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The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk - Medieval India History Notes

The connection between the Maratha and the Nizam-ul-Mulk passed through numerous stages and had a considerable impact on Maratha activity in Malwa and Gujarat. As Viceroy of the Deccan from 1715 to 1717, Nizam-ul-Mulk fought the Maratha for control of the Deccan's Chauth and Sardeshmukhi and was nearly always at war with them - though with limited success. After Nizam’s victorious revolt against the Sayyids, Nizam-ul-Mulk praised the Imperial Farman for handing the Marathas the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan. In this article, we will discuss the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Table of Contents

Relations between Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk
Conclusion
FAQs
MCQs

Relations between Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk

Nizam met Baji Rao for the first time on January 4, 1721.
Despite Nizam-ul- Mulk's best efforts to establish close ties with the young Peshwa, no long-term understanding was achieved.
The most important point of dispute between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk was Karnataka.
Nizam-ul-Mulk regarded Karnataka as his by right of succession to the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda.
The Marathas, on the other hand, had been interested in Karnataka since at least Shahji's time and had always seen it as a delightful hunting field that they were resolved to plunder and put under tribute, paying little mind to his claims.
In the absence of Nizam-ul-Mulk from 1721 to 1724, his subordinate Mubariz-ul-Mulk broke the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi agreements, beginning hostilities.
Nizam made a concerted effort to maintain cordial relations with the Marathas. In 1723, on his route to Gujarat, he encountered Baji Rao in Malwa.
When Mubariz-ul-Mulk attempted to prevent Nizam from reestablishing himself in the Deccan in 1724, Nizam retaliated by holding a conference with Baji Rao.
At the battle of Shakar Khera in 1725, a Maratha contingent fought alongside the Nizam.
In 1728, the Nizam-ul-Mulk and the Marathas were on the edge of war.
Nizam-ul-Mulk was unhappy and anxious by the spread of Maratha operations in Malwa and Gujarat.
Despite participating in Shahu's two trips to Karnataka in 1725 and 1726, he covertly sent orders to his commander to fight the Marathas.
The competition between the Satara and Kolhapur courts, as well as the conflicts between Baji Rao and the Pratinidhi, helped him.
He suspended the payment of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi due to a dispute between Shahu and Sambhaji (the Kolhapur Raja), and requested Shahu to submit the case to his arbitration, acting as the Mughal Emperor's envoy, while the majority of the Maratha forces were in Karnataka.
He also sent him messages suggesting that Baji Rao be dismissed.
Meanwhile, he forged a connection with the soldiers of the Kolhapur Raja.
Shahu was stunned, and he was on the verge of accepting Nizam-ul-Mulk's arbitration assertion.
He rapidly recovered, though, and dispatched express recall letters to the Maratha forces, advising fort commanders to prepare for defence.
Baji Rao returned from Karnataka and declared war on the spot, rejecting Nizam-ul- Mulk's peace overtures since he didn't want to fight.
After a brief but magnificent campaign, Baji Rao beat Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Palkhed on 7th February 1728.
In the Mungi Shevgaon Treaty of 1728, Nizam-ul-Mulk reiterated Shahu's claim to the Deccan Chauth and Sardeshmukhi and vowed not to assist Sambhaji of Kolhapur.

Other Relevant Links
The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa	Policy of Expansion
First Phase (1741-52)	The Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab
Third Battle of Panipat	Second Phase (1752-61)

Conclusion

Marathas' victory over Nizam-ul-Mulk at the Battle of Palkhed assured the control of Marathas over the Deccan. The Mungi Shevgaon treaty cemented Maratha's control in the south and solidified Shahu's claims to the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan. It also enabled Baji Rao to dethrone the Pratinidhi at Shahu's court and give his full attention to the issues of Malwa and Gujarat. But it didn't take long for Nizam-ul-Mulk to return to his old antics. Baji Rao's aim of establishing a Maratha hegemony in Malwa and Gujarat was made more difficult by the presence of Nizam-ul-Mulk in the Deccan, as well as his continual intrigues.

Other Relevant Links
Medieval India History Notes	The Maratha and Other Indian States and Society in the 18th Century
The Marathas	Shivaji (1627-1680)
Vijayanagar Empire	Regional States in the Medieval Period
Society-Structure and Growth in the Medieval Period	Economic Life-Patterns and Prospects in the Medieval Period
India in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century	Cultural Development in India (1200–1500)
Struggle for Empire in North India Mughals and Afghans(1525–1555)	Economic and Social Life, Education and Religious Beliefs (800–1200)

FAQs

Question. What was the dispute between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk?

Answer: The primary point of dispute between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk was the control over Karnataka. While Nizam-ul-Mulk viewed Karnataka as his due to succession rights from the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda, the Marathas, under Shahji’s leadership, had long considered it a strategic region to control, leading to conflict.

Question. When did Nizam-ul-Mulk meet Baji Rao for the first time?

Answer: Nizam-ul-Mulk first met Baji Rao on January 4, 1721. Despite initial attempts, no long-term understanding was achieved between them, as their rivalry continued due to their differing interests in territories like Karnataka.

Question. What happened during the absence of Nizam-ul-Mulk from 1721-1724?

Answer: In Nizam-ul-Mulk's absence, his subordinate Mubariz-ul-Mulk broke the agreements of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi with the Marathas, which led to increased hostilities between the two sides.

Question. How did the Marathas manage to defeat Nizam-ul-Mulk?

