Great Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar

Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Sawai Shri Yashwantrao Holkar Bahadur, Maharaja of Indore was born in 1776.
He has been described by a historian as the “Napoleon of India”.

He was the son of Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar who had conquered Attock in 1758 and had hoisted the saffron flag beyond the Sindhu river. Even today, there is a saying in Marathi “Attake par zhenda phadkawane”. Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar had defeated Tippu Sultan in March 1787 and hoisted Saffron flag beyond Tungabhadra River. After the demise of Malharrao Holkar’s (d. 20 May 1766 at Alampur ) daughter-in-law Punyaslok Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar on 13 August 1795 at Maheshwar, Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar succeeded to the throne. He died on 15 August 1797 at Khadki near Pune. After his death, the eldest son Kashirao was chosen as the heir. Tukojirao had four sons Kashirao, Malharrao (II), Vitthojirao and Yashwantrao (also called as Jaswant Rao).

Kashirao was not an able ruler but Malharrao Holkar (II) had all the qualities of an able ruler and was also a Military leader. Naturally, the people and the soldiers preferred Malharrao (II). Malharrao (II), Vitthojirao and Yashwantrao opposed Kashirao and demanded that Malharrao(II) should be the heir after Maharaja Tukojirao. Another reason was the immense courage, leadership and bravery shown by Malharrao (II) in the Battle of Lakhairi (1793) where the Holkars were defeated by the well-trained modern army of Scindia under the command of Benoît de Boigne. He stood till the last soldier fell in the battlefield, he was wounded and fell unconscious in the battlefield. There was a growing support for Malharrao(II) and Kashirao felt his authority was in danger so he sought help of Scindia, who were considered jealous of Holkars due to the growing prominence and rising power of Holkars in North India. This move angered the people as they hated the Scindias who had betrayed Holkars when Holkars had besieged the Kumher Fort in 1754. On 14/09/1797 Daulatrao Scindia suddenly attacked Malharrao (II) and killed him. He imprisoned Malharrao’s pregnant wife Jijabai, who gave birth to Khanderao Holkar (II), and Bhimabai Holkar, daughter of Yashwantrao Holkar. Nana Phadnawis condemned this and so the Peshwa, Scindia and Sarjarao Ghatke imprisoned him.

Yashwantrao Holkar took shelter at Nagpur’s Raghuji Bhosale. When Scindia learnt this, he asked Raghuji Bhosale to arrest Yashwantrao Holkar. Accordingly, Yashwantrao Holkar was arrested on 20/02/1798. Bhawani Shankar Khatri who was with Yashwantrao helped him to escape and both of them escaped from Nagpur on 06/04/1798. After that Yashwantrao Holkar never trusted anybody. Meanwhile the support for Yashwantrao Holkar was growing. Vitthojirao Holkar, Fatthesinh Mane, Aamir Khan, Bhawani Shankar Bakshi, Zunzhar Naik, Govardhan Naik, Rana Bhau Sinha, Balaji Kamlakar, Abhay Sinha, Bharmal Dada, Parashar Dada, Govind Pant Ganu, Harmat Sinha, Shamrao Mahadik, Jiwaji Yashwant, Harnath Chela, Vazir Hussain, Shahmat Khan, Gaffur Khan, Fatteh Khan had joined the army of Yashwantrao Holkar. The King of Dhar, Anandrao Pawar requested Yashwantrao Holkar to help him curb the rebellion of one of his minister Rangnath. Yashwantrao Holkar succesffully helped Anandrao Pawar.

In December 1798, Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the army of Shevelier Duddres and captured Maheshwar. In January 1799 he was crowned King as per Hindu Vedic rites. In May 1799, he captured Ujjain.

