Bhima-Koregaon : An Overview of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon

Bhima Koregaon is a small village located in present-day Pune District of Maharashtra. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon has an important place in the history of India. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on 1st January, 1818. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought between the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was part of the Third Anglo Maratha War. Third Anglo Maratha War resulted in defeat of the Peshwas which led to the rule of British East India Company in almost all parts of South, Central and Western India.

Battle of Bhima-Koregaon: Leaders and Strength of the Armies

• Peshwa Baji Rao II led the army of Peshwas in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon.
• The Marathas had a strong force of 28,000 soldiers.
• The Maratha army had 8,000 infantry soldiers and 20,000 cavalry soldiers.
• The other important leaders who led the Marathas in the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon were Bapu Gokhale, Appa Desai, and Trimbakji Dengle.
• Captain Francis F. Staunton led the British East India Company.
• The British East India Company had around 800 soldiers.
• There were 500 infantry and 300 cavalry soldiers.
• The British East India Company also had 24 artillery cannons.
• The Maratha army led by Peshwa Baji Rao II was on their way to attack the position of the British East India Company in Pune.
• On the way, this army of Marathas was challenged by 800 soldiers led by Captain Francis F. Staunton, thus leading to the Battle of Koregaon Bhima.

Battle of Bhima Koregaon – Result

• The British East India Company successfully defended and the troops of Peshwa withdrew from the battle.
• In the contemporary caste-based society, the Mahars were considered untouchable. The Battle of Bhima Koregaon attained a legendary status among the Scheduled Castes of India.
• The people of the Scheduled Caste saw this battle as a victory of Dalits over the oppression of the people from higher caste.
• In Koregaon, the British East India Company installed an obelisk or Victory Pillar to commemorate those who fought for them.
• Dalits believed this was a victory of the Mahar community against the caste injustices perpetrated by the Peshwas.

Bhima Koregaon – Significance

• On 1st January 1927, Dr B R Ambedkar visited the site of the Koregaon Victory Pillar.
• Every New Year’s Day, thousands of his followers visit the site to commemorate the visit of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.