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Home / IAS Preparation / Battle Of Surat

Battle of Surat - All Important Facts For UPSC Notes!

Last Updated on May 05, 2023
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The Battle of Surat was fought between the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire on January 5, 1664. The Marathas, under the leadership of Shivaji Maharaj, attacked the city of Surat, which was an important port city and a major center of trade for the Mughals. The Mughals, led by their governor-in-chief of Gujarat, Prince Muazzam (later Emperor Aurangzeb), attempted to defend the city. The Maratha Empire defeated the Mughal forces, and the city of Surat was ransacked for six days.

The Battle of Surat is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Medieval History subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we shall study the historical background of the Battle of Surat, the composition of the Maratha and Mughal forces, and all other important facts for the UPSC IAS Exam.

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Battle of Surat: Historical Background

The Battle of Surat was a significant event in Indian history that took place on February 5, 1664. During this period, the Mughal Empire was at the height of its power. The Maratha empire was emerging as a strong regional power. The Battle of Surat was an attempt by Shivaji to expand his territory and challenge the Mughal authority. 

The Mughal governor Shaista Khan was engaged in a prolonged war against the Marathas in Deccan. This brought the Maratha Kingdom's financial state terribly down. In order to improve the financial situation, Shivaji strategized an attack on Surat. Surat was a crucial Mughal stronghold and a prosperous port town then. Shivaji's plan was to seize and plunder the wealthy port city and transfer all the wealth to his primary residence, the Raigad Fort.

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Composition of Mughal Forces

The defenses of Surat city were inadequate; therefore, only 1000 armed men were assigned by the local Subedar, Inayat Khan, who . ShivajiMughal Emperor Aurangzeb appointed stormed the port of Surat and burned the regional shipping sector on fire after destroying the Mughal garrison.

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Composition of Maratha Forces

Notable commanders and cavalry of 8000 or more were on Chhatrapati Shivaji’s side.

Series of Events During Battle of Surat
  • The Pune-Supa region had been burned to the ground by Shaiste Khan and Daud Khan. Numerous individuals had been killed, and entire communities had been destroyed by fire.
  • Shaiste Khan had taken control of the Lal Mahal in Pune and had looted all he could. In order to begin the process of subduing the Deccan, Aurangzeb planned to send Mughal soldiers against the defenseless residents of Pune and Supa.
  • Shivaji resolved to harm the Mughals by aiming for their richest town Surat after he amputated Shaiste Khan’s thumb during a daring nighttime raid.
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji did not want to attack the fort; therefore, he demanded tribute from the merchants. However, after his demand for the tribute was denied, Shivaji attacked Surat.
  • The suddenness of the attack caught the Mughal Chieftains off guard, and because he didn’t want to face the Maratha army, he hid in the Fort of Surat.
  • The Maratha army attacked Surat for over three days, plundering all the valuables that could be found among the traders of the Mughul Guzerat subah and other trading centres, including the Portuguese ones.
  • The homes of wealthy merchants like Virji Vora, Haji Zahid Beg, Haji Kasim, and others were raided by Maratha soldiers who confiscated money, gold, silver, pearls, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds.
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji also refrained from looting the homes of foreign missionaries.

Study in detail about the Second Battle of Panipat for UPSC preparation!

Why did Shivaji need Money for the Maintenance of the Maratha Army?

The Mughal Army, led by General Shaista Khan, was released by Aurangzeb in the early 1660s, destroying the region and taking control of the kingdom’s administrative center. This conflict damaged the Marathas’ financial position. As a result, the rich port of Surat, which had been in the hands of unskilled and helpless people, was the ideal location for the theft of a treasure of money and other resources.

Study in detail about India Under The Mughals for UPSC preparation!

Battle of Surat: Series of Loots by Chhatrapati Shivaji

The first is of Father Ambrose, a Catholic monk. Shivaji was informed that this person’s home was deserving of looting. Father Ambrose was a devout man, and Chhatrapati Shivaji was aware of this and refrained from looting his home. His home remained unharmed during the battle of Surat. The second businessman was Mohandas Parekh. He was also one of Surat’s wealthiest businessmen. It so happened that Parekh had passed away a few months earlier and that his wife was now his sole heir. The merchant has also been a big humanitarian throughout his life. Shivaji immediately outlawed the robbing of his home or of his valuables and, in fact, stationed guards to ensure that this would not occur.

Also, check out the article on the Battle of Kannauj and Chausa for UPSC preparation!

Battle of Surat: Aftermath

Before the Mughal Empire in Delhi was informed of the battle of Surat, all of this loot had already been transferred to the Deccan. Later, the Maratha state was built up and strengthened with this wealth. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was angered by this occurrence. After Shivaji’s invasion of the Port of Surat, trade did not thrive as much, which resulted in a decrease in the Mughal Empire’s revenue. The battle of Surat resulted in the victory of the Maratha Empire against Mughal forces.

The second sacking of Surat occurred in 1670. This time, Shivaji was directly engaged in battle with Mughal forces deployed throughout the Sahyadris. He was also squaring off against Janjira Siddi. The Mughal boats from Surat attacked the back of his soldiers when they were fighting the Siddi. Shivaji responded by attacking Surat. This time, Lohgad, which is close to Pune, received the loot.

Check out the article on the Battle of Palkhed 1728 for UPSC with this link!

Battle of Surat: Important Facts & Figures for UPSC

The table below shows the important facts about the Battle of Surat.

Events

Battle of Surat

Date

January 5, 1664

Location

Surat, Gujarat, India

Forces Involved

Maratha Empire led by Chhatrapati Shivaji and Mughal Forces led by Inayat Khan.

Result

Victory of the Maratha Empire

Check out the article on the Battle of Colachel 1741 for UPSC with this link!

Conclusion

The Mughals and Marathas engaged in a military confrontation in the Battle of Surat. Targeting Surat had no intention of attacking the local populace; the only goal of Chhatrapati Shivaji was to plunder the city’s wealthy businesses to accommodate money for the Maratha army. Thus, it is clear that there were clear political goals behind the battle of Surat. It wasn’t a case of indiscriminate slaughter and looting. Despite the temptation, Shivaji refrained from engaging in any instances of selfishness or brutality during the campaign.

Study in detail the Battles of Khanwa, Chanderi, and Ghagra with this link!

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Battle of Surat FAQs

Maratha Empire under the influence of Chhatrapati Shivaji won the battle of Surat against the Mughal forces led by Innayat Khan, a Mughal commander.

The battle of Surat was fought on 5 January,1664, near Surat city in Gujarat, India.

Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha king, twice looted and destroyed Surat because he needed the money to support his army.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj looted the city of Surat twice in order to maintain the Maratha army.

Britishers were the first to land in Surat city. They established their first Indian factory (trading post) at Surat in the year 1612.

At the Battle of Sangamner in 1679, the Mughal Empire and Maratha Empire fought one another. The Maratha King Shivaji fought in this last battle. The Mughal Empire won this conflict, overcoming the Maratha Empire.

Surat was taken over by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573 AD, and throughout his reign, it grew to become one of India's principal commercial centers.
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