Vitthojirao Holkar declared that he was working for Amrutrao Raghunathrao who is more capable to be the Peshwa than Bajirao (II). To grow their empire, Yashwantrao Holkar started a campaign towards north whereas Vitthojirao started a campaign towards south.
Bajirao (II) sent Balaji Kunjir and Bapurao Ghokale to arrest Vitthojirao Holkar. In April 1801, Vitthojirao was arrested and taken to Pune. On the advice of Balaji Kunjar he was sentenced to death under the feet of an elephant. His wife and son Harirao too were imprisoned. The well wishers of Maratha Confederation warned the Peshwa not to take such a drastic step as it would lead to the collapse of Maratha Confederation but Bajirao(II) Peshwa ignored it. When Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar learnt this, he vowed to take revenge.

In May 1802, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar marched towards Pune. He marched conquering Sendhwa, Chalisgaon, Dhulia, Malegaon, Parol, Ner, Ahmednagar, Rahuri, Nashik, Sinnar, Dungargaon, Jamgaon, Pharabagh, Gardond, Pandharpur, Kurkumb, Narayangaon, Baramati, Purandhar, Saswad, Moreshwar, Thalner and Jejuri. On Sunday, the 25 October 1802 on the festival of Diwali Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the combined armies of Scindia and Peshwa at Hadapsar near Pune. The battle took place at Ghorpadi, Banwadi and Hadapsar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had ordered his army not to attack first and wait until 25 cannonballs are fired from other side. When 25 cannonballs were fired, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar ordered his army to attack. As soon as he won the war he ordered his army not to harm the civilians of Pune.

Peshwa when he learnt that he was defeated fled from Pune via Parvati, Wadgaon to Sinhagad. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar asked the Peshwa to return to Pune. If Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar would have decided to arrest the Peshwa he would have arrested him but he sent food to Peshwa so that he didn’t suffer.

On 27 October 1802 Peshwa Bajirao (II) along with Chimnaji, Baloji Kunjir along with some soldiers of Scindia went to Raigad and spent one month in Virwadi. He then went to Suwarnadurgh and on 01/12/1802, he went to Bassein by a ship named Harkuyan. The British offered him allurements to sign the Subsidiary Treaty in return for the throne. After deliberating for over a month, and after threats that his brother would otherwise be recognised as Peshwa, Bajirao(II) signed the treaty surrendering his residual sovereignty, and allowing the English to put him on the throne at Poona. This Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed on 31 December 1802.

Panse, Purandhare and some other Maratha Sardars had requested the Peshwa to return to Pune and have a dialogue with Holkars. Even Chimanaji was against signing a treaty with British.

After conquering Pune, Yashwantrao Holkar took the administration in his hands and appointed his men. He freed Nana Phadnawis, Moroba, Phadke etc who were imprisoned by Bajirao(II).

He appointed Amrutrao as the Peshwa and went to Indore on 13 March 1803. The British reinsted Bajirao(II) as the Peshwa at Pune on 13th May 1803 but soon the Peshwa realised that he was only a nominal peshwa and that British had taken total control.

On 4 June 1803 Raghuji Bhosale, Daulatrao Scindia and Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar met at Bodwad and decided to jointly fight against the British. However, the just demands of Yashwantrao Holkar were not fulfilled and he was betrayed again. Daulatrao Scindia wrote a letter to Bajirao (II) and stated that they need not worry about Yashwantrao Holkar as they only should show that they would fulfill the demands of Yashwantrao Holkar and once they defeat the British they will take their revenge against Holkar. However, the letter reached in the hands of Amrutrao and he handed over the letter to General Wellesley. Wellesley immediately sent the letter to Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar decided not to be a part of Maratha Confedaracy.

On 17 December 1803, the Bhonsale of Nagpur signed a treaty with the British after the Battle of Laswari and on 30 December 1803, the Scindia signed a treaty with the British after the Battle of Assaye. Gaekwad of Baroda had already signed a treaty on 29 July 1802.
This was 34 year old Wellesley’s first major success, and one that he always held in the highest estimation, even when compared to his later triumphant career. According to anecdotal evidence, in his retirement years Wellington considered the Battle of Assaye his finest battle, surpassing even his victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

