Siege of Trichinopoly (1681)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Siege of Trichinopoly (1681–82) was a major clash in South India during the Madurai-Mysore Wars and the Maratha-Mysore Wars. Chikka Devaraja of Mysore aimed to capture Trichinopoly, a key Madurai stronghold, and sent his general Kumaraiya to seize the fort. At first Mysore seemed close to success after Rustam Khan of Madurai was defeated and killed, which left Madurai’s defense weakened.

But Chokkanatha Nayak of Madurai received crucial help from Harji Mahadik of Gingee, Ekoji I of Thanjavur, and the Ramnad Marathas. This strong alliance surrounded Trichinopoly and resisted the Mysore assault. Kumaraiya tried to buy time by offering peace and promising to restore Nayak rule in Gingee and Thanjavur, but Nayak Chokkanatha distrusted him and refused.

The allied forces pressed on, and Marathas under Harji Mahadik and friends even moved toward Mysore’s capital, Srirangapatna, to threaten Chikka Devaraja. In response, Mysore sent Doddaiya to defend the capital while Kumaraiya’s plans to stay and fight weakened. A bold night attack by Mysore near Srirangapatna failed, as the Marathas and their allies routed the enemy. Several Marathas were captured or killed, and the Mysore troops suffered heavy losses; the leaders of the Marathas were executed, and the Mysore camp was looted.

The next day, Doddaiya entered the royal hall with the heads of the defeated Maratha leaders as proof of victory. Although Mysore had a moment of glory, the overall outcome was a setback for Chikka Devaraja. Kumaraiya tried to escape to Mysore, but the Marathas and their allies pursued him, and he was eventually captured along with many of his men and horses.

In the aftermath, Harji Mahadik led campaigns to push Mysore out of Trichinopoly and nearby forts. By March 1683 he had defeated the Mysore forces and helped restore control to the Nayaks and their Maratha allies, strengthening their hold in the region.