Jankoji Rao Scindia

Jankoji Rao Scindia Bahadur (1745 - 15 January 1761) was the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior (r. 1755 - 1761).^[1]

He was younger son of Sardar Jayappa Rao Scindia, and acceded to the position on the death of his father on 25 July 1755. As he only had 10 years established a Regency that led his uncle Dattaji Rao Scindia, Jayappa Rao's brother, until 10 January 1760.

He fought with Afghan at the Third battle of Panipat on 14 January 1761. Jankoji with around 7,000 troops was positioned right of Shamsher Bahadur and was opposed to Najib Khan .When the news spread around that Viswasrao has been shot dead Jankoji and his uncle Tukoji on seeing the thinning crowd at the Maratha centre rushed to help Bhausaheb . Jankoji fought with the Afghans who had penetrated into Maratha centre but was taken as prisoner by Barkhurdar Khan secretly . Kashiraj met Jankoji secretly in a tent of Barkhurdar Khan, he was wounded with a ball and with a spear in the arm .Kahiraj was told by Moti Lal, the Diwan of Barkhrdar khan that Jankoji would be released if a ransom of seven lakhs would be paid . Unfortunately these dealings became known to Najib Khan who instigated Wazir Shah Wali to take this matter up to Abdali . Abdali then ordered his nasaqchis to search for Jankoji, Barkhurdar fearing some harmful consequences ordered his men to murder Jankoji and bury him privately . Later on few imposters of Jankoji claimed them self as the Sindhia chief but their all claims were proved wrong .^[2] For two years the clan had their possessions as he could manage Sindhia without a leader. Finally in 1763 he was appointed Kadarji Rao Scindia by Peshwa.

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