Draft:Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut

Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut
Part of Third Battle of Panipat
Date1760A.D.
Location28°59′N 77°43′E / 28.98°N 77.71°E / 28.98; 77.71
Result Durrani Victory[1][2]
Territorial
changes
No Territorial Changes
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
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut is located in Uttar Pradesh
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut
Location within Uttar Pradesh
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut is located in India
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut (India)
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut is located in South Asia
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut
Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut (South Asia)

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

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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

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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

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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]

  1. ^ Kadam, Vasant S. (1993). Maratha confederacy. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 68. ISBN 9788121505703.
  2. ^ Joglekar, Jaywant (2006). Decisive Battles India Lost (326 B. C. to 1803 A. D.). Lulucom. pp. 90–91. ISBN 9781847283023.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Andhare, B. R. (1984). Bundelkhand Under the Marathas, 1720-1818 A.D.: A Study of Maratha-Bundela Relations. Vishwa Bharati Prakashan. p. 119.
  5. ^ a b Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal (1966). The Mughal Empire, 1526-1803 A.D. S. L. Agarwala. pp. 476–477.
  6. ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. p. 230.
  7. ^ The Cavalry Journal. 1932. p. 62.
  8. ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. pp. 229–230.
  9. ^ Barua, Pradeep (2005-01-01). The State at War in South Asia. U of Nebraska Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-8032-1344-9.
  10. ^ Sainik Samachar. Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence. 1965. p. 23.
  11. ^ Haryana State Gazetteer. Haryana Gazetteers Organisation, Revenue Department. 2001. pp. 229–231.
  12. ^ 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.