Later Mughals v2.c15.s15: Sec. 83.—Muhammad Khan in Malwa: Second Year's Campaigns.
Later Mughals v2.c15.s15
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Sec. 83.—Muhammad Khan in Malwa: Second Year's Campaigns.
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About the commencement of his second year in Malwa (October 1731) Muhammad Khan opened a campaign to the north of Sironj. Several forts were reduced and finally Shahabad,† the residence of Rajah Chhattar Singh Narwari, was invested. Terms had nearly been agreed on with him when news came of a fresh invasion by Baji Rao. The Rajah absconded; and the governor had no alternative but to return to Sironj and face the new danger. [Id. 320.]
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∗ Kauth, 19 m. s. of Sarangpur. (Ind. At. 53 N. W.) † Shahabad, 55 m. s. w. of Narwar and 84 m. n. w. of Sironj.
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As affairs had been arranged in Gujarat, there was no danger to the Mahrattas from that direction, they turned with their full force upon Malwa. It was reckoned that they had now one hundred thousand horse in the province. Fath Singh and others were posted with thirty thousand horse at Khimlasa, 42 miles east of Sironj; Chimnaji (Baji Rao's brother) Malhar and others with an equal number were in Umatwara,* between the Kali Sind and Parbati rivers; twelve thousand were still south of the Narmada; another twelve thousand were coming up by way of Sagar. Directly the Mahrattas were announced the zamindars flocked to them to pay the khandani or blackmail that they habitually levied. Having thus secured themselves these Rajahs went home and stirred not hand or foot to aid the Muhammadans. Muhammad Khan's attempt to open negotiations direct with Rajah Sahu at Puna was unfruitful. He was referred to Baji Rao, Pandit Pardhan, "who was his sole and only adviser in all matters". [Id. 321.]
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On reaching Sironj Muhammad Khan's first impulse was to deliver an immediate attack on the enemy at Khimlasa. But before starting he learnt that Malhar with fifty thousand men was already within fifteen or sixteen miles of Sironj. Other twenty thousand men were scattered about to the south and west. It was obvious that if Muhammad Khan moved to Khimlasa it would take him at least fifteen days to defeat and pursue the enemy. While he was absent Sironj Bhilsa and other towns would be plundered. In fact the game was up and he was checkmated. He sent for the Mahratta leaders, gave them presents and entered into agreements with them. The Mahrattas then evacuated the province for the time being. [Id. 322.]
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The rainy season of 1732 was passed at Sironj, this leisure season being employed in repeated applications to Dihli for help. Muhammad Khan's resources were exhausted, his jagirs were in the hands of the Bundelas. If his reports were thought long-winded and exaggerated, let them send someone else who can abbreviate their lengthiness. He would willingly serve under the new man. If things went on much longer as they were, the Mahrattas would overrun Hindustan; why not resist their encroachments now. Had not Shaikh Sadi written "You may stop with a needle the source of a stream which when full you cannot ford upon an elephant?" [Id. 323.]
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∗ Umatwara.—The only place with a name approaching this word in the position indicated is Antah, 28 m. due east of Kota (Ind. Atlas, 51 S. W.) [J. S.]
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No help came. The local chiefs were told that a new governor was about to be appointed. Nizam-ul-mulk, although appealed to, made no sign. The only answer from Court was an upbraiding letter from Samsam-ud-daulah. Soon a rescript in the Emperor's own handwriting reached Muhammad Khan informing him that Rajah Jai Singh Sawai had been appointed his successor. He was directed to report himself at Agra, to which place the Emperor said he intended to proceed. Muhammad Khan after making over the town to his successor's officers left the province and reached Agra on the 16th December 1732. [Id.]
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Apart from difficulties about money and the general non-success of his arms, three causes appear to have led to Muhammad Khan's disgrace; first, the complaints of the jagir-holders in Malwa, persons who were influential in the palace; secondly, the attack on Chhattar Singh of Narwar, who was the protégé of the eunuch Hafiz Khidmatgar Khan and others; thirdly, the friendship which had sprung up between the governor and Nizam-ul-mulk. Perhaps the last of these was the greatest offence, for at that time Nizam-ul-mulk's acts were most jealously watched by the clique in power at Dihli. The subsequent rapid advance of the Mahrattas shows that they were already too strong for resistance by one provincial governor, and it is clear that with inferior means Muhammad Khan did as much if not more than all the forces of the Empire led by the Wazir and the Amir-ul-umara were able to accomplish. [Id. 324, Rustam Ali 261a].
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Jai Singh's rule in Malwa was both short and inglorious. In 1148 H. (1735-6) after two years' struggle the Mahrattas expelled him from the province, and at once advanced to Gwaliyar and beyond it. No effecutal resistance was made, and Samsamud-daulah, the directing spirit at Dihli, and his bosom-friend Jai Singh thought it the highest wisdom to propitiate the invader.* On the 16th July 1736 a meeting took place at Dholpur. Accompanied by Ranuji Sindhia, Malhar Holkar, Jaswant Rao Puar and others, Baji Rao visited Rajah Jai Singh. An agreement under seal was executed by which the Mahrattas bound themselves not to pillage the imperial territories in the future. In exchange Baji Rao received the appointment of deputy governor of Malwa from Rajah Jai Singh. Appearances were thus saved; but no good result followed. As we shall soon see the Mahrattas in no way refrained from their depredations. Compromise they ever treated as a sign of weakness, and concession as an incentive to fresh demands. [J. A. S. B. 327.]
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∗ Malwa was thus divided: "Sindhia Holkar and Jaswant Rao Puar settled that they should divide the territory which had fallen to their king, maintain forces and work in concert. 31 per cent. of the income was to go to the Government [of Rajah Sahu], 30 p. c. to each of Sindhia and Holkar, and 9 p. c. to Puar. This was approved by Baji Rao. The rates were subsequently modified and finally the respective proportions were as follows,—45 p. c. to the king, 22½ p. c. to Sindhia and Holkar each, and 10 p. c. to Puar." (Sardesai, ii. 375-376). [J. S.]