Gwalior Campaign

The death of Major General Churchill at the Battle of Maharajpore

The Gwalior Campaign was fought between British and Marathan forces in Gwalior in India, December 1843.

Background

The Maratha Empire controlled much of central and northern India and had fallen to the British in 1818 giving the British control over almost all of the Indian subcontinent. The Maharaja of Gwalior had died and a young child appointed as the Maharaja with British support. However, Marathas in Gwalior saw the failed British campaign in Afghanistan as opportunity to regain independence and removed the young Maharaja. Lord Ellenborough, foreseeing the possibility of the Marathas in Gwalior making an attempt for independence had formed the Army of Exercise near Agra. After attempts to negotiate failed, the British advanced in a two pronged attack. The British, under the command of Gen. Sir Hugh Gough clashed with Marathan forces, under the command of Maharaja Scindiah, in two battles on the same day; 29 December 1843.^[1]

The Battle of Maharajpore

Map of the Battle of Maharajpore, 29 December 1843

The Marathan army had 14 battalion, 1 000 artillery men with 60 guns and 6 000 cavalry at Maharajpore. The British faced them with troops from 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.^[2]

The centre column advanced to attack to where the believed the main enemy force was located. However, during the night the Marathans had moved and the British were surprised as they came under heavy fire from the Marathan 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 Maharajpore with two battalions of Marathan troops for each battery and in Maharajpore with seven battalions for each battery and the British fought hand to hand with the Marathans, both sides taking heavy casualties, to clear the positions. The Marathans fought intensely and few escaped the battle. The British finally defeated the Marathans with 797 men killed, wounded or missing. The Marathans were estimated to have lost 3000 to 4000 men.

The Battle of Punniar

The Marathan 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 Marathan positions driving them from the hill.

Aftermath

After the defeat of the Marathan 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 British soldiers who participated in the campaign were awarded a medal; the Gwalior Star.

References

1. Kingston, William Henry Giles (2008). Our Soldiers.
2. Raymond Smythies, Cpt. R. H. (1894). Historical Records of the 40th(2nd Somersetshire) Regiment. A. H. Swiss.