Osprey Campaign 166 : Assaye 1803 : Wellington's 'Bloodiest' Battle

Wellington said that of all his battles Assaye, fought during the Second Mahratta War (1803-05) in central India, was 'the bloodiest for the numbers that I ever saw'. A small British force, under Major-General the Honourable Arthur Wellesley (as Wellington was then known), crossed into Mahratta territory in March 1803 to restore the Peshwa to his throne; by force if necessary. On September 23, 1803, Wellesley encountered what turned out to be the entire Mahratta army in a strong position on the banks of the Kailna River. The battle, which lasted four hours, witnessed costly infantry and cavalry assaults, but was won by the steadiness of Wellesley's troops and his inspiring leadership. Text by Simon Millar with illustrations by Peter Dennis.

Contents

• The Origins of the Campaign
• Chronology
• Opposing Commanders
• Opposing Armies
• The Road to War
• The Campaign of Assaye
• The Battle of Assaye
• The Aftermath of the Battle
• The Battlefield Today
• Bibliography and Further Reading
• Index