Thread by @HindutvaItihas

1.
#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

2.
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.

3.
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.' 🔥

4.
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.

5.
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.

6.
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.

7.
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.

8.
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

9.
& 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.

10.
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.

11.
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.

12.
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!

13.
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.

14.
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.

15.
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.

16.
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.

18.
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.

19.
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.

20.
The thread-series on 27 Year War continued 👇

https://twitter.com/HindutvaItihas/status/1405513108286803971

@rattibha