Siege of Barabati (1745)
Maratha siege of Barabati fort in Odisha
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The Siege of Barabati (1745) was a significant military engagement during the Maratha invasions of Bengal. In February 1745, Raghuji Bhonsle instigated by Mustafa Khan advanced toward Orissa, catching Durlabh Ram, the Na’ib Nazim. Unaware of the approaching enemy, Durlabh Ram fled to Barabati Fort, which was swiftly surrounded by Raghuji's troops. Durlabh Ram's ill-advised visit to Raghuji's camp led to his capture, and he was held hostage. Despite his capture and imprisonment, his lieutenant Mir Abdul Aziz resisted the Marathas for a month until his surrender. Thus Raghuji’s Bargi forces swept over the territories of Medinipur, Burdwan, and Birbhum before advancing to Bihar, where they allied with Afghans rebels.
changes Odisha upto Midnapore annexed by Kingdom of Nagpur[3]
| Siege of Barabati | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Fourth Maratha invasion of Bengal | |||||||||
Gate of the Barabati fort in Cuttack | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Bengal Subah | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Durlabh Ram[b] (POW) Mir Abdul Aziz  |
Raghuji I Mir Habib | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 400 garrison[5] |
14,000–24,000 cavalry 25,000 infantry 300 guns[6] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
  Siege of Barabati Location within Odisha  Siege of Barabati Siege of Barabati (India) | |||||||||
Background
In February 1745, Mustafa Khan bolted from Murshidabad in full rebellion against Alivardi Khan and sent a letter to Raghuji of Nagpur, revealing his plan to invade Bihar. He urged Raghuji to join him in taking down Alivardi with a Maratha raid. Raghuji acted upon the proposal.[7] After Mustafa Khan’s rebellion, his nephew, Deputy Governor (Naib Nazim) of Orissa Abdul Rasul Khan, joined him. Thus Durlabh Ram, son of Raja Jankiram, had been appointed Naib Nazim of Orissa.[8]
Siege
In March, Raghuji immediately led an army of 14,000–24,000 cavalry, 25,000 infantry and 300 guns to Orissa.[6] Durlabh Ram was a feeble-minded, overly superstitious individual heavily influenced by Hindu religious figures.[9] According to Ghulam Husain,[which?] Durlabh Ram was duped by a number of Hindu sanaysis who were spies of Raghuji.[10]
As Maratha forces advanced toward Orissa, Durlabh Ram, preoccupied with religious ceremonies along the Mahanadi River, remained unaware of their approach until they were nearly upon him. Another officer Mir Abdul Aziz, received intelligence of the Marathas' proximity and hastened to Durlabh Ram with twenty troopers, only to find the Durlabh Ram still asleep, oblivious to the impending threat. Awakened, Durlabh Ram hurriedly entered a palanquin, intending to seek refuge in Barabati Fort. En route, he witnessed Maratha troops plundering the city, prompting him to abandon the palanquin and flee on horseback, reaching the fort with great difficulty. Raghuji Bhonsle arrived shortly thereafter, encircling the fort.[11]
Durlabh Ram understood that Nawab Alivardi was in no position to help him as he was busy engaging Afghan rebels. Following the advice of the sanyasis, Durlabh Ram, proposed surrendering to the Maratha forces, but his proposal was opposed by Mir Abdul Aziz. Despite this, Durlabh Ram imprudently visited Raghuji Bhonsle’s camp with his officers and laid his arms. Mir Abdul Aziz, steadfastly refused to surrender Barabati Fort, even after Durlabh Ram’s pressure. Consequently, the Marathas imprisoned Durlabh Ram and held him as a hostage.[12] Mir Abdul Aziz with 400 garrison defended the fort for one month.[5] But outside its walls, whole of Orissa up to Medinipur including Hijli, Hooghly, was occupied by the Marathas. The greater part of Burdwan was also plundered.[3] He eventually capitulated on 6[1] or 12 May[2] under the condition of safe passage and was allowed to move to Murshidabad, while Durlabh Ram was freed in 1746 when a ransom was paid for his release.[13] Raghuji left Mir Habib in charge of Orissa under 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 at the Barabati fort before proceeding towards Burdwan. Meanwhile Mustafa Khan was killed at Bihar.[14]
Aftermath
Marathas then proceeded to Bihar ravaging Midnapore, Burdwan, Birbhum. They looted Bihar and allied with the Afghan rebels. Alivardi followed the Marathas to Bihar and defeated them in a battle near Muhib Alipur in November 1745.[15] In May 1749, Alivardi besieged Cuttack and recovered Orissa. But Marathas soon retook Orissa defeating its deputy governor.[16]