The communalisation of history has been among the most persistent phenomena in India. By selectively omitting certain facts and exaggerating others, a version of history is often constructed to align with preconceived notions rather than historical accuracy. One such misleading portrayal is how Aurangzeb and Shivaji are represented in communal narratives. Aurangzeb is often depicted as the first Mughal ruler to expand the empire into the Deccan, while Shivaji is portrayed as the foremost Maratha leader who resisted this expansion. This oversimplified version of history overlooks the complexities of Mughal-Maratha interactions and fails to recognise the long history of both cooperation and conflict between these two powers.
Story continues below this ad
There are countless instances of shared interests, cooperation, and mutual respect between different communities that are often overlooked to only emphasise conflicts. The rise of the Marathas, for example, is often framed solely as a Hindu nationalist movement against Mughal rule. However, a crucial and frequently ignored aspect of Maratha history is the role played by Malik Ambar, a Muslim Abyssinian leader who laid the foundation for Maratha resistance against the Mughals.
From a slave to a general
Despite Amber’s significant impact on the region’s history, his contributions are often overlooked in mainstream narratives. His military innovations, governance strategies, and ability to unite the Deccan forces, including the Marathas, laid the foundation for long-term resistance against Mughal rule.
Born in Ethiopia in the late 1540s, Ambar was sold into slavery and brought to India, where he was purchased by the Peshwa of Bijapur. After gaining his freedom, he quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional administrative and military skills. His prominence grew during the Mughal invasion of Ahmednagar in 1595, when Akbar’s forces sought to annex the region. Chand Bibi, the regent of Ahmednagar, valiantly defended the fort, but after she died in 1600, the Mughals overran the kingdom. Refusing to accept Mughal rule, Ambar and other nobles declared Murtaza Nizam Shah II as Sultan and relocated their capital to Paranda. As the de facto ruler, Ambar launched a prolonged campaign against Mughal expansion, successfully stalling their advances for decades.
Story continues below this ad
One of his significant achievements was uniting the fragmented Deccan forces. When he became regent in 1600, the Nizam’s army was in disarray, but Ambar reorganised it and incorporated local chieftains, including the Marathas, into his resistance movement. By 1611, he had recaptured Ahmednagar and pushed the Mughals back, securing vital forts to sustain his rule. His strategic use of guerrilla warfare and fortified defenses ensured that Mughal control over the Deccan remained incomplete for nearly 25 years.
His greatest military triumph came in 1624 at the Battle of Bhatvadi, where he decisively defeated a combined Mughal-Bijapur force despite being outnumbered. His deep knowledge of the terrain and superior tactics ensured his victory. Ambar’s resistance continued until he died in 1626 at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced the future of the Marathas and the Deccan’s resistance against the Mughals.
His continuous raids disturbed Jahangir to such an extent that the court chroniclers painted him as shooting an arrow at Ambar in frustration. Ambar’s success revealed Mughal’s vulnerability, inspiring future Maratha leaders. His ability to unite local chieftains against a powerful empire established a tradition of defiance. This legacy was later carried forward by Shivaji and his successors, shaping the Marathas’ enduring fight for independence against Mughal rule.
Ambar also revolutionised guerrilla warfare in the Deccan, using hit-and-run tactics, surprise raids, and strategically placed forts. Unlike the Mughal army, which relied on large infantry and cavalry formations, Ambar deployed small, fast-moving cavalry units that struck suddenly and retreated into rugged terrain. Avoiding open battles, he lured the Mughals into mountains and forests, where his forces launched ambushes. His innovations became the foundation of Shivaji’s military strategy, enabling the Marathas to effectively resist Mughal expansion for generations.
Malik Ambar and Shivaji’s father
Ambar’s influence on the Maratha movement is evident through his relationship with Shahaji Bhonsale, Shivaji’s father. Shahaji was deeply influenced by his military strategies and administrative principles. Further strengthening Maratha influence, Ambar granted landholdings (jagirs) to Maloji Bhosale, Shivaji’s grandfather, including the crucial Pune jagir, which later became a key territorial base for the Marathas. The military techniques Ambar used against the Mughals—fort-based defence, economic disruption of enemy supply lines, and decentralised governance—were later perfected by Shivaji and his successors.
most read
Beyond military tactics, Ambar’s governance model also shaped the Marathas’ approach to administration. His emphasis on regional self-governance empowered local chieftains, including the Jadhavs, Bhonsles, and Nimbalkars, fostering a sense of independence. This decentralised structure later became a defining feature of the Maratha Confederacy and a key factor in their resistance to Mughal centralisation.
Ambar’s relentless defiance of Mughal rule set a precedent that emboldened the Marathas in their own struggle. His ability to resist imperial expansion for decades proved that the Mughal Empire was not invincible, a lesson that deeply influenced future Maratha leaders. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the Marathas emerged as the primary challengers to Mughal supremacy, fulfilling Ambar’s vision of Deccan autonomy. His legacy lived on through their military campaigns, ensuring that his name remained synonymous with resistance, strategic brilliance, and the fight for regional self-rule.
The writers are doctoral research fellows at Jamia Milia Islamia
