Battle of Chinhat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Chinhat
Part of Indian Rebellion of 1857
Date 30 June 1857 Location Ismailganj, near Lucknow, India Result Rebel victory
Belligerents
East India Company	Rebels
Commanders and leaders
Henry Lawrence Col. John Inglis (32nd)	Barkat Ahmad Khan Ali Khan
Strength
approx. 700 Infantry: 32nd Regiment of Foot - 300 13th, 48th, 71st Bengal Native Infantry - 230 Cavalry Volunteer cavalry - 40 Detachments of 1st, 2nd, 3rd Oude Irregular Cavalry - 120 Artillery Horse Light Field Battery - 4 guns No 2 Oude Field Battery - 4 guns One 8 inch howitzer	approx. 7,000 Infantry: approx. 6,000 22nd Bengal Native Infantry. 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th Oude Irregular Infantry. 1st, 2nd Regiments Military Police. Local Police Detachment - 300 Oude talookdars from Ramnugger Dhumeyree and Mahonah Levied Infantry Cavalry approx. 800 15th Bengal Irregular Cavalry 1st, 2nd & 3rd Oude Irregular Cavalry Artillery: 16 guns 5th, 7th, 13th Bty. Bengal Artillery 1st Bty. Light Field, Oude Irregular Artillery
Casualties and losses
Dead: Col. William Case, CPT. Stephens, Lt. Brackenbury, Thomson (32nd), 112 NCOs and Men. Wounded: Campbell (71st), James (Commissariat) Losses: 2 Howitzer, 1 9-Pounder	589

The Battle of Chinhat was an important fight during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. It happened on the morning of June 30, 1857. The battle took place at Ismailganj, which is near Chinhat in Oude (now called Awadh), India.

This battle was between British forces, led by Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, and Indian rebels. The rebel army included soldiers who had left the East India Company's army and fighters from local landowners. Their leader was Barkat Ahmad, an officer who had joined the rebellion. The rebels won this battle, which was a big victory for them in the rebellion.

Starting the Fight

Sir Henry Lawrence received different reports about the rebel forces. Some reports said the rebel group was small. Even though Sir Henry was not feeling well and was under pressure, he decided to attack.

He gathered a fighting group. This group included soldiers from the 32nd Regiment of Foot (a British army group) and several companies of the 13th Native Infantry (Indian soldiers working for the British). There were also small groups of Sikh cavalry and European volunteer cavalry. British and Indian artillery units also joined them. Sir Henry believed he was going to fight a few hundred rebels. He ordered his force to move along the Faizabad road to stop them.

The Battle Begins

As Lawrence's group got close to Ismailganj, the rebels suddenly attacked them. The rebels had many more fighters than the British, with about 6,000 rebels against 600 British soldiers. The rebels were in strong positions, hiding behind stone walls and inside the village.

They quickly caused many injuries and deaths among Lawrence's soldiers, especially the 32nd Foot. The officer in charge of the 32nd Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel William Case, was killed. Several other officers also died. The 13th Native Infantry had some success attacking the right side of the village. However, the rebels were well-prepared and had good leaders. This helped the rebels win one of their few big victories against the British in open battle during the entire rebellion.

At a key moment, many of Lawrence's Indian soldiers, especially the artillerymen, switched sides and joined the rebels. They even turned over their cannons and cut the ropes on their horses. The Sikh cavalrymen also left the battle.

As the British soldiers tried to get away towards the Kukrail stream bridge, the rebels tried to surround them. This bridge was the only way for the British to get back to Lucknow. However, 36 volunteer cavalrymen, including some civilians, bravely charged the rebel cavalry. This charge confused the rebels and allowed many British soldiers to cross the bridge and retreat towards Lucknow. Lawrence then ordered a group of European artillery to guard the bridge. Their goal was to stop the rebels from following them. The artillery had no ammunition left, but their presence still gave the retreating British soldiers time to escape safely.

The Retreat to Safety

During the retreat, many brave actions were performed to help wounded and tired soldiers escape. The Indian soldiers of the 13th Native Infantry were especially helpful. They often left their own injured comrades to help British soldiers. One officer from the 13th Native Infantry, Lieutenant William George Cubitt, later received the Victoria Cross medal for helping to save three men from the 32nd Foot.

Seeing that the retreat was mostly successful, Sir Henry Lawrence left the group. He went ahead to organize the defense of the British Residency in Lucknow. Brigadier John E. W. Inglis, the commanding officer of the 32nd Regiment, who had not wanted to go on this mission, was left to bring the remaining soldiers back.

As a final effort to slow down the rebels, Lawrence ordered one company of the 32nd Regiment, which had not been in the battle, to hold the last bridge before Lucknow. This bridge was over the Gumti river. This company, led by Lieutenant John Edmondstone, successfully held their ground and then retreated in an orderly way under enemy pressure. This likely saved many lives.

By about 11:30 a.m., the retreat was finished. The British soldiers went to the British Residency at Lucknow. This place then became the site of the Siege of Lucknow, which lasted until November 1857.