashwantrao was in Kota region, he learned that Abaji Ingle, a
courtier of Daulatrao was trying to install Kashirao (Yashwantrao’s elder brother)
as the ruler of Indore through a coupe.Yashwantrao shifted Kashirao to the Hinglaj
fort. Kashirao was under the influence of Scindia and still thought himself to be a
lawful heir of the Holkar state, which, in fact, was occupied by his ‘treacherous
mentor’Scindia. Yashwantrao later won it back from him. However, Yashwantrao
had not arrested Kashirao. In 1808, at Bijagadh, he too died because of a heart
ailment. (Some British sources state that Kashirao and his wife got killed in an
attack made by conspirators to put blame on Yashwantrao. However, if this was a
scheme, it certainly was outrageously stupid, because killing Kashirao could yield
no benefit to Yashwantrao. This was an attempt to defame Yashwantrao.)
In his prolonged absence, he had made proper arrangements to run his
state. Tulsabai Holkar and his daughter Bhimabai were looking after the
administration and safety of the state. The officers like Bharmal Holkar and
Harnath Holkar were assisting in administration.
Though the Holkar territories in the North were occupied by the British,
he regained some from Scindia’s possession. Yashwantrao started his efforts by
engaging Scindia in talks. He also had to get hold of his estates located in
Maharashtra, especially Khandesh. Taking advantage of Yashwantrao’s absence,
the Peshwa had illegally given possession of those estates to Sardar Vinchurkar.
Yashwantrao had to use his force to take their possession.
Simultaneously, he was busy in raising his army and manufacture long
and short-range cannons. The British were uncomfortable with this activity and
thought Yashwantrao would break the terms of truce. They started using their spy
network to gather intelligence about Yashwantrao, especially about his purpose of
raising the army and manufacturing cannons.
When they failed to know the purpose, an envoy from Kota, at the
behest of the British, directly asked Yashwantraothe objective behind the massive
production of guns.
Yashwantrao retorted, “I am doing this to recover debts in crores of
rupees from the Kota ruler.” This unexpected reply and explanation of
Yashwantrao sank the heart of this envoy.
Yashwantrao took a bold step during this period. Till then, all Indian
kings, including the British had to stamp the imperial seal on a side of the coin as
the Emperor of Delhi was considered the central power. Yashwantrao broke this
rule and minted the coins which had his legends on both the sides.This disturbed
the British because though the Emperor was under their control, they had also
accepted his authority. The British and Emperor Shah Alam (II) both pressurised
Yashwantrao to withdraw these coins. Other Indian rulers also protested this bold
move because it meant that Yashwantrao did not acknowledge the Emperor’s
sovereignty. However, Yashwantrao did not pay any heed to this pressure coming
from across the country.
In 1808, an expelled Subhedar of the Nizam named Mahipatram took
refuge in Yashwantrao’s court and sought his help to pressurise his master to
reinstate him. Though Yashwantrao did not help him, he provided him refuge,
which annoyed the British, as expected. To them, this was a breach of the treaty. In
August 1809, the Governor General sought a clarification, to which Yashwantrao
replied:
“Mahipatram sought refuge, which I granted to him. There are many
other landlords from other states who reside in my state trusting that they are safe
in my kingdom. This is not a right expectation that I should hand him over to the
British. This is not possible.”
This proves that Yashwantrao could not be influenced by the Governor
General. He maintained his sovereignty. His aim was to soon march towards
Calcutta to end the British interference in Indian states.
The task of manufacturing cannons was in progress. His chief director
of foundry was Shubhram, a famous Indian artificer. Their target was casting 200
cannons so that they could face the British forces effectively. Brass and other
metals were bought from various places at the prevailing rates to meet the need. As
described in the previous chapter, Yashwantrao himself poured molten metal in the
mould. He was reaching his target, but excessive strain started taking a toll on his
otherwise strong health from 1809, shortly after the marriage of his daughter
Bhimabai. Bhimabai was an adult when this marriage took place with Govindrao
Bule, which was a progressive and bold step taken by Yashwantrao against the
practice of child marriage of those times.
Over-exposure to fumes of molten metal started impacting his brain,
resulting in sudden strokes. Memoirs of Central India (Vol. 1), a book written by
Major John Malcolm, gives a few exaggerated details of last days of Yashwantrao.
