960) Did You Know Series (45): ( Part V): The Bhima-Koregaon Memorial Pillar (Obelisk)commemorating a Battle fought on 01.01.1818, between the Marathas and the British Army as a part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War:
On our return from Ahmednagar after visiting the Samadhi of Meher Baba (a spiritual journey) and the Cavalry Tank Museum, we saw this gigantic pillar looming large over the other buildings and immediately I thought that this must be the Bhima-Koregaon Memorial Pillar where a huge crowd had gathered on 01.01.2018 to celebrate the 200th Anniversary/Bicentenary of the Battle and which had turned violent and attacked innocent passers-by.
The Bhima-Koregaon Memorial Pillar
The Battle of Bhima-Koregaon:
After a skirmish at Khadki, Pune on 05.11.1817, between a small troop of the Peshwas and a strong British contingent, in which the British force had the upper hand, the Peshwa Baji Rao II, who was a prominent leader in the Maratha Confederacy (comprising the Peshwa of Pune, Scindias or Shendes of Gwalior, the Holkars of Indore and the Gaekwads of Baroda) collected a strong force of about 28,000 men at Satara comprising 20,000 cavalry and 8,000 infantry), to attack Pune, which was by now under the control of the British East India Company (BEIC).
Upon learning that a troop of about 800 strong BEIC relief force was on its way from Shirur to reinforce the British troops in Pune, the Peshwa sent a 1,800 member detachment to engage the approaching British force. The Peshwa detachment comprised of three infantry parties of 600 soldiers each. These soldiers included Arabs, Gosains, Mahars and Marathas. The majority of the attackers were Arab mercenaries and their descendants, (the finest among the Peshwa soldiers) to attack the British reinforcements which entrenched themselves in Bhima-Koregaon to defend themselves.
The three attack troops of the Peshwa detachment were led by Bapu Gokhale, Appa Desai and Trimbakji Dengle. While only Trimbakji engaged the British troops in Koregaon village, the others acted as reserves and stayed at Phoolsheher (present day Phulgaon) near Koregaon, in case any British reinforcements were coming from Pune or to attack the remnants of the besieged British troops at Bhima-Koregaon and to over-run their positions once the first party had depleted their ranks.
The three attack troops of the Peshwa detachment were led by Bapu Gokhale, Appa Desai and Trimbakji Dengle. While only Trimbakji engaged the British troops in Koregaon village, the others acted as reserves and stayed at Phoolsheher (present day Phulgaon) near Koregaon, in case any British reinforcements were coming from Pune or to attack the remnants of the besieged British troops at Bhima-Koregaon and to over-run their positions once the first party had depleted their ranks.
The British relief contingent numbering about 834 men included about 500 fighters from the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry led by Captain Francis Staunton.The troops in this contingent included 24 European officers and about 800 auxiliary horsemen, 4 Native Artillery infantrymen with two 6-pounder guns. The BEIC troops of Indian origin comprised Marathas, Mahars, Muslims (including Kashmiris) and Jews. The bulk of the troops fighting under Capt. Staunton were raised only three months ago.
The British troops faced several onslaughts from Trimbakji's troops, but defended their position for nearly 12 hours despite huge losses, because of their well-entrenched positions and numerical superiority, before the Trimbakji's detachment withdrew to link up with the main force, upon gathering intelligence inputs that a numerically superior British force had been despatched by the BEIC garrison at Pune to come to the aid of the embattled BEIC troops at Bhima-Koregaon.
The sequence of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon:
The BEIC troops left Shirur at 8.00 PM on 31.12.1817. They marched all night covering a distance of 25 miles and spotted the Peshwa's detachment across the Bhima River near Talegaon Dhamdhere.
Around this time, the British contingent was also spotted by the Peshwa's scouts. Immediately, the Peshwa despatched three infantry parties of 600 soldiers each, who crossed the Bhima River at three different locations supported by two cannons and rocket fire.
By noon, the Arabs had taken control of a temple on the outskirts of the village, which was retaken by a British party after a fierce battle. The Arabs also captured the sole gun guarding the River and killed 11 gunners, including their officer Lieutenant Chisolm.
Driven by thirst and hunger, some Company Gunners suggested negotiating a surrender. However, Captain Staunton was adamant and exhorted the gunners to fight on. The Company troops successfully defended the village at great cost of human lives.
The Peshwa's troops meanwhile ceased firing and left the village by 9.00 PM and linked up with the main force to engage a relief force led by General Smith.
