Battle of Kakkor

The Battle of Kakkor (sometimes spelled Kakor) was fought between the Maratha Empire, led by the veteran Gandadhar Tantiya ordered by Malhar Rao Holkar, and the Rajput Kingdom of Jaipur under Sawai Madho Singh in present-day Kakor, Uniara, Tonk district of Rajasthan.

Battle of Kakkor
Date 1759 Location Kakor, Uniara, Tonk district, Rajasthan Result Decisive Maratha victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Jaipur	Maratha empire
Commanders and leaders
Sawai Madho Singh	Malhar Rao Holkar Gangadhar Tantiya
Casualties and losses
Heavy	400

Background

The visitation of 1759 was conducted by Malhar Holkar. In July he had received orders from the Peshwa to go to Rajputana and put pressure on its Rajahs for their promised money. His main duty was to realise 12 lakhs for 1758 and nine lakhs for 1759 from Jaipur, the most solvent of these states. At this point, Jaipur was the strongest power in Rajputana. Moreover, as Raghunath Dada had found in 1757, most of the villages in this kingdom had protective walls and a martial population against whom the southern light cavalry forces could do nothing.

Battle

In November, the Rajputs came out with a force of roughly 4000, led by Jot Singh Nathawat, to attack the Marathas. With his superior numbers and artillery, Malhar enveloped the Kachhwahas at Lakhori and completely crushed them, slaying 20 of their captains. Malhar next laid siege to Barwara, defended by Vikaramjit Rajawat, and some Shekhawat captains. Calling up his troops from Rampura, he forced the garrison to capitulate.

Result

Soon afterwards Malhar had to abandon Rajputana in a hurry in order to reinforce Dattaji at Delhi against the attack of Ahmed Shah Abdali. He set off from the neighbourhood of Barwara, on 2nd January 1760 but was too late to save Dattaji Sindhia.