Sack of Surat

Coordinates: 21°10′N 72°50′E / 21.167°N 72.833°E / 21.167; 72.833
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Battle of Surat
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Battle of Surat

Sack of Surat by Shivaji.
Date5–10 January 1664
Location
Surat, Gujarat, India
Result Maratha Empire Victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Shivaji Inayat Khan
Casualties and losses
Shivaji ordered the beheading of four Imperialist prisoners and the amputation of the hands of twenty-four others.[1]

Battle of Surat, also known as the Sack of Surat, was a land battle that took place on 5 January 1664, near the city of

ransacked
the city.

Surat was a wealthy

Poona (Pune)
.

Background

Deccan for more than three years fighting the Marathas, and their financial condition was dire. So to improve his finances, Shivaji planned to attack Surat, a key Moghal administrative centre and a wealthy port town that generated a million rupees in taxes. His aim was to capture and loot the wealthy port city and bring all the loot to his Raigad Fort.[2][3][4]In the rainy season of 1663, he focused on targeting Surat, Shivaji's spies and agents meticulously observed the northern Mughal territories between Poona and Burhanpur, seeking out the weakest point for a new assault as open war between them had commenced. With accurate intelligence in hand, Shivaji planned to strike Surat, intending to tarnish the Emperor's reputation by raising a significant disturbance.[2][3][4]

Battle

Movement and clash of forces

Despite the distance of over two hundred miles and the lack of good roads, Shivaji was undeterred. He strategically positioned military camps in the vicinity of Danda Rajpuri, Pen, and Nasik, with troops totaling about four thousand. Under the guise of suppressing the Siddi and the Portuguese, these troops mobilized from their stations towards Surat in early January 1664. Shivaji himself departed from Nasik and led his forces through a circuitous route, uniting all detachments near Gandevi, about 28 miles south of Surat.[2][3][4]

The news of Shivaji's approach struck Surat with fear and anxiety, prompting many to flee the town. Surat's Governor, Inayatulla Eihan, failed to take adequate measures to protect the town, leaving it vulnerable to Shivaji's impending arrival. Shivaji, through special agents, conveyed his intention to the Governor and local merchants, emphasizing his need for funds due to his conflict with the Emperor. He demanded a substantial amount from Surat's wealthy merchants, warning of dire consequences for refusal.[2][3]Upon Shivaji's arrival outside Surat's Burhanpur gate on 6th January, no one ventured out to meet him, and the Governor's impertinent response further escalated tensions. After two days of nervous deliberation, the Mughal Governor Inayat Khan sent a young officer to assassinate Shivaji. Pretending to negotiate the surrender of the fort, the officer entered Shivaji's tent for a meeting. Shivaji, recalling past taunts, playfully mocked the Governor's cowardice. Angered by Shivaji's banter, the officer attacked with a dagger, but a Maratha guardsman intervened, severing the officer's hand. Despite the skirmish, a rumor spread that Shivaji had been killed, prompting calls for revenge in the Maratha camp. To quell the uproar, Shivaji ordered the execution of four Mughal prisoners by beheading and the amputation of the hands of twenty-four others. Shivaji ordered a general sack of the town instead of massacre, leading to widespread plunder and devastation over the next few days.[2][3][4]

Surat was under attack for nearly three days, during this time the

English East India Company. Thus, Sir George Oxenden was able to successfully defend the Surat factory, a fortified warehouse-counting house-hostel.[2][3]

Aftermath

The Marathas ransacked houses and chests, accumulating a vast amount of loot, primarily gold, silver, pearls, and diamonds. Shivaji swiftly departed Surat upon learning of an approaching Mughal force, leaving behind heaps of clothing and household articles for the town's residents. The value of the plunder carried away was estimated to be substantial, possibly exceeding a crore of rupees. The plunder was utilized to fortify Raigad, Shivaji's capital, and construct the formidable water fortress of Sindhudurg at Malwan. Subsequently, Mughal forces arrived at Surat, only to find the town defaced and looted by Shivaji's forces.[2][3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ KINCAID, DENNIS (1955). THE HISTORY OF SHIVAJI THE GRAND REBEL. KARAN PUBLICATION, DELHI. p. 171. But a rumour had flashed round the Maratha camp that Shivaji had been assassiaated. There rose a bitter cry for vengeance, wild voices shouting for mass-executions in reprisal. Shivaji, his dress still splashed with blood, staggered to his feet and ran through the camp, showing himself to his followers, ordering them back to their duties. But even his magic voice for once almost failed of its effect. It was only when he agreed to exact some retribution from his prisoners that the soldiers' fury was assuaged. Then Shivaji ordered four of his Im¬ perialist prisoners to be beheaded and the hands of twenty-four others to be cut off.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1946). New History Of The Marathas Vol.1. pp. 151–155.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale (2011). Shivaji His Life and Times. pp. 500–512.
  4. ^ a b c d e f KINCAID, DENNIS (1955). THE HISTORY OF SHIVAJI THE GRAND REBEL. KARAN PUBLICATION, DELHI. pp. 165–173.
  5. ISBN 978-81-7755-286-7
    . Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  6. ISBN 9788171542208
    . Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  7. ISBN 978-81-7755-286-7
    .

21°10′N 72°50′E / 21.167°N 72.833°E / 21.167; 72.833

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