Haji Ali Dargah(हाजी अली दरगाह) Mumbai,India
Location : Haji Ali Dargah,Worli,Mumbai,India
Central Mumbai, just off the coast of Worli, not far from Mahalaxmi railway station.
Built In : 1431
Built By : Wealthy Muslim merchant and saint Haji Ali
Highlights :
Situated in the middle of the ocean, Haji Ali is only accessible during low tide from a narrow, 500 yard long walkway.
On Thursdays and Fridays tens of thousands of pilgrims flock there to receive blessings from the dead saint.
If find you need to pass some time until the tide lowers enough, there's a shopping center on the opposite side of the road.
HOW TO REACH HAJI ALI DARGAH MUMBAI ?
Nearest Airport : Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport(20km)
Nearest Railway Station : Mahalaxmi on Western Railway
Background :
Structure :
About Haji Ali Dargah :
Photo Gallery :
Central Mumbai, just off the coast of Worli, not far from Mahalaxmi railway station.
Built In : 1431
Built By : Wealthy Muslim merchant and saint Haji Ali
Highlights :
Situated in the middle of the ocean, Haji Ali is only accessible during low tide from a narrow, 500 yard long walkway.
On Thursdays and Fridays tens of thousands of pilgrims flock there to receive blessings from the dead saint.
If find you need to pass some time until the tide lowers enough, there's a shopping center on the opposite side of the road.
HOW TO REACH HAJI ALI DARGAH MUMBAI ?
Nearest Airport : Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport(20km)
Nearest Railway Station : Mahalaxmi on Western Railway
Background :
The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a rich Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.), who gave up all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Hailing from Bukhara, in the ancient Persian Empire and now in Uzbekistan, Bukhari travelled around the world in the early to mid 15th century, and then settled in Mumbai.
As per the legends, surrounding his life, once the Saint saw a poor woman crying on the road, holding an empty vessel. He asked her what the problem was.
She sobbed that her husband would thrash her since she had stumbled and accidentally spilled the oil she was carrying. He asked her to take him to the spot where she lost the oil.
There, he jabbed a finger into the soil and the oil gushed out. The overjoyed woman filled up the vessel and went home.
Later, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari (R.A.) had a recurring - and disturbing - dream that he had injured Earth by his act. Full of remorse, he soon fell ill and directed his followers to cast the coffin carrying his body into the Arabian Sea, once he died.
Haji Ali left this world during his journey to Mecca and miraculously the casket carrying his body, floated back to these shores, getting stuck in the string of rocky islets just off the shore of Worli. Thus, the Dargah was constructed there.
On Thursdays and Fridays, the shrine is visited by at least 40,000 pilgrims. Irrespective of faith and religion, people visit the 'dargah' to get the blessings of the legendary saint.
Sometimes, especially on Fridays, people may find various sufi musicians performing a form of devotional music called Qawwali at the Dargah.
The Dargah Sharif is built on a tiny islet located 500 meters from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli.
The edifice is a brilliant specimen of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow causeway, which is nearly a kilometre (0.62 mile) long.
The accessibility to the dargah is very much dependent on the tides. As, the causeway is not bound by railings, when the causeway gets submerged during the tides high tides it becomes inaccessible.
Therefore, the dargah is accessible only during low tide. This walk on the causeway, with the sea on both sides, is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine.
The whitewashed structure occupies an area of 4,500 square meters, and an 85 foot (26 m) tower is the architectural highlight of the edifice.
Behind the sculpted entrance, a marble courtyard contains the central shrine. The tomb within the mosque is covered by a brocaded red and green chaddar (tomb cover sheet).
It is supported by an exquisite silver frame, supported by marble pillars.
The main hall has marble pillars embellished with artful mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed with Arabic patterns which spell the ninety-nine names of Allah.
As per the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay their respects. During the high tide, the dargah seems completely isolated with no access.
It looks more like a little island.
