The Battle of Wai was fought in December of 1687 as a part of the Mughal–Maratha Wars. Maratha king Sambhaji sent his forces to counteract Sarja Khan, sent by Aurangzeb for the purpose of conquering Raigad.
Background In April 1685, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb managed to consolidate his power by first capturing Maratha allies, the Muslim kingdoms of Golconda 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."Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Satara" Maharashtra (India), Gazetteers Dept. Director of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State, 1963 p94
Battle 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.Pāṭīla, Śālinī. Maharani Tarabai of Kolhapur, C. 1675-1761 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand & Company, 1987. p42 Although the Marathas won, Hambirao Mohite was struck and killed by a cannonball during the battle.Joshi, Pandit Shankar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, 1657-1689 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand, 1980. p241
Aftermath While the battle was a victory for the Marathas, the loss of the celebrated Hambirao Mohite weakened Sambhaji Maharaj's political position considerably and many of his troops deserted him.Mehta, Jaswant Lal. Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, 2005. p49-50 Hambirao was replaced as senapati by Malhoji Ghorpade.Joshi, Pandit Shankar. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, 1657-1689 AD. New Delhi: S. Chand, 1980. p262 Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj went to the Western Ghats along with his close friend and counselor Kavi Kalash, leading eventually to the Mughal Army surrounding the Sambhaji Maharaj's camp and capturing the Maratha king.
References