The Scindias and Gwalior

In 1771, the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, who had been living under British protection at Allahabad, set out for Delhi, which he entered in January 1772 — escorted by a Maratha army commanded by Mahadji Scindia. For the next two decades, Mahadji was the most powerful man in north India, controlling the emperor and much of the empire's territory in his name. His family, the Scindias (Shindes), ruled one of the largest Maratha states from their capital at Gwalior, and they remained a major force in central India until independence. Their story links Maharashtra, Malwa, Delhi and the British Raj — and it is a staple of MPPSC's history syllabus.

Origins: Ranoji Scindia

• Ranoji Scindia was a commander under Peshwa Bajirao I, rising from humble origins.
• As the Marathas expanded into Malwa in the 1720s–30s, Ranoji received territories there and made Ujjain his base.
• Along with Malhar Rao Holkar, he helped establish Maratha control over Malwa.

Mahadji Scindia: master of north India

Daulat Rao Scindia and the British

• Daulat Rao Scindia succeeded Mahadji and was drawn into conflicts among the Marathas and with the British.
• In the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–05), Scindia's forces were defeated at battles such as Assaye and Laswari; he signed the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (1803), ceding territory.
• Around 1810, the capital was moved to Gwalior, where the army's camp — the Lashkar — grew into a city.
• After the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–18), the Scindias accepted British paramountcy.

The battle of Maharajpur (1843)

During a succession dispute, the British under Lord Ellenborough fought the Gwalior army at Maharajpur and Panniar in December 1843. The Scindia state was reduced in military strength and placed more firmly under British control.

Jayajirao Scindia and 1857

• During the revolt of 1857, Jayajirao Scindia remained loyal to the British, although much of his army joined the rebels.
• In June 1858, Rani Lakshmibai and Tatya Tope captured Gwalior and forced Jayajirao to flee. The Rani died fighting near Gwalior on 18 June 1858, and the British retook the city.
• Jayajirao built the grand Jai Vilas Palace (completed 1874), in a European style, now largely a museum.

Later rulers and modern Gwalior

• Madho Rao Scindia (early twentieth century) promoted railways (the Gwalior Light Railway), education, and the Gwalior Trade Fair (Gwalior Mela), started in 1905.
• Jiwajirao Scindia became the Rajpramukh of Madhya Bharat, formed in 1948 by uniting Gwalior, Indore and other states, with Gwalior and Indore as its capitals (winter and summer).
• In 1956, Madhya Bharat became part of the new Madhya Pradesh.

Legacy

Practice

Prelims-style:

1. Who was the founder of Scindia power in Malwa?
2. Which Scindia ruler escorted Shah Alam II back to Delhi in 1771–72?
3. Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Maratha War, and who mediated it?
4. When did the Scindias move their capital to Gwalior?
5. When was the Gwalior Trade Fair started?

Mains-style (short): What was the significance of Mahadji Scindia's army?

Mains-style (long): Discuss the role of the Scindias in the politics of north and central India in the eighteenth century.