Staunton was not aware of a relief force and first tried to go to Pune, but as his troops had suffered huge losses, he decided to go back to Shirur carrying most of his wounded soldiers, leaving his positions in Bhima-Koregaon unmanned/unguarded/undefended. Trimbakji's tactical withdrawal allowed the BEIC troops to gather food supplies and much needed water.
The Aftermath of the Bhima-Koregaon Battle:
Out of the 834 BEIC troops that fought in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, 275 were killed, wounded or missing. The dead included two European Officers - Assistant Surgeon Wingate and Lieutenant Chisolm, while Lieutenant Pattison died, later, of his wounds in Shirur. Among the infantrymen, 50 were killed and 105 wounded. Among the artillery, 12 were killed and 8 wounded. The dead BEIC soldiers of Indian origin included 16 Marathas, 12 Mahars, 8 Rajputs, 2 Muslims and 2 Jews.
All the houses in Bhima-Koregaon were burnt and streets were filled with dead bodies of men and horses. 50 dead bodies were lying in the village most of them of the Peshwa's Arab soldiers who were in the vanguard of the attacks and a few BEIC soldiers.
Almost 50 native sepoys were buried in shallow graves, 11 European soldiers and the 2 deceased officers belonging to the Company forces, without giving them proper last rites as per their religious faiths.
The BEIC soldiers had completely lost their morale and listened to the praises being showered on them by Company officers with great disbelief.
On the Peshwa's side, the losses are not known, as the British highly exaggerated the Peshwa's losses in an effort to boost their troop's morale.
The Reward:
For their bravery in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, in which they stood their ground incurring huge losses, the 1st Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry was made Grenadiers and their Regiment was henceforth called the 1st Grenadier Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry.
Captain Staunton was appointed an honorary aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India.
The BEIC government "praised" the bravery of its troops, who could not be overpowered "despite being outnumbered".
Nevertheless, neither side achieved a decisive victory in this battle. In fact, some British historians described it as a "small victory" for the Peshwa troops.
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar's visit to the memorial pillar on 01.01.1927 and its purpose/chief aim:
After the 1957 War of Indian Independence, the Mahar Regiment in the British Army had been disbanded by the British Army, as two Battalions out of 8 of the Bombay Army had taken up arms against the British in the Freedom Fight. This had put a lot of Mahars out of jobs and their families were suffering without any source of income.
With a view to mitigate the plight of the Mahar families and to highlight the contribution of Mahars in loyal service to the British, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar visited the Memorial pillar in 1927 to note down the names of the Mahars mentioned on the Bhima-Koregaon Pillar who had died or were wounded while defending the British positions in this Battle.
He wrote to the British administration who ceded to his request and the Mahar Regiment was re-raised. Dr. Ambedkar exhorted the Mahars to join the re-raised Mahar Regiment of the British India Army in great numbers as the Army provided them with a livelihood and their children with Army school education. The Mahars responded to his request and joined the re-raised Mahar Regiment in great numbers. Today the Mahar Regiment is a valourous fighting force and comprises officers and men drawn from all over India.
For more on the Mahar Regiment, present day, please visit my post at the following link:
7) 2nd Battalion The Mahar Regiment: Platinum Jubilee (1941-2016): A Special Cover brought out by 56 APO on 13.12.2016
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the Bhima-Koregaon memorial pillar with his followers
The day of his visit to the Bhima-Koregaon Pillar has since become a kind of "festival", when the Mahars gather in large numbers to commemorate his visit to this site as the grateful Mahars visit the Memorial as a mark of respect to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and remember his contribution to their cause.
The Memorial Pillar/Obelisk:
Right in front of the Bhima-Koregaon Memorial Complex is this sign-board with the inscription "KOREGAUM MONUMENT - THE FIRST BATTLE HONOUR OF THE POONA HORSE (17 Horse)". The Poona Horse which was raised as an Auxiliary Cavalry troop at Shirur, also took part in this Battle, as such the Poona Horse Regiment refers to the Bhima-Koregaon Battle as the First Battle Honour of the Cavalry Regiment.
The Sign Board at left in this photograph clearly indicates that this memorial pillar is erected on "DEFENCE LAND".
As soon as one enters the Bhima-Koregaon Memorial Complex, one sees two stone inscriptions - one placed by the BEIC giving a brief of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon and the other more recent one giving a later "Roll of Honour" of the Poona Horse in various Battles.