He declared that Yashwantrao was suffering from strokes as he had lost mental
balance. He has also described how Yashwantrao was wreathing in pain. Malcolm
was stationed in Madhya Pradesh after the treaty of Mandsaur. Being a staunch
enemy of the Holkars, his writing was biased and was responsible for spreading
canards about Yashwantrao and his family. As most Indian historians have referred
to him extensively without checking facts, many myths are prevalent even today.
Malcolm accuses Yashwantrao for his extreme cruelty and calls him the
leader of Pindaris (robbers). He also accuses him of murder of Khanderao (II) and
Kashirao without substantiating his claims. He states, “After Holkar returned to
Bampoora, he commenced casting cannons and attempting changes and
improvements in his army, with ardour and violence, which decidedly indicated
insanity. It was first observed as his memory failed, and that he became more
impatient and outrageous in his temper every passing day.” (page- 246)
This statement alone proves Malcolm had lost his power of judgement.
Yashwantrao took ill in 1809. His efforts to restructure his army and cast cannons
were started quite early. His efforts of re-organising army did not indicate that he
had turned insane. However, if it was insanity, it was Yashwantrao’s ambition and
efforts to expel the world-super power, the British, from India!
Yashwantrao first suffered a stroke on 7th November 1809. He became
unconscious after his body stiffened. He lay for about four hours in this condition
and later regained consciousness. Yashwantrao’s health deteriorated after this
stroke making it difficult for him to attend his daily chores. He thought if he went
to Jejuri and offered prayers to his family deity Khandoba, he would recover soon.
But before he could leave, he suffered another stroke, which delayed his journey.
Muslim and Hindu physicians were treatingYashwantrao. When he felt better, he
asked to make arrangements for his travel to Jejuri. But Jejuri was under control of
the Peshwa, hence the British. Yashwantrao needed their formal permission, which
was impossible to get. Yashwantrao had decided to march towards Jejuri with his
strong force but his health did not permit that.
 But unknown to this development, Bajirao had decided to leave Pune, if
Yashwantrao visited Jejuri. He had this apprehension that the Jejuri visit was a
mere ploy by Yashwantrao. On 17 February 1811, terrified Peshwa wrote to
Chhatrapati of Satara that, “…I am not sure if Yashwantrao is visiting Jejuri to
offer prayers or is coming to take revenge against me. Looking at the bitter
relations with Holkar, it would be unwise for me to stay in Pune. I suggest that you
also shift temporarily your residence to Raigad. I would prefer to go to Vijaydurg,
till Yashwantrao travels back beyond Narmada. After his return, we both can return
to assume our duties.”
This means that the Peshwa and others were still afraid of Yashwantrao,
who, though occasionally suffered from strokes since 1809, was mentally strong
till the beginning of 1811. Malcolm’s efforts to prove him insane were incorrect.
Also, Malcolm has blamed Yashwantrao for Khanderao’s
death.Khanderao died on 3rd February 1806 when Yashwantrao was still on the
banks of Beas river and was negotiating with the British over the treaty. Also, there
was no material benefit to him by killing Khanderao as he was reduced to an
insignificant player. Kashirao’s death took place at Bijagadh in 1808. The actual
circumstances of his death have been discussed earlier. This underlines Malcolm’s
bias.
In fact, Yashwantrao suffered strokes and headachesince 1809. He had
gradual memory loss. He had fits for a temporary period. A brain tumour could be
a possible cause of his illness. He had a tedious lifestyle. He never had rest. He was
under pressure all the time. His personal engagement in casting cannons caused his
illness. But he had not become insane.
Yashwantrao was treated but his body was not responding. His only
craziness was to speed up arrangements so that he could march towards Calcutta.
But his dream would remain incomplete.
On 28th October 1811, he breathed his last at Bhanpura. A tempest
erupted against the foreign power, finally calmed.The march to Calcutta couldnot
take place.
This has been encapsulated in a poem written by Poet Chen Sandu of
those times:
“The mere protector of Hindustan is no more
The might of Hindus is now shattered
The Muslim Emperor had lost his power long before
And see, how the British are happy about the death of Yashwant!”


8

Aftermath...the flame of freedom could not be extinguished!

Yashwantrao had three wives. Ladabai was the first one who gave birth
to a daughter, Bhimabai. This might have been a child marriage as per the
prevailing custom of that time. Not much is available in the recorded history about
Ladabai. She, along with Bhimabai, was kept in custody by Daulatrao following
the murder of Malharrao (II). Later, Yashwantrao secured their release after the war
at Hadapsar.
