Victory pillar built by British Empire has always been a
great source of inspiration for Dalits. There is no huge park or a big template
at the place, still people gather around because it has special respect in
their heart. The pillar itself is a sign of the struggle that the
untouchables had to and the response is victory in itself. History of India is nothing but the struggle between
untouchables and so called upper castes.
The glorious victory of few hundred
untouchable soldiers over numerically superior Peshwas army in the battle of
Koregaon, fought on 1st January, 1818, is one such chapter in Indian history
whose significance has been carefully hidden. On that day, when
many were busy celebrating the new year, a small force of 500 mahar (an
untouchable caste in Maharashtra) soldiers in the British army were preparing
for a war against the most brutal Indian state of that times – Brahmin Peshwa
rulers of Pune, Maharashtra.
In the history books, this battle is considered an important
one and is known as second Anglo-Maratha war that resulted in the total
destruction of Peshwa kingdom and sealed the victory of British Empire in
India. However, there is a different historical dimension to this war that all
of us need to be aware of.
This war was also between the Indian untouchables (who were
condemned to live a life so miserable that you might not find any parallels in
the world history) and Brahminism (manifested through brahmin rulers from
Pune).
For mahar soldiers, this was not just another battle
but it was their battle for self-respect, dignity and against the
supremacy of Manusmriti. And these soldiers, just 500 of them, defeated the
Peshwa army of over 30,000 in just one day. Their victory against a mighty
force is perhaps unparallel in Indian history.
The Battle
The Battle of Koregaon took
place on January 1, 1818, at the bank of the river Bhima in Koregaon,
northwest of Pune, India. A small force of 500 men of the 2nd Battle for
twelve hours against a large force of 20,000 horse and 8,000 infantry of Peshwa
Leader Peshwa Baji Rao II who was threatening the British garrisons
at Kirkee and Poona.
In November 1817, Peshwas
devastated the Regency of Pune giving no scope for the British army to
retaliate successfully. The British commanding officer in Pune called the Chief
of the second Battalion-first Regiment Native Infantry for help which was
encamped in the Shirur Taluka of Pune district. This contingent, with only 500 foot
soldiers and 250 cavalry both predominantly having with Mahars defeated
the mighty Peshwa army of 8,000 foot soldiers and 20,000 cavalry.
Beside very small force
they, marched 43 Kilometres just before the night of battle, did not had food
and water but they fought the battle with bravery. The Peshwa's troops
inexplicably withdrew that evening, despite their overwhelming numbers, giving
the British an important victory. The men of the 2/1st Regiment Bombay Native
Infantry, who fought in this battle, were honored for their bravery. The
official report to the British Residents at Poona recalls the "heroic
valour and enduring fortitude" of the soldiers, the "disciplined
intrepidity" and "devoted courage and admirable consistency" of
their actions.
The battle started in the
morning and by 9 pm Peshwa troops evacuated the village. This battle had
unusual significance. First, the British army fought this battle with a
minuscule army despite expecting the worst. Secondly, the battle of Koregaon
was one of the most important events which helped tear down the Peshwa Empire
and subsequently the Peshwa had to abdicate. Thirdly and most importantly, it
was an attempt by the untouchables of Maharashtra to break the shackles of the
age-old caste order.
The battle is
commemorated by an obelisk, known as the Koregaon pillar, which featured
on the Mahar Regiment crest until Indian Independence. The monument has names
inscribed of twenty two Mahars killed there, erected at the site of the battle
and by a medal issued in 1851. Today, the monument "serves as a focal
point of Mahar heroism". Ultimately, Peshwa lost the battle and Baji
Rao was last Peshwa ruler. Historian have acknowledged this historical
event and praised Mahars for their bravery. Many sections of society glorifies
the Mahars who died in the battle, majority terms them as great hero who shown
incredible perseverance and gallantry to defeat the might Peshwa.
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