Battle of Birbhum (1743)

Battle of Birbhum
Part of Maratha invasions of Bengal
Date1743
Location
Birbhum
Result Bengali Victory
Belligerents
Bengal Subah  Maratha Confederacy
Commanders and leaders

Alivardi Khan

Raghuji I
Strength
Unknown Unkown

The Battle of Birbhum occurred in 1743 and took place between the Bengali forces led by Alivardi Khan against the Maratha Confederacy which was led by Raghuji I.

Background

The Battle of Birbhum is regarded as the second Maratha and began early in 1743. Alivardi Khan decided that he would enlist the support of Balaji Baji Rao (a Peshwa) from the Maratha Confederacy instead of using his own army. Alivardi Khan used the rivalry between Balaji Baji Rao and Raghuji I to make them face each other at Birbhum.[1][2]

Alivardi Khan promised Balaji a portion of the revenue of Bihar and thus was able to set two Maratha leaders against each other. While on the surface this strategy seemed to have been intelligent thinking by Alivardi Khan it was not without it's drawbacks as the Nawab would realise that previously he only had one Maratha army ravaging in his lands but now he would have two.[1][2]

Battle

By the close of the year, with the support of Balaji Baji Rao, Nawab Alivardi Khan was able to defeat his army and force Raghuji I out of Bengal for the second time.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Robert, Ivermee (2020). Hooghly: The Global History of a River. Oxford University Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-78738-325-8.
  2. ^ a b Khan, Seid G.H (2006). Seir Mutaqherin Or View Of Modern Times. p. 421. ISBN 978-9693517972.