Maratha–Patiala clashes
Maratha–Sikh Clashes | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Maratha Empire | Sikhs | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Bapu Malhar Dhar Rao Devi datta Lakshmi rao |
Bibi Sahib Kaur Raja Bhag Singh Gudrat Singh | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
7,000-12,000 | 25,000-30,000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Less | High |
The Maratha–Sikh clashes were a significant chapter in Indian military history, in which two formidable powers, the Marathas and the Sikhs, collided in a series of engagements and battles. This period of conflict, often argued to be marked by strategic brilliance, fierce battles, and shifting alliances, occurred in 18th-century India—a time when regional powers vied for dominance and control.[1]
Background
The conflict unfolded against the backdrop of the 18th century, a time when the Indian subcontinent was marked by a mosaic of regional powers vying for supremacy. In this era, the Marathas and Sikhs emerged as formidable players, each with a distinct martial tradition and territorial ambitions. The conflict witnessed repeated incursions and counterattacks as Sikhs and Marathas sought to assert their dominance over strategic regions. Sikh forces, under various leaders, were known to launch raids into Maratha territories, targeting military camps and supply lines. These incursions, marked by cavalry charges and guerrilla tactics, often caught the Maratha forces off guard. The Marathas, in response, mounted defenses against these Sikh offensives. They fortified their camps, employed advanced artillery, and devised strategies to counter the Sikh cavalry. The clash of these two states played out across diverse landscapes, from the fertile plains to the rugged terrains of the subcontinent. However, the narrative of these clashes was far from one-sided. While the Sikhs were initially successful in their attacks, the Marathas turned the tide in several engagements. Despite facing losses in the initial stages, the Marathas adapted their strategies, learning from each encounter and strengthening their defensive and offensive capabilities.[2]
List of Major Conflicts
Maratha victory | Sikh victory |
The table below lists some of the major military conflicts of Marathas and Sikhs.
Year | Conflicts | Marathas Commander | Sikh Commander | Locations | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1785 CE | Battle of Merut | Bapu Malhar | Unknown | Delhi | Marathas defeated forces of Sikhs invited by Najaf Quli Khan to raid Dehli[3] |
1786 CE | Battle of Banur | Dhar rao | Unknown | Punjab | Marathas repulsed the invasion of Sikhs who marched against the Raja of Patiala[4] |
1787 CE | Battle of Sonipat | Unknown | Unknown | Sonipat | Sikhs contingent ravaged territory of Sonipat but a body of Marathas attacked them, seized some of the horses and drove them away[5] |
1789 | Battle of Saifabad | Rane Khan Dadaji and Ali Bahadur | Rani Rajinder Kaur | Bahadurgarh fort | After occasional skirmishes between the Marathas and the Patiala forces for a month and a half the Maratha forces were defeated by Sikh troops and rest of them retired to Delhi.[6] |
1793 CE | Battle of Doab | Bapu Malhar | Unknown | Doab | Sikhs Bapu Malhar routed Sikhs forces near Doab and killed 50 Sikhs, the defeated Sikhs fled to Patiala[7] |
1793 CE | Battle of Karnal | Devi Datta | Gurdat Singh | Karnal | Devi datta twice routed Sikh forces led by gudrat singh and expelled then from territory[8] |
1793 CE | Battle of Delhi | Khanderao Hari | Unknown | Delhi | Khanderao hari successfully replused Sikhs contingent which were ravaging Delhi[9] |
1794 CE | Battle of Mardanpur | Lakshmi Rao | Bibi Sahib Kaur | Patiala | During the night the Sikhs made a surprise attack on Madho Rao who was busy performing the funeary rites of his dead soldiers. Following another attack by the Sikhs before dawn, the Marathas retired to Karnal.[10] |
1795 CE | Battle of Muzaffarnagar | Bapu Malhar | Unknown | Doab & Muzaffarnagar | On the 12th November, 1795, a fight took place between Bapu Malhar and the Sikhs. Many people were killed and wounded on both sides. On the 15th another action was fought between them in which Bapuji was defeated.[11] |
1795 CE | Battle of Thana | Nana Rao | Raja Bhanga Singh of Thanesar | Thanah, Thanesar | A foraging party of the Marathas was plundered by Sardar Bhanga Singh who killed many persons and seized about fifty horses and camels.[12] |
1796 CE | Battle of Saharanpur | Bapu Malhar | Unknown | Saharanpur | Bapu Malhar tried to check the progress of invading Sikh forces in Doab and Saharanpur, but was defeated by Sikh troops and lost four pieces of cannon.[13] |
1798 CE | Second Battle of Karnal | Thomas | Rebellion Sikhs | Karnal | Thomas (Irish general underMarathas) fought a battle against the Sikhs suffering 500 deaths and killing 1000 Sikhs who tried to rebel against the Marathas, later peace concluded with the Sikhs evacuating the place. [14][15] |
References
- ^ Hari Ram Gupta (1944). History Of The Sikhs Vol I.
- ^ Singh, Harban (1992). The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism - Volume IV S-Z. p. 18.
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta, p.179
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta, p.201
- ^ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikh Misals.
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta, p.245
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta, p.247
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta
- ^ Gandhi, Surjit Singh (1999). Sikhs of the Eighteenth Century. Singh Bros. p. 505. ISBN 9788172052171.
- ^ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikhs Vol. III Sikh Domination Of The Mughal Empire (1764-1803).
- ^ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikhs Vol. III Sikh Domination Of The Mughal Empire (1764-1803).
- ^ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikhs Vol. III Sikh Domination Of The Mughal Empire (1764-1803).
- ^ History of The Sikhs Hari Ram Gupta
- ^ Hari Ram Gupta (1944). History Of The Sikhs 1769 1799 Vol Ii.