BATTLES OF MAHARAJPOOR AND PUNNIAR. 29th. December, 1843.
Reading edition
A force named the “Army of Exercise” was assembled at Agra, in November, 1843, in consequence of affairs in the state of Gwalior, which had for some time required the attention of the Indian Government, although it was not anticipated that actual hostilities would take place. The events which led to the collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of the once powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow:—Upon the decease of Maharajah Thunkojee Rao Scindiah, the British Government promptly acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Tyajee Rao Scindiah, who was nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose adoption by the Maharanee, his Highness’s widow, was approved by the chiefs. During the minority of the Maharajah, the office of regent was to be held by Mama Sahib. In a short time the regent was compelled by force to quit the Gwalior state, and the Dada Khasgee Walla succeeded to the confidence of the Maharanee without possessing generally that of the chiefs, and by his influence various acts were committed insulting and injurious to the British Government. The delivery of the Dada being peremptorily insisted upon as a necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of the customary relations with the Gwalior state, the Maharanee at length complied with the request, and the Governor-General, in order to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindiah, and a strong government having been established at Gwalior, they received orders to withdraw; but were not destined to return to their own territory without a severe conflict. Negotiations appeared proceeding to an 305amicable issue, but the design of the enemy to gain time to concentrate his forces became at length so evident, that active measures of hostility were determined upon. The British army left Agra, between the 12th. and 18th. of December, under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, who was accompanied by the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, in person.
The main division crossed the Koharee river early in the morning of the 29th. of December, and found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of the village of Maharajpoor, in a very strong position, which they had occupied during the night, and which they had carefully entrenched. The British were about fourteen thousand strong, with forty pieces of artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen thousand men, including three thousand cavalry, with a hundred guns. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of the country, intersected by deep and almost impassable ravines, the whole of the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed positions by eight o’clock in the morning of the 29th. of December. The action commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler’s column, which was exactly in front of Maharajpoor; whilst Major-General Valiant’s brigade took it in reverse, both being supported by Major-General Dennis’s column, and the two light field batteries.
Her Majesty’s 16th. Lancers, and the 39th. and 40th. regiments highly distinguished themselves. The 30th., forming part of Brigadier Wright’s brigade with the 56th. Native Infantry attacked with such vigour that they stormed the enemy’s batteries and bayoneted the gunners at their posts. But the Mahrattas rallied in the village, and after firing their Matchlocks threw them away, and fought sword in hand with the most determined bravery. In the meantime General Valiant’s brigade had taken Maharajpoor in reverse, and by this combined movement twenty-eight guns were captured, but the Mahratta position was not taken till nearly all its defenders had been slain on the spot.
A small work of four guns on the left of the entrenched main position of Chonda was long and obstinately defended, but subsequently carried; and the guns captured by the grenadiers 306of the 39th., under Captain Campbell, admirably supported by a wing of the 56th. Native Infantry, under Major Philips.
Not less distinguished was the conduct of the 40th.; this regiment in the attack on the enemy’s entrenched positions, had two successive commanding officers, Major Stopford[113] and Captain Coddington, wounded at the very muzzles of the guns. Two regimental standards were captured by the 39th., and four by the 40th. regiment. Major-General Valiant was also wounded.
Major-General Churchill, C.B., Quarter-Master General of Her Majesty’s forces in India, and Captain Somerset of the Grenadier Guards, Military Secretary to Lord Ellenborough, both received several wounds in personal rencontres. The former died after amputation of the leg. Major Henry Havelock, C.B., of the 13th. Light Infantry, Persian interpreter, served on Sir Hugh Gough’s personal staff.
Brigadier Cureton’s brigade of cavalry, of which the 16th. Lancers (under Lieutenant-Colonel Macdowell) formed part, took advantage of every opportunity, manœuvring most judiciously on the right, and had it not been for an impassable ravine, would have cut off the retreat of the whole,. The cavalry division was under the orders of Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, K.C.B.
In this action fifty-six guns, and the whole of the enemy’s ammunition waggons were captured.
Major-General Grey, who had been directed to push on with the left wing as rapidly as practicable to Punniar, twelve miles south-west of Gwalior, gained also a complete victory 307on the same day as the battle of Maharajpoor was fought, namely, the 29th. of December.
About four o’clock in the afternoon the enemy was observed to have taken up a strong position on a chain of lofty hills, four miles eastward of the camp. The Major-General determined immediately to attack him, and the 3rd. Buffs, with a company of sappers and miners, were detached to occupy a position on an opposite ridge, followed afterwards to the right by five companies of the 39th. Native Infantry, until the troops, amounting to two thousand and seven men, could be brought up, and an attack made upon the enemy’s left flank and centre. Owing to the lateness of the day, it was some time before this force could be supported. The Buffs, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clunie, and the sappers attacked the centre, exposed to a galling fire from the guns, and gallantly carried every position, driving the enemy from height to height, and capturing eleven of his guns, with a standard. The second infantry brigade under Acting-Brigadier Anderson, of the 50th., arrived in time to put a finish to the action; forming on the crest of the hill, he, by a gallant and judicious movement, attacked the enemy’s left, and completely defeated him, taking the remainder of his guns. Major Petit commanded the 50th., and distinguished himself by the charge he made down the hill at the head of that regiment. The 50th. Native Infantry shared in the above movement. Major White commanded the latter, and took the second infantry brigade out of action upon Brigadier Anderson being wounded.
A portion of the first cavalry brigade, under Brigadier Campbell of the 9th. Lancers, accompanied the force as far as the ground would admit, but no opportunity was afforded for actively employing them. General Grey at once affected a junction with Sir H. Gough under the walls of Givalin, which capital they occupied unopposed, and the Maharatta army was disbanded.
These victories were not gained without severe loss,[114] owing to the enemy’s force greatly exceeding the British, particularly in artillery, and to the commanding position of his guns, which were well served and resolutely defended both by gunners and infantry; the peculiar difficulties of the country gave also additional advantages to the gallantry of the Mahratta troops, whose casualties were exceedingly heavy.
The regiments engaged at Maharajpoor, were the 16th. Lancers, 39th. and 40th. Foot. Bengal Artillery and Sappers, 1st., 4th., and 10th. Native Cavalry, 2nd. Skinner’s Horse, and the 14th., 16th., 31st., 43rd., and 56th. Native Infantry. At Punniar; the troops engaged were the 9th. Lancers; the 3rd. and 50th. Foot; the 8th. Bengal Irregular Cavalry, a company of Sappers, and five companies of the 39th. and 50th. Native Infantry.
308