Maratha Wars : 1777 - 1805

Narayanrao Peshwa ascended the throne of Peshwa of the Maratha Empire in 1772 after the death of Madhavrao Peshwa. His uncle Raghunathrao assasinated him and became the Peshwa of Maratha Empire. Due to conflicts within the Maratha Confederacy, Raghunathrao made a treaty with Britishers to support him, but violated it and hence the First Maratha War began in 1777. Three Maratha Wars were fought between Madras Army and Princes of Maratha from 1777 to 1805. Of these, the Battle of Assaye is of prime significance in Madras Regimental History as later on the Assaye Elephant was adopted as part of the Regimental Crest.

Battle of Assaye

The Battle of e of Assaye, fought during the Second Maratha War of 1803-05, was the First of Major General Arthur Wellesley's (Later the Duke of Wellington) Great Victories. With about 7,000 troops, only 1,300 of whom were Europeans, he routed the opposing force of over 42,000 after a desperate struggle. Wellington considered this the bloodiest action, for the number of men engaged, that he ever fought.

Assaye is a small place near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. In the fierce battle between the Armies of the Marathas consisting of 42,000 soldiers and the Madras Presidency under Lord Wellesley consisting of 5000 Infantry and 2000 cavalry, the valiant Thambis captured the fort of Assaye against stiff resistance and overwhelming cannon fire. Heavy casualties were inflicted on both sides with 428 killed, 1108 wounded and 18 missing from own side and 1200 killed and 4800 wounded on the opposing side.