Difference between revisions of "Annexation of Thana"

From FIBIwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 25: Line 25:
 
This was an event during the [[1st Maratha War]].
 
This was an event during the [[1st Maratha War]].
  
The [[East India Company]] appointed Thomas Mostyn as envoy to the Peshwa’s court in [[Poona]] 1st April 1772, the aim was to curry favour and to prevent other colonial countries gaining access to [[Bombay]]’s Harbour, and the surrounding waterways. The real intention was to get possession of Salsette Island and the [[Bassein]] port from the [[Maratha]]s  
+
The [[East India Company]] appointed Thomas Mostyn as envoy to the Peshwa’s court in [[Poona]] 1st April 1772, the aim was to curry favour and to prevent other colonial countries gaining access to [[Bombay]]’s Harbour, and the surrounding waterways. The real intention was to get possession of Salsette Island and the [[Bassein]] port from the [[Maratha]]s
Urged by the news that a fleet had left Portugal to recover Salsette and Bassein, determined to gain possession of [[Thane]].  
+
Mostyn's  negotiations for the cession of Thana were rejected.  
  
Mostyn's  negotiations for the cession of Thana were rejected. On the 12th December 1774, under Brigadier General Robert Gordon, a breach in the defences was made on the 24th, on the 17th an attempt to fill the ditch was repulsed with the loss of 100 Europeans. But on the evening of the 28th the fort was carried by assault, and the greater part of the garrison were put to the sword.  
+
Urged by the news that a fleet had left Portugal to recover Salsette and Bassein, including possession of [[Thana]]. This would have left the [[Bombay]] isthmus isolated from the mainland of India. An assult was made on Thana Fort under Brigadier General Robert Gordon, on the 12th December 1774. On the 17th an attempt to fill the ditch was repulsed with the loss of 100 Europeans, a breach in the defences was made on the 24th, but it was not until the evening of the 28th the fort was taken, and the greater part of the garrison were put to the sword.  
  
 
During the siege Commodore Watson, who was in command of the naval force, was mortally wounded by particles of sand driven into his body by a cannon shot, which stuck the ground close to him.
 
During the siege Commodore Watson, who was in command of the naval force, was mortally wounded by particles of sand driven into his body by a cannon shot, which stuck the ground close to him.
Line 36: Line 36:
 
---External Links---
 
---External Links---
  
1st Maratha War Wikipedia
+
 
 +
 
 +
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Maratha_War  1st Maratha War Wikipedia]
 
*[http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=sbMFCZyAcnQC&pg=PA1010&lpg=PA1010&dq=Dictionary+of+Battles+And+Sieges:+A+Guide+to+8,500+Battles+from+Antiquity+Thana&source=bl&ots=kG21j49Teb&sig=qSl7QOwnZGyMR27S5j0KXnL6M2I&hl=en&ei=JfAwTKC6OcSJnQeehvmJBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false  Battle Report]
 
*[http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=sbMFCZyAcnQC&pg=PA1010&lpg=PA1010&dq=Dictionary+of+Battles+And+Sieges:+A+Guide+to+8,500+Battles+from+Antiquity+Thana&source=bl&ots=kG21j49Teb&sig=qSl7QOwnZGyMR27S5j0KXnL6M2I&hl=en&ei=JfAwTKC6OcSJnQeehvmJBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false  Battle Report]
 
*[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UWooAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA302&dq=A+history+of+the+Mahrattas,+Volume+2&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false    History of the Marathas Google Books p198]
 
*[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UWooAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA302&dq=A+history+of+the+Mahrattas,+Volume+2&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false    History of the Marathas Google Books p198]

Revision as of 20:20, 6 July 2010

Annexation of Thana
Part of 1st Maratha War
Date: 12th - 28th December 1774
Location: Thana, Island of Salsette, Maharashtra
Presidency: Bombay
Co-ordinates: 19 12', 72 59'
Result: British capture Salsette Island and gain full control of Bombay Harbour and the surrounding waterways
Combatants
East India Company Maratha Empire
Commanders
Brigadier General Robert Gordon (land forces), Commodore Watson (naval forces) Anand Roa Ram Bivakalar
Strength
620 European, 1,000 sepoys and 200 gun lascars Garrison forces
Casualties
100 Europeans plus native soldiers garrison forces were put to the sword


Siege of Thana Fort 1774


This was an event during the 1st Maratha War.

The East India Company appointed Thomas Mostyn as envoy to the Peshwa’s court in Poona 1st April 1772, the aim was to curry favour and to prevent other colonial countries gaining access to Bombay’s Harbour, and the surrounding waterways. The real intention was to get possession of Salsette Island and the Bassein port from the Marathas. Mostyn's negotiations for the cession of Thana were rejected.

Urged by the news that a fleet had left Portugal to recover Salsette and Bassein, including possession of Thana. This would have left the Bombay isthmus isolated from the mainland of India. An assult was made on Thana Fort under Brigadier General Robert Gordon, on the 12th December 1774. On the 17th an attempt to fill the ditch was repulsed with the loss of 100 Europeans, a breach in the defences was made on the 24th, but it was not until the evening of the 28th the fort was taken, and the greater part of the garrison were put to the sword.

During the siege Commodore Watson, who was in command of the naval force, was mortally wounded by particles of sand driven into his body by a cannon shot, which stuck the ground close to him.

Thana fort is geometric with strong earthwork revetments radiating from the core. Seen from above, the defences are still visible. Thana Fort

---External Links---




Categories: Wars and Campaigns | 1st Maratha War | Campaigns with FIBIS Battle Maps