Gwalior campaign

Gwalior campaign
Part of the Anglo–Maratha Wars
Death of Major-General Churchill at the battle of Maharajpore.
Date 29 December 1843 Location Gwalior State Result British victory
Belligerents
British East India Company	Maratha Confederacy Gwalior State
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Hugh Gough General Churchill  †	Jayajirao Scindia regent Tara Scindia
Casualties and losses
979	3,000–4,000

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

Background

The Maratha Empire had controlled most of central and northern India but fell to the British in 1818, giving the British the control over almost all of the Indian subcontinent. On February 7, 1843, Jankojirao Scindia II the Maharaja of Gwalior died without a direct heir, leading to succession crises and British intervention. ^[1]

A young child named Bhagirath (later known by his regnal name Jayajirao Scindia) was appointed as the Maharaja of Gwalior with Mama Sahib being chosen as regent. Jankojirao's widow Tara Bai, however, came under the influence of Dada Khasgiwala, the comptroller of her household, an unscrupulous adventurer who wished to get all power into his own hands. He succeeded in driving Mama Sahib from the state and became minister. He filled all appointments with his relatives, ending in the assemblage of large bodies of troops who threatened an attack on Sironj, where Mama Sahib was then residing. As it was essential to secure peace, the British Government decided to intervene. ^[2]

Lord Ellenborough tried installing a regent amenable to British control, and citing instability after Jankoji's death, asked Scindia to reduced their army and infantry, but Tara Bai opposed it and did not comply. Lord Ellenborough then formed the Army of Exercise near Agra. After several attempts to negotiate failed, the British advanced in a two-pronged attack which came to be known as first battle of Gwalior. The British, under the command of Gen. Sir Hugh Gough clashed with Scindia forces, that were commanded by Maharaja Scindia, in two battles on the same day; 29 December 1843. ^[1]

Battle of Maharajpura

Map of the battle of Maharajpura, 29 December 1843

The Scindia army had 14 battalions, 1,000 artillerymen with 100 guns, 10,000 cavalry horsemen and infantry of 25,000 foot soldiers stationed at Maharajpura. The British had the 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. ^[3]

The centre column advanced to attack where they believed the main enemy force was located. However, during the night the Scindia forces moved and the British were surprised as they came under heavy fire from the Scindia 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 Scindia troops for each battery, and in Maharajpore with seven battalions for each battery. The British engaged the Gwalior forces in hand-to-hand fighting, both sides taking heavy casualties, and cleared the positions. British casualties were 797 killed, wounded and missing. Maratha losses were very heavy, about 3,000 men, and included the capture of 56 pieces of artillery. ^[4]

Battle of Punniar

The Gwalior forces 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 troops positions, routing them from the hill. British losses were very slight, 217 men and eleven horses, whilst the defending Marathas lost about 1,000 men. ^[4]

Aftermath

Maharajpore and Punniar Medals, 1843

After the defeat of the Scindia 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. The Gwalior Star was awarded to veterans of the campaign.

References

1. Kingston, William Henry Giles (2008). Our Soldiers. ISBN   9780554304946.
2. Malgonkar, Manohar (1987). Scindia, Vijaya R. (ed.). The Last Maharani of Gwalior: An Autobiography. SUNY Press. ISBN   9780887066597.
3. Raymond Smythies, Cpt. R. H. (1894). Historical Records of the 40th(2nd Somersetshire) Regiment. A. H. Swiss.
4. Featherstone, Donald (1994). India: from the conquest of Sind to the Indian mutiny. Victorian colonial warfare (Repr ed.). London: Cassell. ISBN   978-0-7137-2255-0.