On 20 December 1803, General Wellesley in one of his letters has stated that it is necessary to curb the rising power of Yashwantrao Holkar as he is very brave, courageous and ambitious.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar wrote letters to different Kings to unite and fight against the British. He stated “First Country and then Religion. We will have to rise above caste, religion and our states in the interest of our country. You too must wage a war against the British like me”. His appeal fell on deaf ears as all of them had already signed treaties with the British.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the British army lead by Colonel Fawcett at Kunch in Budhlekand. On 8 June 1804 Governor General in a letter to Lord Lake wrote that the defeat has caused a great insult. This will endanger the company rule in India and hence Yashwantrao Holkar should be defeated as soon as possible.
On 8th July 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the army of Colonel Manson and Leukan at Mukundare and Kota. Bapuji Scindia surrendered before Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar.

From June 1804 till September 1804 he defeated the British at different battles. On 8 th October 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar attacked Delhi to free Mugol Emperor Shah Alam II who was imprisoned by the British. He attacked the army of Colonel Actorloni and Berne. The battle lasted for a week but Yashwantrao Holkar could not succeed as Lord Lake came to help Colonel Actorloni. Assessing the situation, he changed the plan and postponed it. Looking at his bravery Mughol Emperor Shah Alam gave him the title of “Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Alija Bahadur”.

Colonel Marey and Wallace captured Indore and Ujjain on 8th July 1804. On 22 August 1804, Wellesley marched against Holkar from Pune along with Bajirao Peshwa’s army. In Mathura Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar learnt that the British had captured some of his territory. He decided to stay in Mathura and work out a strategy to regain his territory.

In a letter dated 11/09/1804 written to Lord Lake, Wellesley says that if Yashwantrao Holkar is not defeated at the earliest the rest of the Kings of India may stand against the British unitedly.

On 16 November 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar reached Deeg by defeating the army of Major Frazer. After the death of Major Frazer, Manson took the charge of the British army. The Jat King Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur welcomed him and decided to be with Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar against the British.

In Farrukhabad Lord Lake was a mute spectator watching Yashwantrao Holkar proceeding towards Deeg. He didnt dare to attack Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Governor General was disappointed by this conduct of Lord Lake and he wrote to him about his disappointment.
Lord Lake attacked Deeg on 13 December 1804 ( Battle of Bharatpur ). The army of Holkar and Jat resisted successfully and reached the Bharatpur Durg. Lord Lake attacked Bharatpur on 3 January 1805 along with General Manson, Colonel Marey, Colonel Don, Colonel Berne, Major General Jones, General Smith, Colonel Jetland, Setan and others. The war lasted for three months in Bharatpur. This war was compared with the Mahabharata war. Many poems on this war were written praising Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. There are many other poems praising Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. It is said that Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar cut off the nose of 300 English Soldiers. To keep the Indian Kings divided, the British declared that they would distribute the territory of Holkars amongst its Indian Friends. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had become famous throughout India due to his bravery. However, Amir Khan Pindari and Bhawani Shankar Khatri betrayed Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. The British gave the Jahagir of Tonk to Amir Khan Pindari and a Mahal and a Jahagir in Delhi was given to Bhawani Shankar Khatri. Bhawani Shankar Khatri’s Haweli situated in Delhi is even today referred to as Namak Haram ki Haweli (Traitors House). Daulatrao Scindia decided to help Holkar but he was prevented to do so by the ill advice of Kamal Nayan Munshi. If Daulatrao had gone to help Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar they would have crushed the British army. Ranjit Singh was disappointed as Daulatrao Scindia did not come for their help but Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was not affected and he continued to communicate with rest of the Kings of India.
Sir P. E. Roberts states that surprisingly the Jat King Ranjit Singh signed a treaty with the British on 17th April 1805 when they had nearly won the war. Due to this, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had to leave Bharatpur.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar, Daulatrao Scindia, Satara Chattrapati, Chatarsinh met at Sabalgad. It was decided that they would unitedly uproot the British from Indian soil. In September 1805 Holkar and Scindia reached Ajmer. Maharaja Man Singh Rathore sent his army to help them. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar sent letters to the rest of the Kings of India appealing them to fight against the British. The King of Jaipur, Bhosale of Nagpur, Ranjit Singh of Punjab, accepted his appeal. When the British learnt that Holkar and Scindia are united they informed Lord Lake to pursue them. On 25 April 1805, Lord Lake replied to Governor General Wellesley and stated that he was unable to pursue them and that Holkar felt great pleasure killing the Europeans. Governor General Wellesley replied that all disputes with Holkar be resolved without any war. The British were worried because of the continuous failure against Holkars. They felt that Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar would drive out the East India Company. Finally, they called back Lord Wellesley and appointed Lord Cornwallis as the Governor General of India. As soon as he came to India, he wrote to Lord Lake on 19 September 1805 and stated that all the territory of Yashwantrao Holkar be returned back and that he was ready to do peace with Holkar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar rejected to sign any treaty with the British. George Barlow was appointed as the Governor General due to the sudden death of Lord Cornwallice. Barlo immediately tried to divide Holkar and Scindia. The British signed a treaty with Daulatrao Scindia through Kamal Nayan Munshi on 23 November 1805 and in this way Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was left alone to fight with the British.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar sought help from Raja Bhag Singh of Jindh, Raja Fathesinh Ahuwalia of Patiyala and other Sikh rulers they all rejected to help Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar against the British. He then went to Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjab) of Lahore who too turned down his request to fight against the British. As soon as the British learnt this, they sent Bahg Singh, uncle of Ranjit Sinh, to prevent Ranjit Sinh from helping Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Ranjit Singh and Fateh Singh signed a friendship treaty with British ( The Treaty with Lahore ). The agreed draft of this treaty was ready on 17th December 1805. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar cursed him. This curse became a saying in Punjab.

