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#Thread on Chhatrapati Rajaram, during whose reign the Mughal War Machine was pushed to its limits, but began to break-down in Deccan!
This thread forms the 3rd part of the thread-series on 27 Year War which saved Hinduism.
#Hindutva #Marathas #Mughals #History
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1670, Feb 24: Rajaram born to Shivaji Maharaj as younger son.
1689: Towards end of Sambhaji's reign, Mughals capture forts in Nashik region by treachery. 9 Feb, Rajaram was coronated Chhatrapati at Raigad.
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25 Mar- Mughals besiege Raigad, which had Ch Rajaram & Maratha royals. Chhatrapati Sambhaji's widowed queen imparts sage advice to encourage the demoralised Marathas:-
'Marathas should attack Mughal territories as usual & show Aurangzeb that setbacks mean nothing for us.' 🔥
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Ch Rajaram moved from Raigad - Pratapgad - Panhala. While at Pratapgad, Santaji Ghorpade & Vithoji Chavan instilled terr0r in Aurangzeb's heart by attacking his camp at Koregaon.
Marathas win battles against Mughals at Raigad & Panhala.
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Nov 3, Raigad was captured by treachery. Yesubai & 8-year-old Shahu fell captive in Mughal hands.
Meanwhile, in Jun-Oct, Rajaram escaped from Panhala towards Jinji. Keladi Chennamma gave refuge to him. Santaji Ghorpade & Chennamma defeated the Mughals who pursued Rajaram.
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While at Keladi, the Hindu Nayakas of Karnataka helped Rajaram with manpower & money to fight Mughals.
The Karnataki musketeers proved to be the doom of Mughals in several later battles, and have earned praise for their performance.
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1690: Yachapa Nayak, former Qutbshahi feudatory at Kadapa, allied Marathas & cleared the Koonimedu-Madras coast of Mughal garrisons. Ramchandra Amatya & Shankaraji Sachiv recapture Pratapgad, Rohida, Rajgad & Torna forts. Santaji & Dhanaji defeat Mughals twice at Satara.
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1691: Mughals raise siege of Jinji due to constant harassment by Santaji & Dhanaji.
1692: Marathas recapture Panhala which was in Mughal control since Dec '89.
1693: Fresh deployment of 30k+ cavalry under Santaji & Dhanaji arrive at Jinji. Due to big successes at Kanchipuram
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& Jinji, Mughals were demoralised & raised the siege of Jinji. In Oct, Ramchandra Amatya, Dhanaji Jadhav, Shankaraji Sachiv engaged the Mughal besiegers at Panhala, with heavy losses of the besiegers. The siege-works destroyed & it practically ended the Mughal siege.
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1694: This was the year when Marathas got a glimpse of the *utter exhaustion* of Mughals due to the prolonged war. Mughal War Machine was showing signs of break-down!
Mughals besieged Jinji, but not with earlier ferocity. Marathas recapture Satara district from Mughals.
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1695: At Dasra, Marathas arranged a conference at Vishalgad to plan organised offensive. Santaji tasked to patrol Tungabhadra, overcome Qasim Khan & relieve Mughal pressure on Jinji. Dhanaji tasked to patrol Vijayapura & assist Santaji in case of danger.
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Aurangzeb sent Himmat Khan to pincer Santaji between Himmat & Qasim. Dhanaji pursued Himmat. Aurangzeb sent Khanazad Khan to meet Qasim Khan before Santaji’s attack. Nov- Battle near Dodderi. Santaji Ghorpade vs (Khanazad + Qasim).
Marathas win big!
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Mughals fled to Doderi post nearby. Qasim Khan died 20/11/1695. Khanazad Khan surrendered shortly after, was let go by payment of ransom 20L cash + 30L material. Mughals capture Nargund fort. Dec- Dhanaji Jadhav arrives to relieve Vellore siege by Zulfiqar Khan.
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1696: At Battle of Basavapatna, Santaji defeated & k1lled the first-rate Mughal general Himmat Khan, & his son. Later that yr, Santaji marched towards Kadapa to intercept Mughal treasure sent to Zulfiqar at Arcot. After forcing Zulfiqar out of TN,Santaji returned nr Tumakuru.
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1697: Mughals re-siege Jinji in Nov, but Rajaram escaped to Vishalgad in the next month via Jinji-Vellore-Gurramkonda-Vishalgad.
1698-1700: Rajaram reached Vishalgad & made Satara the new capital. Ch Rajaram toured Maratha posts in Konkan to boost morale of soldiers.
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Orders to renew attacks on Mughal territories were given. Nemaji Shinde defeated Mughals at Thalner, Marathas under Krishnaji Sawant crossed Narmada for the 1st time & attacked Dhamuni. Marathas defeat Mughals at Satara & Kararabad-Masur area.
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Rajaram remarked in a 1699-letter:
'The enemy has lost courage...We now take no account of this powerful Emperor whom, God willing, we shall soon put to rout!' 🔥
This indicates the upbeat spirit of Marathas even after *2 decades* of war.
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However, the task of routing Aurangzeb was not destined for this younger son of Shivaji Maharaj. Chhatrapati Rajaram passed away at Sinhgad due to fever on 2nd March 1700.
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The thread-series on 27 Year War continued 👇
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