Baroda

The first Maratha attack on Gujarat came in 1664 when an army led by Shivaji in person sacked Surat. After the attack of 1670, a tribute was imposed on the territory. The first Maratha conquests in the province were the forts of Parnera and Bagwa in 1672 and after Salher was taken the same year, Maratha access to Gujarat became much safer and saw frequent raids. As early as 1675, Marathas were able to cross Narmada. Bharuch was pillaged in the attack led by Hambirrao Mohite. With the appearance of Khanderao Dabhade on the scene, dedicated focus was put on Gujarat from around 1705 and by 1711, Marathas reached Kathiawad. From around 1716, annual tax collection exercises were carried out in Gujarat in what came to be known as Mulkgiri raids which were led by the Pilaji Gaekwad, a prominent subordinate of Khanderao. However, the first Mulkgiri raid was carried out in 1711.

The Gaekwads traces origins from a certain Nandaji, the commandant of Bher Fort who protected a herd of cows from a butcher by taking them into the fort through a small door(Kavad). Proud of his achievement, he took the title Gai-Kavad or Gaikwad. His grandson Damaji served under Khanderao Dabhade and Rajaram Chatrapati and after him, his nephew Pilaji who started under him as a confidential messenger. In time, he was granted a command and grew with time. In time, he was promoted to garrison Nawapur but the transfer was resisted by Kantaji Kadam, a Maratha officer serving under Shahu and in coordination with Khanderao. In compensation, he gave him additional troops to establish himself at Songadh near Surat. In 1716, when Khanderao marched on