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Battle of Sinhagad - Background, Events, Challenges, and Aftermath [UPSC History Notes]

Last Updated on Mar 30, 2023
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The Battle of Sinhagad is also known as the Battle of Kondhana. It was fought between the forces of the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire. It took place on 4 February 1670 at the fort of Sinhagad (then Kondhana), near the city of Pune, Maharashtra. The forces of Chhatrapati Shivaji were victorious in recapturing the forts taken by the Mughals.

The Battle of Sinhagad is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Medieval History subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we shall study the historical background and outcome of the Battle of Sinhagad and all other important facts for the UPSC IAS Exam.

The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook’s UPSC CSE Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation! You can also study other major topics related to UPSC IAS Exams with Testbook!

Download Medieval History UPSC Notes with this link!

Overview of the Battle of Sinhagad

The table below shows the important facts about the battle of Sinhagad:

Event

Battle of Sinhagad

Date

4 February 1670

Location

Sinhagad Fort, Pune

Forces Involved

Forces of Maratha Empire and Mughal Empire 

Result

Victory of Maratha Empire

Also, check out the article on the Battle of Purandar for UPSC preparation!

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Background on the Battle of Sinhagad

The Battle of Sinhagad was a significant event in Indian history. It happened in 1670 near the Sinhagad fort in Maharashtra.

At that time, the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Empire were powerful in India. The Mughals wanted to capture the Sinhagad fort from the Marathas. The fort was important because it provided a strong defense position.

The Marathas, led by their brave commander Tanaji Malusare, decided to defend the fort. In a daring move, they climbed the steep hill in the dark of night to surprise the Mughals.

The battle was fierce. Tanaji showed exceptional courage and even lost his life during the fight. But his sacrifice inspired the Marathas, and they managed to win the battle and protect the fort.

Study the Battles of Khanwa, Chanderi, and Ghagra with this link!

Series of Events During Battle of Sinhagad
  • Shivaji launched his attack with a lot of vigour and success. He stormed many forts he had lost in the Purandar Treaty.
  • The most notable victory was the 4th February 1670 capture of Fort Kondana from Udai-bhan, ruled by a Rajput. 
  • Tanaji Malusare and 300 Mavle warriors mounted the hillside near the Kalyan gate using rope ladders, then advanced into the fort, killing the sentinels with the assistance of several Koli (fishermen) guides who were familiar with the area.

Attack on the Garrison

Here is a brief overview of the attack on the garrison in the Battle of Sinhagad:

  • Tanaji Malusare and his men scaled the cliffs of Sinhagad using rope ladders and the help of a monitor lizard called Yashwanti.
  • The attack took place at night when the Mughals were least expecting it.
  • The Marathas were able to breach the walls of the fort and take the Mughals by surprise.
  • Udaybhan Singh Rathore was killed in the battle. The Mughal garrison was forced to surrender.

Who was Tanaji Malusare?

Tanaji Malusare was a superior general and a man of iron in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji, and also he was one of his dearest friends. He is most famously remembered for the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670, where he fought against Udaybhan Singh Rathore, a Mughal fort keeper and a formidable Rajput warrior, which paved the way for a Maratha victory.

Also, check out the article on the List of Battles fought by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for UPSC preparation!

Challenges of the battle of Sinhagad
  • The Maratha empire knew the fort could only be captured by his warriors scaling the walls.
  • It was taken in night roof ladder scaling of extremely challenging walls that culminated in a hand-to-hand battle inside the Fort, sneaking in and opening the main gate.
  • Units of the Maratha storming party could enter once the Main Gate was opened.
  • The fort of Sinhagad is the only one that cannot be attacked by artillery because there need to be more places for cannons to be positioned there.
  • Each steep side has a small pathway that now goes to the main gate to access the outer world.

Battle of Sinhagad: Outcome

Tanaji Malusare died in the battle, but his brave brother Suryaji Malusare persisted and captured the Fort. Later, it was called Singh-garh in honour of the lion-hearted hero Tanaji Malsure. Razi-ud-nin Khan was the keeper of Fort Purandar. He was taken prisoner on March 8 by Nilo Pant. After due course of time, they recaptured the forts of Kalyan and Bhivandi. Shivaji regained all the forts he had lost in the Purandar Treaty by the end of April 1670. On June 16th, 1670, the fort of Mahuli was founded.

Also, check out the article on the Battle of Kannauj and Chausa for UPSC preparation!

Battle of Sinhagad: Aftermath

Purandar was the typical stronghold to which the Peshwas retreated when unable to remain in safety at their capital after the power of the Peshwas had superseded that of the successors of Sivaji at Poona.

Purandhar was taken over by a British force led by General Pritzker in 1818. A mortar battery commenced fire on it on March 14th, and Wazirgarh welcomed a British force on March 15th. Although Purandhar was under Wazirgarh's authority, the commandant had to agree to the conditions imposed on that garrison, and on March 16, 1818, the British flag was hoisted there.

The Purandhar Ghat, which the fort controls, is a gateway through the Ghats. A pact was signed in 1776 between the British government and the Maratha States. Still, its provisions were never implemented since the Salbai treaty, signed in 1782 at the end of the first Maratha war between the Bombay government and Raghuba, overruled them.

Also, check out the article on the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon for UPSC preparation!

Legacy of Tanaji Malusare

Shivaji is said to have shown his deep resentment by saying, "Gad aala, pan Sinha gela"- "We won the Fort, but lost the Lion" after learning that the fort had been taken at Tanaji's sacrifice. According to history, the regiment was renamed from Kondhana to Sinhagad in Tanaji's honour (who Shivaji metaphorically referred to as a Lion). Tanaji is honored with a monument that displays a bust of him. Tanaji Malusare Road is the name of the route that connects Pune City with the Fort.

Also, check out the Portuguese Conquest of Goa article with this link!

Conclusion

The battle of Sinhagad was a strategic victory for the Marathas as soon after the battle, the Marathas captured the forts of Purandar, Rohida, Lohagad, and Mahuli. The Battle of Sinhagad is significant not only in Maratha history but also in Indian history, as it is also related to the consolidation of Mughal control.

Study in detail the Second Battle of Panipat for UPSC preparation!

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Battle of Sinhagad FAQs

Maratha Empire recaptured all the forts captured by the Mughal Army and emerged victorious in the battle of Sinhagad.

The battle of Sinhagad was fought between the Mughal Army led by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Maratha army led by Chhatrapati Shivaji.

At the Battle of Sangamner in 1679, the Mughal Empire and Maratha Empire fought one another. The Maratha King Shivaji fought in this last battle. The Mughal Empire won this conflict, defeating the Maratha Empire.

The battle of Sihagad was fought at Sinhagad Fort, Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra (present) on 4 February 1670.

The battle of Sinhagad was fought on 4 February 1670, near Sinhagad Fort, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

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