Battle of Moti Talab

The Battle of Moti Talab, which took place on March 5, 1771, was a significant engagement between the forces of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali and the Maratha army, commanded by Trimbak Rao. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Maratha Empire.

Battle of Moti Talab
Part of the Maratha–Mysore Wars
Date March 5, 1771 Location Tonnur, Srirangapatna, Karnataka Result Maratha victory [1] [2]
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Nayakas of Chitradurga [3]	Kingdom of Mysore
Commanders and leaders
Trimbak Pethe Vaman Rao Patwardhan Anand Rao Raste Sakharam Hari Gaekwad	Hyder Ali  (WIA) [4] Tipu Sultan Mir Reza (POW) Ali Jami Khan  † M. Hughel (WIA)
Strength
Total: 41,000 7,000 Huzurat cavalry 30,000 troops 4,000 infantry 10 guns 30 pieces	Total: 50,000 10,000 horses 20,000 gardi's and Firangi rifles 20,000 Kanarese infantry 40 canons and 50 camel mounted rockets
Casualties and losses
6,000 Killed	12,000 Killed [5]

Background

Trimbak Rao moved cautiously through the districts of Shimoga and Tumkur, capturing small forts along the way. Near the end of February or early in March, he arrived at Seringapatam. ^[6] It's possible that Hyder, feeling less intimidated by Madhav Row's superior intelligence or more confident in his own strength due to completing his army's preparations, also Madhavrao was ill and returned to Pune after capturing Devrayadurga and Nijgal, Hyder Ali decided to challenge Trimbak Rao. From Tumkur, Trimbak Rao went to Hebbur. ^[7] Moti Talab is a large tank located in Tonnur, approximately 10 miles northwest of Seringapatam city. It was formed by building a dam across a gap between two rocky hills that holds back water from nearby mountain terrains. ^[8]

Battle

Peshwa left 10,000 troops and 10 guns to reinforce Trimbak Rao.As the Maratha army approached Seringapatam in March 1771, Trimbak Rao, a Maratha leader, approached Seringapatam after capturing several forts during his journey. ^[9] Haidar, the ruler of Mysore, have deployed troops to defend the fort in anticipation of the Maratha invasion of Bidnur. When Haidar's army met Trimbak Rao's forces at Moti talab, ^[10] around 10 miles northwest of Seringapatam city, Tipu Sultan, son of Haider ali, faced multiple setbacks against the Maratha army but was ultimately forced to retreat back to his capital with significant losses of approximately 12,000 soldiers. ^[11] On March 5, 1771, the Marathas emerged victorious. ^{[12] [13]} According to Trimbak Rao's account, they captured around 75 guns, approximately 8,000 horses, 20-25 elephants, treasure, and jewels. Some of Haidar's senior officials were killed, ^[14] including Mir Reza, were also taken captive. Haidar himself fled to Seringapatam disguised as a monk or beggar. ^[15]

References

1. History Of Marathas By Grant Duff VOL 2. p. 251.
2. Sardesai, Govind Sakharam (1957). New History of the Marathas: The expansion of the Maratha power, 1707-1772. Phoenix Publications.
3. a.g, Pawar (1971). Maratha History Seminar Papers. p. 141.
4. History Of Marathas By Grant Duff VOL 2. p. 251.
5. G.S.Chhabra (2005). Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press. p. 53. ISBN   978-81-89093-06-8.
6. Hasan, Mohibbul (2005). History of Tipu Sultan. Aakar Books. p. 10. ISBN   978-81-87879-57-2.
7. A Comprehensive History of India: 1712-1772, edited by A. C. Banerjee and D. K. Ghase. People's Publishing House. 1978. p. 476.
8. Srinivasulu, Prabha (1996). Malwa Under the Marathas: A Cultural Contribution to Malwa Under the Maratha Rule from 1736 A.D. Onwards. Classical Publishing Company.
9. Ghosh, D. K. Ed. A Comprehensive History Of India Vol. 9. p. 493.
10. Sinha, Narendra Krishna (1959). Haidar Ali. A. Mukherjee. p. 113.
11. G.S.Chhabra (2005). Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803). Lotus Press. p. 53. ISBN   978-81-89093-06-8.
12. Fernandes, Praxy (1991). The Tigers of Mysore: A Biography of Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan. Viking. p. 42. ISBN   978-0-670-83987-2.
13. Ramachandran, D. P. (2008). Empire's First Soldiers. Lancer Publishers. p. 63. ISBN   978-0-9796174-7-8.
14. Hasan, Mohibbul (2005). History of Tipu Sultan. Aakar Books. p. 10. ISBN   978-81-87879-57-2.
15. Ghosh, D. K. Ed. A Comprehensive History Of India Vol. 9. p. 494.