| Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Third Battle of Panipat | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Durrani Empire |  Maratha Empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Atai Khan | Govind Pant Bundele † | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 10000 Cavalry | 10000 Cavalry | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | 2000 Maratha Soldiers Killed 20000 Marathas were slain at the camp | ||||||||
  Location within Uttar Pradesh  Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut (India)  Atai Khan's Attack on Meerut (South Asia) | |||||||||
The Atai Khan's attack Meerut was a military Skirmish initiated by Emperor Ahmed Shah Durrani in an attempt to capture Govind Pant Bundele, who had taken refuge in Meerut.[3][4]Emperor Ahmad Shah Abdali dispatched Atai Khan with a small army of Afghans to Meerut. Govind Pant Bundele was ready to face the Afghan forces with his light cavalry of ten thousand soldiers. A fierce battle ensued between the two adversaries in Meerut.
Background
On the afternoon of October 26th, a significant battle erupted in Samalkha[3]. The Afghan forces were under the direct command of the emperor, while the Marathas were led by Govind Pant Bundele.[5]The Afghans gained victory in the battle, prompting Govind Pant Bundele to be executed.[3] After the confrontation, Govind Pant Bundele sought refuge in Meerut.[3] Subsequently, the emperor deployed Atai Khan, along with the elite cavalry, to apprehend Govind Pant Bundele in Meerut.[3][6]
The Battle
In later encounters, Govind Pant Bundele, together with 10,000 informally trained cavalry who were not officially enlisted as soldiers, was involved in a foraging mission with around 500 men.[5] They were ambushed by an Afghan force near Meerut, resulting in a clash in which Govind Pant Bundele was killed by Atai Khan.[7][8] This was further aggravated by the loss of a detachment of 2,000 Maratha troops who had left Delhi on a mission to transport funds and provisions to Panipat.[9][10]
Aftermath
The passing of Govind Pant Bundele greatly distressed Sadashiv Rao Bhau.[11] He mourned the loss of around 22000 inhabitants within the Maratha empire.[3] Subsequently, the Maratha armies confronted Afghan forces at the battlefield of Panipat, resulting in a historical defeat.[12]