ASI to Excavate 1817 Battle of Khadki Site: Unearthing the Tactics of the Third Anglo-Maratha War

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced a significant project to excavate the Khadki battlefield near Pune, a site central to the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818). This move represents a rare foray into 'battlefield archaeology' in India, focusing on a conflict that fundamentally altered the subcontinent's political landscape. The Battle of Khadki, fought on November 5, 1817, saw the forces of Peshwa Baji Rao II clash with the British East India Company, leading to a decisive British victory and the eventual dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy. The primary objective of the excavation is to recover military artifacts such as cannonballs, musket bullets, and uniform buttons. By mapping the distribution of these finds, researchers aim to perform a spatial analysis of the battle. This will help reconstruct troop movements, identify the positioning of artillery, and pinpoint the tactical failures that led to the Maratha defeat. Historically, the Maratha collapse is attributed to internal dissensions, a lack of modern intelligence, and the superior disciplined infantry of the British. The ASI study seeks to provide physical evidence for these historical narratives.