History of Clan Morè
Septs of Clan More of India
More, Madhure, Devkate, Harphale, Dhyber, Marathe, Darekar, Devkar, and Adavale.
Lands of Clan More
The Mor/ Mores lands in India belong to the family at one point.
Historic Seat More of Maharashtra- Capital of Latur More of Patna
More of Javali Jargir More of Mahipatgad
More of Kashmir More of Shivthar
More of Jor More of Jambhali
More of Mahipatgad More of Kevanle
More of Vakan More of Devali Tarf Ategaon
More of Devali More of Khelana ( Vishalgad)
More of Sakharwadi More of Tal Phaltan
More of Hadapsar More of Dhayari
More of Pune More of Mahabaleshwar
More of Parvat More of Chakdev
More of Ghonaspur More of Taldev
More of Gardev More of Dhardev
More of Moleshwar More of Bankot
More of Kandat Khore
The Mauryan Empire
The Mor/ Mur came to India and established the Mauryan empire. They were supposedly close kins of the Armorites of Babylonia and Egypt. The Jats immigrants are also close kins of the ancient Gatians of Sumeria and the Goths. he Mores are claiming descendants of the Mouryan Dynasty in which it defeated the Greeks, which was led by Alexander the Great. I also believe that the Mauryan Dynasty came from the Milesians, and below is a time period of kings of the Mauryan Dynasty.
Mauryan Dynasty (BCE320-300)
Chandragupta Maurya (BCE320-300)
Bindusar (BCE300-187)
Ashok (BCE273-232)
Kunal (BCE232-225)(From Ujjain)
Dasarath (BCE232-225)(From Patliputra)
Samprati(BCE225-?)
Saliska fl. late 3rd BCE.
Devadharm fl. late 3rd BCE.
Satamdhanu fl. early 2nd BCE.
Brihadrath(BCE194-187)
The More's were mostly known in the lands of Maharashtra from their king Akhilesh More of Latur. Their capital was at Latur. The area of then Javali Jagir stretched from Rairi Raigad fort was built by Chandrarao More in 1030 to Fort Khelana (Vishalgad) and Koyana Valley to the current Mumbai-Goa highway.
The following is a list of lands in which the More clan controlled and was in their possession.
1. More of Shivthar owned by Yashwantrao More
2. More of Jor owned by Hanmantrao More
3. More of Jambhali owned by Govindrao More
4. More of Mahipatgad owned by Dauloatrao More
5. More of Kevanale and Vakan owned by Bagrao More
6. More of Devali Tarf Ategaon owned by Suryarao More
7. More of Devali owned by Bhikajirao More
8. More of Khelana(Vishalgad) owned by Shankarrao More
9. More of Sakharwadi Tal.Phaltan and Hadapsar owned by Madhavrao Yashwantrao and Sadashivrao More 10.More of Dhayari, and Pune owned by Paresh Krishnaraj More
They were honored as Kings. The More families' jurisdiction extended over the region of Savitri Rivers to Mahabaleshwar, Parvat, Chakdev, Ghonaspur,Taldev, Gardev, Dhardev, Moleshwar, Bankot etc. Daulatrao More branch headquarters were at Kandat Khore, where they found Swayambhu Niripji Devi. The Daulatrao More from Mahipatgad was successor of title Chandrarao. The More clan will face an enemy that will invade the homeland of the Mores called Javali. Shivaji will end up defeating the Mores in a campaign that will bring the More clan to be one of the ninety six clans of the Maratha empire.
The Javali Campaign
Now, Javali was a strategically important to the region in which the Mores control. It was the gateway to the Konkan region. Javalia was a densely forested area, mainly comprising of eighteen valleys, called Khores. It was a region traditionally ruled by the Mores ( There are stories that More's were the descendants of the Somvanshi, king More of Kashmir, while other version claims descent from the Mauryas of Magadh.). They owed allegiance to the Adilshahi. Under the Mores came the Khores of Jambhul, Jor, Shivthar, Kandat, Tam, Bamnoli and others.
The Mores had a clan head called Chandraro. The last Chandraro More was Daulatrao. When he died he was issue with no heirs. Afzhal Khan, Adilshahs commander, wanted to annex the More's territory to the Adilshahi. So Daulatraos widower turned to Shivaji for help, and he provided her with the military support to help assert authority and to keep her relatives at bay. Yeshwantrao was adopted from within the More clan of Shivthar. Shivaji promised them to help against external aggression. Initially this Chandrarao More being indebted to Shivaji, professed loyalty towards him, but later he change his mind. His attitude towards Shivaji's officials and envoy to turned from polite to rude.