The inscription on the top of the column on this face reads:
"This Column is erected to commemorate the defence of Corigaum by a detachment commanded by Captain Staunton of the Bombay Establishment which was surrounded ob the 1st of January 1818 by the Paiswas whole army under his and withstood throughout the day a series of most obstinate and sanguinary assaults of his best troops.
Captain Staunton under the most appalling circumstances persevered in his desperate resistance and seconded by the unconquerable spirit of his detachment at length achieved the signal discomfiture of the enemy and accomplished one of the proudest triomphs of the British Army in the East.
To perpetuate the memory of the brave troops to whose firmness and devotion it owes the glory of that day, the British government has directed the names of their corps and othe killed and wounded to be inscribed on this Manument"
MD CCC XX II Simpson & CL Lewelyn Sct
Calcutta
The inscription on the second plaque reads:
"ROLL OF HONOUR"
OP RIDDLE (1965):
Lt. Col AB Tarapore, PVC, Capt. Kr Jasbir Singh, M-in-D, RIS Kartar Singh, VrC, RIS Piare Lal, NB RIS Umrao Singh, DER Guman Singh, ALD Kashmira Singh, SWR Har Kishan, SWR Ram Singh Chauhan, Swr Haridwar Singh, SWR Bhagwat Singh, SWR/WM Chuni Lal, SWR Ranjit Singh.
OP CACTUS LILY (1971):
2 LT Arun Khetrapal, PVC, NB RIS Sagat Singh M-in-D, DER Durga Singh, LD Achal Singh, LD Bhanwar Singh, LD Pritam Singh, LD Labh Singh, ALD Lal Chand, SWR Zile Singh, SWR Ram Niwas Dhankar, SWR Tarlochan Singh, SWR Bhanwar Singh, SWR Nand Singh.
OP VIJAY:
RIS Narender Singh Rana.
For more on the history of the Poona Horse, please visit my post at the following Link:
6) Bicentenary of the Raising of the Poona Horse Regiment (July 1817 - July 2017): A Commemorative 500 Paise or Rs.5/- stamp issued by India Post on 11.02.2017
The British troops faced several onslaughts from Trimbakji's troops, but defended their position for nearly 12 hours despite huge losses, because of their well-entrenched positions and numerical superiority, before the Trimbakji's detachment withdrew to link up with the main force, upon gathering intelligence inputs that a numerically superior British force had been despatched by the BEIC garrison at Pune to come to the aid of the embattled BEIC troops at Bhima-Koregaon.
The sequence of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon:
The BEIC troops left Shirur at 8.00 PM on 31.12.1817. They marched all night covering a distance of 25 miles and spotted the Peshwa's detachment across the Bhima River near Talegaon Dhamdhere.
Around this time, the British contingent was also spotted by the Peshwa's scouts. Immediately, the Peshwa despatched three infantry parties of 600 soldiers each, who crossed the Bhima River at three different locations supported by two cannons and rocket fire.
By noon, the Arabs had taken control of a temple on the outskirts of the village, which was retaken by a British party after a fierce battle. The Arabs also captured the sole gun guarding the River and killed 11 gunners, including their officer Lieutenant Chisolm.
Driven by thirst and hunger, some Company Gunners suggested negotiating a surrender. However, Captain Staunton was adamant and exhorted the gunners to fight on. The Company troops successfully defended the village at great cost of human lives.
The Peshwa's troops meanwhile ceased firing and left the village by 9.00 PM and linked up with the main force to engage a relief force led by General Smith.
Staunton was not aware of a relief force and first tried to go to Pune, but as his troops had suffered huge losses, he decided to go back to Shirur carrying most of his wounded soldiers, leaving his positions in Bhima-Koregaon unmanned/unguarded/undefended. Trimbakji's tactical withdrawal allowed the BEIC troops to gather food supplies and much needed water.
The Aftermath of the Bhima-Koregaon Battle:
Out of the 834 BEIC troops that fought in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, 275 were killed, wounded or missing. The dead included two European Officers - Assistant Surgeon Wingate and Lieutenant Chisolm, while Lieutenant Pattison died, later, of his wounds in Shirur. Among the infantrymen, 50 were killed and 105 wounded. Among the artillery, 12 were killed and 8 wounded. The dead BEIC soldiers of Indian origin included 16 Marathas, 12 Mahars, 8 Rajputs, 2 Muslims and 2 Jews.