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Wonders Of World
1. Taj Mahal
2. Great Wall of China
3. Petra
4. Christ the Redeemer
5. Machu Picchu
6. Chichen Itza
7. Colosseum
8. Great Pyramid of Giza (Honorary Candidate)
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Hanging Garden,Mumbai,India
Location : Malabar Hills, Mumbai,India.
Attractions : Hedges crafted in shapes of animals
Specialty : Animal shaped hedges along the slopes of verdant Malabar Hills
Watch Video : click here
Entry : Free.
How to Reach Hanging Gardens Mumbai :
One can easily reach Hanging Gardens by boarding buses or trains, or by hiring autos or taxis from the city.
Board a local or hire a taxi/auto or busVery near to charni road station is this famous walkeshwar area at Malabar hill location, Just 15 minutes from station in Taxi.
Some attractive places near Kamla Nehru Park are jain temple, banganga and Girgaon Chowpatty.
About Hanging Garden :
Hanging Gardens also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens are the perfectly manicured terraced gardens on the slopes of the Malabar Hill, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park.
Providing a calming view of Sunset over the Arabian Sea, the Hanging Gardens have been carved into the shapes of animals.
The park, which was laid out in 1881 over Bombay’s main reservoir, owes its name to the renowned barrister Pherozshah Mehta.
You can be a part of healthy stroll down the Hanging garden early in the morning and in the evening and rejuvenate your energy level amidst the soft caressing breeze that blow from the Arabian Sea.
With gaping vibrancy of natural beauty there is a modern expanse of the city down hills.
The main attraction regarding this garden is that offers a lovely view of the sunset across the horizon of the Arabian Sea.
Another interesting feature comprises of its several hedges that have been fashioned into different shapes of animals.
Besides the above-mentioned features, you can see a striking flower clock in the middle of the garden.
Photo Gallery :
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Sanjay Gandhi National Park ( संजय गांधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यान ),Mumbai,India
Location : Mumbai,Maharashtra,India.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in the suburb of Borivali, is 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Mumbai city center.
Created In : 1974
Entry : 20 rupees.
Timings : 7:30 am-7:30 pm daily
Best Time To Visit :
October to March
How to Reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park ?
Nearest Airport :
The nearest International airport is Sahara (20 kms) and Santacruz is the nearest domestic airport (16kms) which connects Mumbai to all major cities in India.
Nearest Railway Station :
Nearest Railway station is at Borivili (2 km). Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (40 km) and Mumbai Central (36 km) are the two other nearest rail terminuses which connects to almost all parts of India.
By Road :
The park is connected to all parts of Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra with good roads. Buses ply on Sunday's and holiday's from Mumbai to the Park.
Contact Address :
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Sanjay Gandhi National Park,
Phone: 91- 22- 28860362, 91- 22- 28860389, 91- 22- 28421174
About Sanjay Gandhi National Park :
To see video : click here
Photo Gallery :
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in the suburb of Borivali, is 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Mumbai city center.
Created In : 1974
Entry : 20 rupees.
Timings : 7:30 am-7:30 pm daily
Best Time To Visit :
October to March
How to Reach Sanjay Gandhi National Park ?
Nearest Airport :
The nearest International airport is Sahara (20 kms) and Santacruz is the nearest domestic airport (16kms) which connects Mumbai to all major cities in India.
Nearest Railway Station :
Nearest Railway station is at Borivili (2 km). Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (40 km) and Mumbai Central (36 km) are the two other nearest rail terminuses which connects to almost all parts of India.
By Road :
The park is connected to all parts of Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra with good roads. Buses ply on Sunday's and holiday's from Mumbai to the Park.
Contact Address :
Deputy Conservator of Forests
Sanjay Gandhi National Park,
Phone: 91- 22- 28860362, 91- 22- 28860389, 91- 22- 28421174
About Sanjay Gandhi National Park :
Who would’ve thought that it’s possible to enjoy wildlife and nature at a national park right in the middle of the Mumbai!
