UNSUNG Maratha Victory.
Tipu Sultan & Haidar Ali's famous Victory at Polilur near Srirangapatnam, which is known in Europe even today, was in reality a MARATHA Feat.
Maratha Shrimant Bhikajiraje Shinde and 15 of His Clansmen led the Maratha Cavalry Charge that led to victory.
Tipu Sultan & Haidar Ali's famous Victory at Polilur near Srirangapatnam, which is known in Europe even today, was in reality a MARATHA Feat.
Maratha Shrimant Bhikajiraje Shinde and 15 of His Clansmen led the Maratha Cavalry Charge that led to victory.
British expansion and strategies in the Carnatic had antagonised the Marathas, the Nizam, the French and Mysore, and on July 1780 CE, Marathas and Mysore State invaded the Carnatic with nearly 100,000 men.
The Players:
Sir Hector Munro, who was Governor of the East India Company's army at the time, decided to invade Kanchipuram, 35 miles south-west of Madras.
Lieutenant-Colonel Baillie based at Guntar was ordered by Munro to join him at Kanchipuram.
Sir Hector Munro, who was Governor of the East India Company's army at the time, decided to invade Kanchipuram, 35 miles south-west of Madras.
Lieutenant-Colonel Baillie based at Guntar was ordered by Munro to join him at Kanchipuram.
However Lieutenant-Colonel Baillie ended up making a fateful stop at the River Kortalaiyar, which then ended up flooding and delayed his crossing by ten days!
On 6 September, Baillie reached Perambakkam, 14 miles away from rendezvous point, where he was attacked by Tipu Sultan.
On 6 September, Baillie reached Perambakkam, 14 miles away from rendezvous point, where he was attacked by Tipu Sultan.
After a Council of War, Munro deployed 1000 Men & 9 ammunition-laden Camels under Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher, Lieutenant Lindsay & Captain Baird to Baillie.
On 10 September as Baillie reached the plain towards Kanchipuram, Marathas & Tipu opened fire at 300 yards from the left.
On 10 September as Baillie reached the plain towards Kanchipuram, Marathas & Tipu opened fire at 300 yards from the left.
Baillie held his ground by forming his troops into 'The British Square', still confident that Munro would be coming to his assistance.
And then the whole of *Maratha* Cavalry descended on Baillie's men from right.
Marathas had a forte in ruining Mysuri western square formations.
And then the whole of *Maratha* Cavalry descended on Baillie's men from right.
Marathas had a forte in ruining Mysuri western square formations.
@prathgodbole's Reports' Translations on Aithihasik site reveal Maratha expertise.
The Cavalry commander was Biccaji Scindia (Bhikajiraje Shinde).
Commanders of Mysuru state military were always Maratha, or Arasu or Pathan. No Avarna tribal headed any division of consequence.
The Cavalry commander was Biccaji Scindia (Bhikajiraje Shinde).
Commanders of Mysuru state military were always Maratha, or Arasu or Pathan. No Avarna tribal headed any division of consequence.
It was Shrimant Sardar Bhikajiraje Shinde handling on-field situation, tracking and fighting Britishers.
Haider Naik insulted Bhikajiraje in public for failing to prevent Baillie and Fletcher's rendezvous.
It was then that the Maratha fury alighted.
Haider Naik insulted Bhikajiraje in public for failing to prevent Baillie and Fletcher's rendezvous.
It was then that the Maratha fury alighted.
What happened next was one of the greatest defeats inflicted on Britishers apart from what the Maratha Forces of Indore inflicted on another crack British contingent.
In all cases it was the Marathas, and the Marathas alone dealing the greatest blows.
In all cases it was the Marathas, and the Marathas alone dealing the greatest blows.
At Polillur, the journals of Lindsay indicated that "a shout of joy was spread throughout the line" at the sight of an approaching cloud of dust which was assumed to be the troops of Munro!
Then later,
"It is impossible to describe the feelings of Baillie's devoted army, when they found that, instead of reaping a complete victory, they were surrounded upon all sides!" as the Marathas surrounded the Britishers and ravaged them utterly.
"It is impossible to describe the feelings of Baillie's devoted army, when they found that, instead of reaping a complete victory, they were surrounded upon all sides!" as the Marathas surrounded the Britishers and ravaged them utterly.
The Maratha Cavalry advanced from left and right, “like Waves of an Angry Sea,” according to the contemporary Mughal historian Ghulam Husain Khan.
Exactly like every Maratha cavalry charge has been described: A cavalcade of spears and swords.