All the houses in Bhima-Koregaon were burnt and streets were filled with dead bodies of men and horses. 50 dead bodies were lying in the village most of them of the Peshwa's Arab soldiers who were in the vanguard of the attacks and a few BEIC soldiers.
Almost 50 native sepoys were buried in shallow graves, 11 European soldiers and the 2 deceased officers belonging to the Company forces, without giving them proper last rites as per their religious faiths.
The BEIC soldiers had completely lost their morale and listened to the praises being showered on them by Company officers with great disbelief.
On the Peshwa's side, the losses are not known, as the British highly exaggerated the Peshwa's losses in an effort to boost their troop's morale.
The Reward:
For their bravery in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon, in which they stood their ground incurring huge losses, the 1st Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry was made Grenadiers and their Regiment was henceforth called the 1st Grenadier Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry.
Captain Staunton was appointed an honorary aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India.
The BEIC government "praised" the bravery of its troops, who could not be overpowered "despite being outnumbered".
Nevertheless, neither side achieved a decisive victory in this battle. In fact, some British historians described it as a "small victory" for the Peshwa troops.
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar's visit to the memorial pillar on 01.01.1927 and its purpose/chief aim:
After the 1957 War of Indian Independence, the Mahar Regiment in the British Army had been disbanded by the British Army, as two Battalions out of 8 of the Bombay Army had taken up arms against the British in the Freedom Fight. This had put a lot of Mahars out of jobs and their families were suffering without any source of income.
With a view to mitigate the plight of the Mahar families and to highlight the contribution of Mahars in loyal service to the British, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar visited the Memorial pillar in 1927 to note down the names of the Mahars mentioned on the Bhima-Koregaon Pillar who had died or were wounded while defending the British positions in this Battle.
He wrote to the British administration who ceded to his request and the Mahar Regiment was re-raised. Dr. Ambedkar exhorted the Mahars to join the re-raised Mahar Regiment of the British India Army in great numbers as the Army provided them with a livelihood and their children with Army school education. The Mahars responded to his request and joined the re-raised Mahar Regiment in great numbers. Today the Mahar Regiment is a valourous fighting force and comprises officers and men drawn from all over India.
For more on the Mahar Regiment, present day, please visit my post at the following link:
7) 2nd Battalion The Mahar Regiment: Platinum Jubilee (1941-2016): A Special Cover brought out by 56 APO on 13.12.2016
The day of his visit to the Bhima-Koregaon Pillar has since become a kind of "festival", when the Mahars gather in large numbers to commemorate his visit to this site as the grateful Mahars visit the Memorial as a mark of respect to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and remember his contribution to their cause.
The Memorial Pillar/Obelisk:
The Sign Board at left in this photograph clearly indicates that this memorial pillar is erected on "DEFENCE LAND".
"This Column is erected to commemorate the defence of Corigaum by a detachment commanded by Captain Staunton of the Bombay Establishment which was surrounded ob the 1st of January 1818 by the Paiswas whole army under his and withstood throughout the day a series of most obstinate and sanguinary assaults of his best troops.
Captain Staunton under the most appalling circumstances persevered in his desperate resistance and seconded by the unconquerable spirit of his detachment at length achieved the signal discomfiture of the enemy and accomplished one of the proudest triomphs of the British Army in the East.
To perpetuate the memory of the brave troops to whose firmness and devotion it owes the glory of that day, the British government has directed the names of their corps and othe killed and wounded to be inscribed on this Manument"
MD CCC XX II Simpson & CL Lewelyn Sct
Calcutta
"ROLL OF HONOUR"
OP RIDDLE (1965):
Lt. Col AB Tarapore, PVC, Capt. Kr Jasbir Singh, M-in-D, RIS Kartar Singh, VrC, RIS Piare Lal, NB RIS Umrao Singh, DER Guman Singh, ALD Kashmira Singh, SWR Har Kishan, SWR Ram Singh Chauhan, Swr Haridwar Singh, SWR Bhagwat Singh, SWR/WM Chuni Lal, SWR Ranjit Singh.
OP CACTUS LILY (1971):
2 LT Arun Khetrapal, PVC, NB RIS Sagat Singh M-in-D, DER Durga Singh, LD Achal Singh, LD Bhanwar Singh, LD Pritam Singh, LD Labh Singh, ALD Lal Chand, SWR Zile Singh, SWR Ram Niwas Dhankar, SWR Tarlochan Singh, SWR Bhanwar Singh, SWR Nand Singh.