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is an oasis amongst the city concrete. Its lush greenery extends for 104 square kilometers (65 square miles) and includes more than 100 ancient hand-carved Buddhist caves, a tiger sanctuary, tiger and lion safaris, a recreational zone for the kids, and cottages and camping facilities.
It's possible to go trekking, and also ride a toy train, through in the park. With air so fresh and clean, and a wide variety of animal and plant life, you'll quickly forget there's a city of 20 million people outside.
Accommodation :
A number of budget hotels and lodges provide decent accommodation, within the metropolitan limits. There are Forest Lodges and Log Huts available for accommodation. Booking is taken by the wildlife authorities daily between 1000 hrs in the morning to 1700 hrs in the evening.
To see video : click here
Photo Gallery :
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Murud Janjira fort (मुरुड जंजिरा किला),Maharashtra,India
Location : Murud,Raigad,Maharashtra,India
Murud-Janjira is the local name for a fort situated on an island just off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district ofMaharashtra, India.
Mumbai to Murud Janjira - 142 km
Pune to Murud Janjira - 172 km
Hyderabad to Murud Janjira - 722 km
Bangalore to Murud Janjira - 955 km
Nagpur to Murud Janjira - 962 km
Built In : 1490
Built By : Koli chief
It was occupied by the Siddis and is famous for being the only fort along India's Western coast that remained undefeated despite Dutch, Maratha and English East India Company attacks.
How to Reach Murud Junjira?
Nearest Airport : Mumbai International Airport (165 km)
Nearest Railway Station : Roha (ROHA)-23 km
By Bus :
State owned buses connect nearest cities with Murud Janjira. Buses are available from Pune, Thane, Borivli, Mumbai central and Dadar. State owned public buses charge less than Rs 1 per km.
Type : Island fort
Construction materials : Stone
Current owner : Government of India
Open to the public : Yes
Controlled by : Siddis
Origins of the name :
The word Janjira is not native to India, and may have originated after the Arabic word Jazeera, which means an island.
Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan ("of Habshi" or Abyssinian).
The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Arabic words for Island, "morod" and "jazeera".
The word "morod" is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.
Murud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port town of Murud, 165 km (103 mi) south of Mumbai.
Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.
The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it.
It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.
The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact.
There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the bastions.
Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, a big fresh water tank, etc.
On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.
There are prominent "ASHOK-CHAKRAS" on all major gates of the fort Janjira. There are images of playing elephants, lions etc.
The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.
The palace was self-sufficient and must have support of the locals.
It has secret gates to hide and escape. Its construction is unique and very strong.
Originally the fort was a small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century.
It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar.
Later, the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian-origin Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings.
From then onward, Siddis became independent, owing allegiance to Adilshah and the Mughals as dictated by the times.
History :
Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the power of the Siddi's, who were themselves allied with the Mughal Empire.
Major historical figures from Murud-Janjira include men such as Yahya Saleh and Sidi Yaqub.
The fort has a tunnel which opens in Rajpuri.
The fort was made by a mixture of lead, sand and gul.
The Marathas led by Shivaji attempted to scale the 12 meters high Granite walls but failed in all his attempts.
His son Sambhaji even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort but was unsuccessful in all his attempts.
In the year 1736, Siddi's of Murud-Janjira set out to recapture Raigarh from the ravaging forces of Baji Rao, on 19th April 1736, Chimnaji attacked the gathering forces in the encampments of the Siddi's during the Battle of Riwas near Riwas, when the confrontation ended 1500 Siddi's including their leader Siddi Sat were killed.
Peace was concluded in September 1736, but the Siddi's were confined to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanwel.
Photo Gallery :
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Top 10 places in Mumbai,Maharashtra,India
1. Gateway of India
3. Elephanta Caves
4. Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat
5. Haji Ali
6. Bollywood
7. Kala Ghoda Art Precinct
8. Heritage Buildings
9. National Park
10. Mumbai Dabbawalas
11. Markets and Bazaars
12. Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty Beaches
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Mahadaji Shinde (महादजी शिंदे) wada
Mahadaji Shinde :
Born : 1730 C.E.
