Mahummad Khan's Invasion of South
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| Mahummad Khan's Invasion of South | |||||||||
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| Part of Bijapur sultanate Conquest | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Bijapur Sultanate |
 Mysore Kingdom Vijayanagara Empire Golconda Sultanate | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Mahummad KhanShahaji Siddi Masud |
Kanthirava  Dasarajaiya †Sriranga III MirJumla | ||||||||
On orders of Muhammad Adil Shah Mahummad Khan invaded South along with Shahaji and Siddi Masud Against the Mysore Kingdom Vijayanagara Empire and Sultanate of Golconda to suppress them.[1][2][3][4]
Background
[edit]Kanthirava Narasaraja I, renowned for his ambitious military campaigns, seized the opportunity of Shahaji's absence in Kenakagiri to expand his influence over the territories surrounding Bangalore. His relentless pillaging campaigns underscored his determination to eradicate Maratha presence from Mysorean soil. Kanthirava personally led an expedition, besieging and capturing Magadi from its keeper, Immadi Kempe Gowda, between 1648 and 1650. Subsequently, in April 1651, he subdued Hebhar and incorporated it into his kingdom despite the formidable resistance led by Immadi Kempe Gowda's skilled son, Mummadi Kampe Gowda.[1][2][3][4]
During the same period, Kanthirava extended his dominion northwards towards the Maratha Kingdom by conquering Sulekeredurga, Nayakavadi State, Yelahanka-nadu, Channasiri, and Pasavanatna from the Muslims. These conquests vividly illustrate Kanthirava's ambitions for territorial expansion.[1][2][3][4]
As for the response of Bijapur during Kanthirava's devastating campaigns, historical records do not provide details of Koji's actions, suggesting a policy of non-intervention as long as his own territories remained undisturbed.[1][2][3][4]
Forced to leave Tanjore, which had fallen to Bijapur in early 1649, Srirangaraya sought refuge with Kanthirava, highlighting the latter's rising power. Srirangaraya likely resided in Srirangapatna from 1650 to 1652, receiving esteemed hospitality and possibly strategizing the reconquest of his lost kingdom with Kanthirava's support.[1][2][3][4]
Amidst these developments, Kanthirava also had to confront a Muslim invasion from Bijapur.[1][2][3][4]
Prelude
[edit]The Sultan of Golkonda wrote to Muhammad Adil Shah of Bijapur seeking permission to conquer Kundi Fort. His request granted, Mir Jumla II expanded further, taking Chandra Gutti. However, his ambitions exceeded Bijapur's borders, provoking the Sultan who dispatched Khan Muhammad to reclaim the forts. Beginning in 1652, Khan Muhammad subdued Mir Jumla II and secured peace. Pushing on to Penukonda, he easily conquered it by March 1653. Despite initial plans to return, Muhammad Adil Shah urged Khan Muhammad to continue due to ongoing conflicts in the Karnatak region. This area, contested between Kanthirava Narasaraja I and Bijapur, saw the Rajah of Mysore seizing several forts, which escalated tensions. Kanthirava's actions, including raids into Bijapur territories, prompted ongoing military efforts from Muhammad Adil Shah to maintain control.[1][2][3][4]
War with Mysore
[edit]Between November 1652 and January 1653, Kanthirava Narasaraja Iand his allies swiftly captured several forts: Krishnagiri, Rahhad, TengeriKote, Pennagara, Denkanikote, and Dharmapuri, which were under the governance of Vatibela Rao, known as Balaji Hatbat l'ac by Muhammad Nama. Kanthirava reclaimed these forts in Jagadeva Paval's domain, earlier conquered by Mustafa Khan. In response, Shahaji and Khan Muhammad mobilized to retake Jagadev Raval's territory. Siddi Raihan submitted, and they recaptured the forts taken by Mysore.[1][2][3][4]
Krishnagiri, strategically positioned and well-fortified with artillery and troops from Mysore, fell to Khan Muhammad after an attack. Kanthirava fled to Mysore, fortified the defenses, and prepared to confront the invaders. However, overwhelmed by Khan Muhammad and Shahaji, Kanthirava lost Mysore fort and three others. Sriranga III, undeterred, dispatched Mir Jumla II to seek aid from the Mughal court, diverting Khan Muhammad's attention. He abandoned the recently captured Mysore forts to march towards Vellore, leaving Sriranga III Have isolated there.[1][2][3][4]
As Khan Muhammad departed Mysore, Kanthirava sent Pasarajay Kaveripattan to counterattack. Khan Muhammad faced battles at Vellore and Kaveripattan simultaneously. He also sent Sidi Masud against Dasarajavya, resulting in a bloody confrontation at Kaveripattan in October 1653 where Dasarajavya was defeated and beheaded.[1][2][3][4]
