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Battle of Umberkhind
Part of Mughal-Maratha Wars
Date 3 February 1661 Location Umberkhind (present-day Maharashtra)18°45′N 73°05′E / 18.750°N 73.083°E / 18.750; 73.083 Result Maratha Empire victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Shivaji Netaji Palkar	Kartalab Khan   Rai Bagan
Strength
20,000	10,000 regular infantry

The Battle of Umberkhind took place on 3 February 1661 in the mountain range of Sahyadri near the city of Khopoli, Maharashtra, India. The battle took place between the Mughal and Maratha Empire. Shivaji's Maratha forces defeated the invading Mughal army, resulting in the Mughal army's surrender. The battle demonstrated Shivaji's Ganimi kava and Guerrilla warfare tactics, marking a significant victory for the Marathas and strengthening their position against the Mughals.

Background

After his victory at Chakan, the Mughal general Shaista Khan aimed to expand his control over Maratha territories but initially faced a shortage of troops. Once reinforcements arrived, he initiated an offensive targeting the forts in the Konkan region. At the same time, Shivaji began organizing his forces to counter the invasion. Shaista Khan, along with Rai Bagan, a Maratha Brahmin lady, led the campaign, entrusting the mission to capture the forts to Uzbek commander Kartalab Khan.

The expeditionary force, comprising contingents from various clans and commanders such as Kachhwah, Chauhan, Amar Singh, Mitrasen, Sarjerao Gadhe, Rai Bagan, Jaswantrao Kokate, and Jadhavrao, began its descent from the Sahyadri range via the north-south route near Lohagad. Subsequently, the army entered a dense forest known as Umbarkhand. This terrain, described as a virtual death-trap, limited the army's mobility and exposed them to ambushes from adversaries concealed in the surrounding terrain. It is speculated that the Bor Pass, a more commonly used route, may have been heavily fortified by Shivaji's forces, prompting Khan to attempt an outflanking maneuver through the less guarded Kuruwande Pass. However, historical records do not provide definitive explanations for this strategic decision.

Ambush at Umberkhind Pass

After Kartalab Khan descended the Sahyadri range and entered the forest, Shivaji, fully aware of his plans, tactically positioned his forces for an ambush. The surprise guerrilla attack threw the Mughal army into chaos, leading to a stampede among the troops, despite efforts by some commanders to put up resistance. Rai Bagan, a commander accompanying Kartalab Khan, advised surrender due to the hopeless situation. Kartalab Khan dispatched an emissary to negotiate with Shivaji, who agreed to allow the Mughal army safe passage in return for their surrender of all possessions. As a result, the Mughals abandoned their belongings and quickly exited the forest. The precise date of the battle is not documented in contemporary records, but it is believed to have taken place around January 15, 1661. Shivaji's choice to grant safe passage to Kartalab Khan's forces instead of fully capturing them remains a subject of speculation.

Negotiation with Kartalab Khan

Capturing the Mughal forces might not have greatly benefited Shivaji’s position, as the Mughals viewed him more as a rebellious leader than an equal authority. Furthermore, given the Mughal Empire's vast manpower, the loss of Kartalab Khan's contingent would have had little effect on their overall military strength. For Shivaji, taking a large number of prisoners would have created logistical difficulties with minimal strategic advantage. Instead, he ambushed Kartalab Khan’s advancing Mughal forces at the Umberkhind pass, causing significant casualties. Facing an unfavorable situation, Mughal commander Rai Bagan recommended surrender, enabling the Mughal army to retreat safely to Pune.

Resemblance with roman tactics

According to Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale, The Battle of Umbarkhind shares similar tactics with the Battle of Lake Trasimene(217 BCE). In both cases, the general used deception to lure the enemy into a trap. Hannibal had drawn the Romans into an ambush by threatening Rome and positioning himself along their route as they rushed to its defense. However, it is unclear whether Shivaji intentionally set up his trap in a similar way or simply took advantage of the enemy's mistake.

Aftermath

Shivaji's decision to allow safe passage to Kartalab Khan's force after the Battle of Umberkhind was driven by political considerations rather than military gains. Understanding the moral and political consequences of his actions, Shivaji aimed to keep the conflict with the Mughals low-key while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic negotiations to end the war. Shivaji's primary objective was not to inflict maximum damage upon the enemy but to compel them to accept his desired political settlement. Given his limited resources, Shivaji focused on convincing the Mughals of their inability to impose their will on him at a reasonable cost while demonstrating his determination to defend his dominions.

