"बाजी जात बुन्देल की बाजी राखो लाज"
Chatrasal as the ruler in Bundelkhand was invincible. Although he was getting old, the warrior in him was was strong and resilient.
On the other hand Muhammed Bangash was young and strong of mind and body and was given a part of Bundelkhand by the then Badshah in Delhi.
Naturally the two were constantly at loggerheads with each other.
Each one wanted to be the sole ruler in Bundelkhand and neither was willing to concede. In 1727, however Bangash defeated Chatrasal and usurped the huge Fort of Jaitpur, imprisoning Chatrasal and his family.
Even though Bangash was victorious, he was in a quandary, as none of his missives found any replies from the Delhi Badshah. He could not end the lives of Chatrasal and his family as the whole of Bundelkhand would rise against him.
Chatrasal was waiting for an opportunity and he sent a letter to Baji RaoI, asking for his help.
On the other hand Muhammed Bangash was young and strong of mind and body and was given a part of Bundelkhand by the then Badshah in Delhi.
Naturally the two were constantly at loggerheads with each other.
Each one wanted to be the sole ruler in Bundelkhand and neither was willing to concede. In 1727, however Bangash defeated Chatrasal and usurped the huge Fort of Jaitpur, imprisoning Chatrasal and his family.
Even though Bangash was victorious, he was in a quandary, as none of his missives found any replies from the Delhi Badshah. He could not end the lives of Chatrasal and his family as the whole of Bundelkhand would rise against him.
Chatrasal was waiting for an opportunity and he sent a letter to Baji RaoI, asking for his help.
"जो गत ग्रह गजेंद्रकी सो गत भाई है आज
बाजी जात बुन्देल की बाजी राखो लाज"
बाजी जात बुन्देल की बाजी राखो लाज"
Under the pretext of Holi celebrations Chatrasal requested Bangash to release him from prison and waited for Baji Rao to arrive. Baji Rao reached Bundelkhand on the 5th of March 1729 and on the 10th led his army into battle with Bangash.
The battle was fierce but Bangash was virtually held captive in his own Fort at Jaitpur with all avenues of escape closed. His sons too were defeated by Baji Rao when they came for his aid. Bangash was left in the fort with only a 1000 man army. Even his well wishers abandoned him.
Conceding his defeat Bangash agreed to a truce without any expectations. Baji Rao did not see any further reason to stay on. His mission finished he prepared to leave. Chatrasal gifted him 1/3 territorial Rights to Bundelkhand and also 1/3 rights to the Panna Diamond mines.
He also presented his young daughter Mastani to him, and thence began the next episode in Baji Rao's life.
The battle was fierce but Bangash was virtually held captive in his own Fort at Jaitpur with all avenues of escape closed. His sons too were defeated by Baji Rao when they came for his aid. Bangash was left in the fort with only a 1000 man army. Even his well wishers abandoned him.
Conceding his defeat Bangash agreed to a truce without any expectations. Baji Rao did not see any further reason to stay on. His mission finished he prepared to leave. Chatrasal gifted him 1/3 territorial Rights to Bundelkhand and also 1/3 rights to the Panna Diamond mines.
He also presented his young daughter Mastani to him, and thence began the next episode in Baji Rao's life.
6 comments:
those two lines must rank as one of the most famous correspondences in Maratha / Peshwa history. very interesting!
They sure do.
This is a good blog about Maratha history. Request you to also write about places near to Mumbai/Pune and related to Maratha history, that can be easily visited. There must be many such places that are not known to common people like us.
The research is on and Yes there will be more posts about the glorious Marathas.
The research is on and yes there will be more related posts in the near future
I was looking for some material on Srimant Bahirao Peshwa and came across your blog.Thanks for sharing this info with all of us. Very nicely written short and sweet. Any idea if there is any group visiting Raverkhedi atleast once in a year?
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