His second wife Krishnabai alias Kesharbai gave birth to a son,
Malharrao (III). If Malcolm is to be believed (and there seems no reason not to),
she was from the Kumbhar (potter) community. It was against the social norms to
conduct inter-caste marriages. That way this marriage was a social revolution of
those times. Malharrao (III) was six years old when Yashwantrao died.
Tulsabai was his third wife. It was a love marriage. It was also an inter-
caste and inter-sect marriage. Though the date of this marriage is not known,
sources suggest that Tulsabai was already married before she met with
Yashwantrao. Her father’s name was Anyaba Mahanubhav. It is clear that he
belonged to the Mahanubhav sect. Yashwantrao most probably had come across
her when he was encamped at Jejuri, just before Hadapsar war, in 1802.
Yashwantrao fell in love with her. He had her divorced and then married with her.
This, again, was a bold and revolutionary step proving that Yashwantrao did not
follow the Vedic-dominated social laws.
Tulsabai was beautiful and brilliant in political affairs. She used to look
after the administration of the Holkar state in Yashwantrao’s absence. Though she
bore no child, she was affectionate towards her stepson Malharrao (III).
Bhimabai was married to Govindrao Bule. However, her husband died
young following an illness. Widowed Bhimabai came back to her paternal home
and took part in the Holkar state’s military administration.
Following the death of Yashwantrao, Malharrao (III) was coronated
having his step-mother Tulsabai as the regent. Since Malharrao was too young,
Tulsabai became the de facto ruler of the Holkar state. Her responsibility was to
keep the British at bay so that they would not take advantage of Yashwantrao’s
death.
It was a highly difficult task. The British were desperate to establish
their dominance over the Holkar state. Though a great warrior like Yashwantrao
was no more, he had left behind his strong army. They could not dare use military
power to subjugate the Holkars. They chose to apply their wicked tactics. But
Tulsabai mitigated their attempts diplomatically and kept her forces united. She
tactically did not antagonise any colleague of Yashwantrao, though some behaved
suspiciously.
Her authority was challenged within the first three months after
Yashwantrao’s death. Daulatrao Scindia was the author of this attempt. He hatched
a conspiracy, along with his relative, Jyotiba Mane, who was maliciously inserted
in the services of young Malharrao. Mane instigated a mutiny in three battalions
commanded by Jaggu Bapu. Under the pretext of demanding arrears, the battalions
marched on the roads of Bhanpura. The rebels demanded that Ladabai should
adopt the son of a courtier Anandrao Holkar, Mahipatrao, who would conduct the
affairs of the state. But this plot was exposed. The rebels were compelled to retreat.
Later, they were disarmed and plundered. Mahipatrao fled to Khandesh. Jyotiba
Mane followed suit. Tulsabai’s position became secure after this incident.
Gafoor Khan, the brother-in-law and representative of Amir Khan at the
Holkar court, acted smart. He declared that he was the sole protector of Malharrao
(III). However, Tulsabai reined him in. Gafoor Khan had befriended Tatya Jog, a
Holkar minister, who was a part of conspirators causing anarchy in the state.
Malcolm was the mastermind of this plan. After knowing Tatya Jog’s role in this
conspiracy, she decided to hang him. To escape her wrath, Tatya Jog fled to Kotah
with the help of Gafoor Khan, from where he tried to obtain support from
Daulatrao Scindia.
Tulsabai was mostly engaged in dealing and denying the proposals
coming from the British. She was anxious to revive the Maratha confederacy and
was writing to Bajirao (II) to fight against the British. She was ready to join him
with her army if he revolted against the British. This infuriated the British, who
created problems for her. When Bajirao’s agent came to meet Tulsabai, she decided
to travel to Deccan. However, Sir David Ochterlony applied pressure on Amir
Khan to persuade Tulsabai to not undertake her journey. Tulsabai was in no mood
to listen to the traitor. Her commanders were divided. Some of them raised the
issue of regular salaries. Hence Tulsabai had to delay her plan.
