Battle of Salher, History, Events, Challenges, Aftermath

In 1671, Chhatrapati Shivaji launched an initiative to end Mughal rule from the Baglan region, leading to the capture of key forts. Aurangzeb, who was in rage, sent Diler Khan, while Bahadur Khan laid siege to Salher. Shivaji assigned the task to Moropant Pingle and Prataprao Gujar to counter the Mughals. The Marathas, initially retreating, later regrouped and decisively defeated Ikhlas Khan. The victory forced Bahadur Khan to abandon Salher. Sabhasad Bakhar records 10,000 casualties and significant loot.

Battle of Salher

The Battle of Salher (1672) was a significant military engagement between the Marathas and the Mughals, fought near the Salher Fort in present-day Maharashtra. It was a decisive victory for the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji, marking one of their most significant victories over the Mughal Empire.

Battle of Salher History

The Treaty of Purandar (1665) forced Chhatrapati Shivaji to surrender 23 forts, including strategic ones like Sinhagad, Purandar, and Lohagad, to the Mughals. At the time the Maratha Empire in Nashik region, including Salher and Mulher, was under Mughal control. Following Shivaji’s escape from Agra in 1666, tensions remained until Aurangzeb’s renewed anti-Hindu policies gaslighting conflict. Between 1670-1672, Shivaji’s forces reclaimed several forts, raided Baglan, Khandesh, and Surat, and ultimately secured a decisive victory over a 40,000-strong Mughal army near Salher, marking a significant expansion of his power and territorial control.

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Battle of Salher Series of Events

In January 1671, Sardar Moropant Pingle led the Maratha War of 15,000 soldiers to capture Mughal forts, including Aundha, Patta, Trimbak, and later launched a battle on Salher and Mulher. In response, Aurangzeb sent generals Ikhlas Khan and Bahlol Khan with 12,000 troops to reclaim Salher. By October 1671, the Mughals had laid siege to the fort, prompting Shivaji to positioned Moropant Pingle and Prataprao Gujar to counter them.

Approaching from different directions, Prataprao launched the first attack but was temporarily forced to withdraw. However, Moropant’s soldiers soon joined him on an open battlefield near Salher. Despite being nearly 2:1, the Marathas defeated the Mughal forces, leading to an intense day-long battle.

The battle resulted in around 10,000 casualties on both sides. The Marathas’ swift cavalry proved superior to the Mughals’ heavily equipped military. The Mughal army was completely routed, suffering a humiliating defeat. The victorious Marathas seized 6,000 horses, an equal number of camels, 125 elephants, and an entire Mughal supply train, along with vast treasures, gold, jewels, and luxurious goods.

Battle of Salher Aftermath

In January 1671, Sardar Moropant Pingle led 15,000 Maratha troops to capture Mughal forts, including Aundha, Patta, and Trimbak, before advancing toward Salher and Mulher. In response, Aurangzeb sent Ikhlas Khan and Bahlol Khan with 12,000 cavalry to reclaim Salher. By October, the Mughals laid siege to the fort, prompting Shivaji to send Moropant Pingle and Prataprao Gujar to counter them.

Prataprao attacked first but had to retreat. Moropant’s forces soon reinforced him, and together they launched a counter offensive on the open plains near Salher. The battle lasted an entire day, with over 10,000 casualties. Despite being outnumbered, the Marathas secured a decisive victory.

The Marathas seized 6,000 horses, camels, elephants, and Mughal treasures. Sabhasad Bakhar describes the battlefield as soaked in blood. This victory cemented Shivaji’s military prowess and strengthened the foundation of Hindavi Swaraj.

Battle of Salher Consequences

Historians regard the Battle of Salher as a significant milestone in medieval Indian history, marking the first major victory of a Hindu army over Muslim invaders since the First Battle of Tarain (1191). Unlike Shivaji’s previous successes, which largely relied on guerrilla tactics, this battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the Marathas’ light cavalry against the numerically superior Mughal forces in open warfare.

The triumph was so remarkable that Saint Ramdas addressed Shivaji as Gajpati (Lord of Elephants), Haypati (Lord of Cavalry), Gadpati (Lord of Forts), and Jalpati (Master of the High Seas) in a famous letter. While not a direct outcome of this battle, Shivaji’s growing power and influence eventually led to his coronation as Chhatrapati in 1674, formally establishing him as an emperor and reinforcing the Maratha vision of Hindavi Swaraj.