The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.103

v4.c20.103

At the end of the seventeenth century began the Marāthā penetration which finally ended in the loss of this province to the empire a generation later. The first Marāthā raid was in November, 1699, under Krishna Sāvant, who plundered the environs of Dhāmoni. In January, 1703, the Marāthās crossed the Narbadā again and disturbed the country up to Ujjain. In October that year Nimā Sindia burst into Berār, defeated and captured Sharza Khān (the deputy-governor of that province) and then advanced across the Narbadā into Mālwā at the invitation of Chhatra Sāl Bundelā. He was defeated near Sironj and expelled by Firūz Jang (November), and again surprised and routed in the jungle of Dhāmoni in February next. This Marāthā invasion had totally stopped communication and trade between northern and southern India for three months, by holding up the official letters and trade caravans on the bank of the Narbadā. Prince Bīdār Bakht governed this province (1704–6) with great ability and vigour, with the loyal support of Sawāī Jay Singh, the young Rājā of Jaipur. But the local disturbers of peace in Mālwā in the closing years of the reign were too many to be counted; "Marāthās, Bundelās, and Afghāns out of employment are creating disturbances.... The province of Khāndesh has been totally desolated.... Mālwā too is ruined."