Battle of Bhima-Koregaon

#GS-01 Indian History

Bhima Koregaon is a village located in present day Pune District of Maharashtra
The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on 1st January, 1818 between the Maratha Peshwa and the British East India Company.
The Battle was part of the Third Anglo Maratha War.

Peshwa Bajirao II had insulted the Mahar community and removed them from serving in his army.
This resulted in them joining the British army against the Peshwa’s army during the battle.

The 28,000-strong Marathas, led by Peshwa Baji Rao II were marching to attack Pune.
While going, they met a Company force of 800-strong that was on its way to reinforce the British troops in Pune.
The Peshwa dispatched around 2,000 soldiers in order to attack the Company force in Koregaon.
The Company troops were led by Captain Francis Staunton and they were able to defend their position for nearly 12 hours.
The Marathas ultimately had to withdraw, since a larger British force led by General Joseph Smith had been dispatched to support the British troops.

The battle became a symbol for Dalit pride since, the British army which was comprised mainly of Dalit soldiers, fought the upper caste-dominated Peshwa army.
Which resulted in the defeat of the Peshwa army by the British troops.
The British East India company installed an obelisk or Victory Pillar in Koregaon, to commemorate those who fought for them.
Babasaheb Ambedkar visited the site on January 1, 1927, which revitalised the memory of the battle for the Dalit community, making it a rallying point and an assertion of pride.

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