| Raghoji's Southern Campaign | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Later Mughal-Maratha Wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Carnatic Sultanate Hyderabad State French | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Raghoji Fateh Singh Murari Rao Balaji Baji Rao Sadashivrao Bhau Shamsher Bahadur I (WIA)Jankoji Rao Scindia |
Dost Ali Khan † Hussain Ali Khan † Mir Asad (POW) Chanda Sahib (POW)Bara Sahib † Raza sahib (POW) Nizam-ul-Mulk Nasir Jung Bussy Salabat Jung Janoji Nimbalkar | ||||||
Nizam-ul-Mulk established his authority in Karnataka, while Chanda Saheb rose to prominence. Shahu appointed Raghuji Bhonsle and Fateh Singh to collect tribute from Karnataka and protect the Tanjore region against Chanda Saheb. Raghuji and Fateh Singh advanced on Arcot, where Dost Ali Khan fell fighting the Marathas. His son, Safdar Ali, sought refuge in Vellore, and the valuables of the Nawab were sent to Pondicherry.[1][2][3]
Raghuji and Safdar Ali formed a secret pact. Raghuji besieged Trichinopoly, leading to the fall of Chanda Saheb's brother, Bara Saheb, who was killed in combat. Trichinopoly surrendered to Raghuji, and Chanda Saheb along with his son, Abid Ali, was taken prisoner to Harsapur. This conquest established Raghuji's prominence. Kurar Rao Chorpade was appointed to oversee Trichinopoly. However, conflicts between the Peshwa and Raghuji allowed the Nizam to recapture Trichinopoly. Chanda Saheb was transferred to Satara, while Raghuji and Babuji Naik returned to Karnataka. Muzaffar Jang and Anvaruddin defeated Babuji Naik near Basawapattam, and Sadashivrao Bhau succeeded in Karnataka.[1][2][3]
Nizam-ul-Hulk's death allowed Chanda Saheb to escape from Satara and attempt to reclaim Trichinopoly, but he failed. Raghuji, who had strong relations with the French, reached the gates of Pondicherry, where French Governor Dumas refused to pay tribute. Raghuji concluded an agreement with the French and returned to the Maratha capital.[1][2][3]
The conflict between the Marathas and the Nizam continued, culminating in the Maratha-NizaM war of 1751-52. Raghuji's initial successes, including defeating Nasir Jung and ravaging Nizam’s territory, were followed by a treaty at Singwa, which restored the fort of Trimbak to the Nizam.[1][2][3]
Raghuji's southern campaigns had a mixed impact: while they enhanced Maratha prestige and secured religious freedom for Hindus in Karnataka, they were financially burdensome for Raghuji. French commerce suffered, English trade was affected, and the region experienced significant ravaging and plundering. From 1750 to 1760, the involvement of French and English powers increased their influence in India, leading to a web of intrigues in the Court of Satara.[1][2][3]