Abhay wonderful post 👏
Thanks Maddy.
Kudos to you for taking such active interest and so much effort to bring out the reality of Bajirao's victories.
So much research for compiling all the evidences in support. It is incredible how you linked those different letters. As you told me there are 400+ such letters! These letters ARE history.
There are around 400 to 500 letters relating to this period. To know about a person we have to look into his innermost thoughts. Biographies are mostly written from a court perspective. But these letters written by the person himself can be deemed most close to his feelings. Hence, according to me, they are priceless.
I got goosebumps thinking of Bajirao Peshwe and his army riding through Delhi!
The days when Mugals used to send massive armies to Deccan and it was Bajirao who turned this into Marathas attacking and conquering Mugals.
Yes, it was Bajirao who made this turn. I did not write about this Delhi incident in the blog as it was not related to this topic. Actually the Mughal Emperor had kept the boats ready in case the royal family needs to flee away.
But since Bajirao was only interested in showing his might and not attacking the Mughals, hence that dire state of running away of the royal family was not reached. But the Emperor who was already frightened sent some reserve forces to face Bajirao.
It was such a special feeling to read the letters. To peek into the mind of such a great man, his confidence his bravery his military acumen his fierce pride his towering personality. The details in the letters, the planning, the reasoning behind planning any campaign, the logic and practicality in altering those plans, at all times thinking of victory and keeping Maratha honor high.
These forces were defeated as i explained in the blog with the help of this letter. A Mughal (rather Muslim) record of 18th century mentions an interesting point.
It says that - "As the people of Hindustan (referring to Mughal forces) did not have the skill in the art of fighting on horse back, which characterizes the Maharattas (referring to Marathas under Bajirao), most of them were slain."
Yes, when we read that same letter which was written 100s year back by these legends, it gives a great feeling. However, i am thankful to you for the translation, as you know, my Marathi is very poor and i also came to know of the letter contents properly reading after your translation.
Chimaji Appa, in history littered with backstabbing murdering blood relatives - a rock for Bajirao and Nanasaheb. The love, respect, trust for each other shines thru in those letters.
Totally agree. A point worth noting. At the same time, the respect which he shows to his brother is quite endearing. We have read so much of history! How many brothers do we get like this ?
Just see Chimnaji's salutation to Bajirao - " Shreeman Teerth Swarup Rau " !!
Reading your post 2 things occurred.
Shivaji Maharaj, Bajirao Peshwe, Akbar - all warriors who fought so many wars and all of them did not die on war field.
Yes, all of these warriors were in a different league. But Shivaji, Bajirao or even Maharana Pratap as Radhika said, used to lead their armies personally. They thought it was better to live to fight another day, instead to just fighting to sacrifice their lives without giving a second thought to "what after them". They thought for future too.
I left Akbar out, as he had a great army and very able generals who fought for him, most of the times. For me, he is different for certain special reasons and his broad outlook towards religion in 16th century. During your absence i made a 3 part blog about his death. If you get time, then DO READ at least the Part 3 of that Blog. I have summarized how he was so much despised and hated by the fanatics of his times due to his liberal views, to the extent of him being called an apostate and a danger to Islam ! Link is mentioned above, in my reply to Radhika at top. It is a politically incorrect post of mine.
Your mention of Akbar reminds of something. Today is the anniversary of one of the most destructive wars seen in medieval India, next only to, perhaps Panipat 1761 & destruction of Vijaynagar at Talikota in 1564.
23rd February 1568 was the day when the Rajput Fort of Chittorgarh (Mewar) ultimately fell after a long siege of 5 months against Mughal Emperor Akbar. You have read that series Maddy, must be remembering the event, if not the date. Today is the 449th anniversary. In Rajasthan, this Jauhar & Saka is remembered with great devotion - "Tija Sakha Chittod Ra".
PB serial is making so much of Bajirao's being alpayushi, but Chimaji Appa died in less than 1 year after Bajirao and he was the younger brother. So he must be have been less than 40 then.
Chimnaji Ballal was around 33 when he died. It is mentioned in the Peshwa papers that he used to be sick, continuously.
At the time of his brother Bajirao's death, aged 39, he is reported to have said - " Rau never got sick in his entire lifetime even once, and this single sickness took him away from us. While i, who always remained sick throughout am still alive."
I have lot of papers in Marathi. I will be sending them to you slowly for translations till the time you get fed up. Lol.
Why did Shivaji Maharaj and Bajirao Peshwe had such short lives? How different India's history would have been if they had lived 20 years more?!
I agree. I replied to Radhika above, in detail about lot of " What ifS " regarding our history. Please see.
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