Died : February 12, 1794
Religion : Hinduism
Mahadaji Shinde (महादजी शिंदे) (1730 – February 12, 1794), was a Maratha ruler of the state of Gwalior in central India.
Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of the Peshwa, leader of the Maratha Empire.
During his reign, Gwalior became the leading state in the Maratha Empire and one of the foremost military powers in India.
After installing 1771 Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne, Mahadji became Naib Vakil-i-mutlaq (deputy regent of Mughal affairs).
The Mughals also gave him the title of Amir-ul-Amara (head of the amirs).
Shinde family :
Ranoji Shinde was the son of Jankojirao Shinde, the Patil of Kanherkhed in Maharashtra.
Ranoji was put in charge of the Maratha armies in Malwa by the Peshwa.
He conquered much of Malwa from the Mughal Empire, and fixed his headquarters in the ancient city of Ujjain, which ultimately became the capital of the Shinde dominion, which was known after its later capital of Gwalior.
Ranoji died in 1745 and left three legitimate sons, Jayapa, Dattaji, and Jotiba, and two illegitimate, Tukaji and Mahadji.
He was succeeded by Jayappa Shinde who expanded their territories up to the River Yamuna.
Mahadji's mother was a Rajput woman named Chimabai.
From an early age, he was given a thorough military education.
He first went to war at the age of 10.
Early campaigns of Mahadji :
South India
In 1740, the Marathas were successful in defeating the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Mahadji (who was then aged 10) accompanied Dattajirao Shinde and Trimbak Kinnad on this campaign.
In 1742, the Marathas were attacked by the Nizam of Hyderabad at Berar and Belur.
Mahadji accompanied the forces sent by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao who drove away the invaders.
North India
Between 1745 and 1761, Mahadji fought in around 50 wars, including those in Malwa, Rajputana, Bundelkhand, Brij, Doab, Rohilkhand, Delhi, Kunjpur, and in the Battle of Panipat.
Among the campaigns which Mahadji assisted, the notable ones include the ones at Chandravati Ganj (1746), Fatehabad (1746), Badi Sadri (1747), Marwar (1747), and Himat Nagar (1748).
The army of Malharrao Holkar joined the Shinde army to bring all the Rajput states under Maratha control and force them to accept Maratha suzerainty, as directed by the Peshwa.
Under this campaign, several city states were added to the Maratha Empire such as Medtya, Ratangarh, Lalgarh, Bikaner, Laswari, Lachhmangarh, Kumher and Deeg and the states with territory of Jaipur and Jodhpur agreed to become vassals of the Maratha Empire.
All the Jat states except Bharatpur and Vijaynagar too were conquered.
Mathura which was under Mughal rule was conquered by Mahadji in 1755 where he reconstructed various old temples and established a centre for Sanskrit learning.
In January 1758, Mahadji established Gwalior as his headquarters.
Ruler of Gwalior :
Jayappa Shinde, the head of the Shinde family was murdered in his own house and was succeeded by his son Jankoji.
In 1761, the Shindes joined the Peshwa's army led by Sadashivrao Bhau against the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali at the Third Battle of Panipat.
In this battle, Jankoji was taken prisoner and put to death.
Dattaji, brother of Jayappa had also been killed previous year in a battle wth Abdali's forces at Buradi Ghat in 1760 and so Mahadji being the next successor in line ascended as the ruler of the Gwalior state.
Mahadji too had fought at Panipat, and made a hair-breadth escape from the rout of the Maratha army.
He suffered a serious wound in his leg, which left him with a limp for the rest of his life.
Besides his military training, Mahadji was also literate in Persian and Sanskrit.
He used to read all his audits himself, unlike other rulers of later medieval India who employed scribes.
Later campaigns :
When the Maratha army crossed the Narmada in February 1770, the Jat king Nawal Singh of Bharatpur opposed them.
