The First Maratha invasion of Bengal occurred in 1742, led by Bhaskar Pandit under the command of Raghuji Bhonsle, the Maratha ruler of Nagpur. The Marathas aimed to collect chauth and exploit Bengal's wealth, targeting regions like Burdwan, Katwa, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly.

Following the Maratha invasion, Nawab Alivardi Khan took decisive steps to counter the Maratha raids and ultimately expel them from Bengal Subah's territory. Despite the retreat, the invasion devastated Bengal's economy, with contemporary accounts reporting widespread looting and civilian hardship.

Background Mir Habib, Bengal Subah's deputy Governor of Orissa appealed Raghuji Bhonsle of Nagpur to overthrow Nawab Alivardi Khan. Raghuji Bhonsle tasked his prime minister, Bhaskar Ram, with invading Bengal to collect chauth. Bhaskar led 10,000 "Raghuji, after the successful conclusion of his Carnatic campaign, despatched 10,000 Maratha troops, under the command of his lieutenant, Bhaskar Ram to Bengal …" to 12,000 or 20,000 cavalry, "In 1742, Raghuji Bhonsle, the semi-autonomous Maratha ruler of Nagpur sent his general Bhaskar with 20,000 cavalry to collect chauth" "As the proposal held the prospect of rich booty, the Maratha chief readily agreed and sent his chief minister Bhaskar Ram with a strong cavalry of 20 thousand commanded by 25 generals." moving unopposed through Orissa, defeating Bengal's Deputy Governor, Shaikh Masum Khan, and capturing his officer Durlabhram. He then advanced plundering Pachet (Modern Raniganj in Burdwan). Meanwhile, Alivardi, neglected the reports of the Maratha, believing invaders could only enter via the Rajmahal hills. However, upon reaching Sakhra near Mubarak Manzil (Modern Sahin-bandi in the Arambagh subdivision of the Hooghly district), he learned the Marathas had passed through Pachet and were approaching Burdwan, forcing him to take the threat seriously.

Conflicts at Bardhaman

Skirmishes near Burdwan After a day of marching, Alivardi with him only 3,000–4,000 cavalry and 4,000–5,000 musketeers, "He had with him only 3,000 to 4,000 cavalry and 4,000 to 5,000 musketeers …" "At this time he had only 3,000 to 4,000 cavalry and 4,000 to 5,000 foot musketeers with him." "Ali Vardi had with him 4,000 cavalry and 5,000 musketeers. " reached Burdwan (Bardhaman) on 15 April 1742 and encamped on the outskirt of the city. Maratha's surrounded the camps of Nawab Alivardi, looted his baggage, captured some of his horses, elephants, and camels, and cut off his food supplies and retired each evening. Alivardi sent his agents for terms. Bhaskar demanded ten lacs of rupees as a price for his return, which was refused by Alivardi. He dispatched officers to plunder the nearby villages of Burdwan.

In May 1742, Alivardi Khan, after a week-long stalemate, led a mobile force to engage the Marathas, leaving non-combatants behind. Fearing attack, they followed, impeding the army. Near Burdwan, the Marathas launched an assault. Alivardi's Afghan generals, who were discontent for various reasons, fought half-heartedly, enabling the Marathas to seize most supplies.

Peace negotiations Alivardi proceeded to Katwa in the middle of the night. Marathas detected the move and surrounded Alivardi's army. Bengal army without supplies, faced a critical situation. To gain time, he sent envoy Mir Khairullah Khan to negotiate peace with the Marathas. Bhaskar demanded one crore of rupees and all his elephants. Despite advice to comply, Alivardi refused, preferring to reward his own troops. When the Marathas demanded his grandson Siraj-ud-daulah as a hostage, Alivardi rejected their terms. He appealed to his Afghan commanders, led by Mustafa Khan, securing their loyalty. Reinvigorated, Afghan generals vowed to fight the Marathas rather than surrendering.

