Battle of Rani Sarai

The confrontation between the subahdar of Bengal Subah and the allied forces of Afghans and Marathas in 1748 is known as the Battle of Rani Sarai^[4] or Battle of Kaladiara.^[3]

Battle of Rani Sarai
Part of Maratha Invasions of Bengal
Date 1748 A.D. Location Rani Sarai, Bihar Result Bengal Victory[1][2]
Belligerents
Bengal Subah	Maratha Empire Nagpur State Afghans Of Bihar
Commanders and leaders
Alivardi Khan Siraj-ud-daulah Bahadur Ali Khan Haider Ali Khan Mir Qasim Shaikh Din Mohd. Fakirullah Beg Nurullah Beg Dost Mohd.Khan	Janoji Bhonsle Mir Habib Hiyat Khan Mir Habibullah Khan Murad Sher Khan † Shamshir Khan † Sardar Khan †
Strength
15000 Cavalry 8000 Infantry Total:-23000 Army	12000-30000 Marathas 35000 Afghans Total:- 47000-65000 Cavalry[3]

Background

On April 16th, 1748, the Nawab of Bengal Subah, Alivardi Khan moved towards the village of Rani-Sarai, located eight miles west of Barh, and arranged his troops on the plain. His large artillery was placed at the front, followed by the lighter pieces, and then the cavalry and infantry of the vanguard in the rear. As was customary, the Nawab positioned himself in the center of the formation.^[5]

Battle

In 1748 A.D., Janoji Bhonsle and Mir Habib enlisted in the army of Afghans at Rani Sarai to fight against Alivardi Khan.^[5] The Afghans had also organized their army in the typical manner of that era. However, they cleverly utilized the terrain by implementing a new strategy. Their forces stretched out in a long line of over two miles from Rani Sarai to Kaladiara in the west. The left wing, led by Hayat Khan and equipped with large cannons, extended across a small stream that flowed into the Ganges. They were instructed to target the Nawab Alivardi Khan's right wing when it approached their position. In the distance on the left, the Marathas could be spotted, poised to loot from whichever side. Disregarding the Maratha light horse as insignificant and identifying the Afghans as his primary foes, the Nawab Alivardi Khan boldly advanced towards their assembled ranks.^[6] The battle commenced with a thunderous exchange of artillery fire, in which Alivardi Khan held a clear advantage due to the Afghans having abandoned many of their heavy guns at a ford four miles to the east the day prior. The initial cannon fire resulted in the death of Sardar Khan, a commander of a significant portion of the rebel force, his demise sending shockwaves through his troops. While Nawab Alivardi Khan's young captains were eager to charge the enemy immediately, the veteran commander urged caution, allowing his musketeers to inflict damage first. The musketeers unleashed volleys upon the densely packed enemy ranks on the sandbank, shrouding the once bright day in smoke.^[5]

Observing the enemy forces faltering, the Nawab Alivardi Khan ordered two officers to launch an attack, but their response was delayed. Seizing this moment of confusion, the Marathas and Mir Habib's Afghans launched an assault on the Nawab's baggage from the rear, advancing towards the center with a throng of servants in tow. Unperturbed by this new threat, the Nawab Alivardi Khan focused on directing his vanguard to confront the main Afghan army head-on, leading the charge from his elephant with his guards and victory music serenading their advance. The generals, eager to prove themselves, urged their elephants into the thick of the enemy's ranks. The battle intensified along the entire front, marked by instances of prominent figures falling in combat and gruesome beheadings as chaos reigned.^[7][5]

The Afghan army, now in disarray, broke and retreated, while the Marathas discreetly fled from the battlefield, having played no significant role in the conflict.^[8][9][10]

Aftermath

Alivardi Khan's forces seized the deserted enemy camp before marching to Baikunthpur, where they rested briefly before triumphantly entering Patna, where the news of the victory was welcome.^[6][11]

References

1. A Comprehensive History of India: 1712-1772, edited by A. C. Banerjee and D. K. Ghase. People's Publishing House. 1978. p. 187. Janoji and Mir Habib joined the Afghan insurgents near Patna. But the allied troops were defeated by the nawab at Ranisarai
2. Bengal Nawābs, Containing Āzād-āl-Husaini's Naubahār-i-Murshid Quli Khāni, Karam ʻAli's Muzaffarnamah, and Yusuf ʻAli's Āhwāl-i-Mahābat Jang. Asiatic Society. 1985. pp. 133–135.
3. Roy, Kaushik (2009). The Oxford Companion to Modern Warfare in India: From the Eighteenth Century to Present Times. Oxford University Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-19-569888-6.
4. Sehgal, Prabha (1992). Political History of Modern and Medieval India in the 18th Century: A Study of Inter-state Relations, Wars and Diplomacy. Sanjay Prakashan. p. 56.
5. Mishra, Shree Govind (1970). History of Bihar, 1740-1772. Munshiram Manoharlal. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-81-215-0382-2.
6. The Journal of the Bihar Research Society. Bihar Research Society. 1977. pp. 315–317.
7. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1948). The History of Bengal ... University of Dacca. p. 465.
8. Gadre, Prabhakar (1994). Bhosle of Nagpur and East India Company. Publication Scheme. p. 9. ISBN 978-81-85263-65-6.
9. Sarkar, Jadunath (1991). Fall Of The Mughal Empire- Vol. I (4Th Edn.). Orient Longman. pp. 73–75. ISBN 978-81-250-1149-1.
10. Sarkar, Jagadish Narayan (1976). A Study of Eighteenth Century India: Political history, 1707-1761. Saraswat Library. p. 422.
11. Journal of Historical Research. Department of History, Ranchi University. 1989. p. 60.