The Battle of Sitabaldi—26th and 27th November, 1817

Summary

This study recounts the events surrounding the Battle of Sitabaldi, fought near Nagpur on 26–27 November 1817 during the Third Anglo‑Maratha War. The narrative begins with the death of Raghuji II Bhonsle of Nagpur in March 1816 and the succession of his adopted son, Appa Sahib (Mudhoji II). Despite formally confirming the subsidiary alliance with the British, Appa Sahib was dissatisfied with Company interference and began corresponding with the Peshwa and other Maratha chiefs with the aim of uniting against the English. The author examines the tensions between Appa Sahib and the Resident, Richard Jenkins, particularly Appa’s desire to assume the prestigious title “Sena Sahib Subha” and the Resident’s refusal to attend the ceremony. By late 1817, Appa Sahib’s preparations for rebellion, including the collection of troops and negotiation with other Maratha rulers, alarmed the Resident. When the Peshwa Baji Rao II attacked the British at Pune, Appa Sahib decided to seize the opportunity to expel the British forces stationed at Sitabaldi Hill near Nagpur. The article describes the dispositions of the small British detachment commanded by Captain Fitzgerald and Major Pittman. On 26 November the Maratha army launched a determined assault, initially overwhelming some of the British positions. However, resolute defence, a timely counter‑attack by a reserve under Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, and the discipline of the sepoys enabled the British to repel repeated attacks throughout the night. The author notes the bravery of individual officers and men, including the defence of the hill with bayonet charges and the use of artillery. The battle resumed on 27 November with renewed Maratha attacks. Despite suffering heavy casualties, British forces maintained control of the hill. The sudden arrival of reinforcements from Captain Ford’s column tipped the balance, causing Appa Sahib’s forces to lose heart and retreat. The author concludes with the aftermath: Appa Sahib sued for peace but soon renewed intrigues, leading to his deposition and replacement by another regent. The Battle of Sitabaldi is presented as a turning point that demonstrated British military resilience and undermined the Maratha confederacy’s capacity to resist. The study draws on official reports and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the battle’s chronology and emphasises how a small but well‑led force withstood a much larger Maratha army.