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Maratha's Struggle for Empire: Anglo Maratha Wars 1679-1818
The history of the Anglo-Maratha struggle in single volume is being written for the first time. This forms an important part of Indian military history, a territory not very well explored.
In a guerrilla war that lasted from 1682 to 1707, the Maratha Kingdom founded by Shivaji the Great, destroyed the Mughal power. It was not very long before Marathas became the per-eminent power on the Indian subcontinent. In 1761 however the Marathas suffered a major reverse in their effort to have an all India Empire when they lost heavily to Afghans in the battle of Panipat. The British seized this opportunity and beginning as Mughal vassal in Bengal, slowly extended their sway over the entire country. Marathas opposed the British and fought three wars. The story of these conflicts is an essential link in the chain of Indian history.
The various record of this period from Portuguese and French sources have only become available on 1970s. An authentic and objective reconstruction of the history of that period can now be done. In order to keep continuity and also relevance, events other than the Anglo-Maratha struggle have also been covered in brief. Overall the book deals with the military history of Indian of 18th and early 19th century.
The research was done in Poona Archives, India Office library in London, Deccan College and Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in Pune. Over 4000 original documents were seen and used.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Colonel Anil Anant Athale (b. 28 August 1947) A PhD in Defence and Strategic studies, Poona University Graduate of NDA and Indian Military Academy & Staff College, served in the Gorkha Rifles from 1968-1990. Sought premature and voluntary retirement as Joint Director in War History division. As first General Palit fellow of IDSA worked on the project of Anglo-Maratha Wars. Other studies in peace keeping include, Mizoram Insurgency and Peace 1966-1988, Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka, Kashmir and Northern Ireland. He has traveled widely and undertaken many study visits to Kashmir, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. Currently he is chief co-ordinator and founder member of Pune based Inpad (Initiative of Peace and Disarmament). He has authored several books on military subjects that include “ARAB ISRAELI WARS 1967 AND 1973”, “MOSHE DAYAN: A BIOGRAPHY” “SINO INDIAN BORDER CONFLICT 1962”, “INSURGENCY IN MIZORAM 1966-1988” (Official history, not yet cleared for publication.) LET THE JHELUM SMILE AGAIN, published by Aditya Prakashan, Mumbai and released by Gen. K V K Rao in April' 97. NUCLEAR MENACE : THE SATYAGRAHA APPROACH, INPAD publication. He has contributed a chapter on Kashmir in IPPNW publication and Indian Philosophical society's forthcoming work on military history. He is a regular contributor to print media and has given talks at US universities and think tanks as well as at Indian military establishments.
In a guerrilla war that lasted from 1682 to 1707, the Maratha Kingdom founded by Shivaji the Great, destroyed the Mughal power. It was not very long before Marathas became the per-eminent power on the Indian subcontinent. In 1761 however the Marathas suffered a major reverse in their effort to have an all India Empire when they lost heavily to Afghans in the battle of Panipat. The British seized this opportunity and beginning as Mughal vassal in Bengal, slowly extended their sway over the entire country. Marathas opposed the British and fought three wars. The story of these conflicts is an essential link in the chain of Indian history.
The various record of this period from Portuguese and French sources have only become available on 1970s. An authentic and objective reconstruction of the history of that period can now be done. In order to keep continuity and also relevance, events other than the Anglo-Maratha struggle have also been covered in brief. Overall the book deals with the military history of Indian of 18th and early 19th century.
The research was done in Poona Archives, India Office library in London, Deccan College and Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in Pune. Over 4000 original documents were seen and used.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Colonel Anil Anant Athale (b. 28 August 1947) A PhD in Defence and Strategic studies, Poona University Graduate of NDA and Indian Military Academy & Staff College, served in the Gorkha Rifles from 1968-1990. Sought premature and voluntary retirement as Joint Director in War History division. As first General Palit fellow of IDSA worked on the project of Anglo-Maratha Wars. Other studies in peace keeping include, Mizoram Insurgency and Peace 1966-1988, Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka, Kashmir and Northern Ireland. He has traveled widely and undertaken many study visits to Kashmir, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. Currently he is chief co-ordinator and founder member of Pune based Inpad (Initiative of Peace and Disarmament). He has authored several books on military subjects that include “ARAB ISRAELI WARS 1967 AND 1973”, “MOSHE DAYAN: A BIOGRAPHY” “SINO INDIAN BORDER CONFLICT 1962”, “INSURGENCY IN MIZORAM 1966-1988” (Official history, not yet cleared for publication.) LET THE JHELUM SMILE AGAIN, published by Aditya Prakashan, Mumbai and released by Gen. K V K Rao in April' 97. NUCLEAR MENACE : THE SATYAGRAHA APPROACH, INPAD publication. He has contributed a chapter on Kashmir in IPPNW publication and Indian Philosophical society's forthcoming work on military history. He is a regular contributor to print media and has given talks at US universities and think tanks as well as at Indian military establishments.
