Cite
MLA
“Battle of Balapur.” Hindu History, 2026, https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-balapur-1720/. Accessed .
APA
Hindu History. (2026). Battle of Balapur. Retrieved , from https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-balapur-1720/
Alam Ali Khan was killed and his army scattered; the Nizam became master of the Mughal Deccan.
01The Marathas take sides
In 1719 the Sayyid brothers had granted Chhatrapati Shahu the right to collect chauth and sardeshmukhi across the six provinces of the Mughal Deccan, in return for Maratha help. So when the Nizam came south, Maratha contingents under Khanderao Dabhade and Shankaraji Malhar joined Alam Ali Khan, the Sayyids’ nephew and deputy governor at Aurangabad. Alam Ali marched to meet the Nizam in Berar with a large but mixed army.
02Alam Ali’s last charge
Near Balapur the Nizam drew up behind a stream and broken ground, with his guns in front. Alam Ali, eager to fight, charged. His troops were thrown into confusion crossing the ground under fire, and the Maratha horse could do little against the Nizam’s formed lines. Alam Ali, surrounded on his elephant, refused to surrender and was killed. Shankaraji Malhar was taken prisoner. The Nizam occupied Aurangabad. Weeks later Husain Ali Khan was murdered, and the Sayyids’ power fell apart.
Balapur gave the Nizam the Deccan and set up the long rivalry between his state and the Marathas that ran through Palkhed and Bhopal.
