The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East India Company and the Marathas, marking a turning point in the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
BulletsIn:
- Battle fought near Koregaon village in Maharashtra between British forces led by Captain Francis Staunton and Maratha army under Peshwa Baji Rao II
- Triggered by British expansionist policies and Maratha attempts to regain control over key territories including Pune during declining phase of Maratha power
- Around 800 British troops faced nearly 28,000 Maratha forces, showcasing intense conflict despite numerical imbalance and strategic disadvantage
- British troops took fortified defensive positions in village, using terrain advantage and disciplined tactics to withstand prolonged Maratha attacks
- Battle lasted nearly 12 hours, ending with Maratha retreat due to fear of British reinforcements and inability to break defensive resistance
- Victory contributed to weakening of Peshwa authority and eventual collapse of Maratha dominance in western and central India
- Event later emerged as symbol of resistance and social assertion, particularly associated with Mahar community and Dalit pride