- GenresHistory
270 pages, Hardcover
First published January 19, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 23, 2017
Anglo-Maratha struggle which lasted more than a century has been virtually unknown to the people of India. The reason may be multi-dimensional and wide ranging from the inimical attitude of the British historians to the influence of 'Macaulay's children' and Marxist ideology on Indian historiography. As a result, the glorious epoch of the rise of Maratha Empire has been left out of our history text books. This is where this book by Col. Anil Athale fills the vacuum.
Col. Anil Athale provides a vivid picture of the geography of Maharashtra, the fall of ancient Indian (Hindu) dynasties to foreign Muslim invasions, the rise of Shivaji after three centuries of slavery and finally the policies of the Great King of Maharashtra. The most fascinating part is the largely unknown story of Maratha War of Independence (1682-1707) which destroyed the Mughal power and paved way to the Maratha supremacy in India until their replacement by the British in the beginning of the 19th century.
Another interesting part in the book is the Anglo-Maratha struggle for the dominance of the west coast, the heroic tales of Angres literally make us feel proud about the past of the Indian Naval prowess. The national disaster at Panipat in 1761, the resurgence of Marathas after Panipat and finally how the intrigues and disunity led to the fall of Maratha Empire has been described with good pace. The final chapter also describes how the Marathas saved the Indian civilization from the fate that overtook Persia and Egypt.
As a former Indian Army officer, the author has done exceptionally well in providing a work with the observation of a military personnel as well as a nationalistic outlook which is sure to make every Indian proud of his past. I am also greatful for his kindness to send me the book as soon as I called him up.
Col. Anil Athale provides a vivid picture of the geography of Maharashtra, the fall of ancient Indian (Hindu) dynasties to foreign Muslim invasions, the rise of Shivaji after three centuries of slavery and finally the policies of the Great King of Maharashtra. The most fascinating part is the largely unknown story of Maratha War of Independence (1682-1707) which destroyed the Mughal power and paved way to the Maratha supremacy in India until their replacement by the British in the beginning of the 19th century.
Another interesting part in the book is the Anglo-Maratha struggle for the dominance of the west coast, the heroic tales of Angres literally make us feel proud about the past of the Indian Naval prowess. The national disaster at Panipat in 1761, the resurgence of Marathas after Panipat and finally how the intrigues and disunity led to the fall of Maratha Empire has been described with good pace. The final chapter also describes how the Marathas saved the Indian civilization from the fate that overtook Persia and Egypt.
As a former Indian Army officer, the author has done exceptionally well in providing a work with the observation of a military personnel as well as a nationalistic outlook which is sure to make every Indian proud of his past. I am also greatful for his kindness to send me the book as soon as I called him up.
December 24, 2016
The history of the Anglo-Maratha struggle in single volume is being written for the first time. This forms an important part of Indian military history, a territory not very well explored.
In a guerrilla war that lasted from 1682 to 1707, the Maratha Kingdom founded by Shivaji the Great, destroyed the Mughal power. It was not very long before Marathas became the per-eminent power on the Indian subcontinent. In 1761 however the Marathas suffered a major reverse in their effort to have an all India Empire when they lost heavily to Afghans in the battle of Panipat. The British seized this opportunity and beginning as Mughal vassal in Bengal, slowly extended their sway over the entire country. Marathas opposed the British and fought three wars. The story of these conflicts is an essential link in the chain of Indian history.
The various record of this period from Portuguese and French sources have only become available on 1970s. An authentic and objective reconstruction of the history of that period can now be done. In order to keep continuity and also relevance, events other than the Anglo-Maratha struggle have also been covered in brief. Overall the book deals with the military history of Indian of 18th and early 19th century.
The research was done in Poona Archives, India Office library in London, Deccan College and Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in Pune. Over 4000 original documents were seen and used.
In a guerrilla war that lasted from 1682 to 1707, the Maratha Kingdom founded by Shivaji the Great, destroyed the Mughal power. It was not very long before Marathas became the per-eminent power on the Indian subcontinent. In 1761 however the Marathas suffered a major reverse in their effort to have an all India Empire when they lost heavily to Afghans in the battle of Panipat. The British seized this opportunity and beginning as Mughal vassal in Bengal, slowly extended their sway over the entire country. Marathas opposed the British and fought three wars. The story of these conflicts is an essential link in the chain of Indian history.
The various record of this period from Portuguese and French sources have only become available on 1970s. An authentic and objective reconstruction of the history of that period can now be done. In order to keep continuity and also relevance, events other than the Anglo-Maratha struggle have also been covered in brief. Overall the book deals with the military history of Indian of 18th and early 19th century.
The research was done in Poona Archives, India Office library in London, Deccan College and Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal in Pune. Over 4000 original documents were seen and used.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews