Dattaji Rao Scindia

Dattaji Rao Scindia (Shinde) (1723 - 10 January 1760) was the second son of Ranoji Rao Scindia and Maina Bai alias Nimba Bai. Mina Bai gave birth to three sons of Ranoji, Jayappaji, Dattaji, Jyotiba. Jayappaji was the eldest among the three and Jyotiba, the youngest.^[1]

He was the elder half-brother of Mahadaji Scindia who later became the confederacy head of Gwalior, and Regent for his nephew Jankoji Rao Scindia I from 1755 until his death.^[2]

Battle with Afghans and Death

He was a Maratha military general who was given the command of Punjab during the Afghan-Maratha Conflicts over the regions of North India in 1758-59.

Dattaji was defeated and killed at battle with Afghans at Barari Ghat (Buradi ghat), on the plain of Rudhir, near Delhi on 10 January 1760.^[3] In the morning of 10 January 1760, the Rohillas of Najib Khan attempt a crossing at Barari-ghat . Sabaji Sindhia who was guarding the ghat resisted the enemies with his few men, after reporting the attack. Dattaji rushed from his camp on a horse to prevent this intrusion darting his spear at the enemies . But the Rohilla snipers hidden in the bushes were waiting for this opportunity, they shot down Dattaji with a bullet shot. The Bhaubakhar describes his death as when Dattaji fell off his horse with a bullet wound and was lying there on the battle field . Raghoba Pagnis said to Rajaram Chopdar, “ Do you go up to Qutubshah and say to him that Dattaji Shinde lies wounded on the field and that he should take him off the field .”Rajaram Chopdar saw Qutb Shah on his elephant and having known him for long, saluted him said in the Muslim tongue, "Saheb, our Patil has fallen, please save him." Qutb Shah asked him to take him there. Upon reaching Dattaji he asked him, “Will you fight us again”. To Which he replied bravely “Bachenge to aur bhi ladenge .”' Enraged, Qutb Shah unsheathed his sword, kicked Dattaji over, and beheaded him, despite Rajaram's pleas . Dattaji’s body was cremated by Rajaram Chopdar.

See also

• Scindia

References