Siege of Ahmednagar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Ahmadnagar |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Second Anglo-Maratha War | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
.svg){kind=small} British East India Company |
 Maratha Confederacy |
||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Arthur Wellesley | Daulat Rao Scindia | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 24,000 | Unknown | ||||||||
The Siege of Ahmednagar was the first big battle of the Second Anglo-Maratha War. This war was fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company. It took place in August 1803 at the strong Ahmednagar Fort in what is now Maharashtra, India. The British won this battle, which helped them gain more control in the region.
Contents
The Second Anglo-Maratha War
The Second Anglo-Maratha War was a major conflict in India. It happened between 1803 and 1805. The war was fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy. The Maratha Confederacy was a powerful group of Indian states. The British wanted to expand their control over India.
Why Ahmednagar Was Important
Ahmednagar Fort was a very strong fortress. It was important because it controlled a key area in India. Taking this fort would give the British a good base. It would also help them move their army further south.
General Wellesley's Plan
The British army was led by Arthur Wellesley. He later became famous as the Duke of Wellington. Wellesley knew that a long war would be bad for his army. He decided to attack quickly and boldly. He wanted to defeat the Maratha forces, which were larger than his own.
Getting Ready for Battle
Wellesley gathered his army, which had about 24,000 soldiers. They had all their supplies ready. On August 8, 1803, he gave the order to move. Their first target was the nearest Maratha fort, Ahmednagar.
The Attack on Ahmednagar
The attack began on August 8, 1803. Wellesley's first goal was to capture the Pettah of Ahmednagar. This was a walled town right next to the main fort.
Taking the Pettah
The British soldiers attacked the Pettah on the same day, August 8. They used a method called escalade. This means they climbed over the walls using ladders. The British quickly took control of the town.
The Fort Surrenders
After taking the Pettah, the British focused on the main Ahmednagar Fort. Their cannons fired at the fort walls, making a hole, or "breach." British infantry (foot soldiers) then attacked through this hole. The fort's defenders could not hold out much longer.
The Ahmednagar Fort surrendered to the British on August 12, 1803. With both the Pettah and the fort under British control, Wellesley could now move his army further south. This victory helped the British extend their power towards the Godavari River.
