BATTLE OF KOREGAON

1. Context

2. Battle of Koregaon

• Bhima Koregaon is a small village located in the present-day Pune district of Maharashtra. The battle of Bhima Koregaon has an important place in the history of India. The battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on 1st January 1818.
• The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought between the Peshwa faction of the Maratha confederacy and the British East India Company. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• The third Anglo-Maratha resulted in the defeat of the Peshwas which led to the rule of the British East India Company in almost all parts of south, central and western India.

3. Who were the Mahars

• Historically, Mahars were considered untouchables. But the nature of their work, often in administration or military roles, situated them with upper castes quite regularly.
• Maratha King Shivaji recruited several Mahars into the Maratha army in the 17th century. The Mahar men often served as guards or soldiers.
• The Mahar community even fought alongside Peshwa forces in many battles, including the third battle of Panipat.
• However, relations between the Mahars and Peshwas turned sour after Baji Rao II reportedly insulted the community by rejecting their offer to join and serve in his army.

4. Leaders and strength of armies

• Peshwa Baji Rao II led the army of Peshwas in the Batte of Bhima-Koregaon. The Marathas had a strong force of 28,000 soldiers. The Maratha army had 8,000 infantry soldiers and 20,000 cavalry soldiers.
• The other important leaders who led the Marathas in the Battle of Bhima-Koragaon were Bapu Gokhale, Appa Desai, and Trimbakji Dengle.
• Captain Francis F. Staunton led the British East India Company. The British East India Company had around 800 soldiers.
• There were 500 infantry and 300 cavalry soldiers. The British East India Company also had 24 artillery cannons.
• The Marathas army led by Peshwa Baji Rao II was on their way to attack the position of the British East India Company in Pune.
• On the way, this army of Marathas was challenged by 800 soldiers led by Captain Francis F. Staunton, thus leading to the Battle of Koregaon Bhima.

5. Result of the Battle

• The British East India Company successfully defended and the troops of Peshwa ended up withdrawing from the battle.
• In the contemporary caste-based society, the Mahars were considered untouchable. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon attained legendary status among the Schedule Castes of India.
• The People of the Scheduled Caste saw this battle as a victory of Dalits over the oppression of the people from the higher caste.
• In Koregaon, the British East India Company installed an obelisk or victory Pillar to commemorate those who fought for them.
• Dalits believed that this was a victory of the Mahar community against the caste injustices perpetrated by the Peshwas.

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