A battle between the British East India Company and the Marathas took place in 1780, for control over Malanggad. Malanggad is also known as Haji Malang Gad, which is situated near Kalyan in the Matheran hill range, in Maharashtra.
Initially, in 1780 the British aimed to conquer and secure the Island of Mumbai, as a base part of India. They wanted to secure main cities like Mahim, Sion, etc., Ghats like Bor Ghat and Kasur Ghat. They planned of disconnecting all the routes between Mumbai and Pune. Pune then was under the control of Marathas. Nana Phadnavis considerably were residing here with the forces.
Kalyan was the most favorable location, it was had two major routes which connected Pune-Khopoli and the North which has Kasara Ghat passing through. The Malanggad fort is situated right next to Kalyan and had a great view from the top. The British then planned to capture the fort.
After capturing forts and places in Panvel, Taloja, and Kalyan, now the British gained attention towards Malanggad.
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| Malanggad |
Malanggad
Malanggad fort consists of two Machis namely, "Pir Machi" and "Sone Machi", and Balekilla. The fort is very huge and one can spot the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from the top of the fort. On the other side, the whole of the Ulhasnagar and Ambernath area is visible. Also, many other hills are very prominently seen from here.
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| Old Painting of Malanggad by the British |
The Marathas and the British
The fort was under the control of Pandurang Sambhaji Ketkar. After Kalyan fell, The British awaited for months before moving towards the fort. On 4th August 1780, the British attacked the fort, Pandurang Ketkar fought bravely, but still the British managed to capture the Pir Machi. At this Machi the Dargah named Haji Malang Dargah is situated.
Pandurang Ketkar pulled back the other Machi that is Sone Machi. The Marathas decided to make a stand over this Machi. After a few span of time, 175 soldiers left the fort, as there was no enough stock of grains for all the three hundred soldiers who were present on the fort. Pandurang Ketkar continued to fight for a few months with his troop.
The Marathas managed to hold back the fort and the British were considerably damaged. The British were weekend but not dismissed. Abbington asked for help from Westphal at Kalyan. Westphal then responded by sending troops. Colonel Hartley started from Mumbai via Belapur – Taloja route. And reached the Shiravali.
Nana Phadnavis, looking at this situation decided to send Gangadhar Karlekar, Kashipant, and Anandrao Dhulap to help Pandurang Ketkar. On the other hand, Abbington now tried capturing Sone Machi and Balekilla but failed to so as Pandurang Ketkar kept fighting with his Gardi Musketeers. They managed to assault back the British and also they retreated to Pir Machi. Meanwhile, Gangadhar Karlekar managed to send all essential supplies and provisions to the Marathas.
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| Old Picture of Haji Malang Gad |
Pandurang Ketkar with his two Gardi musketeers Aziz Khan Jamadar and Abu Sheikh Jamadar kept responding to the British on their attacks.
The British Lift Their Seige
At this stage, Nana Phadnavis himself decided to step in. He reached Kalyan by Rajmachi route with his few Marathas. Col Hartley kept fighting at various places at the same time with his troops. Phadnavis kept fighting bravely with 10,000 strong army men and answered the attacks of the British.
It was being two months that the war was continued on the Malanggad fort, but the Marathas were still strong. Finally, around November 1780 the British decided to leave the fort and lifted the siege of Malanggad.
In this whole war between the Marathas and the British, the Marathas managed their supplies on the fort. Pandurang Ketkar and his Gardi Musketeers fought bravely and saved the fort from falling into the hands of the British. After the success of the 1780 war, the Ketkar family continued to be the caretaker of the fort.
