Gwalior campaign

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Death of Major-General Churchill at the battle of Maharajpore.

The Gwalior campaign was fought between the British and Maratha forces in Gwalior in India, December 1843.

Background

The

Scindia, in two battles on the same day; 29 December 1843.[1]

Battle of Maharajpur

Map of the battle of Maharajpur, 29 December 1843

The Maratha army had 14 battalions, 1,000 artillerymen with 60 guns, and 6,000 cavalry at

40th Regiment of Foot with the 2nd and 16th Native Infantry Regiments forming the central column, the 39th Regiment of Foot with the 56th Native Infantry Regiment and a field battery forming the left column and the 16th Lancers with two troops of horse artillery as well as other artillery forming the right column.[2]

The center column advanced to attack where they believed the main enemy force was located. However, during the night the Marathas had moved and the British were surprised as they came under heavy fire from the Maratha artillery in their new positions. The central column then received the order to take the battery positions, which they did under continuous heavy fire from shot, grape, canister, and chain. The guns were to the south-east of Maharajpore, with two battalions of Maratha troops for each battery, and in Maharajpore with seven battalions for each battery. The British engaged the Marathas in hand-to-hand fighting, both sides taking heavy casualties, and cleared the positions. The Marathas fought hard, and few escaped. The British finally defeated the Marathas, suffering 797 men killed, wounded, or missing. The Marathas were estimated to have lost 3000 to 4000 men.

Battle of Punniar

The Marathas at Punniar (29 December 1843) numbered about 12,000 men and occupied the high ground near Mangore. As the British Army approached, they immediately attacked the Maratha positions, driving them from the hill.

Aftermath

Maharajpore and Punniar Medals, 1843

After the victory . of the Maratha forces in Gwalior, the British disbanded their army and established a force in the state that the government of Gwalior maintained. A British governor was appointed at Gwalior Fort.Gwalior Star.

References

  1. ISBN 9780554304946
    .
  2. ^ Raymond Smythies, Cpt. R. H. (1894). Historical Records of the 40th(2nd Somersetshire) Regiment. A. H. Swiss.

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