Battle of Delhi (1803) explained

Conflict:Battle of Delhi
Partof:the Second Anglo-Maratha War
Date:11 September 1803
Place:Delhi, Mughal Empire
Map Type:India Delhi#India
Map Label:Delhi
Result:British victory
Combatant1: British East India Company
Combatant2: Maratha Confederacy
Commander1:Gerard Lake
Commander2:Daulat Rao Scindia
Louis Bourquin
Strength1:4,500
Strength2:17,000
Casualties1:estimated 464–485 men killed or wounded[1]
Casualties2:estimated 3,000 killed or wounded

The Battle of Delhi or Battle of Patparganj took place on 11 September 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, between British East India Company troops of the Bombay Army under General Lake, and the Marathas of Scindia's army under General Louis Bourquin and Sardar Ravsaheb Wable.

Events

Bourquin had treacherously deserted his former friend General Perron and now commanded 1743 battalions of the latter's troops. The battle was fought at Mosadabad, right across the Yamuna River from Humayun's Tomb, also giving the battle its local name.

The Marathas initially occupied a strong position with the Yamuna River in their rear. But, General Gerard Lake, feigning a retreat, drew them from their lines and then turning upon them drove them with the bayonet into the river, inflicting more losses upon them. Finally, the city of Delhi fell three days later. As a result, the control of the city of Delhi passed from the Marathas to the British.

A monument was later erected at the site in Patparganj, marked out by a surrounding ditch, commemorating Cornet Sanguine and the Company army soldiers who fell during the battle.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Naravane, M.S. . Battles of the Honorourable East India Company . A.P.H. Publishing Corporation . 2014 . 9788131300343 . 76–77.