Siege of Barabati (1745)
| Siege of Barabati | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Fourth Maratha invasion of Bengal | |||||||||
Gate of the Barabati fort in Cuttack | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Bengal Subah | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Durlabh Ram[b] (POW) Mir Abdul Aziz |
Raghuji I Mir Habib | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 400 garrison[5] |
14,000–24,000 cavalry 25,000 infantry 300 guns[6] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
Siege of Barabati Location within Odisha Siege of Barabati Siege of Barabati (India) | |||||||||
The Siege of Barabati (1745) was a significant military engagement during the Maratha invasions of Bengal. In February 1745, Raghuji Bhonsle instigated by Mustafa Khan advanced toward Orissa, catching Durlabh Ram, the Na’ib Nazim. Unaware of the approaching enemy, Durlabh Ram fled to Barabati Fort, which was swiftly surrounded by Raghuji's troops. Durlabh Ram's ill-advised visit to Raghuji's camp led to his capture, and he was held hostage. Despite his capture and imprisonment, his lieutenant Mir Abdul Aziz resisted the Marathas for a month until his surrender. Thus Raghuji’s Bargi forces swept over the territories of Medinipur, Burdwan, and Birbhum before advancing to Bihar, where they allied with Afghans rebels.
Background
In February 1745, Mustafa Khan bolted from Murshidabad in full rebellion against Alivardi Khan and sent a letter to Raghuji of Nagpur, revealing his plan to invade Bihar. He urged Raghuji to join him in taking down Alivardi with a Maratha raid. Raghuji acted upon the proposal.[7] After Mustafa Khan’s rebellion, his nephew, Deputy Governor (Naib Nazim) of Orissa Abdul Rasul Khan, joined him. Thus Durlabh Ram, son of Raja Jankiram, had been appointed Naib Nazim of Orissa.[8]
Siege
In March, Raghuji immediately led an army of 14,000–24,000 cavalry, 25,000 infantry and 300 guns to Orissa.[6] Durlabh Ram was a feeble-minded, overly superstitious individual heavily influenced by Hindu religious figures.[9] According to Ghulam Husain, Durlabh Ram was duped by a number of Hindu sanaysis who were spies of Raghuji.[10]
As Maratha forces advanced toward Orissa, Durlabh Ram, preoccupied with religious ceremonies along the Mahanadi River, remained unaware of their approach until they were nearly upon him. Another officer Mir Abdul Aziz, received intelligence of the Marathas' proximity and hastened to Durlabh Ram with twenty troopers, only to find the Durlabh Ram still asleep, oblivious to the impending threat. Awakened, Durlabh Ram hurriedly entered a palanquin, intending to seek refuge in Barabati Fort. En route, he witnessed Maratha troops plundering the city, prompting him to abandon the palanquin and flee on horseback, reaching the fort with great difficulty. Raghuji Bhonsle arrived shortly thereafter, encircling the fort.[11]
Durlabh Ram understood that Nawab Alivardi was in no position to help him as he was busy engaging Afghan rebels. Following the advice of the sanyasis, Durlabh Ram, proposed surrendering to the Maratha forces, but his proposal was opposed by Mir Abdul Aziz. Despite this, Durlabh Ram imprudently visited Raghuji Bhonsle’s camp with his officers and laid his arms. Mir Abdul Aziz, steadfastly refused to surrender Barabati Fort, even after Durlabh Ram’s pressure. Consequently, the Marathas imprisoned Durlabh Ram and held him as a hostage.[12] Mir Abdul Aziz with 400 garrison defended the fort for one month.[5] But outside its walls, whole of Orissa up to Medinipur including Hijli, Hooghly, was occupied by the Marathas. The greater part of Burdwan was also plundered.[3] He eventually capitulated on 6[1] or 12 May[2] under the condition of safe passage and was allowed to move to Murshidabad, while Durlabh Ram was freed in 1746 when a ransom was paid for his release.[13] Raghuji left Mir Habib in charge of Orissa under 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 at the Barabati fort before proceeding towards Burdwan. Meanwhile Mustafa Khan was killed at Bihar.[14]
Aftermath
Marathas then proceeded to Bihar ravaging Midnapore, Burdwan, Birbhum. They looted Bihar and allied with the Afghan rebels. Alivardi followed the Marathas to Bihar and defeated them in a battle near Muhib Alipur in November 1745.[15] In May 1749, Alivardi besieged Cuttack and recovered Orissa. But Marathas soon retook Orissa defeating its deputy governor.[16]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ a b Sardesai 1946, p. 223 "Raghuji left Nagpur in February 1745 and thus reported about his move: 'Leaving Nagpur I arrived straight against Cuttack and after a couple of months siege and incessant bombardment captured the place on 6th May.'"