After many failed mutinies and conspiracies, Malcolm now played
another game. He granted Gafoor Khan the fiefdom of Jawra on 9th November
1817. He hatched a conspiracy to murder Tulsabai, Malharrao and the Holkar
family. First, Krishnabai was put to death by poisoning her. Gafoor Khan caused a
mutiny in the army. Taking advantage of the disturbed situation, he arrested
Tulsabai and Malharrao and headed towards Jawra. He thought that killing the king
and his regent within the boundaries of the Holkar state might cause further unrest
amongst the people. Meanwhile, Yashwantrao’s trusted aide, Dharma Kunvar,
learnt of the arrest and started chasing Gafoor Khan, along with hundred soldiers.
A battle ensued, in which Dharma Kunvar was destined to get defeated
against the well-equipped army of Gafoor Khan. Dharma Kunvar was captured and
beheaded. But Gafoor Khan had to change his plan as the news of the battle spread
across Malwa. Gafoor Khan put the blame on Dharma Kunvar saying he was one
who had conspired and arrested the Holkars.
On the other hand, the British were pressurising her to sign a new treaty
through John Malcolm. Tulsabai was not in favour of a treaty. The plan to
assassinate her and Malharrao also failed. Tulsabai became a major hurdle in
bringing the Holkar state under their command. They decided to bring in the
British forces in her state. Forces moved to Mahidpur and a final call of signing the
new treaty was given to her. But she was not ready to surrender the Holkar state’s
sovereignty, the legacy of Yashwantrao.
The conspirators got desperate. When Holkar forces were gathering to
fight against the British at Mahidpur on 19th December 1817, Gafoor Khan entered
her mansion with his troops. He captured her and brought to the banks of Shipra
river. She was beheaded and her body was thrown into the river. Her body was
never recovered. Hence there were no last rites. An able administrator of a state, a
brave woman, who had protected the kingdom from the evil eyes of the British and
selfish inner enemies for almost seven years, met a tragic end.
After assassinating Tulsabai, Gafoor Khan started off for Mahidpur the
same night and reached early morning to announce this to the British, the war was
a mere formality.

Battle of Mahidpur

The British forces at Mahidpur were led by Sir Thomas Hislop. The
Holkar army was led by 12-year-old Malharrao, assisted by Bhimabai, his step
sister. Both were unaware of their step-mother’s brutal murder. They were planning
the war strategy. Hislop sent a missive to Malharrao to surrender. However, the
young king replied, “We will show our valour on the battleground.” All the
chieftains decided to put a united front forgetting their past disagreements. Gafoor
Khan, too, joined the Holkar army pretending as if nothing had happened.
A war broke out and young Malharrao, mounted on an elephant was
moving on the battleground spiritedly encouraging his soldiers. Bhimabai (22) was
leading the cavalry. Harirao Holkar (20), the son of Vithhoji Holkar, was leading
from the front.
The battle was fought valiantly by the Holkar forces. The British forces
suffered heavy losses. Till afternoon, the victory seemed so close. At this crucial
juncture, Gafoor Khan, along with the forces under his command, deserted the
Holkars. This caused utter confusion. Taking advantage of the situation, Hislop
increased gunfire, used all his 67 cannons. The Holkar army started running helter-
skelter. Malharrao burst into tears. The British defeated the Holkar forces for the
first time, which ended the only sovereign state in India.
This battle spelled doom for the Maratha power. Bajirao II who was
trying to consolidate the Marathas, finally surrendered in June 1818. The British
abolished the position of Peshwa and the Marathas were restricted to the small
kingdom of Satara until its annexation to the Bombay state in 1848.
On 6th January 1818, at Mandsaur, Malharrao signed a peace treaty with
the British. Holkars accepted all the terms laid down by the British. At the
conclusion of this Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Holkars lost much of their
territory to the British and were incorporated into the British Raj as a princely state
of the Central India Agency.

But this had not brought down the curtain on the Maratha might.

Following the debacle at Mahidpur, Bhimabai sneaked away, along with

her Pindari squad, into forest areas. She was well aware about the repercussions of
losing the battle. Though the treaty was signed at Mandsaur, she had not accepted
it. Like her father, she decided to continue the fight for freedom.
Born on 17th September 1795, Bhimabai had to spend almost five years
of her childhood under house arrest by Scindia, along with her mother. Later, at
Maheshwar, she was educated by scholars. She had mastered skills such as lance
throwing and other weapons. Her father being a progressive ruler got her educated
when women in India were confined to household duties. Misfortune fell on her
when her husband died within two years after their marriage. Her father had given
her Petalwad’s fiefdom. After her husband’s death, she came back to Bhanpura and
engaged herself in administrative and military tasks.
