Shivaji's Campaign of Jawali was a military engagement fought between the Maratha rebels, led by

Shivaji Shivaji I (Shivaji Shahaji Bhonsale, ; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680) was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle dynasty. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the Sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the ...

and the

Bijapur Sultanate The Sultanate of Bijapur was an early modern kingdom in the western Deccan and South India, ruled by the Muslim Adil Shahi (or Adilshahi) dynasty. Bijapur had been a '' taraf'' (province) of the Bahmani Kingdom prior to its independence in 14 ...

, under the command of Chandra Rao More, in the year 1656. This battle took place near the town of Jawali, located in present-day Maharashtra, India.

Background

During the seventeenth century,

emerged as a warrior and leader, establishing the

Maratha Kingdom The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern polity in the Indian subcontinent. It comprised the realms of the Peshwa and four major independent Maratha states under the nominal leadership of the former. ...

in the region. The Bijapur Sultanate, one of the dominant powers in the Deccan, sought to curb Shivaji's growing influence and expansionist ambitions. In pursuit of this goal, Chandra Rao More, a general of Bijapur, was tasked with confronting Shivaji's forces.

Jawali Campaign

The exact details of the battle are somewhat obscured by historical accounts, but it is believed to have been a strategically important engagement in Shivaji's early military campaigns. The battle was likely characterized by skirmishes, cavalry charges, and infantry maneuvers typical of warfare during that period. The Battle of Jawali resulted in a decisive victory for Shivaji and his forces. The defeat of Chandra Rao More's army significantly weakened the Bijapur Sultanate's hold on the region and enhanced Shivaji's reputation as a military leader. This victory contributed to the expansion of the

and further solidified Shivaji's position as a player in the

Deccan The Deccan is a plateau extending over an area of and occupies the majority of the Indian peninsula. It stretches from the Satpura and Vindhya Ranges in the north to the northern fringes of Tamil Nadu in the south. It is bound by the mount ...

Aftermath

According to the Jedhe Chronology Chandrarao capitulated to Javali in the month of Vaishakha of Shaka 1578 etween 15 April and 14 May 1656

incarcerated Chandrarao and his sons, Krishnaji and Baji. Though Chandrarao endeavoured to break free from prison, Shivaji had him and his son Krishnaji executed but Baji managed to escape. Shivaji captured Raigarh, Supa, Rohida, Tikona, Lohgarh, Rajmachi, and more.

raised up a fort in Jawali which he named Pratapgad. Ganoji Govind was made commander of the Pratapgad fort. The capture of Jawali opened doors for Shivaji’s entry into the Konkan, the coastal regions of the

Maratha The Marathi people (; Marathi: , ''Marāṭhī lōk'') or Marathis (Marathi: मराठी, ''Marāṭhī'') are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-A ...

country. Later

came into armed conflict with the Siddis of Danda Rajpuri.

Legacy

Battle of Jawali is remembered as a crucial moment in the history of the

, showcasing Shivaji's military prowess and strategic acumen. The outcome of this battle played an important role in shaping the political landscape of the Deccan region during the seventeenth century.

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2024 Conflicts in 1656 Battles involving the Sultanate of Bijapur 1656 in India Battles involving the Maratha Empire