Gujarat under Alamgir II
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Gujarat under Mughal Empire Gujarat Subah (1573–1756) |
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| Gujarat Sultanate | (1407–1535) |
| Humayun | (1535-1536) |
| Gujarat Sultanate | (1536-1573) |
| Akbar | (1573–1605) |
| Jehangir | (1605–1627) |
| Shah Jahan | (1627–1658) |
| Aurangzeb | (1658–1707) |
| Bahadur Shah I | (1707-1712) |
| Jahandar Shah | (1712–1713) |
| Farrukhsiyar | (1713–1719) |
| Muhammad Shah | (1719–1748) |
| Ahmad Shah Bahadur | (1748–1754) |
| Alamgir II | (1754–1756) |
| Gujarat under Maratha Empire | (1756-1819) |
The Mughal Empire's province Gujarat (now in India) was under attack of the Marathas since last half century. The chief Maratha houses, Gaikwar and Peshwa had made peace with each other and driven out the Mughal nobles under the emperor Alamgir II. One such noble, Momin Khan, had countered their advances and recovered Ahmedabad in 1756 lost to the Marathas few years ago. After a long siege, Ahmedabad fell again in hands of the Marathas. The Marathas levied tributes across Gujarat. In 1759, the English of the British East India Company captured Surat. Sadashiv Ramchandra was appointed as a viceroy by Peshwa in 1760 followed by Apa Ganesh in 1761. Following defeat of Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), the nobles briefly recovered towns from the Marathas but soon had to surrender. Thus the Marathas firmly established themselves in Gujarat.
At Delhi, during 1754, the emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur was deposed, and Âzíz-ud-dín, son of Jahándár Sháh, was raised to the throne with the title of Alamgir II.
Maratha leader Bhagvantráv who was held captive was released and he established himself in the Cambay fort of Nápád and not long after began to attack Mughal noble Momín Khán’s villages.
After several doubtful engagements peace was concluded on Momín Khán paying Rupees 10,000 on account of the usual share of the Maráthás which he had withheld. This arrangement was made through the mediation of Tukáji, the steward of Sadáshiv Dámodar, who had come to Gujarát with an army and orders to help Bhagvantráv. As Momín Khán had no ready money Tukáji offered himself as security and Bhagvantráv and Tukáji withdrew to the Dakhan. Momín Khán’s soldiery now clamoured for pay. As he was not in a position to meet their demands he sent a body of men against some villages to the west belonging to Limbdi and plundered them, dividing the booty among his troops. In the following year, 1755, Momín Khán went to Ghogha, a port which, though at one time subordinate to Cambay (Khambhat), had fallen into the hands of Sher Khán Bábi, and was now in the possession of the Peshwa's officers. Ghogha fell and leaving a garrison of 100 Arabs under Ibráhím Kúli Khán, Momín Khán returned to Cambay, levying tribute. He then sent the bulk of his army under the command of Muhammad Zamán Khán, son of Fidá-ud-dín Khán, and Varajlál his own steward, to plunder and collect money in Gohilwad and Kathiawad. Here they remained until their arrears were paid off, and then returned to Cambay. After this Momín Khán plundered several Petlad villages and finally, in concert with the Kolis of Dhowan, attacked Jambusar and carried off much booty. Momín Khán next marched against Borsad, and was on the point of taking the fort when Sayáji, son of Dámáji Gáikwár, who lived at Baroda, hearing of Momín Khán’s success, came rapidly with a small body of men to the relief of the fort and surprised the besiegers. Momin Khan's troops soon recovered from the effects of the surprise, and Sayáji fearing to engage them with so small a force retired. On Sayáji’s departure, Momín Khán raised the siege of Borsad and returned to Cambay.
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