Exactly like every Maratha cavalry charge has been described: A cavalcade of spears and swords.
Fletcher was slain and Baillie & Baird were injured and imprisoned.
Out of 86 officers, 36 were killed, 34 were wounded & taken prisoner; only 16 taken unhurt. Baillie received a back & head wound, & lost a leg. Baird received two sabre cuts on his head & pike wound in the arm.
Out of 86 officers, 36 were killed, 34 were wounded & taken prisoner; only 16 taken unhurt. Baillie received a back & head wound, & lost a leg. Baird received two sabre cuts on his head & pike wound in the arm.
His ADC and young cousin, James Dalrymple, received a severe back wound and "two cuts in my head".
The whole of the sepoy forces were either killed, captured or dispersed (obviously not counted).
In all, Tipu eventually captured one in five of all the British soldiers in India.
The whole of the sepoy forces were either killed, captured or dispersed (obviously not counted).
In all, Tipu eventually captured one in five of all the British soldiers in India.
Many were circumcised and forcibly converted to Islam.
Even more humiliatingly, several young British regimental drummer boys were made to wear ghagra cholis and entertain the court as nautch girls, something which must have satisfied Tipu & his father Haidar's Bacchābāzī genes.
Even more humiliatingly, several young British regimental drummer boys were made to wear ghagra cholis and entertain the court as nautch girls, something which must have satisfied Tipu & his father Haidar's Bacchābāzī genes.
A close-up of the British massacre.
Only about 200 Europeans, most of them wounded, were taken alive by the Mysuru State army, rest all were killed.
British commander Baillie died in captivity but Baird was released four years later and went on to defeat the Anti-Hindu Tipu with Maratha Support in 1799 CE.
British commander Baillie died in captivity but Baird was released four years later and went on to defeat the Anti-Hindu Tipu with Maratha Support in 1799 CE.
Paintings were acquired by Colonel John William Freese of Madras Artillery following appointment as commissary of stores at Seringapatam 1802.
French-trained soldiers were under Monsieur Lally, & Maratha Sardar of armies is on horseback, dressed as glamorously as Tipu himself.
French-trained soldiers were under Monsieur Lally, & Maratha Sardar of armies is on horseback, dressed as glamorously as Tipu himself.
SOURCE: Modern Mysore by M. Shama Rao.
Tipu Sultan glorifiers like Sanjay Khan never showcased such contributions of Marathas.
This was easily one of the greatest victories of Indians against British forces, completely and ONLY due to Maratha Hero Sardar Bhikajiraje Shinde.
Tipu Sultan glorifiers like Sanjay Khan never showcased such contributions of Marathas.
This was easily one of the greatest victories of Indians against British forces, completely and ONLY due to Maratha Hero Sardar Bhikajiraje Shinde.
This disgusting article on Sothebys Site by Will Dalymplre gives entire credit of MARATHA victory at Polilur to Tipu Sultan and his father who were mute spectators to Maratha Valour for 13 charges!
He goes further & says it was the "Maratha States" who were the mute spectators!
He goes further & says it was the "Maratha States" who were the mute spectators!
He goes on to say "Tipu Sultan inflicted on the East India Company the most crushing defeat the Company would ever receive, and one which nearly ended British rule in India."
Tipu Sultan?
So Shrimant Bhikajiraje Shinde who led entire cavalry is completely deleted from History?
Tipu Sultan?
So Shrimant Bhikajiraje Shinde who led entire cavalry is completely deleted from History?
Will Dalymplre's article:
sothebys.com
No mention of Maratha Shrimant Sardar Bhikaji Shinde who actually won the battle.
sothebys.com
No mention of Maratha Shrimant Sardar Bhikaji Shinde who actually won the battle.
Shrimant Bhikajiraje Shinde and his family that sacrificed their lives, have now been forgotten by Mysuris.
Another such Maratha hero is Ubhaya Lokadhishwara Shaikh Ahmad Malik Jahan Khan Dhondhajirao Nayak Wagh RajePawar.
A deliberate conspiracy to ruin Maratha history.
Another such Maratha hero is Ubhaya Lokadhishwara Shaikh Ahmad Malik Jahan Khan Dhondhajirao Nayak Wagh RajePawar.
A deliberate conspiracy to ruin Maratha history.
Another unsung victory, the destruction of greatest British contingents by Maratha Forces of Indore lead by Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar:
All 3 of the greatest defeats of Britishers (Khandala, Pollilur and by Holkars) were due to Marathas.
All 3 of the greatest defeats of Britishers (Khandala, Pollilur and by Holkars) were due to Marathas.
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