Battle of Lakheri

Battle of Lakheri was an internal Conflict of the Maratha Confederacy fought Between Holkar and Scindia resulting in defeat of the Holkars

Battle of Lakheri
Part of Holkar Scindia War
Date 1792-1793 Location Lakheri,Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh Result Gwalior Victory
Belligerents
Holkar faction of the Maratha Confederacy Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy	Scindia faction of the Maratha Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Tukoji Rao Holkar Malhar Rao II Holkar Ahilyabai Holkar Yashwantrao Holkar Naro Ganesh Bapu Holkar Madhavrao II Nana Fadnavis	Mahadaji Shinde Benoît de Boigne Jiwaba dada Baxi Gopal Rao Bhau Ambaji Ingale Khanderao Hari
Strength
30000 Cavalry	20000 Cavalry
Casualties and losses
1200+ killed or Wounded	Unknown
1000 non-combatants were killed

Background

The Holkars grew dissatisfied with Scindia over the division of territorial spoils. Ram Rao Appaji explained, "Initially, we remained quiet about territorial distribution with Sindhia due to the looming threat of Rajputana invasion. However, now that the Rajputs have been defeated and seek peace..." Additionally, two more grievances compounded Holkar's dissatisfaction: Sindhia's consolidation of power in Marwar and Mewar, and his deployment of forces across Northern India before departing for Poona to manage rebellious factions. Tensions escalated when Tukoji, feeling resentful towards Sindhia's authority, intensified efforts to challenge his influence in Jaipur. Around January 18, 1792, he allied with Jaipur's ruler at Dausa, offering military support under Bapu Rao Holkar to reclaim lost territories from Alwar's Raja, on the condition of sharing conquests. However, this plan faced resistance from Sindhia's commanders, Jiwaba dada Bakshi and Gopal Bhau, who supported the Rao Raja. In response, Bapu Holkar rallied Jaipur's vassal chiefs to prepare for confrontation against Gopal Bhau and Jiwaba dada Bakshi, intending to disrupt Sindhia and Rao Raja's territories. Fearing joint opposition, Rao Raja contemplated seeking refuge with Sindhia, while Tukoji warned Ali Bahadur I of further hostilities if disputes with Gopal Bhau and Bakshi weren't resolved.

Prelude

In 1792, Mahadaji Scindia arrived in Pune, keeping most of his army stationed in the north. By this time, tensions between Scindia and Holkar had reached their peak, with each side waiting for an opportunity to gain the upper hand. To counter Mahadaji's well-trained forces, Tukoji Rao Holkar also trained his troops under the French officer Dudranck. Tukoji sent his agent Baburao to Calcutta to explore the possibility of English assistance for a potential conflict against Mahadaji's forces.

As Mahadaji Shinde moved south, he ensured close surveillance of his adversaries by positioning well-trained and well-equipped officers at strategic locations. He assigned military responsibilities to Jiwabadada Baxi, known for his calm and steady demeanor, while administrative duties in North India were delegated to the brothers Gopalrao Raghunath and Abaji Raghunath. Ambaji Ingale managed Gwalior, Khanderao Hari oversaw the administration of Delhi, and the crucial fort of Agra was under the supervision of Lakhba Dada. Meanwhile, Ismail Beg, an enemy of Mahadaji, was imprisoned.

Gopalrao Bhau's Warning to Bapu Holkar

When Mahadaji Shinde came to the South, Tukoji Rao Holkar was attempting to undermine his position in the North. Tensions and conflicts had emerged between the forces of Scindia and Holkar. In September 1792, Mahadaji's Sardars began asserting control over the Doaba and Mathura districts, which belonged to the Holkars. While Bapuji Holkar was in Alwar collecting taxes, Gopalrao Bhau sent him a message stating, "We need to collect ten lakh rupees from the ruler of Machhedi; until we receive this amount, we will not release you."

Gopalrao Bhau did not just send a message but arrived at the scene personally with his forces, compelling Bapuji Holkar to retreat.

Raid on Bawas

Tukoji Rao Holkar sought to counter the Sardars of Mahadaji by entering a secret alliance with the Raja of Jaipur, planning to attack Scindia's forces with Jaipur's support. The Sardars of Mahadaji, vigilant of Tukoji's movements, decided to preemptively strike against him. They found their opportunity when the Pendharis of the Holkars looted Mahadaji's forces. Using this incident as a pretext, Gopalrao Bhau, Jiwabadada Baxi, De Boigne, and other Sardars of Mahadaji launched an attack on Tukoji’s camp by the river Banas on October 8, 1792. They captured nine cannons, four hundred horses, and various other supplies. Tukoji Rao Holkar fled to Lakheri, while Gopalrao Bhau and Jiwabadada Baxi pursued him as far as Rampura.

Tukoji's advisors, Naro Ganesh and Bapu Holkar, urged him to settle the conflict with Scindia amicably, but he was not receptive to their advice. Driven by a desire for revenge, particularly his sons Malharrao and Yashwantrao Holkar , Tukoji awaited a suitable opportunity for retaliation. Despite attempts by Bapu Holkar and Gopalrao Bhau to reconcile and even reaching an agreement, the conflict and animosity persisted.