- ^ a b Ray 1960, p. 14 "When the provisions ran short Abdul Aziz was forced to surrender the fort on 12 May, 1745"
- ^ a b Sarkar 1964, p. 74 "But outside its walls all Orissa up to Medinipur passed into the hands of the Marathas (April)."
Banerji 1951, p. 99–100 "As soon as the proposal fell through Raghuji advanced towards Birbhum and brought the whole of Orissa, Medinipur and Hijli and the greater part of Burdwan under his sway"
Ray 1960, p. 13 "At the same time Maratha raiding parties were sent to occupy whole of Orissa as far as Midnapur and Hugli. A major portion of Burdwan was too plundered." - ^ Karim, KM (2012). "Naib Nazim". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ a b Sarkar 1964, p. 74 "The fort of Katak, however, held out under the gallant Abdul Aziz and a garrison of only 400 men."
Ray 1960, p. 13 "He left Abdul Aziz inside with three or four hundred of his followers." - ^ a b Sarkar 1964, p. 74 "He immediately marched at the head of 14,000 horse to Orissa (March)"
Datta 1939, p. 94 "Me marched immediately at the head of 14,000 cavalry and reached Orissa in March, 1745."
Banerji 1951, p. 98 "When 14,000 Maratha troops advanced Orissa …"
Ray 1960, p. 12 "Raghuji who never forgot the treacherous death of Bhaskar marched at this opportune time at the head of fourteen thousand horse."
Rahim 1971, p. 296 "ইতিমধ্যে রঘুজী ভোসলা ২৪০০০ মারাঠা সৈন্য নিয়া উড়িষ্যা আক্রমণ করেন এবং নবাবের নবনিযুক্ত নায়েব নাযিম দূলভরামকে বন্দী করেন।" transl. Meanwhile, Raghuji Bhonsle invaded Orissa with 24,000 Maratha troops and captured the Nawab's newly appointed Naib Nazim, Dulabharam.
Shejwalkar 1941, p. 376 "In the 1745 campaign Raghuji himself started with twenty thousand horse, twenty-five thousand infantry and a park of artillery consisting of three hundred guns." - ^ Sarkar 1964, p. 74
- ^ Datta 1939, p. 94
- ^ Datta 1939, p. 94
Sarkar 1964, p. 74 - ^ Banerji 1951, p. 98
- ^ Banerji 1951, pp. 98–99
Ray 1960, pp. 13 - ^ Banerji 1951, p. 100
Ray 1960, p. 13 - ^ Datta 1939, p. 94
- ^ Shejwalkar 1941, p. 376
- ^ Sarkar 1943, p. 462
Rahim 1971, p. 296 "ইহার পর তাহার বর্গী বাহিনী মেদিনীপুর, বর্ধমান ও বীরভূমে লুটপাট ও উপদ্রব করিয়! বিহারের দিকে অগ্রসর হয়। ইহারা বিহারে লুটতরাজ করে এবং আফগানদের সহিত যোগ দেয়। মারাঠাদেরকে অনুসরণ করিয়। আলীবদী বিহারে আসেন এবং মুৃহিব-আলীপুর নামক স্থানে ইহাদেরকে পরাজিত করেন (১৪ই নভেম্বর, ১৭৪৫)।" transl. Subsequently, his Bargi forces engaged in plunder and disruption in Medinipur, Burdwan, and Birbhum before advancing toward Bihar. They looted Bihar and joined forces with the Afghans. Pursuing the Marathas, Alivardi arrived in Bihar and defeated them at a place called Muhib-Alipur on November 14, 1745. - ^ Rahim 1970, pp. 297–298
Bibliography
- Banerji, R. D. (1951). History of Orissa. Vol. II. Calcutta: Prabasi Press.
- Datta, Kalikinkar (1939). Alivardi and His Times. University of Calcutta.
- Sarkar, Jadunath (1964). Fall Of The Mughal Empire 1739-1754. Vol. I (3rd ed.). Orient Longman Ltd.
- Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas. Vol. II. Bombay: Phoenix Publications.
- Sarkar, Jadunath (1943). The History of Bengal. Vol. II. Ramna, Dhaka: The University of Dhaka.
- Rahim, M. A. (1971). Rahim, M. A; Abdul Momin, Chowdhury; Mahmood, A. B Mahiuddin; Islam, Sirajul (eds.). Bangladesher Itihas [Bangladesh's History] (in Bengali) (1st ed.). Dhaka: M. Alam Eden Press. pp. 285–305.
- Shejwalkar, T. S. (1941). "The Bengal Episode in Maratha History". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 2 (3/4): 361–382. ISSN 0045-9801. JSTOR 42931283.
- Ray, Bhabani Charan (1960). Orissa Under Marathas, 1751-1803. Kitab Mahal. Archived from the original on 2024-01-21.