Answer: In 1728, after several tense encounters and diplomatic overtures, Baji Rao led a campaign against Nizam-ul-Mulk, culminating in the Battle of Palkhed, where the Marathas decisively defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk, solidifying their control over the Deccan.

Question. What was the significance of the Mungi Shevgaon Treaty?

Answer: The Mungi Shevgaon Treaty of 1728 reaffirmed Maratha control over the Deccan’s Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, cementing Shahu’s claims to these revenues and marking the Marathas as the dominant force in the region.

MCQs

What was the primary reason for the conflict between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk?

A) Control over Gujarat

B) Disputes over Karnataka

C) Rivalry in Malwa

D) Trade routes in the Deccan

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk fought primarily over Karnataka, with both considering it a key region to control.

When did Nizam-ul-Mulk meet Baji Rao for the first time?

A) 1721

B) 1728

C) 1715

D) 1723

Answer: (A) See the Explanation

Nizam-ul-Mulk met Baji Rao for the first time on January 4, 1721.

Who broke the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi agreements between 1721-1724?

A) Baji Rao

B) Mubariz-ul-Mulk

C) Shahu

D) The British

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

Mubariz-ul-Mulk, Nizam-ul-Mulk's subordinate, broke the agreements between 1721 and 1724, escalating the conflict with the Marathas.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Palkhed in 1728?

A) Nizam-ul-Mulk defeated the Marathas

B) The Marathas defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk

C) Both sides reached a peace agreement

D) Nizam-ul-Mulk withdrew from the Deccan

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The Battle of Palkhed, fought in 1728, resulted in a decisive victory for the Marathas, which solidified their control over the Deccan.

What did the Mungi Shevgaon Treaty of 1728 reaffirm?

A) Nizam-ul-Mulk’s control over Karnataka

B) Maratha control over Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan

C) Maratha withdrawal from Malwa

D) The partition of Gujarat between the Marathas and Nizam

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The treaty reaffirmed Maratha control over the Deccan's Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, strengthening Shahu’s position.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk in the politics of the Deccan in the early 18th century.

Answer: The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk were two of the most powerful forces in the Deccan during the early 18th century. Nizam-ul-Mulk, as the viceroy of the Deccan under the Mughal Empire, sought to consolidate power by asserting control over Karnataka, a region vital to his interests. The Marathas, under Baji Rao, however, contested this, viewing the region as crucial for their expansion. The conflict between the two culminated in the Battle of Palkhed, where the Marathas decisively defeated Nizam-ul-Mulk. This victory ensured the Marathas maintained significant influence in the Deccan, controlling key resources like Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, and solidifying their position as a dominant regional power.

Q2: Evaluate the significance of the Mungi Shevgaon Treaty of 1728 for the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk.

Answer: The Mungi Shevgaon Treaty of 1728 was a turning point in Maratha-Nizam relations. It confirmed the Marathas' control over the Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Deccan, which were crucial revenue sources for the Maratha state. The treaty marked a formal recognition of the Marathas' dominance in the Deccan, despite Nizam-ul-Mulk’s earlier attempts to assert control. The treaty also had a political significance, as it helped Baji Rao solidify his position and assert his authority over Shahu’s court, effectively making the Marathas the principal power in the region and diminishing Nizam-ul-Mulk's influence.

Q3: Discuss the strategic significance of Karnataka for the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk.

Answer: Karnataka was of immense strategic importance to both the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk. For Nizam-ul-Mulk, Karnataka represented a vital territorial claim, as he believed it was his due to his succession rights over the kingdoms of Bijapur and Golconda. On the other hand, the Marathas, under the leadership of Shahji and later Baji Rao, saw Karnataka as a region rich in resources and a potential source of revenue and military strength. The Marathas’ interest in Karnataka led to several confrontations with Nizam-ul-Mulk, whose efforts to assert control over the region were repeatedly thwarted, particularly by Baji Rao, whose military campaigns eventually resulted in Maratha dominance.

Previous Year Questions on Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "Evaluate the significance of the Battle of Palkhed in the context of Maratha-Nizam relations."

Answer: The Battle of Palkhed in 1728 was a decisive victory for the Marathas over Nizam-ul-Mulk. This victory secured Maratha dominance over the Deccan and reaffirmed their control over key territories like Karnataka. The battle was significant as it demonstrated the Marathas' growing military prowess under Baji Rao and marked the failure of Nizam-ul-Mulk’s efforts to assert his authority in the region. It also had lasting effects on the political landscape of the Deccan, with the Marathas becoming the dominant force in the region, shifting the balance of power in their favor.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: "Analyze the political dynamics between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk during the early 18th century."

Answer: The political dynamics between the Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk during the early 18th century were characterized by rivalry and conflict, primarily over control of Karnataka and the Deccan. Nizam-ul-Mulk, as the Mughal viceroy, sought to assert control over Karnataka, a region the Marathas considered crucial for their expansion. Despite initial attempts to establish cordial relations, the rivalry led to several military confrontations, culminating in the Maratha victory at the Battle of Palkhed. This victory solidified Maratha control over the Deccan, marking a turning point in the power struggle between the two forces.

Other Relevant Links
Indian Polity Notes	Indian Economy Notes
Art and Culture Notes	Governance Notes
Ancient India History Notes	Medieval India History Notes
Modern India History Notes	Geography Notes
Science And Technology Notes	Environment And Ecology Notes
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