He also disrespected towards and also refuse to accept Shivaji as king, which ended up in an attack on Shivaji's supporters by the More clan. Shivaji, taken back by Chandrarao's sudden arrogance, and decided to teach him a lesson, by annexing his territory. It was a tough terrain, but Shivaji had local support. His supporters was Jedhes, Bandals and the Silimkars. On 27th January 1656. Shivaji's man Sambhaji Kavji and Raghunath Ballal Atre. Chandrarao and the Ghorpades of Mudhol, who besides being Shivajis rivals and relatives, were also Bijapur's officiers. At the end of the campaign; Shivaji ordered the execution of Chandrarao More and annex Javali. Soon after Javali fell, so did the forts of Wasota and Rairi were also in the hands of Shivaji's hands. Shivaji then instructed Moropant Pingale to construct a powerful fort for him within the vicinity of Javali. That the fort named as Pratapgad. Shivaji next acquisition was the fort of Rohida in May 1656. When the Javali campaign was over and now the Mores became part of the Shivaji's forces in which they help to establish the Maratha empire. The More clan also had septs that belong to the clan, includes the following names: Madhure, Devkate, Harphale, Dhyber, Devkar, and Adavale.
The Maratha and Mughal Empires War
The wars of the Maratha empire began as an imperial conquest, and were a series of conquest in the India subcontinent, which led to the rise of the Maratha empire with the enormous help from the More clan. The most important wars of the Maratha empire, was a war against the Mughal empire. The Mughal empire was indeed a very enormous empire that expands to the lands of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Before the wars between the two empire; there was a war between the Maratha and the Adlishahi. The Battle of Pratapgad between the two forces. The battle was fought in 10th of November 1659, the beginning of the Maratha empire, which result in a decisive victory and major territorial gain for the Maratha forces, even thou they were outnumbered.
This war lasted about 27 years and had two wars between the Mughal and Maratha empires. The Maratha empire was small compare to the Mughal empire which was enormous. At first, it wasn't a large scale battles that were fought before the year of 1680. The war became intensify when Aurangzeb's invasion into the Maratha's lands in Bijapur, which was establish by Shivaji. In Bijapur there were three battles that were fought, which includes: 1. The Battle of Bijapur Sultanate 2. The Battle of Kolhapur 3. The Battle of Pawanhind
It was a long fought war involving a quarter of a century and innumerable long and short battles. The upcoming battles will be tough and bloody. Most of these battles that were fought by the Maratha forces, in which they were outnumbered, and became very victorious. Both side won many battles, and these two empires were fighting to dominate the whole country of India.
The Battle of Chakan
The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was enraged with Shaistakhan as he was living in luxury in the Deccan. In spite of attacking and destroying the Maratha forces. He along with 30,000 troops laid siege to the Chakan fort. Firangoji Narsala along with only 6,000 troops; Maratha soldiers bravery repulse the massive force of the Mughal's army, which was led by Shaistakhan for months. Finally Shaistakhan blasted the walls of the fort by using explosives. The Mughal rushed inside the fort and killing many Maratha soldiers. Firangoji was finally capture and brought before Shaistakhan which eventually he let Firangoji go and he returned home.
The battle was over and the Mughal was victorious in defeating the Maratha in Chakan, Maharashtra. The next fight was to be taken at the battle of Umberkhind on 2nd February in 1661. The location of this battle was Pen, Maharashtra and it end up a decisive victory for the Marathas, and also at this battle the Mughal had to paid a huge tribute to the Maratha. Once again the Maratha were outnumbered. The next battle was to be fought was at Surat, Gujarat on 5th January in 1664.
The Battle of Surat
The Mughal's forces was composition of 1,000 men at the command of Inayat Khan. The Maratha forces was composition of 4,000 cavalry under the command of Shivaji. Shivaji attacked Surat after a demand for tribute was rejected by the Mughal's commander. The Mughal Sardar, not the bravest, was very surprised by the suddenness of the attack and not willing to face the Maratha forces, he had hid himself in the fort of Surat. However, there was an attempted assassination of Shivaji by the emissary sent by the Mughal's Sardar. So Shivaji took the city and sacked it. Surat was under attack for nearly three days, in which the Maratha army looted all possible wealth from the Mughal and Portuguese trading center. The total numbers of prisoners executed during the raid was four; the hands of others were cut off, which were 24 men. Shivaji had to complete the sacking of Surat before the Mughal empire at Deli was alerted and couldn't afford to waste much time in attacking. The Maratha won a decisive victory. The next battle to be fought was at Purandar.
The Battle of Purandar
The battle of Purandar was fought in the year of 1665 in Purandar, India. The battle of Purandar was fought between Mughal and Maratha empires. Aurangzeb sent his general Dilir Khan of a large Mughal forces, crossed the Narmada river, while Shivaji was still engage in mopping up operations on the Konkan coast. Dilir turned his attention to Puranda and Jay Singh moved his main force to attack Sinhagarth fort while lesser forces under his command were moving against the More of Rajgad and Lochagad. According to Dilir Khan's plan, he was to lay siege to Purandhar, which was then gaurded by Murar Baji, the Maratha governor.
