First marath war
| date | 1775 to 1782 |
|---|---|
| place | Indian subcontinent |
| output | Victory of the Marathas |
| consequences | Treaty of Salbai |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
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The First Marathas War from 1775 to 1782, is part of the Marathas Wars and was the beginning of a series of three wars between the Marathas Empire and the British East India Company . The dispute began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
prehistory
After the death of Madhavrao, the Peshwa of the Marathas , his brother Narayanrao came to the throne of the Marathas in 1772. Narayanrao was soon assassinated and it was followed by Raghunathrao, who was not actually on the list of heir apparent.
After Madhvarao's death, Narayanrao's widow gave birth to Sawai's son, who was the legal heir to the throne. Twelve princes of the Marathas campaigned for Sawai's accession to the throne, whereby she herself was to be appointed as regent until the child came of age.
Raghunathrao was unwilling to give up his claim. He turned to the British in Bombay and entered into the Treaty of Surat with them on March 6, 1775. He ceded areas to the British, who should support him with 2500 soldiers.
The British administration in Calcutta did not recognize the contract and claim of Raghunathrao. They sent Colonel Upton to the Council of Regency to draft a new contract. On March 1, 1776, the Treaty of Purandhar was signed, which annulled the Treaty of Surat. Raghunathrao had to give up his claim and withdraw from the throne. The territories given in the Treaty of Surat, however, remained in British hands.
In 1777 the Marathas made a port on the west coast available to the French, which was a clear violation of the Treaty of Purandhar. The British responded by returning to Raghunathrao and sending a force to Pune.
Course of war
The force of the East India Company was about 3900 strong. In addition there were a few thousand men and artillery from Raghunathrao. In contrast, there were around 10,000 men from various Marathan principalities, who were commanded by Tukojirao Holkar and General Mahadji Shinde. On January 12, 1779, the Battle of Wadagaon took place, at the end of which the British were forced to surrender. On January 16, the Treaty of Wadagaon was signed, in which the return of all areas from the Treaty of Surat was agreed.
The administration in Calcutta did not recognize this contract either and sent further troops, which captured Ahmedabad in February 1779 and Gwalior in December 1780 . In February 1781 General Shinde's troops at Sipri were defeated by the British. Shinde was able to continue to disrupt the movements of the British and their supply routes, but he was no longer capable of an open battle.
Treaty of Salbai
After the defeat of Sipri, General Shinde proposed a new treaty with the British that would confirm the young Madhavrao as Peshwa. Raghunathrao should be resigned and withdraw. On May 17, 1782 the Treaty of Salbai was signed. In addition to recognizing the new Peshwa, the British gave back all the territories they had retained after the Treaty of Surat. In addition, a 20-year peace was agreed.
The Second Marath War (1803–1805) and the Third Marath War (1817–1818) followed.
Individual evidence
- ^ The History of the British Empire in India, Publisher: Adamant Media Corporation (July 16, 2001) ISBN 0-543-80329-5
- ^ History Of The Marathas, Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi (January 1, 2004) ISBN 978-81-269-0394-8