The Second Anglo-Maratha War: A Coalition Against the British-Book Review: The Legacy of Shivaji The Great: Military Strategy, Naval Supremacy and the Maratha Empire by Col Anil Athale PART 7

 

The Formation of the Anti-British Alliance

In 1780, the Marathas, Nizam, and Hyder Ali formed a formidable alliance against the British. The Marathas pledged to keep the British army under Colonel Goddard engaged, while Hyder Ali aimed to capture Madras. The Nizam promised to assist Hyder Ali, and the Bhonsles of Nagpur were to attack Bengal. The alliance agreed not to negotiate a separate peace with the British.

The Bhonsles and the British

Despite being part of the alliance, the Bhonsles of Nagpur had a strained relationship with the Peshwas. The Bhonsles believed they were equals to the Peshwas and, relying heavily on a paid army that was predominantly non-Maratha, were constantly in need of funds. Financial resources were crucial for any government.

The Gaikwad's Defection

In 1780, Fateh Singh Gaikwad became the first Maratha general to accept British protection, weakening the alliance.

The Bhonsles and the British

The Bhonsles' army, marching towards Bengal, alarmed the British. The Bhonsles demanded a hefty sum of 20 lakhs, and after negotiations, an agreement was reached. During the negotiations, the British assembled a force to attack Mahadji Shinde in the north. The Bhonsles allowed the British forces to pass through Orissa to aid the Madras Presidency, which was under attack from Hyder Ali.

The Battle of Malanggad

Meanwhile, the British and Marathas clashed at Malanggad, a mountain fort.

The Quadruple Alliance and British Victory

The Quadruple Alliance launched a coordinated attack on the British. However, the British managed to win over the Nizam by granting him Guntur.

Hyder Ali's Triumph

Hyder Ali decisively defeated the British Army in the Battle of Perumbakkam. Unlike the Marathas, Hyder Ali forced the British to surrender their guns and relentlessly pursued the survivors who fled to Madras.

Maratha Victories and Limitations

Goddard captured Bassein in 1780, a significant loss for the Marathas. The British planned to attack Poona but failed, and the Marathas recaptured most of the coastal territories they had lost since 1774, except for Bassein and Sashti. This was a major defensive victory for the Marathas.

The Alliance's Shortcomings

Despite the Maratha victory against Goddard's army, the alliance was hampered by the Bhonsles' inactivity in Orissa and Mahadji Shinde's limited success in the north