The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c10.245

c10.245

Owing to the dissensions between the sons of Aurangzíb the Mughal power in the Dakhan rapidly declined. In A.D. 1716 Dáud Khán, governor of the Dakhan, revolted against the Saiads, who then ruled at Delhi in the name of the emperor Farukshir; he was, however, defeated and slain in a battle in Khándesh by Hussain Ali, Saiad. Hussain Ali then sent troops to open the communication between Burhánpur and Surat, which was stopped by Khanderáo Dábháde, a Marátha leader, but they were surrounded and cut to pieces by that chief. A larger force was then sent, and a battle was fought near Ahmadnagar; the result was indecisive, but the advantage remained with the Maráthás. At last after tedious negotiations, through the able management of Báláji Vishvanáth the Peshwa, the Maráthás obtained in A.D. 1720 the grant of the chauth and sardeshmukhi of the six divisions of the Dakhan including Ahmadnagar and Khándesh. Shortly after this, the withdrawal of imperial power from the Dakhan was completed by the revolt of Nizám-ul-Mulk, governor of Málwa. He crossed the Narbada in A.D. 1720; Ásirgad and Burhánpur were surrendered to him, and the whole of Khándesh acknowledged his authority. He then defeated one imperial army at Burhánpur and another at Bálápur in Berar; and from that time was practically independent. Ahmadnagar and the Gangthari were subject to him as well as Khándesh.