Laying a siege to Shivaji's well guarded position wasn't so easy; methods which Shivaji's men adopted in defense were similar to those they used in attack. The method was always the same, namely to have a short and quick engagements with the enemy rather then to face him in pitch battle. The secret to Shivaji's success was that he adopted the methods of guerilla warfare and his men followed his example even when attacking at Purandhar. With his modest garrison of only 2,000 Mavalis and Hetkaris, Murar Baji staved off the Mughal's attack. He blocked every point of approach by sending out parties of stragglers whose tactics were to nibble at the Mughal forces rather than to face them four squares.
Dilir Khan was adamant in carrying out his plan. Determined to destroy this Maratha fortress, he decided to use gunpowder to mine the main rock on which the lower fort of Purandhar was built. He succeeded in doing this, but his follow through was resisted by the Mavalis. The Maratha troops open fire on their attackers from the upper fort and a fierce and desperate battle ensued. The Mughals charged along side with the Pathans and Afghans, with Diler Khan, himself, mounted on an elephant, directing the operation. The battle for Purandhar fort ended in a hand to hand combat.
At one stage, Murar Baji came so close to Diler Khan that they were even exchanging verbal threats at close quarters. Murar, deprived of his shield in battle, was struggling to strike at Diler with his sword. However, Diler, realising the desperateness of the situation, shot at Murar with his bow and arrow. The arrow killed the Maratha governor and as he died, his scattered forces retreat to the upper fort and close the gates. Timely assistance, however, came to the besieged garrison from Shivaji, who sent out an extra force, which announced it's arrival with trumpets and war drums. This Mughals hadn't anticipated and, taken by surprise by the reinforcements, which Shivaji had sent, Diler lost the early advantage, which he had gained.
The Mughal commander remained undaunted. The battle continued, but the forces of nature came to the assistance of Shivaji, for the monsoon rains broke over the battlefield, which greatly dislocated Diler's plans and disarrayed his forces. It was soon realised by Diler that the battle was merely leading to the loss of life without any progress being made towards the capture of the fort. Negotiations were thus renewed with Shivaji and a personal meeting was arranged between the Maratha and the Rajputs. Thus peace was restored by the means of a peace mission between the Marathas and the representatives of the Mughals.
At the battle of Purandar; the Maratha forces was victorious in holding out against the Mughal forces. Maratha also took victory at the battle of Kondhana, which was a night battle, but soon after the victory, the Mughals went on and winning at the following battles: Kalyan, Bhupalgarh and Sangammer. The Maratha went on after losing to the Mughals in three striaght battles in a row, went on winning at the following battles: Nesari and the southern campaign. At the southern campaign in southern India with a massive force of 50,000 strong, which includes 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. He defeated and capture forts at Vellore and Jini. He also signed a treaty with the Kulub Shah of Golconda. These victories against the Mughal empire was at the battles of Palkhed, Mandsour, Vasai, 1st battle of Delhi and Bhopal.
At this point of the war, it was going bad for the Mughal empire. The Maratha did an expidition to Bengal. The battles of Burdwan, 1st and 2nd battles of Katwa was won by the Bengal forces of the Mughal empire. Maratha finally won at the siege of Trichinopoly and at the capture of Delhi in 1757; the capital of Mughal. When the war between the Maratha and the Mughal forces finally ended. The Maratha empire had devastating blow to the Mughal empire, in which is now a small empire, due to lost of territories.
The Wars of Durrani and the British Empire
After defeating the Mughal empire in a series of conflicts and battles; the Maratha turned their attention on the Durrani empire, which is located in the northwest of India. The Maratha won a decisive victory against the Durrani empire, and annex their lands and added to the growing of the Maratha empire. They defeated the Durrani at the battle of Attack and at Peshawar. Later on the Maratha empire experience their first civil war in the years of 1762-63 in which the rebels were soundly defeated at the battle of Rakshasbhuvan. The Maratha empire is about to meet it's greatest threat, and another rising empire known as the British empire.
The first Anglo- Maratha war began in 1775-1832. Maratha has successfully defeated the East India Company. After the first Anglo-Maratha war has ended; the East India Company has allied themselves with the Maratha empire to take on the Mysore forces. The Kingdom of Mysore was victorious at the battles of: Siege of Nargund, Adoni and Bahadur Benda. Maratha won battles at: Patan, capture of Shimoga with it's help from the East India Company and at the battle of Kharda.
The Downfall of the Maratha Empire
The downfall of the Maratha empire began with the second and third Anglo-Maratha wars. During these two wars the East India Company of the British empire was so victorious against the Maratha empire. The East India Company has won about 96% of it's battles against the Maratha. The East India Company won battles at Poona, Aligarh, 1st Delhi, Assaye, Laswari, Argaon, Farrukhabad and all the way up to the siege of Bharatpur. At the end of these two wars, it devastating the Maratha empire and the British empire has annex all of India.
Other sites to check out more about the More clan in India:
http://www.shivchhatrapati.com/biography/javli.php?id=0
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/articles/iranic_identity_of_mauryas3.php
http://parsooram-on-shivteerthaatan.blogspot.in/2012/01/chapter-one-making-of-pratapgad-fort.html?m=1.