However, in the battle on 6 April 1770 Mahadji defeated him and Maratha supremacy over the North was re-established.
In early 1771, ten years after the collapse of Maratha supremacy in North India following the Third Battle of Panipat, Mahadji recaptured Delhi and installed Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne.
He became Naib Vakil-i-mutlaq(deputy regent of Mughal affairs).
The Mughals also gave him the title of Amir-ul-Amara(head of the amirs). Mahadji ruled the Punjab as it was a Mughal territory and Sikh sardars and other Rajas of the cis-Sutlej region paid tributes to him.
In 1777, Mahadji provided military assistance to the Peshwas against the Maratha army of Kolhapur.
Mahadji besieged and attacked the town of Karvir in Kolhapur.
First Anglo-Maratha War :
In 1773, Peshwa Narayanrao was murdered in a conspiracy involving his uncle Raghunathrao who placed himself as the next Peshwa although he was not a legal heir.
Meanwhile, a group of twelve Maratha chiefs known as the Barbhai council made Narayanrao's infant son Sawai Madhavrao the legal Peshwa.
The Barbhai council included Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadnis, who was acted as the Peshwa's regent.
Raghunathrao, unwilling to give up his position of power, sought help from the British East India Company at Bombay.
Battle of Wadgaon, 1779 :
In 1777, Nana Phadnis violated his treaty with the Calcutta Council by granting the French a port on the west coast. The British replied by sending a force towards Pune.
Mahadji Shinde joined forces with other Maratha generals to fight the British army supported by Raghunathrao.
In January 1779, the forces of British troops consisting of about 3,900 men under command of Col. Egerton marched towards Pune.
They were joined on the way by Raghunath's forces, adding several thousand more soldiers, and more artillery. The Maratha army was commanded by Mahadji Shinde and Tukojirao Holkar.
Mahadji slowed down the British march by firing from above a hill and sent forces under Jiwbadada Bakshi and Lakhbaji to cut off its supply lines by burning food and fodder.
When they found out about this, the British halted at Talegaon near Pune. The Maratha cavalry harassed the British from all sides and applying a scorched earth policy, burnt farmland and poisoned wells.
The British began to withdraw from Talegaon in the middle of the night, but the Marathas attacked, forcing them to halt at Wadgaon, where the British force was surrounded on 12 January 1779.
On 16 January, the British signed the Treaty of Wadgaon that forced the Bombay government to relinquish all territories acquired by East India Company in western India since 1773 which included Sashti (Salsette), Thane, and the entire Gujarat region.
The British were also made to pay Rs. 41,000 as an indemnity to the army of Mahadji. It was agreed that Raghunathrao would be handed to the Marathas.
On 18 January 1779 Mahadji captured Raghunathrao and his forces. He also defeated and arrested Sakharam Bapu and imprisoned him in the jail of Sinhagad.
Vakil-ul-Mutlak :
Mahadji took full advantage of the system of neutrality pursued by the British to resurrect Maratha power over Northern India. In this he was assisted by Benoît de Boigne who increased Sindhia's regular forces to three brigades.
With these troops Sindhia became a power in northern India.After the growth in power of feudal lords like Malwa sardars, landlords of Bundelkhand and Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, they refused to pay tribute to Mahadji.
So he sent his army conquer the states such as Bhopal, Datiya, Chanderi (1782), Narwar, Salbai and Gohad. He launched an expedition against the Raja of Jaipur, but withdrew after the inconclusive Battle of Lalsot in 1787.
The strong fort of Gwalior was then in the hands of Chhatar Singh, the Jat ruler of Gohad. In 1783, Mahadji besieged the fort of Gwalior and conquered it.
He delegated the administration of Gwalior to Khanderao Hari Bhalerao. After celebrating the conquest of Gwalior, Mahadji Shinde turned his attention to Delhi.
Shinde Chhatri, Pune is a memorial dedicated to Mahadji Shinde for his service as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army.
