Treaty of Bhopal
The Treaty of Bhopal was an agreement signed in 1738 following the Battle of Bhopal, which took place on December 24, 1737. The battle pitted the Maratha Empire led by Peshwa Baji Rao I against a combined force of the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Subahdar of Bhopal, and other Mughal vassals.[1]
The Battle and its Aftermath[edit]
The Battle of Bhopal, occurring on December 24, 1737, pitted the Maratha Empire against the combined forces of the Mughals, Rajputs, and Nizams. The Marathas secured a decisive victory, largely attributed to the swift tactics of Bajirao Peshwa. Concerned by the Marathas' growing power, the Mughal Emperor called upon the Nizam to assist in driving them out, but Bajirao defeated him near Bhopal in December 1737, compelling him to agree to Maratha terms. This led to the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Bhopal on January 7, 1738, wherein the Nizam ceded Malwa to the Marathas and the Mughals agreed to pay 5,000,000 as indemnity.[2]
Terms of the Treaty[edit]
- Mughal Concessions: The Mughal Empire likely conceded defeat and agreed to pay a significant financial sum of 5,000,000 rupees to the Marathas as war indemnity.[3]
- Maratha Gains: The Marathas secured territorial concessions, potentially including the Malwa region, which would become a crucial base for their future expansion in Central India.
- Bhopal's Status: The Nawab of Bhopal, Dost Mohammad Khan, who had sided with the Mughals, might have retained his position but became a tributary of the Marathas, acknowledging their suzerainty.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Chhabra, G.S. (2005). Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 978-81-89093-06-8.
- ^ Bakshi, S.R.; Ralhan, O.P. (2007). Madhya Pradesh Through the Ages. Sarup & Sons. p. 384. ISBN 978-81-7625-806-7.
- ^ Malik, Zahiruddin (1977). The Reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719-1748. Asia Publishing House. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-210-40598-7.
- ^ Husain, Zakir (2001). "The Rise of Dost Muhammad Khan (1708-1728), the First Nawab of Bhopal". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 62: 309–316. ISSN 2249-1937.