Conflicts at Katwa In May 1742, Alivardi Khan, marched toward Katwa, with a reduced force of 2,000–3,000 cavalry, 5,000–6,000 infantry, and minimal elephants. "w ith his army much reduced in numerical strength (two or three thousand cavalry, five or six thousand infantry, and a few elephants)." At Nikulsarai, the Nawab's army engaged pursuing Maratha forces in intense nocturnal combat, during which general Musahib Khan Mohmand was killed. The Marathas, utilizing a captured gun placed in a tree, bombarded Alivardi's troops. At dawn, Manikcand, minister of Burdwan's Rajah, deserted to Burdwan. The Marathas breached Alivardi's ranks. Mir Habib defected to the Marathas. Artillery superintendent under Alivardi Khan, alongside generals Afghan generals led charges against the Marathas, inflicting heavy losses, which disrupted the enemy's encirclement. This enabled Alivardi's Bengal army to reorganize into a unified force and proceed towards Katwa from Burdwan.

Alivardi reached Katwa on the fourth day of his march, but bargis had already plundered the city, looting farms and granaries and burning excess grains. Relief arrived from Murshidabad, where Saulat Jang was dispatched with provisions and essentials. After the Nawab's troops were reinforced and the rainy season began, Bhaskar planned to return to his country through Birbhum. However, Mir Habib, who had defected to the Marathas, suggested plundering the wealthy, undefended city of Murshidabad, during Alivardi's absence. Bhaskar agreed, and Mir Habib led 700 Maratha horsemen from Katwa toward Murshidabad.

Plunder of Murshidabad On May 6, 1742, Mir Habib reached Dahapada, opposite Murshidabad, and burned its bazaar. Mir Habib crossed the river and entered Murshidabad. He raided Jagat Seth Fatehcand's house, looting three lakhs in cash and goods. The Marathas also plundered other parts of the city, capturing Sarfaraz Khan’s son-in-law Murad Ali Khan and customs superintendent Mir Shujauddin. They then camped on the west bank of the Bhagirathi at Tritconah, planning to plunder Murshidabad again. Mir Habib released his own brother and family who had been imprisoned there by Alivardi Khan. His plunder accumulated between two and three crore rupees.

Alivardi's march to Murshidabad Upon receiving intelligence of the Maratha advance, Nawab Alivardi promptly departed from Katwa. The next day he arrived at Murshidabad on 7 May 1742. In response, Mir Habib and his Maratha contingent withdrew toward Katwa, plundering and setting fire to villages along their route.

Seeking to evade Bengal's heavy monsoon rains, the Marathas began their return journey from Katwa. However, Mir Habib intercepted them in Birbhum. Persuaded, they returned to Katwa, swiftly capturing entire Gangetic region from Rajmahal to Midnapore and Jaleswar Katwah, Dnaihat, and Bhowsingbera. Subsequently, Mir Habib planned to capture Hooghly.

Capture of Hooghly Mir Habib orchestrated a conspiracy to capture the Hooghly fort. The fort's defense was severely neglected by the Nawab's faujdar, Muhammad Raza Khan, who indulged in debauchery, spending nights drinking and reveling with dancing girls. Exploiting this vulnerability, Mir Habib, accompanied by 2,000 cavalry led by Shesh Rao, approached the fort on a prearranged night. Mir Abul Hasan, misled the inebriated Muhammad Raza Khan by saying Mir Habib had arrived alone for a meeting and was waiting at the gate. Under the influence of alcohol, Muhammad Raza ordered the gate opened, allowing the Marathas to storm the fort, seize control, and imprison the Nawab's officers. Hooghly became the Maratha headquarter of Bengal and Shesh Rao was appointed as the governor of Hooghly.

