Battle of Poona

The Battle of Poona, fought on 25 October 1802, was a decisive conflict within the complex political and military struggles of the Maratha Confederacy in western India. It occurred near the city of Poona (now Pune) between the forces of Yashwantrao Holkar of Indore and the combined armies of Peshwa Baji Rao II and Daulat Rao Scindia of Gwalior. Though it was essentially an internal Maratha confrontation, the battle had far-reaching consequences, paving the way for increased British intervention and the eventual decline of Maratha sovereignty.

Background

By the turn of the nineteenth century, the once-powerful Maratha Confederacy had become fragmented due to rivalries among its leading chiefs. The major factions included:

• Peshwa Baji Rao II, the nominal head of the Maratha Empire, who ruled from Poona but lacked strong political and military authority.
• Daulat Rao Scindia, the ruler of Gwalior, whose army was among the most powerful in India at the time.
• Yashwantrao Holkar, the ruler of Indore, who sought to assert his independence and avenge grievances against both the Peshwa and Scindia.

The immediate cause of the conflict was the internal dissension among Maratha leaders. Baji Rao II had earlier taken sides in the dispute between Holkar and Scindia, leading to the defeat and death of some of Holkar’s relatives in earlier engagements. Determined to restore his family’s honour and to challenge Scindia’s influence, Holkar marched towards Poona with a strong cavalry force, capturing towns along his route and establishing his authority in the region.

The Battle

The battle took place near Hadapsar, Ghorpadi, and Wanawdi, on the outskirts of Poona. Holkar’s forces numbered approximately 20,000 cavalry, supported by infantry and light artillery. The combined forces of the Peshwa and Scindia were slightly larger, comprising around 25,000 men, including European-trained artillery units.
Holkar displayed remarkable tactical acumen. He instructed his soldiers not to initiate fire until the enemy had discharged twenty-five cannon shots. This strategy allowed him to conserve ammunition and observe the enemy’s movements. Once the Scindia–Peshwa forces had fired the prescribed number of shots, Holkar ordered a swift and coordinated cavalry assault. His agile horsemen outflanked and overwhelmed the more cumbersome troops of the enemy.
The result was a decisive victory for Holkar. The combined army of Baji Rao II and Scindia was routed, and their artillery positions were captured. Baji Rao II fled the battlefield and retreated first to Sinhagad and later sought asylum with the British at Bassein (Vasai) near Bombay.

Consequences

The Battle of Poona had profound political and historical repercussions:

• Flight of the Peshwa: Baji Rao II’s defeat forced him to abandon Poona and seek British protection, undermining the autonomy of the Maratha Confederacy.
• Treaty of Bassein (1802): On 31 December 1802, the Peshwa signed this treaty with the British East India Company. He agreed to accept a British subsidiary force at his capital, cede territory to pay for its maintenance, and conduct foreign affairs only with British consent.
• Outbreak of the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805): The Treaty of Bassein alarmed other Maratha chiefs, including Scindia and the Bhonsle of Nagpur, who viewed it as a British encroachment on Maratha independence. Their opposition soon led to war against the British.
• Decline of Maratha Power: Although Holkar emerged victorious at Poona, his triumph inadvertently hastened the disintegration of Maratha unity and opened the door for British dominance in western India.

Military and Strategic Analysis

The Battle of Poona showcased the strengths and weaknesses of traditional Indian cavalry warfare in the face of modern artillery and disciplined infantry tactics. Holkar’s reliance on mobility, speed and timing proved effective against the larger but less coordinated forces of Scindia and the Peshwa. His victory demonstrated that Indian generals were still capable of employing sound strategy and field discipline without European assistance.
However, the larger strategic picture worked against the Marathas. The battle further deepened divisions among the confederacy’s leaders, each of whom pursued independent ambitions. The absence of unity meant that even decisive battlefield victories could not prevent the gradual erosion of Maratha sovereignty under the pressure of British diplomacy and military power.

Political Aftermath

Following his defeat, Baji Rao II was reinstated in Poona in 1803 under British protection. Although he regained his title as Peshwa, he became effectively a puppet ruler bound by the conditions of the Treaty of Bassein. The British now maintained a garrison in Poona, symbolising the loss of Maratha independence.
Yashwantrao Holkar’s subsequent attempts to rally the other Maratha leaders against British intervention met with limited success. By 1805, Holkar was forced into negotiations with the British, marking the decline of Maratha resistance as a unified political force.

Legacy

The Battle of Poona represents a turning point in the history of the Maratha Confederacy. Though it was not fought directly against the British, its aftermath irrevocably altered the balance of power in India. The battle indirectly enabled the British East India Company to interfere in Maratha affairs under the guise of restoring order.
It symbolised the tragic outcome of internal rivalry within the Indian states, where personal ambition and factionalism weakened collective strength against a foreign power. The event also highlights the political acumen of the British, who used diplomacy and strategic alliances to consolidate their influence without initial direct confrontation.