Battle of India Muerta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of India Muerta |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves |
 Federal League |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sebastião Pinto de Araújo Correia | Fructuoso Rivera | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
Total: 957
|
1700 cavalry and infantry | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 95 29 killed 66 wounded |
~600 ~200 killed 350-400 wounded 30 captured |
||||||
The Battle of India Muerta was an important fight that happened on November 19, 1816. It took place in a region called Rocha, which is now part of Uruguay. This battle was part of a bigger conflict known as the Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental.
The battle involved two main groups. On one side were the Luso-Brazilian forces, led by Sebastião Pinto de Araújo Correia. On the other side were the Artiguists, commanded by Fructuoso Rivera. The fight lasted for about four and a half hours. In the end, the Luso-Brazilian forces won the battle.
Contents
What Was the Battle of India Muerta?
The Battle of India Muerta was a clash between two armies. It happened during a time when Portugal and Brazil were trying to take control of a region called the Banda Oriental. This area is now the country of Uruguay.
The Luso-Brazilian forces were soldiers from Portugal and Brazil, which were united at that time. They wanted to expand their territory. The Artiguists were local fighters who supported José Gervasio Artigas. He was a hero who fought for the independence of the region.
Who Fought in the Battle?
The main leaders in this battle were Sebastião Pinto de Araújo Correia for the Luso-Brazilians and Fructuoso Rivera for the Artiguists.
The Luso-Brazilian Forces
The Luso-Brazilian army had about 957 soldiers. Most of them were infantry, meaning they fought on foot, and some were artillery, who used cannons. They also had cavalry, who fought on horseback, and one cannon.
The Artiguist Forces
The Artiguists had a larger force, with about 1,700 soldiers. Most of their fighters were cavalry, meaning they were skilled horsemen. They also had some infantry.
Where Did the Battle Happen?
The battle took place near a place called India Muerta, in the area of Rocha. This region is in what we now know as Uruguay. The name "India Muerta" means "Dead Indian Woman" in Spanish. It's a historical name for the area.
What Was the Outcome?
The Battle of India Muerta ended with a victory for the Luso-Brazilian forces. This win was important for them in their goal to take control of the Banda Oriental.
Casualties of the Battle
Both sides suffered losses in the battle.
- The Luso-Brazilian forces had about 95 casualties. This included 29 soldiers who were killed and 66 who were wounded.
- The Artiguists had many more casualties, around 600 in total. About 200 of their soldiers were killed, and between 350 and 400 were wounded. They also had 30 soldiers captured.
Why Was This Battle Important?
The Battle of India Muerta was a key event in the Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental. It showed the strength of the Luso-Brazilian army. It also highlighted the ongoing struggle for independence in the region. The Artiguists continued to fight for their freedom, even after this defeat.
