Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut | |||||||||
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Part of Third Battle of Panipat | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Durrani Empire | Maratha Empire | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Atai Khan | Govind Pant Bundele † | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
10000 Cavalry | 10000 Cavalry | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
Unknown |
2000 Maratha Soldiers Killed 20000 Marathas were slain at the camp | ||||||||
The Atai Khan's attack Meerut was a military Skirmish initiated by Emperor Ahmed Shah Durrani in an attempt to capture Govind Pant Bundele, who had taken refuge in Meerut.[3][4]Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali dispatched Atai Khan with a small army of Afghans to Meerut. Govind Pant Bundele was ready to face the Afghan forces with his light cavalry of ten thousand soldiers. A fierce battle ensued between the two adversaries in Meerut.
Background[edit]
On the afternoon of October 26th, a significant battle erupted in Samalkha[3]. The Afghan forces were under the direct command of the emperor, while the Marathas were led by Govind Pant Bundele.[5]The Afghans gained victory in the battle, prompting Govind Pant Bundele to be executed.[3] After the confrontation, Govind Pant Bundele sought refuge in Meerut.[3] Subsequently, the emperor deployed Atai Khan, along with the elite cavalry, to apprehend Govind Pant Bundele in Meerut.[3][6]
The Battle[edit]
In later encounters, Govind Pant Bundele, together with 10,000 informally trained cavalry who were not officially enlisted as soldiers, was involved in a foraging mission with around 500 men.[5] They were ambushed by an Afghan force near Meerut, resulting in a clash in which Govind Pant Bundele was killed by Atai Khan.[7][8] This was further aggravated by the loss of a detachment of 2,000 Maratha troops who had left Delhi on a mission to transport funds and provisions to Panipat.[9][10]
Aftermath[edit]
The passing of Govind Pant Bundele greatly distressed Sadashiv Rao Bhau.[11] He mourned the loss of around 22000 inhabitants within the Maratha empire.[3] Subsequently, the Maratha armies confronted Afghan forces at the battlefield of Panipat, resulting in a historical defeat.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ Kadam, Vasant S. (1993). Maratha confederacy. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 68. ISBN 9788121505703.
- ^ Joglekar, Jaywant (2006). Decisive Battles India Lost (326 B. C. to 1803 A. D.). Lulucom. pp. 90–91. ISBN 9781847283023.
- ^ a b c d e f Barua, Pradeep (2005-01-01). The State at War in South Asia. U of Nebraska Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-8032-1344-9.
- ^ Andhare, B. R. (1984). Bundelkhand Under the Marathas, 1720-1818 A.D.: A Study of Maratha-Bundela Relations. Vishwa Bharati Prakashan. p. 119.
- ^ a b Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal (1966). The Mughal Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. pp. 476–477.
- ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. p. 230.
- ^ The Cavalry Journal. 1932. p. 62.
- ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. pp. 229–230.
- ^ Barua, Pradeep (2005-01-01). The State at War in South Asia. U of Nebraska Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-8032-1344-9.
- ^ Sainik Samachar. Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence. 1965. p. 23.
- ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. pp. 229–231.
- ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005-01-01). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.