Conflict: | Siege of Aligarh |
Partof: | the Second Anglo-Maratha War |
Date: | 1–4 September 1803 |
Place: | Aligarh, India |
Result: | British victory |
Combatant1: | British East India Company |
Combatant2: | Maratha Empire (French) |
Commander1: | |
Commander2: | |
Casualties1: | 900 |
Casualties2: | 300 |
The siege of Aligarh also known as the Battle of Aligarh was fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company during the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) at Aligarh, India.[2]
Aligarh Fort, one of the strongest forts in India, was fortified and commanded by a French mercenary officer Pierre Perron. It was laid under siege on 1 September 1803, by the British 76th Regiment, now known as the Yorkshire Regiment, under General Lord Gerard Lake. It was captured from the Marathas and French on 4 September 1803.[3] During the assault, fourteen ditches were lined with sword-blades and poisoned chevaux-de-frise around the fort by the French soldiers. The walls were reinforced with French artillery and Tigers and Lions of Scindia's menagerie were also used by the French.[3] During the battle, the British lost up to 900 soldiers.[3] The then Duke of Wellington declared the capture as "One of the most extraordinary feats of the British conquest of Northern India".[4]