Siege of Bharatpur (1805) explained

Conflict:Siege of Bharatpur
Partof:Second Anglo-Maratha War
Date:2 January – 22 February 1805
Place:Bharatpur
Map Type:India Rajasthan#India
Map Relief:yes
Map Label:Bharatpur
Result:Jat-Maratha victory
Combatant1: Bharatpur State
Maratha Empire
Combatant2: East India Company
Commander1: Ranjit Singh
Yashwantrao Holkar
Commander2: Gerard Lake
Strength1:10,000
Strength2:18,000
Casualties1:Unknown, but less
Casualties2:3,292 Casualties

The siege of Bharatpur took place between 2 January and 22 February 1805 in the Indian Princely state of Bharatpur (now part of Rajasthan), during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Forces of the British East India Company, led by General Gerard Lake, were four times repulsed in attempts to storm the fortress.[1]

Background

The Ruler of Bharatpur, Ranjit Singh had promised to join the British but instead formed an alliance with the Ruler of Indore Yashwantrao Holkar, who was allied to the Maratha Empire. Holkar suffered setbacks with the British at the Battle of Deeg and the siege of Deeg. However, Ranjit Singh "came out openly on Holkar's side after the defeat of Monson." Lake arrived at the Bharatpur fort on 2 January 1805.

Siege

The British bombardment started on 7 January, 1805, and a breach was effected on 9 January. The first British assault took place that night, led by Col. Ryan, Maj. Hawkes and Lt. Col. Maitland. The assault failed with 400 British casualties, including Maitland being mortally wounded. A second attack on 16 January was also thrown back, after the Marathas added water to their moat. British casualties were 500, including the assault leader, Lt. Col. MacRoy. However, Lake continued to receive supplies and reinforcements, including Maj. Gen. R. Jones force of 1600. This helped Lake deal with Amir Khan, Holkar's general, who was raiding Bundelkhand. A third assault on 20 February also failed, as did a fourth assault the next day. British casualties for all four assaults were 3,292. "The worst part of it was that many of the wounded were left behind where they had fallen. The defenders sallied out from the fort and killed them."[2]

Aftermath

Ranjit Singh decided to accept the British offer, and paid the British an indemnity, which allowed him to retain all his possessions, including Deeg. Caught between three British armies, led by Lake, Gen. Jones and Col. Ball, Holkar sent emissaries to Lake. A treaty was signed on 24 December 1805, in which he gave up any claim to Tonk, Rampura, and Bundi.

References

Bibliography

27.2199°N 77.4954°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Siege of Bharatpur, 1805. 16 May 2023 .
  2. Book: Russell, Robert . Provincial Series. Superintendent of Gevernment Printing. 1908. 325.