Maratha relations of the Asafjahi state is well studied by many savants of history. Prominent among them are G.S. Sardesai, Jadunath Sarkar, Dr.V.G. Dighe, Dr. Yusufkhan, Satishchandra and last but not least, Prof. T.S. Shejwalkar. While Dr. Yusufkhan has completely neglected contemporary Maratha sources while the Maratha historians were not lagging behind neglecting Persian sources. Apart from the shadow of chronicle literature, various ideological projections left the subject in much desirable condition. Therefore, the study is undertaken without any presumption, chronicles or ideological, concentrating on the contemporary documents with a critical eye. Author is greatly helped in the adventure by the publication of Marathi documents by G.S. Sardesai in the well-known series, "Selection from the Peshwa Daftar" in 45 volumes. Same job on minor scale was undertaken by P. Setumadhavrao for Persian language. His two books, "Eighteenth century Deccan", and second volume of "Studies in Maratha history" did the yeomen service for the Persian sources. Dr. Appasaheb Pawar did same in "Tarabai Papers", published by Kolhapur University. Thus, the subject could not be blamed for the lack of contemporary sources, Marathi as well as Persian. English and French sources add more luster to the study. But the study thus helped by the sources were confounded by the modern historians particularly Prof. T.S. Shejwalkar, who did not take into account the affair changed circumstances of eighteenth century and harped on the philosophy and practice of the seventeenth century which was not applicable to the changed times. Without use of Persian sources, he also left to the wind, the facts, cornerstone of the history and law of causation, argued on the weakness of the Maratha state, particularly vices of the Peshwa family and praised Asafia state without reason which only survives under British protection and the Maratha princelings by stepping in the Asafjahi shoes, rather than their old master. Thus he lost much of his sheen. It appears that he was addressing to the galleries rather than the academic circle of Poona. Not to be outdone Dr. Yusufkhan of Haiderabad, an authority on the Persian sources, depend on the outdated book of Grant Duff and repeated all his follies in the second edition too (1936-1963), though he claimed, that the book is revised. He again completely ignores Maratha sources and thus looses much of its luster. Particularly about the battle of Kharda, the interpretation of Prof. T. S. Shejwalkar is completely off the mark. Basically, he has missed the point at issue which deserves attention and analysis viz. the constant British presence in every important political event during the last quarter of the eighteenth century and their ascendancy. This may be perhaps because of his not having done full justice to the British records even though, according to him, he has consulted them. Secondly, he has overlooked the fact that the political situation in the last quarter of the 18th century was far different from what it was during the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century. In the last quarter of the 18th century, the struggle for the political supremacy in India had ceased to be merely a Hindu-Muslim. It had assumed the nature of a contest between the Indian powers, especially the Marathas on the one hand and foreign powers like the English East India Company and the French on the other.
Asafia State and the Marathas (1724-1803 A.D.) provides a rigorous, multi-archival reassessment of the complex geopolitical struggle between the Nizam's Asaf Jahi dynasty and the Maratha Empire across eight decisive decades. For decades, the historiography of 18th-century Deccan politics has remained polarized-divided between scholars who neglected contemporary Marathi records and those who overlooked essential Persian documents. Moving past ideological biases, chronicle traditions, and outdated colonial frameworks, this study re-evaluates original source materials-including the Selections from the Peshwa Daftar, Tarabai Papers, and key Persian texts-with a critical, objective lens. The book traces the relationship from early military clashes and tactical collusion to bitter civil wars, shifting regional alliances, and the landmark Battle of Kharda. Crucially, it highlights how the contest shifted in the late 18th century from a regional rivalry into a high-stakes struggle against the rising hegemony of the British East India Company.
Dr. Prabhakar Gadre, D.Litt, an authority of the Maratha History with specialty of the Nagpur State, has authored many books on the various aspect of the Nagpur history. Then he under took the herculean job of collecting, editing and publishing source material of many languages in 18 volumes. So far he has been successful in publishing ten volume throwing valuable light on the many aspect of the Nagpur State, including political correspondence, provincial studies, revenue reports and religious centers for the help of future generations.
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