PHOTO GALLAY OF MAHADAJI SHINDE WADA :
Born : 1730 C.E.
Died : February 12, 1794
Religion : Hinduism
Mahadaji Shinde (महादजी शिंदे) (1730 – February 12, 1794), was a Maratha ruler of the state of Gwalior in central India.
Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power after the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of the Peshwa, leader of the Maratha Empire.
During his reign, Gwalior became the leading state in the Maratha Empire and one of the foremost military powers in India.
After installing 1771 Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne, Mahadji became Naib Vakil-i-mutlaq (deputy regent of Mughal affairs).
The Mughals also gave him the title of Amir-ul-Amara (head of the amirs).
Shinde family :
Ranoji Shinde was the son of Jankojirao Shinde, the Patil of Kanherkhed in Maharashtra.
Ranoji was put in charge of the Maratha armies in Malwa by the Peshwa.
He conquered much of Malwa from the Mughal Empire, and fixed his headquarters in the ancient city of Ujjain, which ultimately became the capital of the Shinde dominion, which was known after its later capital of Gwalior.
Ranoji died in 1745 and left three legitimate sons, Jayapa, Dattaji, and Jotiba, and two illegitimate, Tukaji and Mahadji.
He was succeeded by Jayappa Shinde who expanded their territories up to the River Yamuna.
Mahadji's mother was a Rajput woman named Chimabai.
From an early age, he was given a thorough military education.
He first went to war at the age of 10.
Early campaigns of Mahadji :
South India
In 1740, the Marathas were successful in defeating the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Mahadji (who was then aged 10) accompanied Dattajirao Shinde and Trimbak Kinnad on this campaign.
In 1742, the Marathas were attacked by the Nizam of Hyderabad at Berar and Belur.
Mahadji accompanied the forces sent by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao who drove away the invaders.
North India
Between 1745 and 1761, Mahadji fought in around 50 wars, including those in Malwa, Rajputana, Bundelkhand, Brij, Doab, Rohilkhand, Delhi, Kunjpur, and in the Battle of Panipat.
Among the campaigns which Mahadji assisted, the notable ones include the ones at Chandravati Ganj (1746), Fatehabad (1746), Badi Sadri (1747), Marwar (1747), and Himat Nagar (1748).
The army of Malharrao Holkar joined the Shinde army to bring all the Rajput states under Maratha control and force them to accept Maratha suzerainty, as directed by the Peshwa.
Under this campaign, several city states were added to the Maratha Empire such as Medtya, Ratangarh, Lalgarh, Bikaner, Laswari, Lachhmangarh, Kumher and Deeg and the states with territory of Jaipur and Jodhpur agreed to become vassals of the Maratha Empire.
All the Jat states except Bharatpur and Vijaynagar too were conquered.
Mathura which was under Mughal rule was conquered by Mahadji in 1755 where he reconstructed various old temples and established a centre for Sanskrit learning.
In January 1758, Mahadji established Gwalior as his headquarters.
Ruler of Gwalior :
Jayappa Shinde, the head of the Shinde family was murdered in his own house and was succeeded by his son Jankoji.
In 1761, the Shindes joined the Peshwa's army led by Sadashivrao Bhau against the Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali at the Third Battle of Panipat.
In this battle, Jankoji was taken prisoner and put to death.
Dattaji, brother of Jayappa had also been killed previous year in a battle wth Abdali's forces at Buradi Ghat in 1760 and so Mahadji being the next successor in line ascended as the ruler of the Gwalior state.
Mahadji too had fought at Panipat, and made a hair-breadth escape from the rout of the Maratha army.
He suffered a serious wound in his leg, which left him with a limp for the rest of his life.
Besides his military training, Mahadji was also literate in Persian and Sanskrit.
He used to read all his audits himself, unlike other rulers of later medieval India who employed scribes.
Later campaigns :
When the Maratha army crossed the Narmada in February 1770, the Jat king Nawal Singh of Bharatpur opposed them.