Though Tulsabai was her step-mother, there was no jealousy or
competition of any kind. She was affectionate towards her step-brother, who had
now ascended to the throne. She was doing her duties as assigned by her elders.
She had joined the Mahidpur battle as a commander of cavalry. When
defeat was evident, she left the battleground with her remaining force of Pindaris
and decided to launch predatory attacks against the British. With here 2,500
soldiers, she started raiding the British camp in Rampura and the Dhar division.
She terrified the British so much that Malcolm himself decided to confront her. But
Bhimabai was an able warrior. Before Malcolm could start his campaign, she
raided his camp situated in Malwa. Malcolm had to flee for his life.
 Bhimabai, like her father, started writing letters to the Indian
principalities to unite and fight against the British. But the soul of India had
already been surrendered to the British. Her appeals went unheeded too. Still, she
continued her lone fight.
As her strength was the Pindari soldiers, the British undertook mission
against the Pindaries. Offered them rehabilitation and land or fiefdoms. The
Pindaries started taking advantage of the new situation. Many of them started
deserting Bhimabai.
Still John Malcolm was unable to attack or capture her as she was
always on the move.
Malcolm used his final weapon, find traitors to end her revolt. He got
one in Roshan Khan, a Pindari leader, the chief commander of Bhimabai. He
bribed him through his sources to let him know the whereabouts of Bhimabai.
In 1819, when Bhimabai had encamped near Dhar, Roshan Khan
informed Malcolm of her location. John Malcolm sent Major William Keir, who
was located at the nearest post. Keir caught Bhimabai unawares and asked her to
surrender. Bhimabai ordered her soldiers to open fire, but this time soldiers did not
wield their weapons. Instead, they left the place. Infuriated Bhimabail wielded her
lance to attack but knew it was futile.
After almost one-and-a-half years being a rebel for freedom, the first
woman freedom fighter of India was arrested by the British forces. She was
imprisoned at the Rampura fort. Nothing much is known about her after her arrest.
Her death is wrapped in much obscurity. Some say that she died on 28th November
1858 during the mutiny. However, no reliable source is available.
With her arrest, the torch of freedom lightened by Yashwantrao, her
father, extinguished completely till the freedom movement based on modern values
began in India in the late nineteenth century. The period of mutiny was not for the
country’s freedom but to preserve rights under the British. The seeds of slavery had
taken roots so deeply that the shame of being in slavery was completely absent
from the minds of Indian kings.
It is sad that the Indians forgot this first female woman freedom fighter,
who fought for the freedom of not only her state but also the entire nation.The
views of our historians have to be changed drastically. They should honour the real
heroes of the past.

Yashwantrao: an assessment
 Yashwantrao was a great patriot and the first freedom fighter of India.
When all Indian powers were buckling under pressure and surrendering to the
British power, he was the only man who waged war alone against the mighty and
resourceful British Empire. He achieved a series of victories against them under
the most trying circumstances. His attempts to unite Indian kings to launch a united
fight against the foreign power failed because Indian Kings had lost all vigour of
winning and felt contended in becoming mere vassals to enjoy the luxuries of life.
The future of India would have been too different, had his dream to unite all under
one flag been successful.
Yashwantrao became a legend in his lifetime. Many poets and bards
sung his victories across the nation. However, history had been too ungrateful
towards him. He died at a young age of 35. Hardships weakened his body but not
his spirit. Till he breathed his last, his dream of attacking Calcutta on his own to
achieve complete freedom was alive. It is very rare to find such a person in history,
who built his own kingdom from scratch, got coroneted and gave a lone fight to
throw the foreign yoke. He was the only visionary in India during those times who,
after the treaty of Bassein, could foresee the impending slavery and decided to
avoid it with all his might.
He realised the strength of the British lied in their disciplined army and
their modern weaponry. Unlike other principalities, who employed foreign
commanders to lead their armies, he wisely trained his equally efficient army and
brilliantly incorporated the Indian style of warfare so that his army became
powerful, swift in actions and movements. This vision made him successful against
the otherwise indomitable British army. His victory against Monson remains till
this day an enigma for the unimaginable war strategy deployed by no other warrior
in history of the world. His victory against General Lake in the Bharatpur war is
compared with the Waterloo war. There is hardly any Indian warrior who is being
academically studied in warfare.
