Capture of Delhi (1771)
In 1761, the Maratha Empire suffered a crushing defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat. Afghan forces and their allies from Awadh and Rohilkhand destroyed the Maratha army. This loss ended years of Maratha expansion into northern India. The death of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao left a power vacuum in Pune. Raghunathrao served as regent for the young Madhavrao I during this crisis. The region fell into political chaos after the battle. Many local rulers abandoned their alliances with the Marathas. The empire needed to recover its lost prestige and territory.
Madhavrao I decided to abandon the passive policy that had followed Panipat. He ordered his commanders to take a strong stance against the Rohillas. Visaji Krishna demanded nazar payments from Zabita Khan Rohilla. Zabita refused to pay and was expelled from the camp. The decision marked a shift from defense to active offense. Mahadji Shinde led the new offensive force. His troops defeated Jats of Mathura and Rajputs of Rajasthan. These victories re-established Maratha rule across western Uttar Pradesh. The strategy targeted the very powers that had defeated them at Panipat.
On the 10th of February 1771, the Maratha army entered Delhi. A force of 3,000 horses breached the city ramparts. Saif-i-uddin Muhammad Khan secured the peaceful surrender of most of the city. However, Zabita Khan's troops inside the fort refused to submit. The breach in the ramparts allowed the cavalry to enter. They slaughtered the Rohillas who resisted the advance. This assault ended years of Afghan control over the capital. The victory restored the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II to the throne of Delhi.
Maratha chiefs demanded 40 lakhs of rupees for restoring the emperor. They also required the cession of Meerut and neighboring districts. The agreement granted the right to appoint imperial officials below the Wazir level. Officials received half of their nazar payments as well. Saif-ud-din Muhammad Khan accepted these terms on behalf of the emperor. He forwarded the demands for ratification by higher authorities. These financial claims transformed the political landscape of northern India. The Marathas now controlled revenue streams previously held by the Mughals.
In 1772, a large army of around 50,000 soldiers marched against the Rohillas. Shinde and Holkar led this punitive expedition into Rohilkhand. They desecrated the grave of chieftain Najib ad-Dawla. Thousands of Rohillas were slaughtered during the campaign. The rest of the country was burnt with one exception. The city of Amroha remained untouched by the destruction. Fleeing survivors escaped to the Terai region. This action destroyed the power base of the Rohilla forces completely.
Common questions
When did the Maratha army enter Delhi in 1771?
The Maratha army entered Delhi on the 10th of February 1771. A force of 3,000 horses breached the city ramparts to secure the capital.
Who led the Maratha offensive against the Rohillas after Panipat?
Mahadji Shinde led the new offensive force that defeated Jats and Rajputs. His troops re-established Maratha rule across western Uttar Pradesh following the Third Battle of Panipat.
What terms did Maratha chiefs demand from Shah Alam II in 1771?
Maratha chiefs demanded 40 lakhs of rupees for restoring the emperor. They also required the cession of Meerut and neighboring districts along with the right to appoint imperial officials below the Wazir level.
How many soldiers marched against the Rohillas in 1772?
A large army of around 50,000 soldiers marched against the Rohillas in 1772. Shinde and Holkar led this punitive expedition into Rohilkhand to destroy their power base.
Which city remained untouched during the destruction of Rohilkhand in 1772?
The city of Amroha remained untouched by the destruction while the rest of the country was burnt. Fleeing survivors escaped to the Terai region after thousands of Rohillas were slaughtered during the campaign.