I. Background and Muslim-Maratha Conflict
The disintegration of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century created a political vacuum in Odisha. The Bhonsles of Nagpur used Odisha as a springboard to attack Bengal in their quest for wealth. The conflict was driven by the ambition of Raghuji Bhonsle to dominate the region, further encouraged by Mir Habib, who had been expelled by the Nawab of Bengal, Alivardi Khan.
Key events in the struggle included:
- Capture of Barabati (1742): Maratha general Bhaskar Pandit captured the Barabati fort on 19 April 1742, striking terror into the Nawab's army.
- Alivardi’s Counter-measures: Alivardi Khan temporarily recaptured Cuttack with the help of the Mughal Emperor and Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. However, the Marathas, under Raghuji, returned repeatedly.
- The Mankora Treachery: In a bid to stop the incursions, Alivardi Khan invited Bhaskar Pandit to a meeting at Mankora and treacherously killed him and his generals.
- Final Struggle: Despite Alivardi's efforts to oust them, the Marathas, aided by rebellious Afghan chiefs and Mir Habib, maintained pressure. By 1749, the Marathas, led by Mir Habib, reoccupied Cuttack shortly after Alivardi's departure.
II. The Treaty of 1751
Due to old age and the exhaustion of continuous warfare, Alivardi Khan concluded a peace treaty with the Marathas in 1751. Negotiated by Mir Jafar and Mirza Saleh, the terms were pivotal for Odisha's history:
- Mir Habib was appointed as the Naib Nizam (Deputy Governor) to rule Odisha on behalf of Alivardi Khan.
- A sum of 12 lakhs of rupees was to be paid annually to Raghuji Bhonsle as Chauth.
- The river Sonamukhi (Suvarnarekha) near Balasore became the demarcating boundary between Odisha and Bengal.
Significance: Historian Prof. B.C. Ray describes this treaty as a "triangular compromise" among Raghuji (for money), Mir Habib (for honour), and Alivardi (for rest). In practice, it established the de facto authority of the Marathas over Odisha.
III. Administration of Maratha Subahdars (Governors)
1. Mir Habib (1751–1752)
Recognized by both Alivardi and Raghuji, Mir Habib was a stable administrator. He maintained a mixed force of Afghan and Maratha troops and enforced strict discipline. He intervened in the succession of the Khurda throne, eventually accepting Birakishoradeva.
2. Mirza Saleh (1752–1759)
The nephew of Mir Habib, Mirza Saleh engaged in double-dealing. He squeezed the people of Odisha for money to pay the Marathas while secretly helping the British against the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah. He allowed British factories to grow in Odisha and conspired to oust Siraj. He resigned in 1759 after the new Nawab stopped paying Chauth.
3. Sheo Bhatt Sathe (1760–1764)
He was the first Maratha Subahdar (not a Muslim deputy). His tenure was marked by conflict over the non-payment of Chauth by the Bengal Nawab Mir Qasim. Sheo Bhatt attacked Midnapur and Burdwan but was thwarted by British troops. He eventually lost his position after failing to pay arrears to Januji Bhonsle and was imprisoned.
4. Bhawani Pandit (1764–1768)
Appointed to quell uprisings instigated by the ousted Sheo Bhatt, Bhawani Pandit took drastic action against refractory zamindars of Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj. However, he was dismissed for inefficiency in realizing Chauth after complaints from the British.
5. Shambhaji Ganesh (1768–1770)
He attempted to negotiate Chauth with the British but failed. Notably, he took keen interest in encouraging pilgrims to visit the Jagannath Temple at Puri and removed administrative oppression.
6. Babuji Naik (1771–1773)
Maintained friendly relations with the British, assisting them in debt realization and grain supply during shortages in Calcutta. He received British military aid to suppress border zamindars.
7. Madhoji Hari (1773–1777)
His tenure highlighted the issue of ship-wrecks in coastal areas like Kujang and Kanika, where locals plundered ships. Under pressure from the British and the Raja of Nagpur, he pardoned the King of Kujang, an act disliked by his superiors, leading to his recall.
8. Rajaram Pandit (1778–1793)
A shrewd diplomat and administrator. His tenure coincided with the Anglo-Maratha conflict. Instead of fighting, he facilitated the march of British troops under Colonel Pearse through Odisha to Madras by accepting 13 lakhs of rupees. He suppressed rebellious zamindars, including the King of Khurda, Divyasimhadeva. He also disbanded hereditary talukdars and improved the management of pilgrim influx to Puri.
9. Sadashiv Rao (1793–1803)
The son of Rajaram Pandit, he continued friendly relations with the British, facilitating their postal systems and troop movements. He supported the legitimate claim of Mukundadeva to the Khurda throne against British-backed rivals. However, his friendship was betrayed when Lord Wellesley, pursuing an imperialist policy, ordered the invasion of Odisha. In 1803, British General Harcourt occupied coastal Odisha, ending Maratha rule.
IV. Conclusion
The Maratha rule in Odisha began with aggressive incursions and established itself through the Treaty of 1751. While early governors were involved in constant warfare for Chauth, later governors like Rajaram Pandit established a more organized administration. Ultimately, the region fell to the British in 1803 due to the imperialistic ambitions of the East India Company, despite the friendly gestures of the final Maratha governor.
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