Damaji Thorat

Damaji Thorat was a chief of Maratha Empire. He had support from Ramchandra Pant. Rajaram I sent Thorat, Pawar and Athavle to make their established collections the chauth and sardeshmukhi, as they were termed, from the Mughal territory, and under the encouragement of success his officers added a third contribution for themselves under the head of ghasdana or forage money. In this manner a new army was raised whose leaders were Thorat, Pawar and Athavle. Rajaram I gave them honorary presents and rewards; the title of Vishwasrao was conferred on Pawar, of Rustumrao on Thorat and of Shamsher Bahadur on Athavle.[1]

Damaji Thorat
Rustamrao
HouseThorat
ReligionHinduism

Rustumrao

Damaji Thorat lived at Hingangao near Purandar. He had built a strong fortress there. Thorat came to power during the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj. Ramchandra Pant granted him Supa and Patas pargana as Jahagir. After Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj death he showed great bravery against the Mughals. For his bravery he was given the title 'Rustumrao'.

After Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Death

When Shahu arrived in the Swarajya territory he tried to win Thorat to his side but Thorat did not join Shahu. In 1708 Dhanaji Jadhav went to Khandesh. He brought Thorat and Dabhade with him to meet Shahu. In July 1709 meeting between Shahu, Sambhaji and Damaji Thorat and others proved unsuccessful. In July 1711 Chandrasen revolted against Shahu. Thorat also joined Tarabai. Tarabai welcomed with joy their move. When Angre was very aggressive against Shahu, Thorat brothers created considerable trouble for Shahu in the territory around Poona. After the deposition of Tarabai and her son, Damaji Thorat became the supporter of Sambhaji and sought Nizam’s protection, Damaji Thorat also went over to Nizam’s side and afterwards to Husain Ali. In 1716 Damaji was very active against Shahu. In one letter written by Balaji Vishwanath to Shahu it was stated, that Thorat brothers had created much trouble in the territory around Miraj. In fact when Balaji had concluded treaty with Angre he had assured that he would not take any step against Damaji. However, as they had created a lot of trouble for Shahu with the support of Sambhaji of Kolhapur conflict between the two sides became inevitable.

Clash with Balaji Vishwanath Bhat

Balaji Vishwanath Bhat introduced gradually some strength into his councils, and started to take lead in public affairs. Balaji proposed to reduce Damaji Thorat in 1711, and then set out with an army for that purpose.[2] Balaji was seized and thrown into the confinement with Dewaan Ambaji Purandhare, his two young sons Baji Rao I (11 years old) and Chimnaji Appa, and many of their immediate officers.

Clash with Balaji Vishwanath Bhat

Balaji Vishwanath Bhat introduced gradually some strength into his councils, and started to take lead in public affairs. Balaji proposed to reduce Damaji Thorat in 1711, and then set out with an army for that purpose.[2] Balaji was seized and thrown into the confinement with Dewaan Ambaji Purandhare, his two young sons Baji Rao I (11 years old) and Chimnaji Appa, and many of their immediate officers.

Damaji Thorat threatened them by torturing (fasten horses feeding bags on their mouths filled with ashes) and continued to torture unless for their release he received a large ransom. At last, the Chhatrapati Shahu agreed to pay the amount of their ransom. Damaji Thorat who seized Balaji and Shahu had to pay ransom to get him released. Shahu ordered Chandrasen Jadhav and Balaji jointly to march against Thorat.[3]

Clash with Sachiv

Shahu who now applied to the Sachiv to suppress Thorat. The Sachiv and his manager advanced against Thorat, but they too were defeated and thrown into confinement. Damaji Thorat had seized the young Sachiv, and an expedition was again planned against him. Balaji managed first to effect the Sachiv's release and in return received the Sachiv's rights in the Poona district and the fort of Purandhar, and Damaji was soon defeated and taken prisoner.[4]

Clash with Newly formed Peshwa: Balaji Vishwanath Bhat

After the desertion of Chandrasen Jadhav, Manaji More had received clothes of investiture as chief captain or Senapati, but failed to perform the services which were expected of him. He was now ordered, with Haibatrav Nimbalkar, to accompany Balaji into the Poona district to reduce Damaji Thorat. As it was feared that the Sachiv, who was still Thorat's prisoner at Hingangaon in Poona, might be killed if the place were attacked, Yesubai the Pant Sachiv's mother prevailed on Balaji to endeavour, to obtain his release before hostilities began. In this Balaji succeeded, and Yesubai in gratitude made over to the Peshwa the Sachiv's rights in the Poona district and gave him the fort of Purandhar as a place of refuge for his family who then lived in Stisvad. Balaji obtained a confirmation of the grant of Purandhar from Shahu who thus unconsciously forged the first link in the chain which fettered his own power and reduced his successors to pageants and prisoners. The force assembled was too powerful for Thorat. His fort was stormed and destroyed and himself made prisoner.[5] However, after some time Shahu releaseid him. But in 1728 again Damaji joined Sambhaji of Kolhapur. However, Damaji was soon captured and put under confinement at Purandar fort till his death.

References
  1. "Moghal 1686-1720". The Gazetteers Department. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. W.W.Loch (1989). Dakhan History Musalman and Maratha. New Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. p. 599.
  3. G. S. Chhabra. Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). New Delhi: Lotus Press Publishers & Distributors.
  4. W.W.Loch (1989). Dakhan History Musalman and Maratha (A.D.1300 to 1818). New Delhi, India: Asian Educational Services. p. 599.
  5. "Moghal 1686-1720". The Gazetters Department.
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