भिमा कोरेगाव की लडाई

Battle of Koregaon

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Battle of Koregaon
Part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War
Bhima Koregaon Victory Pillar
Date 1 January 1818 Location Koregaon, near Pune in Maharashtra State, India Result Decisive British victory
Belligerents
British East India Company	Maratha Empire
Commanders and leaders
Capt. F. F. Staunton	Peshwa Baji Rao II
Strength
500 Infantry of the 2nd Battalion 1st Regiment of the Bombay Native Light Infantry along with 250 cavalry and 24 cannons, all mostly Mahars	20,000 cavalry and 8,000 soldiers of the Maratha Army
Casualties and losses
22 soldiers killed	Unknown

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 Battalion 1st Regiment of the Bombay Native Light Infantry (mostly Mahars) under the command of Capt. F. F. Staunton fought continuously without rest or respite, food or water ^[1] for twelve hours against a large force of 20,000 horse and 8,000 infantry of Maratha 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.
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.^[1]
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.^[1]
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".^[1] 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.

आप भी विकिपीडिया में सम्पादन कर योगदान दे सकते है लीजिये विकि स्वशिक्षा

भिमा कोरेगाव की लडाई

http://hi.wikipedia.org/s/uxb

मुक्त ज्ञानकोष विकिपीडिया से

यहाँ जाएँ: भ्रमण, खोज

भिमा कोरेगाव की लडाई सन १ जनवरी १९१८ इसवी मे पुना स्थित कोरेगाव मे भिमा नदी के पास हुई । 1 जनवरी 1818 को भीमा नदी के किनारे कोरेगाव, उतरी पूर्वी पुणे में लड़ी गई थी । यह लड़ाई अंग्रेजो और पेशवा के बिच लड़ी गई थी । अंग्रेजो के तरफ 500 लडाके जिसमे 450 महार (अछूत ) थे और पेशवा बाजीराव-II के 28000 सैनिक थे । मात्र 500 अछूतो ने पेशवा की शक्तिशाली फौज को हरा दिया । सैनिको को उनकी वीरता और सहस की लिए सम्मानित किया गया ।
ब्रिटिश रेजिडेंट की अधिकारिक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार इसे नायकत्व वाला कर्त्य कहा गया और सैनिको के अनुशासित और समर्पित साहस और स्थिरता की तारीफ की गई । यह युद्ध बहुत ही महत्त्व का था । प्रथम अंग्रेजो की छोटी सी टुकड़ी ने पेशवा को हरा दिया जिसने पेशवा साम्राज्य का सफाया करने में मदद की । दूसरा अछूत महारो को अपनी वीरता दिखा जाती बंधन को तोड़ने का मौका ^[1] ।

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1st January, 1818:
‘The Battle Of Bhima Koregaon’

By Pardeep Singh Attri

01 January, 2010
Countercurrents.org

“If we wish to be free, we must fight. Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
– Patrick Henry (March, 1775)

History of India is nothing but the fight/struggle between untouchables and so called upper castes. Historians those are ought to be rationalist, have always misled masses and never showed the true face of Indian History. Hence, this battle has also been lost into history and no reference is found in any history book.

January 1st 1818, when everyone around the world was busy in celebrating the ‘new year’, when everyone was in cheerful mood, but not for a small force of 500 untouchable soldiers were preparing them to for battleground. Who knows this battle is going to write future of ‘Brahmin Peshwa Baji Rao-II’? It wasn’t just another battle; it was a battle for self respect, esteem and against the supremacy of Manusmriti. This battle is important in history, as everyone know that after this battle rule of ‘Peshwa Rao’ ended.

In the early 19th century, the Maratha Empire led by Peshwa Baji Rao II was gradually diminishing due to internal dissents and setbacks in the previous Anglo-Maratha wars. Maharashtrian society under Peshwas had followed nastiest kind of social discrimination wherein the lower strata of society such as untouchables were confined to the stringent Brahmanical laws and subsequently their mobility and development were impaired. The untouchables had suffered the most in the 2000 year old caste system. But regimes such as of the Brahmincal Peshwas are the best examples where untouchables and the lower caste groups experienced horrendous and nastiest form of social humiliations to carry broom sticks on their backs and earthen pots hung on their necks wherein they released their spit.

This battle took place on January 1st, 1818, near the banks of Bhima River in Koregaon (north-west of Pune) between small forces of ‘500 untouchables’ (Mahars) soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 1st regiment of ‘Bombay Native Light Infantry’ and Peshwa soldiers. ‘Bombay Native Light Infantry’ was headed by ‘Caption Francis Staunton’. Compared to the ‘500 untouchables soldiers’ Brahmin Peshwa Rao’s force was large in numbers, they were more than 20,000 horsemen and 8,000 infantry soldiers. After walking down more than 27Miles distance from Shirur to Bhima Koregaon without rest or reprieve, without food or water ‘500 untouchables’ fought so bravely for 12 hours and won the battle. Battle ended not only with ‘victory’ over Peshwa but it become responsible for the end of ‘Peshwai’ in Maharashtra.

This battle had unusual significance for many reasons. First, British army fought this battle with a minuscule army expecting the worst, especially after their experience of the Pune Regency. 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 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.

