The Battle of Bhima Koregaon took place on January 1, 1818, near the village of Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra, India
It was a significant conflict between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy
The British forces, comprising around 800 troops, were primarily made up of the Mahar community, who were considered untouchable at the time
They faced a numerically superior force of around 28,000 troops led by Peshwa Baji Rao II's army
Despite the odds, the British forces held their ground for nearly 12 hours, displaying resilience and tactical acumen
The battle was part of the larger Third Anglo-Maratha War, which eventually led to the downfall of the Maratha Empire and the consolidation of British rule in India
The victory by the small British force, significantly composed of the Dalits, is seen as a symbol of assertiveness and resistance against caste oppression
Every year on January 1, thousands gather at the Bhima Koregaon Victory Pillar, erected by the British in memory of the soldiers, to commemorate the battle
The commemoration has, at times, been a flashpoint for caste tensions, highlighting the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of the battle