However, in the battle on 6 April 1770 Mahadji defeated him and Maratha supremacy over the North was re-established.
In early 1771, ten years after the collapse of Maratha supremacy in North India following the Third Battle of Panipat, Mahadji recaptured Delhi and installed Shah Alam II as the puppet ruler on the Mughal throne.
He became Naib Vakil-i-mutlaq(deputy regent of Mughal affairs).
The Mughals also gave him the title of Amir-ul-Amara(head of the amirs). Mahadji ruled the Punjab as it was a Mughal territory and Sikh sardars and other Rajas of the cis-Sutlej region paid tributes to him.
In 1777, Mahadji provided military assistance to the Peshwas against the Maratha army of Kolhapur.
Mahadji besieged and attacked the town of Karvir in Kolhapur.
First Anglo-Maratha War :
In 1773, Peshwa Narayanrao was murdered in a conspiracy involving his uncle Raghunathrao who placed himself as the next Peshwa although he was not a legal heir.
Meanwhile, a group of twelve Maratha chiefs known as the Barbhai council made Narayanrao's infant son Sawai Madhavrao the legal Peshwa.
The Barbhai council included Mahadji Shinde and Nana Phadnis, who was acted as the Peshwa's regent.
Raghunathrao, unwilling to give up his position of power, sought help from the British East India Company at Bombay.
In 1777, Nana Phadnis violated his treaty with the Calcutta Council by granting the French a port on the west coast. The British replied by sending a force towards Pune.
Mahadji Shinde joined forces with other Maratha generals to fight the British army supported by Raghunathrao.
In January 1779, the forces of British troops consisting of about 3,900 men under command of Col. Egerton marched towards Pune.
They were joined on the way by Raghunath's forces, adding several thousand more soldiers, and more artillery. The Maratha army was commanded by Mahadji Shinde and Tukojirao Holkar.
Mahadji slowed down the British march by firing from above a hill and sent forces under Jiwbadada Bakshi and Lakhbaji to cut off its supply lines by burning food and fodder.
When they found out about this, the British halted at Talegaon near Pune. The Maratha cavalry harassed the British from all sides and applying a scorched earth policy, burnt farmland and poisoned wells.
The British began to withdraw from Talegaon in the middle of the night, but the Marathas attacked, forcing them to halt at Wadgaon, where the British force was surrounded on 12 January 1779.
On 16 January, the British signed the Treaty of Wadgaon that forced the Bombay government to relinquish all territories acquired by East India Company in western India since 1773 which included Sashti (Salsette), Thane, and the entire Gujarat region.
The British were also made to pay Rs. 41,000 as an indemnity to the army of Mahadji. It was agreed that Raghunathrao would be handed to the Marathas.
On 18 January 1779 Mahadji captured Raghunathrao and his forces. He also defeated and arrested Sakharam Bapu and imprisoned him in the jail of Sinhagad.
Vakil-ul-Mutlak :
Mahadji took full advantage of the system of neutrality pursued by the British to resurrect Maratha power over Northern India. In this he was assisted by Benoît de Boigne who increased Sindhia's regular forces to three brigades.
With these troops Sindhia became a power in northern India.After the growth in power of feudal lords like Malwa sardars, landlords of Bundelkhand and Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, they refused to pay tribute to Mahadji.
So he sent his army conquer the states such as Bhopal, Datiya, Chanderi (1782), Narwar, Salbai and Gohad. He launched an expedition against the Raja of Jaipur, but withdrew after the inconclusive Battle of Lalsot in 1787.
The strong fort of Gwalior was then in the hands of Chhatar Singh, the Jat ruler of Gohad. In 1783, Mahadji besieged the fort of Gwalior and conquered it.
He delegated the administration of Gwalior to Khanderao Hari Bhalerao. After celebrating the conquest of Gwalior, Mahadji Shinde turned his attention to Delhi.
Shinde Chhatri, Pune is a memorial dedicated to Mahadji Shinde for his service as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army.
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