Gwalior Campaign

The Gwalior campaign was fought between the British and Scindia forces in Gwalior in India, December 1843.

Background

The Maratha Empire had controlled most of central and northern India but fell to the British in 1818, giving the British the control over almost all of the Indian subcontinent. On February 7, 1843, Jankojirao Scindia II the Maharaja of Gwalior died without a direct heir, leading to succession crises and British intervention. A young child named Bhagirath (later known by his regnal name Jayajirao Scindia) was appointed as the Maharaja of Gwalior with Tara Raje Sahiba Scindia as regent. However, certain nobles in Gwalior saw the failed British campaign in Afghanistan as an opportunity to become masters of independent territories. Lord Ellenborough, foreseeing the possibility tried installing a regent amenable to British Contol, citing instability after Jankoji's death and asked Scindia to reduced there Army and infantry, but Tara Scindia the Maharani of Gwalior opposed it and did not comply. Lord Ellenborough then formed the ''Army of Exercise'' near Agra. After several attempts to negotiate failed, the British advanced in a two-pronged attack which came to be known as first battle of Gwalior. The British, under the command of Gen. Sir Hugh Gough clashed with Scindia forces, that were commanded by Maharaja Scindia, in two battles on the same day; 29 December 1843.

Battle of Maharajpura

The Scindia army had 14 battalions, 1,000 artillerymen with 100 guns, 10,000 cavalry horsemen and infantry of 25,000 foot soldiers stationed at Maharajpura. The British had the 40th Regiment of Foot with the 2nd and 16th Native Infantry Regiments forming the central column, the 39th Regiment of Foot with the 56th Native Infantry Regiment and a field battery forming the left column and the 16th Lancers with two troops of horse artillery as well as other artillery forming the right column.

The centre column advanced to attack where they believed the main enemy force was located. However, during the night the Scindia forces moved and the British were surprised as they came under heavy fire from the Scindia artillery in their new positions. The central column then received the order to take the battery positions, which they did under continuous heavy fire from shot, grape, canister, and chain. The guns were to the south-east of Maharajpore, with two battalions of Scindia troops for each battery, and in Maharajpore with seven battalions for each battery. The British engaged the Gwalior forces in hand-to-hand fighting, both sides taking heavy casualties, and cleared the positions. The Scindia troops fought valiantly making it hard for the British forces to hold the ground. The British finally defeated the Scindia forces, but suffered a huge setback with 979 men killed including General Churchill and top officers, thousands wounded or became physically disabled, and many missing with no records till date. The Gwalior forces were estimated to have lost 2000 to 3000 men.

Battle of Punniar

The Gwalior forces at Punniar (29 December 1843) numbered about 12,000 men and occupied the high ground near Mangore. As the British Army approached, they immediately attacked the troops positions, routing them from the hill.

Aftermath

After the defeat of the Scindia forces in Gwalior, the British disbanded their army and established a force in the state that the Government of Gwalior maintained. A British governor was appointed at Gwalior Fort. The Gwalior Star was awarded to veterans of the campaign.

References

{{coord missing, Madhya Pradesh

Conflicts in 1843
Battles involving British India
19th-century military history of the United Kingdom
1843 in India
1843 in British India
History of Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior