Second Battle of Katwa

The Second Battle of Katwa occurred between the Bengal and Maratha Empire in December 1745. After the defeats of the Marathas in the first four invasions of Bengal (see Maratha invasions of Bengal), the Maratha General and ruler of Nagpur, Raghuji Bhonsle again invaded the territory of Bengal. Bhonsle, with 20,000 horsemen attacked the civilians of Murshidabad and moved onwards to Katwa.[2] However he was repeatedly ambushed by peasant guerillas and militias in Birbhum and near Durgapur, and thus his column was thinned considerably. The Marathas met Alivardi Khan's army in Katwa where the battle started. During the battle, most of the Marathas were slaughtered and the remaining Maratha soldiers under Raghuji Bhonsle retreated from Katwa. The Marathas then retreated towards Medinipur. The battle was a victory for Alivardi Khan who had once again ousted the Marathas from East Bengal. After this battle, Alivardi Khan was known in Bengal as "Maratha-khuni" which translates to "Maratha-killer" in Bengali.[1]

Second Battle of Katwa
Part of Fifth Maratha invasion of Bengal
DateDecember 1745[1]
Location
Katwa
Result

Bengal victory[1]

Belligerents

Bengal Subah

Maratha Empire

  • Nagpur State
Commanders and leaders
Alivardi Khan Raghuji Bhonsale
Sheshrao Pant
Strength
2,500 cavalry 20,000 cavalry 400 musketeers 12000 foot soilder
Casualties and losses
unknown unknown

See also

References
  1. ড. মুহম্মদ আব্দুর রহিম. বাংলাদেশের ইতিহাস. আলীবর্দী ও মারাঠা আক্রমণ. পৃ. ২৯৬.
  2. Jacques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Press. p. 516. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.


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