Annexation of Thana
| 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 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. On the 12th December 1774, under Brigadier General Robert Gordon. A breach in the defences 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.
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.
---External Links---
1st Maratha War Wikipedia
Categories: Wars and Campaigns | 1st Maratha War | Campaigns with FIBIS Battle Maps