Being born in the Dhangar (Shepherd) community, he was a staunch
devotee of Khandoba, his family deity. He believed in Hinduism. He trusted the
cohesive secular tradition of India. His army mostly comprised Muslim soldiers.
Amir Khan was his trusted commander-in-chief, to whom he would treat as his
younger brother. He had employed British and French soldiers too in his army. He
did not discriminate against soldiers on the basis of caste or religion. As days
passed, the nation became his only god. In a letter written to Bhonsale, he
proclaimed,
“First my land…my nation. We have to look beyond the boundaries of
religion, caste and political divisions. You all, like me, should unite against the
British forces.”
This proves that he was a great patriot.
 But his sentiments and efforts went in vain because of the selfish Indian
principalities. They did not respond to his call to put a united front.
Yashwantrao used to be often called a “dacoit, rebel” by his enemies,
especially the British. In fact, Yashwantrao never extorted common citizens during
his campaigns. When he had an opportunity and reason to loot Ujjain and Pune, he
told his Pindari freebooters that if they touched even a cowry of commoners, he
would sever their hands. His discipline was strict. When Amrutrao Peshwa did not
pay the agreed war expenses, even then he did not recover money forcibly. In fact,
he always faced financial crunch. Sometimes, he could not pay soldiers’ salaries on
time, which antagonised soldiers, who would pester him or even gherao him. There
were many instances in his life when he had to deal with patience and love. The
British would also get surprised when they would learn soldiers deserting
Yashwantrao while thousands new soldiers would join him too. To them, this was a
miracle.Yashwantrao had accumulated debts amounting to crores of rupees due to
the missions he undertook. However, he knew that unless he kept his soldiers
happy, his mission would fail.
The 1857 Mutiny was not out of nationalistic sentiments. It began to
safeguard interests of individual states. A nationalistic revolt was started only by
Yashwantrao Holkar in the early nineteenth century. The county owes him a lot for
that.
His personality was pleasant. His discipline was strict. He loved his
people and punished traitors heavily. After the Hadapsar war, he never wielded
weapons against fellow Indians but the British forces. His staunch enemy John
Malcolm says this about Yashwantrao:
“Jeswunt Row Holkar was of middling stature, and of very strong active
make; his complexion was dark and his countenance had suffered much in
appearance from the loss of an eye; but its expression nevertheless agreeable, from
the animation given by very high spirits, which he had constitutionally, and which
not attended him through danger and misfortune, but struggled for a period with
the dreadful malady that terminated his life. This chief had been well educated; he
understood Persian though he could neither read or write it; but in his own
language, the Mahratta, he wrote with great correctness; and he was a quick and
able accountant. In horsemanship, and in all manly exercises, particularly the
management of the spear, few excelled Jeswunt Row; and his courage was equal to
his skill. Of this he gave proofs on every occasion. At Poona, he led the charge on
Scindia’s guns, and being wounded and pulled from the horse by an artillery
soldier of great strength, he wrestled with his enemy on foot, till one of his
attendants came to his aid, and, after slaying his antagonist, remounted him. He
gloried in such exploits, and, indeed, in all feats which displayed personal
prowess. What has been said comprises all the qualities he possessed are entitled
to praise: they were such as were to be expected from his frame of body and early
habits of life.” (Memoirs of Central India, John Malcolm, page- 254)
He was the man of energy. Besides a great warrior, he was a social
revolutionary. During those times inter-caste marriages were strictly prohibited and
was a taboo. Still, Yashwantrao broke social norms and married Kesharbai and
Tulsabai who were from outside his caste. He educated and trained his daughter
Bhimabai, which was impossible during those days. Hence, Bhimabai could
continue the rebellion started by her father. He also trained Tulsabai in
administrative tasks, who could ably conduct state of affairs of the Holkar state.
When the British could not win over her, they murdered her by bribing traitor
Gafoor Khan.
He was a forgiving man when it came to nationalistic sentiments.
Though Bhonsale and Scindia had acted treacherously against him, he forgave
them and asked to have a united fight against the British. He also forgave Bajirao
(II) and showed readiness to fight under him, though Yashwantrao was a sovereign
king.
But his qualities went unheeded. Neither the people of his time could
understand him nor does the present generation know anything about him.
Though Yashwantrao was a great lance master, he was fascinated by the
modern weaponry. He loved guns and often used them in wars. He had to lose his
one eye because a matchlock gun had backfired, still his zeal remained very strong.
