Battle of Wai

Battle of Wai
Part of Mughal-Maratha Wars
Date December 1687 Location Wai, Maharashtra Result Maratha victory
Belligerents
Mughal Empire	Maratha Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Shirja Khan	Hambirrao Mohite †[1]

The Battle of Wai was fought in the fall of 1687 as a part of the Mughal–Maratha Wars. Maratha king Sambhaji sent his forces to counteract Shirja Khan, sent by Aurangzeb for the purpose of conquering Raigad.

In April 1685, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb managed to consolidate his power by first capturing Maratha allies, the Muslim kingdoms of Golkonda and Bijapur. He broke his treaties with both kingdoms, attacked them and captured them by September 1686. While Aurangzeb was away at the Siege of Golconda, the Mughals invaded Satara district. And after his victory at Golconda, Aurangzeb was able to concentrate on the Marathas.^[2]

Maratha Commander-in-Chief Hambirrao Mohite led the Maratha side in the battle. Sarja Khan (a Bijapur general who joined the Mughals) led the Mughal forces.^[3] Although the Marathas won, Hambirao Mohite was struck and killed by a cannonball during the battle.^[4]

While the battle was a victory for the Marathas, the loss of the celebrated Hambirao Mohite weakened Sambhaji's political position considerably and many of his troops deserted him.^[5] Hambirao was replaced as senapati by Malhoji Ghorpade.^[6] Sambhaji went to the Western Ghats along with his close friend and counselor Kavi Kalash, leading eventually to the Mughal Army surrounding the Sambhaji's camp and capturing the Maratha king.^[5]