Thread by @TheIndMuslim

#MarathaMughalWar #Aurangzeb

One of the most cherished Maratha general during the reign of Aurangzeb was Santaji Ghorpade. Nevertheless, he suffered devastating defeats against the Mughal forces.

🧵— Significant defeats suffered by Santaji Ghorpade against Aurangzeb Alamgir.

1) First Battle of Khatau. (6 July, 1690) — Santaji Ghorpare with 10,000 cavalry & numberless infantry was defeated by Lutfullah Khan after which he fled to Wardhangarh. 500 Marathas are killed; 300 mares, 400 spears, 200 muskets belonging to Marathas are taken by Mughals.

2) Second Battle of Khatau. (7 July, 1690) — 5,000 Mughals defeated more than 30,000 Marathas led by Santaji Ghorpare. 1000 Marathas are killed beside many wounded. This battle is very important as it made Santaji along with Dhanaji to hide for 6 months in fear of Mughals.

3) Battle of Vikramhalli. (14 Nov, 1693) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated by Mughal forces mainly led by Himmat Khan, Hamiduddin Khan, Khwaja Khan; along with his Berad allies. 300 Marathas, 200 Berads were slain; 200 mares were taken by Mughals along with kettledrums & flags.

4) Battle of Malkhed (21 Nov, 1693) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated by Himmat Khan & Sayyid Abdullah and driven into small fort of Alur.

5) Battle of Mahkur (March, 1694) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated Matlab Khan & driven into Mahadev hills where he laid inactive for months.

6) Battle of Panur (30 Nov, 1694) — Himmat Khan defeated Santaji Ghorpare killing his 2 captains.

7) Battle of Naldurg (7 Dec, 1694) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated by Himmat Khan.

8) Battle of Raichur (Dec, 1694) — Himmat Khan defeats and drives Santaji Ghorpare.

9) Battle near Chandan-Wandan (September, 1695) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated by Mughal forces led by Hamiduddin Khan and Fatahullah Khan.

10) Battle at Imperial camp (undated) — 2,000 Muslims and Rajputs under Mughal banners defeated more than 20,000 Marathas led by Santaji.

11) Battle of Basvapatan (26 Feb, 1696) — Hamiduddin Khan defeated Santaji Ghorpare.

12) Siege of Basvapatan fort (1696) — Hamiduddin Khan defeats Santaji Ghorpare & foiled his plan to take fort.

13) Battle of Arni (April, 1696) — Santaji Ghorpare is defeated by Zulfiqar Khan.

Jadunath Sarkar has wrongly translated Mutakhabu-L-Lubab of Khafi to falsely portray that Mughal generals feared Santaji Ghorpare. Below is correct translation of the text 👇.

Finally, on June, 1697; Santaji went to hell & his cut head was paraded in Imperial Deccan province.

After Santaji Ghorpare's death, in 1701; Santaji's son (Ranuji) and brother (Baharji) both of them offered to join Imperial service, but they were rejected.

References used ;
— History of Aurangzeb, Vol 5, by Jadunath Sarkar.
— Aurangzeb and his times, by Zahiruddin Farukhi.