Bhau attacks Holkr suddenly at Sarauli

The Scindia generals, Gopal Bhau and Jiwaba Dada, had already advanced southward from the northern side of Jaipur state with De Boigne's brigade, capturing Balaheri, Manpur, Geejgarh, and Dausa along the way. Upon learning of Tukoji Rao Holkar's recent conspiracy with Jaipur against their master, they redirected their march towards Tukoji's camp on the Banas river. Tukoji had arrived in Sarauli on October 3, 1792, but, as anticipated, Bapu Holkar was unable to join him. On October 8, 1792, Bhau and Jiwaba Dada crossed the Banas river and launched a surprise attack on Holkar's camp at Sarauli. This sudden assault forced Tukoji to retreat. He reached Lakheri on October 9 but found it unsafe and moved further to Keshorai Patan. The Scindia's generals pursued Tukoji's retreating forces as far as Rampura in Tonk state, 10 miles south of Sarauli, with a detachment continuing the chase. The attack resulted in the capture of nine pieces of artillery, 400 mares, 200 loaded camels, and even the Holkar's flag, royal band, and kettledrums.

Battle of Panchilas

The Battle of Panchilas was the culmination of ongoing provocations from the Holkar faction towards the Sindhia. Ahilya Bai's concession to Malhar II's boastful claims and the subsequent dispatch of Malhar II to the battlefield signaled the likely direction of the conflict. Tukoji Holkar's frustration with the Poona authorities' indecision and his refusal to relinquish Hindustan despite continuous losses in Rajputana and Northern India at the hands of the Sindhia further escalated tensions.

During this period, Poona ministers Nana Phadnis and Hari Pant Phadke made strenuous efforts to maintain peace, with Nana successfully restraining the Sindhia from escalating the crisis. However, these peace efforts faltered when Tukoji Holkar insisted on a battle to avenge the defeat at Sarauli.

In early April 1793, after the Poona authorities failed to control the Holkar, Mahadji Shinde instructed his generals to prepare for battle. The Scindia’s forces advanced towards Tonk and set April 27, 1793, for the confrontation. However, just before the battle, Holkar’s envoy, Vithal Lakshman, arrived with an offer of peace negotiations. The Sindhia's generals agreed to postpone the battle and awaited the envoy’s report. The envoy proposed referring the issue to the Peshwa, but Tukoji Rao Holkar rejected this, instead demanding the restoration of territories seized since 1791 and a reallocation of tribute shares in Rajputana according to previous arrangements.

Tukoji's insistence on battle led to his general advancing to Khatauli on May 4, engaging in a minor skirmish before retreating to Sop. Meanwhile, the Sicindia’s forces halted at Uniara. Parashar Dadaji made a final attempt to avert conflict by meeting with the Sicindia's general, Bapu, to discuss a settlement. They reached an agreement, and Parashar Dadaji went to secure Tukoji's ratification.

When Parashar arrived at Tukoji's camp on May 17, 1793, to finalize the settlement, Malhar II intervened, rejecting peace efforts and demanding a decisive battle. As Parashar did not return with assurances, the Sindhia’s generals, convinced of Holkar’s intention to fight, moved towards Sawai Madhopur on May 23 and then westward. Malhar, who had assumed command of Holkar's forces, set up a position behind a nala at Panchilas. On May 29, 1793, the two armies clashed, resulting in a severe defeat for the Holkar forces.

The Holkar army was thoroughly routed, with Malhar fleeing with the remnants of his troops. The Scindia’s general Bhau captured important spoils, including horses, camels, and treasure. After securing the abandoned Holkar camp, Bhau pursued the retreating forces to Babi on May 30 and Balwan on May 31, eventually forcing them to retreat to Lakheri.

Battle of Lakheri

Following a temporary treaty with the Holkars, Scindia's forces had moved through the Jaipur and Alwar provinces. Upon discovering the Holkars' aggressive intentions, Scindia's Sardars returned, fully prepared for conflict. When Mahadaji, stationed at Pune, learned about the internal strife in Rajputana, he urged Nana Fadnis to resolve the domestic conflict. However, Nana Fadnis ignored this plea and instead plotted Mahadaji's downfall by encouraging both the English and the Nizam.

Realizing that Nana Fadnvis was unwilling to curb Tukoji Rao Holkar's schemes, Mahadaji Shinde instructed his Sardars to prevent Holkar from causing further disruption. As both sides prepared for war, a peaceful resolution seemed impossible. On June 1, 1793, a battle erupted between Scindia and Holkar at the fields of Lakheri. As thirty thousand [[Holk troops entered the Lakheri pass, De-Boigne launched an attack. Thanks to De-Boigne's strategic tactics and Jiwabadada's effective leadership, Holkar's army was decisively defeated. Dudranck fought valiantly, but all his European officers were killed. Mahadaji's forces captured thirty-seven cannons, and the Holkars suffered a crushing defeat. In retaliation, Tukoji Holkar looted Ujjain, Scindia's capital, before retreating to Indore.

The battle was devastating for the Holkars, with nearly 1,200 soldiers either killed or wounded. Dudranck, the head of Holkar’s trained battalion, was injured, and Malharrao was found unconscious and intoxicated by the roadside. The summer heat and water scarcity claimed the lives of about a thousand non-combatants. This battle effectively shattered Holkar's power.

Historians note that Tukoji Holkar’s ambition and jealousy were stirred by Mahadaji Scindia’s rising influence in North Indian politics. Although Tukoji’s attempt to eliminate Mahadaji's power failed, the battle of Lakheri marked the zenith of their feud and had an important repercussions for the political landscape of North India.