The British East India Company Council told Lord Lake to anyhow make a treaty with Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar because if they were late and the other Kings accept the appeal of Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar it would be difficult for them to remain in India.
Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar saw that rest of the Kings were not ready to unite and were interested in personal benefits, he was the last to sign a treaty with the British on 24 December 1805 at a place called Rajghat (then in Punjab, now in Delhi) (Treaty at Rajghat). He was the only King in India to whom the British approached to sign a peace treaty. He didn’t accept any condition which would affect his self respect. The British recognised him as a sovereign King and returned all his territory. They accepted his dominion over Jaipur, Udaypur, Kota, Bundi, and some Rajput Kings. They also accepted that they would not interfere in the matters of Holkars. The Victorious King reached Indore and started ruling his Kingdom. The King of Jodhpur always helped Holkars.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar again tried to unite the Maratha Confederacy and wrote to Daulatrao Scindia about the same. However, Scindia gave the information about this letter to British resident Marsor who informed about this to Governor General on 12 May 1806. Holkars and Scindias agreed on 11 points on defensive and offensive strategies on 14 November 1807. However, the British once again succeeded to divide Scindias from Holkars.

Finally, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar decided to fight with the British single-handedly and to drive them out of India. He decided to stay in Bhanpura, to gather a large army, and to manufacture cannons to defeat the British. He was successful to keep the British out of his state but he wanted them out of India. He knew that was impossible without sufficient cannons. He built a factory to manufacture cannons in Bhanpura. He worked day and night and manufactured 200 cannons. He gathered an army of 1 lakh soilders to attack Culcutta. The stress of the work and the deaths of his nephew Khanderao Holkar (II) on 3rd February 1806 at Shahapura and Kashirao Holkar in 1808 at Bijagad lead to a brain stoke due to which he suddenly died at Bhanpura (Mandsaur, M.P.) on 28 October 1811 (Kartiki Ekadashi) at a young age of 35 years. The most probable cause of his death must have been a brain tumor.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar started the first freedom struggle in 1803 itself. Maharaja Yaswantrao Holkar was a gifted military leader.
If Battle of Assaye, Wellesley’s first major success, and one that he always held in the highest estimation was his finest battle, surpassing even his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, then the victory at the Battle of Bharatpur undoubetedly makes Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar the “Napoleon of India”.