Related Topics

Inequality in India
2024 MAR   24
Space Economy
2024 FEB   27
Migrant Workers in India
2023 NOV   27
Miscellaneous
2023 NOV   5

Battle of Bhima Koregaon

2021 JUL 20

Preliminary   > Modern Indian History   >   Significant events   >   Miscellaneous

Why in news?

  • Phones of many of those arrested in Bhima Koregaon case were tracked using pegasus software, newspapers have revealed.

About the battle:

  • The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought on 1 January 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima in Maharashtra.
  • A 28,000-strong force led by Peshwa Baji Rao II was  unexpectedly met by an 800-strong Company force that was on its way to reinforce the British troops in Pune.
  • The Peshwa dispatched around 2,000 soldiers, but eventually withdrew after the Company troops defended their position for nearly 12 hours.
  • The battle was part of the Third Anglo Maratha war, a series of battles that culminated in the defeat of the Maratha empire.

Significance:

  • The troops of the company during the battle were dominated by Mahars, a dalit caste.
  • The battle attained a legendary stature for Dalits, who consider the win as a victory of the Mahars against the injustices perpetuated by the Peshwas.
  • A pillar, known as Vijay Sthamb (victory pillar), was installed by the East India Company in memory of those who fought for them in the battle.
  • It is at this pillar that thousands of Dalits come to pay respect every year on January 1.

 Bhima Koregaon case of 2018:

  •  2018 marked the 200th year of battle and hence there was a larger gathering at Bhima Koregaon as compared to previous years.
  • During the celebrations there were violent clashes between Dalit and Maratha groups, resulting in the death of at least one person and injuries to several others.
  • Police has alleged that inflammatory speeches were made in the Elgar Parishad, a big public conference organised by Dalit and Bahujan groups on December 31, 2017  and that led to the violence next day.
  • Police investigation into the incident led to the arrest of several activists who they alleged had "Maoist links" including writer and poet Varavara Rao, lawyer and activist Sudha Bhardwaj, academic and activist Vernon Gonsalves, and human rights activists Arun Ferreira and Gautam Navlakha.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding battle of Bhima Koregaon:
1.It was fought during first Anglo Maratha war.
2.The site of the battle is located in present day Maharashtra.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2 
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question