Much praise was showered on the Mahar Sepoys of the Bombay Army who endured the rigours of difficult marches when rations were low and disease was high among men and animals. Whether they were charging ahead or were besieged or taken prisoner-of-war, whether they were storming fortresses or making tactical withdrawals, they always stood steadfast by their officers and comrades, never letting down the honour of their Regiments. Similar anecdotes are recorded in the written histories of the Mahar Regiment and Bombay Army. All demonstrate that most Mahars soldiers were dedicated and courageous.

This Battle was commemorated by an obelisk, known as the Koregaon Pillar (Vijay Stambh), which featured on the ‘Mahar Regiment’ crest until Indian Independence. The ‘Vijay Stambh’ reminds us ‘together we can achieve anything’. The monument has names inscribed of twenty two untouchables (Mahars) killed there, erected at the site of the battle and by a medal issued in 1851. Today, the monument still "serves as focal point of Untouchable (Mahar) heroism". Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar used to visit Bhima Koregaon (Shaurya Bhomi) every year on 1st January to pay homage to great Mahar soldiers of The Bhima Koregaon Battle.

On New Year eve, rather than visiting pubs, dancing and enjoying over beer bottles, pay rich tribute to the heroes of ‘Battle’. This all will show respect, our commitment, courage and awareness towards our rich history. One step ahead we can suggest or request all of you that in remembrance of untouchable soldier who fought and died for self respect and esteem in ‘Bhima Koregaon Battle’ over the haughty, superior and arrogant ‘Savarnas’.

For Further References Read:

1. ‘The Mahar Movement’s Military Component’ at
http://www.ambedkar.org/research/
The%20Mahar%20Movement.htm

http://asnic.utexas.edu/asnic/sagar
/spring.1994/richard.white.art.html

2. ‘Battle of Bhima Koregaon’ at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Koregaon

3. ‘Dalit Questions’ at
http://dalitperspectivejnu.blogspot.com/2008/01/
celebrating-190th-anniversary-of-dalit.html

4. ‘Mahar Regiment’ at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahar_Regiment

5. Postal Ticket on Mahar Regiment at
http://www.indiapicks.com/stamps/
Forces/1024_Mahar_Regt.htm 

Tarsem Singh Bains ‘भीमा नदी’ के तट पर बसा, गाँव ‘भीमा – कोरेगांव’, पुणे ( महाराष्ट्र )/
01 जनवरी 1818 का ‘ठंडा’ दिन, दो ‘सेनाएं’, आमने - सामने /
28000 सैनिकों सहित ‘पेशवा बाजीराव – ( II ) 2’, के विरूद्ध ‘बॉम्बे नेटिव लाइट इन्फेंट्री’ के 500 ‘महार’ सैनिक ///
‘ब्राह्मण’ राज बचाने की फिराक में ‘पेशवा’, तथा दूसरी ओर ‘पेशवाओं’ के, पशुवत ‘अत्याचारों’ से ‘बदला’ चुकाने की ‘फिराक’ में, गुस्से से तमतमाए “ महार “ //
घमासान ‘युद्ध’ और ‘ब्रह्मा’ के मुँह से ‘जनित’ ( पैदा हुए ) ‘पेशवा’ की शर्मनाक ‘पराजय’ |
सब से पहले उन, 500 ‘महार’ ( पूर्वजों ) को ‘नमन’ करो ... क्यों ... ??
1 ) उस ‘हार’ के बाद, ‘पेशवाई’ खतम हो गयी थी |
2 ) ‘अंग्रेजो’ को इस भारत देश की, ‘सत्ता’ मिली |
3 ) ‘अंग्रेजो’ ने इस भारत देश में, ‘शिक्षण’ का प्रचार किया, जो ‘हजारो’ सालों से, ‘बहुजन’ समाज के लिए ‘बंद’ था |
4 ) ‘महात्मा फुले’ पढ़ पाए, और इस देश की जातीयता ‘समज’ पाऐ |
5 ) अगर ‘महात्मा फुले’ न पढ़ पाते, तो ‘शिवाजी महाराज’ की ‘समाधी’ कोण ‘ढूँढ’ निकलते |
6 ) अगर ‘महात्मा फुले’ न ‘पढ़’ पाते, तो ‘सावित्री बाई’ कभी इस देश की प्रथम ‘महिला शिक्षिका’ न बन सकती थी |
7 ) अगर ‘सावित्री बाई’, न ‘पढ़’ पाई होती तो, इस देश की ‘महिला’ कभी न पढ़ पाती |
8 ) ‘शाहू महाराज’, ‘आरक्षण’ कभी न दे पाते |
9 ) ‘डॉ. बाबा साहब’, कभी न ‘पढ़’ पाते |
10 ) अगर 1 जनवरी, 1818 को, 500 ‘महार’ सैनिकों ने 28,000 ‘ब्राम्हण’ ( पेशवाओं ) को, मार न डाला होता तो ... !!! आज हम लोग कहा पे रहते ... ??

Keep in mind, Never forget the history of our ‘Forefathers’ ...!!! If today, YOU forget the ‘History’, then coming generations will also forget the ‘History’ ... !!!



……… AND ……..
‘Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar’, used to pay tributes to 500 ‘Mahars’ ( Forefathers ) on the ‘1st Janaury’ of every year ... !!! ……….. By :--> Manish Gangurde