Siege of Vellore
[edit]Meanwhile, Mir Jumla II persuaded Sriranga III to return to his capital and reclaim his former territories. Relying on Mir Jumla's assurances, Sriranga rebelled against Adil Shah of Bijapur in Vellore. However, rumors spread that Sriranga III had sought help from the Mughals through Mir Jumla II, prompting punitive action against him.[1][2][3][4]
Responding to his king's orders, Khan Muhammed marched towards Vellore. Simultaneously, Siddi Masud was dispatched against Dasarejaraya, the Delvoy of Kanthirava Narasaraja I, who was active in Kaveripatan, aiming to expel the Bijapuris from Jagadev country. In October 1653, a fierce battle at Kaveripatam resulted in Dasarejaraya being beheaded.[1][2][3][4]
Upon Khan Muhammed's advance, Sriranga III fled in fear from Vellore. Although the fort was defended for some time, it eventually surrendered. Sriranga negotiated a treaty with the Khan, gaining control of Chandragiri and its surrounding areas. Chikkadevaraya Vamsavali briefly describes the plunder of Vellore and Bijapur's territories.[1][2][3][4]
Khan Muhammed's departure for Vellore allowed Kanthirava to further advance his conquests in the south. By March 1654, Kanthirava had seized Satyamanenle and Danayakankote from Venkatadri Nayaka, followed by the capture of Hosur in April 1654 from Chandrasekara Nayaka in the southeast.[1][2][3][4]
Attack on Kanthirava
[edit]The victorious Main army, after their success at Vellore, proceeded to Madura to demand tribute from its leader. Upon arrival, Muhammad Khan pressed Mrunals for tribute. Had he been a discerning statesman, well-versed in the politics of his time, he would have navigated the turbulent political waters of South India, engaging with the Nayaks of Gingee, Tanjore, and the rulers of Mysore to reconcile their differences. Through active cooperation, he could have expelled the entire Bijapur army from Karnataka's soil and resolved the affairs of Sri Lanka to everyone's satisfaction. However, Tirumala, inexperienced in the politics of his era, agreed to pay tribute and even solicited Khan Muhammad's aid against the invading Mysore forces. Concerned about Mysore's incursion into his territories, Tirumala implored the commander to expel them, displaying his unstable political strategy. Khan Muhammad, always willing to undertake challenges for financial gain, readily responded and marched towards Mysore. Meanwhile, the Mysore king, alarmed by the advancing Main army, deployed Balaji, a defector from the Bijapur Service, to confront them. In response, Khan Muhammad commissioned Siddi Masaud and Shahaji with a detachment from the Mysore army. In the ensuing battle, Balaji was killed and his forces were routed, allowing Muhammad to devastate Mysore's territories with plunder and fire. In mortal fear, the Rajah of Mysore sent envoys to Khan Muhammad, seeking submission and offering immense treasures, pledging annual tribute to secure safety. Following Khan Muhammad's orders, Mysore's ravaged lands were returned to its Rajah. The tribute collected by Khan Muhammad was substantial.[1][2][3][4]
Despite Tirumala Nayaka's war against Mysore, fueled by Bijapur's goodwill, it did not end favorably. Instead, he was compelled by Khan Muhammad to pay a hefty war indemnity. Though shocking, Tirumala could not evade Khan's demands, as the latter aimed to extract ransom from Tanjore and Madura, ensuring his return home with immense wealth.[1][2][3][4]
Result of Invasion
[edit]The results of the invasion were as follows: (1) Kanthirava's pride was diminished; (2) the repeated movements of the army throughout Mysore inflicted severe damage on the region's material prosperity; (3) Kanthirava's ambitions to expand into Bijapur's northern territories were thwarted; (4) Maratha territories were secured from the threat posed by Mysore; (5) Bijapur's victory indirectly benefited the Marathas; and (6) the hostility between the Marathas and the Mysoreans grew more intense.[1][2][3][4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r B. Muddachari. Mysore-Maratha Relations Under Shahji, Shivaji, Sambhaji And Rajaram (As Revealed In Kannada Sources). pp. 138–146.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Muddachari, B. (1965). The Mysore_Maratha Relations In The 17th Century (in Kannada). University of Mysore. pp. 72–80.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q C K Srinivasan. Maratha Rule In The Carnatic. pp. 70–81.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Krishna, Bal (1932). Shivaji The Great Vol I. Osmania University, Digital Library Of India. D.B.Taraporevala Sons And Company. pp. 138–140.