OP VIJAY:
RIS Narender Singh Rana.
For more on the history of the Poona Horse, please visit my post at the following Link:
6) Bicentenary of the Raising of the Poona Horse Regiment (July 1817 - July 2017): A Commemorative 500 Paise or Rs.5/- stamp issued by India Post on 11.02.2017
Two sides of the Memorial Pillar has inscriptions in Marathi giving details of the Battle and names of the fallen and wounded soldiers
Links to posts on Army Post Office (APO) issues on this Blog:
11) 29 Air Defence Regiment (SAMBA): 60 years of Glorious Service : A Special Cover issued by 99 APO on 24.12.2016
12) 102 (VC) Engineer Regiment: Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its raising in 1965: A Special Cover issued by 99 APO on 28.12.2016
13) 130 Air Defence Regiment: Golden Jubilee Celebrations: A Special Cover issued by 56 APO commemorating the occasion on 28.01.2017
14) 3rd Battalion The Sikh Regiment: Centennial of the Battle of Hai fought on 01.02.1917 during WW I : A Special Cover issued by 56 APO on 01.02.2017
15) 27 Air Defence Missile Regiment (Amritsar Airfield): Platinum Jubilee Celebrations (75 Years) A Special Cover brought out by 56 APO on 04.02.2017
16) 237 Engineer Regiment : Golden Jubilee Celebrations ( 50 Years of Glorious Service). A Special Cover brought out by 99 APO on 11.02.2017
17) 26th Battalion The Madras Regiment: Golden Jubilee (1967-2017): A Special Cover brought out by 56 APO on 16.02.2017
18) Tri Services Veterans: Inaugural Armed Forces Veterans day: 14.01.2017: A Special Cover issued by 56 APO on 14.01.2017:
19) 79 Medium Regiment: Golden Jubilee Celebrations (1967-2017): A Special Cover brought out by 56 APO on 01.03.2017:
Other posts on the Indian Armed forces on this Blog:
2) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"
3) The Scinde Horse: A Commemorative Stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/- issued by India Post on 16.11.2012
4) Aero India 2015: Asia's Premier Air Show: A set of 10 Post cards issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post in 2015.
5) International Fleet Review - 2016 (IFR - 16) held at Vishakhapatnam from 04.02.16 to 08.02.16: Commemorative Postage stamps issued by India Post
6) Bicentenary of the Raising of the Poona Horse Regiment (July 1817 - July 2017): A Commemorative 500 Paise or Rs.5/- stamp issued by India Post on 11.02.2017
7) India's First International Fleet review held on 18.02.2001 at Mumbai
8) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.
Is there no record of the people who fought for the Peshwas?
ReplyDeleteThe British highly exaggerated the Peshwa Army losses in an effort to boost their troop morale. THe Peshwa after a series of battles negotiated settling down at Bithoor, near Kanpur. As such, the Maratha Confederacy estimates were not given much credence at the material time. One can also see from the fact that the BEIC positions were overrun several times and their soldiers were willing to negotiate a surrender, that the Peshwa detachment had severely mauled the British forces.
DeleteIt also appears that both sides had a similar mix of people fighting as paid soldiers. The Mahars were fighting on both sides so what is all the hullabaloo about?
DeleteChattrapati Shivaji Maharaj had appointed several Mahar soldiers as his scouts and (Fort) Gate Guards, because they were extremely loyal, great fighters and excellent look-outs. This practice was continued in the Peshwa times. The real reason of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar's visit to the Bhima-Koregaon pillar was later given a "caste aspect" of the Mahars gaining a victory against the upper castes in the Peshwa's army by unscrupulous elements to gain political advantage.
DeleteAnoop Banerjee (Anoopda) has commented:
ReplyDelete"Rajeev, you have outdone yourself & I must heartily applaud your meticulous research in matters military, which is not normally your field. You've turned out to be a military historian par excellence! Congratulations!"
Thank you so much, Anoopda, for your comment. I am moved beyond words while going through every word, which I will treasure forever.
Deleteरामचंद्र लळिंंगकर has commented:
ReplyDelete"Rajeev, your article on this subject is very informative."
Thank you so much, Rambhau. I have tried to give an objective assessment of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, and the reason for Dr. Ambedkar's subsequent visit to the memorial.
Delete