Attempts to defame Yashwantrao were not only initiated by British
writers of those times but also by the Marathas. When Yashwantrao started his
campaign against Scindia and the Peshwa to regain lost Holkar territories, they
started maligning his image. They declared him an illegitimate child of Tukoji
Holkar when in reality Tukoji Holkar had married Yashwantrao’s mother after
performing all religious rites. The defamation was to restrict Yashwantrao in his
actions.
The Peshwa never wanted to accept the Malharrao’s (II) claim on the
Holkar throne in place of Kashirao. Though Kashirao was elder, and due to the
established tradition, he had the right to ascend the throne, his mistake was he went
under the wings of crooked, ambitious Daulatrao Scindia, a man who could wage
war against his own stepmothers! Malharrao (II) was an able man. Yashwantrao
duly thought so, along with the people of the Holkar state. It was in a way an
internal power struggle, in which the Peshwa or any outsider had no say. But the
Peshwa and Daulatrao were eying the wealth of Holkar state. They sided with
Kashirao, who acted on their counsel, unknown to dirty politics. The result was the
murder of Malharrao (II). They should not have defamed Yashwantrao’s legitimacy
when he revolted and won back his ancestral kingdom from the selfish jaws of the
Peshwa and Scindia. But they did it and tried to tarnish the character of
Yashwantrao in the eyes of the people.
Yashwantrao got only 14 years to prove what a lone man could do when
he was determined, when he had abilities of a great warrior and commander. In his
early career, he had to free his state, his wife and daughter from the Scindia’s
custody. He was the first coroneted king liberating himself from the politically
disintegrated and vicious Maratha confederacy so boldly. Later, he concentrated on
only one goal that India should be liberated and gave relentless but victorious fight.
He shattered the image that the British are indomitable. He forced the British to
change their policies towards India. He was the only king, with whom the British
signed a peace treaty recognising his sovereign state. He went through many
disappointments and life-threatening incidents, still he could maintain his poise and
did not lose sight of his goal.
Historian James Wheeler says,
"The life of Yashwantrao Holkar was one of unceasing struggle and peril,
endured with the abounding high spirits for which he was renowned. He
experienced the murder of a brother by Scindia and the public execution of another
by the Peshwa. He took lightly even the loss of an eye by the bursting of a
matchlock; jesting at the belief that a one-eyed man is wicked, he exclaimed that
he had been bad enough before but would now surely be the guru or high priest of
roguery. He was generous as well as witty, and his wildness was pardoned as part
of the eccentricity of genius. He was of superior education as well as superior
mental abilities, a skilled accountant and literate in Persian as well as Marathi.
"No member of his race ever possessed the gift of guerrilla warfare in such
higher measures as did Yashwant Rao Holkar. His resources were always slight,
but his energy and hopefulness boundless. When for the war that now followed, he
announced to his troopers that they must gather their own rewards and these
conditions were accepted with enthusiasm. His reputation was such that, even
when himself a fugitive from Scindia`s army, he had been continually strengthened
by desertions from his pursuer. His personal courage was of the kind which
soldiers most esteem, that of such leaders as Ney and Lannes, and he never lost his
personal ascendancy until he lost his reason. "
Thus, a glorious chapter in India’s history ended. This sterling saga
needs to be made known to the generations to come so that they draw inspiration
from Yashwantrao’s life. He loved his motherland and did all possible things to
retain her sovereignty. He suffered heavy financial losses. His personal life was full
of tragedies. But he fought like a brave soldier. He was a visionary, who knew
what was best for his countrymen. However, his mere valour was not enough. The
British played Machiavellian politics; their policy of divide and rule succeeded.
Unfortunately, Yashwantrao’s contemporary Indian rulers did not realise this. Even
though some of them realised this, they preferred their self-interest over the larger
good.
Yashwantrao Holkar, after Shivaji, was the only visionary and great
warrior who could understand the demand of their times and acted on it. Had
Yashwantrao or Shivaji got more years to pursue their goals, history of India would
have been different. But alas…this was not to happen!
There is hardly any chance to discuss ifs and buts in history. What we
can do today is to study lives of great heroes and follow their patriotic principles.
Yashwantrao was an unsung hero for many reasons of his times, including the
casteist social structure, but one thing must be remembered that he surpassed all
the heroes of mediaeval India.


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