Battle of Aligarh | |||||||
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Part of the Second Anglo-Maratha War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
British East India Company | Maratha Confederacy | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
General Lake | Pierre Cuillier-Perron | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
900 | ? |
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The Battle of Aligarh pronounced by British Colonialists as Battle of Ally Ghur was fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company during the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) at Aligarh, India.
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 Duke of Wellington's Regiment, under General Lord Gerard Lake. It was captured from the Marathas on 4 September 1803.[1] During the assault, fourteen ditches were lined with sword-blades and poisoned chevaux-de-frise around the fort by the French. The walls were reinforced with French artillery and tigers and lions of Scindia’s menagerie were also used by the French.[1] During the battle, the British lost as many as 900 soldiers.[1] The then Duke of Wellington declared the capture as "One of the most extraordinary feats".[2]