First Battle of Katwa

Alivardi sought help from Mughals emperor and wrote letters to deputies of Patna and Purnia. In response Naib Nazim of Patna Zainuddin Ahmed alongside Mahdi Nisar Khan, Abdul Ali Khan marched to Murshidabad with 5,000 cavalry and 6,000–7,000 infantry while Saif Khan of Purnia led an army of 5,000 soldiers. "… when the reinforcements called up by him from his deputies in Purnia and Patna would reach him. They came to him accompanied by 5,000 and 12,000 men respectively, before the rainy season was over." "… Mahdi Nisar Khan and Abdul Ali Khan, paternal uncle and maternal grand-uncle respectively of the historian Ghulam Husain, at the head of 5,000 cavalry and about 6,000 or 7,000 infantry. Saif Khan also came from Purneah with 5,000 soldiers." "He also applied to the Emperor for military succor. Zain-u'd-din, responded to his uncle by bringing 5,000 cavalry and 6,000 to 7,000 infantry, while Saif Khan contributed 5,000 trained soldiers." The allied army decided for offence. Meanwhile, Bhaskar, was extravagantly celebrating Durga Puja in Dhaihat, near Katwa. Alivardi led a sudden attack on 27 September 1742, forcing Marathas to flee towards Katwa leaving their baggage behind.

Alivardi's army reached the east bank of the Bhagirathi River opposite Katwa, where the Marathas were encamped on the west bank, supported by artillery on a sloop. Alivardi planned a surprise attack on their weaker western flank of Maratha army. He secretly crossed the Ajay River using a boat bridge with 2,500 troops. During the crossing, a boat bridge collapse killed 1,500 soldiers, but it was quickly repaired. About 3,000 Bengal troops crossed the river, attacked the Maratha camp, and caused them to flee without resistance. Alivardi's forces pursued, killed many Marathas, and reinforcements arrived to chase the fugitives. Alivardi then occupied the abandoned Maratha camp for his army to rest.

Aftermath

Following Maratha defeat near Katwa, Bhaskar fled to Pachet. According to Mir Habib's instructions, he then left to Midnapore, rampaging Radhabagar. Following Bhaskar's retreat to Nagpur the Maratha outposts of Burdwan, Hooghly and Hijli were abandoned. Bhaskar sent a Maratha detachment to Orissa, defeating and killing Alivardi's Deputy Governor, Shaikh Masum in a battle. Alivardi responded swiftly, moving from Pachet through Burdwan to Midnapore. Bhaskar fled toward Balasore but returned to confront Alivardi near Midnapore. In the ensuing battle, Bhaskar was defeated, losing several soldiers. Finally in December 1742, The Maratha's were driven out beyond the Chilka lake into the Deccan. Alivardi appointed Abdul Nabi Khan, uncle of Mustafa Khan in the post of Orissa's deputy Governor and returned to Murshidabad on 10 February 1743, after reconsolidating his authority over Orissa. In March, Marathas led by Raghuji and Bhaskar again invaded Bengal for the second time.

Maratha atrocities The massacres and atrocities committed by Bargis in Bengal Subah were elaborated in various chronicles by contemporary writers like Väņeśvara Vidyalańkāra, the court-pandit of the Rajah of Burdwan, Salimullah author of Tarikh-i-Bangala, and Ghulam Husain Salim, author of Riyaz-uz-Salatin. Other English and French accounts offer similar oppression. During the skirmishes in Burdwan, the Maratha troops plundered local villages, set fire granaries and food reserve. Contemporary Hindu poet author of Mahārāştrapurāņa, Gangarama's writes,“Nobody came out for fear of the Bargis and nowhere were food-articles available. All men in the army, whether high or low, had to subsist on boiled plantain-roots. The extremities were great; not to speak of others, even the Nawab had to partake of these.”During plunder of Murshidabad, many bankers and residents fled to places like Bhagwangola and Malda with their belongings, fearing Maratha attack. In the rainy season of 1742, Marathas conduct of widespread raids across Burdwan, Midnapore, Santal Parganas in Bihar (present-day Jharkhand) and Orissa extending as far as Balasore.