See also

• Battle of Pavan Khind
• Battle of Surat
• Battles involving the Maratha Empire

References

1. Sardesai, GS (1946). "New History of the Marathas". Phœnix Publications. p. 137.
2. Vaibhav, Purandare (22 August 2022). Shivaji: India' Great Warrior King. Juggernaut Books. p. 53. ISBN 9789391165505.
3. "A Guerilla Victory At Umberkhind!". Chanakya Forum. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
4. Sorokhaibam, Jeneet (2013-01-01). Chhatrapati Shivaji: The Maratha Warrior and His Campaign. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-82573-49-4.
5. Bhave, Shreyas. The Legend of Bahirji-Naik: Siege of Panhala (Book II). Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-5559-089-3.
6. C V Vaidya (2005). Shivaji_The_Founder_Of_Maratha_Swaraj. DR BR AMBEDKAR, Digital Library Of India. Poona. p. 157.
7. ^ Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale (2011). Shivaji His Life and Times. pp. 471–476.
8. ^ Maratha Generals and Personalities: A gist of great personalities of Marathas. Pratik gupta. 2014-08-01. p. 127.
9. ^ Kulkarni V. B. (1963). Shivaji The Portrait Of A Patriot. p. 78.
10. ^ Setumadhavarao S Pagadi (1983). Shivaji. pp. 35–36.
11. ^ S_R_Sharma (2005). Maratha_History. DR BR AMBEEDKAR, Digital Library Of India. karnatak_Publishing_House. p. 141.
12. Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale (2011). Shivaji His Life and Times. The Battle of Umbarkhind has a close tactical resemblance to the battle of Lake Trasimene (217 BCE). Hannibal had deliberately lured the Romans into a trap by threatening Rome and placing himself astride their route as they were hurrying to its relief. We do not know whether Shivaji had deliberately baited his trap by some such move or had merely exploited the opportunity presented by the enemy's carelessness.

v t e Maratha Confederacy
Chhatrapatis	Shivaji Sambhaji Rajaram I Tarabai Shahu I Rajaram II Shahu II Pratap Singh
Peshwas	Moropant Trimbak Pingle Moreshvar Pingale Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bahiroji Pingale Balaji Vishwanath Baji Rao I Balaji Baji Rao Madhavrao Ballal Narayan Rao Raghunathrao Sawai Madhavrao Baji Rao II Amrut Rao Nana Sahib Bhat family
Amatya & Pratinidhi	Ramchandra Pant Amatya Pralhad Niraji Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi (hereditary) Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi Jagjivanrao Pant Pratinidhi
Women	Ahilyabai Holkar Anandibai Gopikabai Jankibai Jijabai Kashibai Lakshmibai Mastani Parvatibai Putalabai Ramabai Saibai Sakvarbai Soyarabai Umabai Dabhade Baka Bai Tulsi Bai Holkar
Maratha Confederacy	Bhonsle of Nagpur Gaekwad of Baroda Scindia of Gwalior Holkar of Indore Patwardhan dynasty
Battles	Pratapgarh Kolhapur Pavan Khind Umberkhind Chakan Surat Purandar Sinhagad Salher Kalyan Bhupalgarh Bijapur Raigarh (1689) Jinji Satara Khelna Raigarh Torna Palkhed Malwa Mandsaur Bhopal Vasai 1st Trichinopoly Katwa (1st) 2nd Trichinopoly Katwa (2nd) Invasions of Bengal Burdwan Narela 2nd Delhi North-west India Peshawar 3rd Panipat Alegaon Rakshasbhuvan Capture of Delhi Pachgaon Saunshi Wadgaon Adoni Badami Savanur Gajendragad Bahadur Benda Lalsot Chaksana Patan Kharda Poona 3rd Delhi Assaye Laswari Farrukhabad Bharatpur Khadki Koregaon Mahidpur
Wars	Maratha-Mughal War of 27 years Maratha–Mysore War First Anglo-Maratha War Second Anglo-Maratha War Third Anglo-Maratha War
Adversaries	Adil Shahi Qutb Shahi Mughal Empire Durrani Empire British Empire Portuguese Empire Nizam of Hyderabad Kingdom of Rohilkhand Mysore
Forts	Mangad Panhala Pratapgad Purandar Raigad Rajgad Shaniwar Wada Shivneri Sindhudurg Rajgad Torna
Coins	Shivrai

• Maratha Confederacy
• Battles involving the Maratha Confederacy
• Battles involving the Mughal Empire
• Conflicts in 1661
• Battles involving India