but were unable, although greatly superior in numbers, to resist the determined attack of disciplined soldiers.

Major-General Sir Charles Napier stated in his public despatch, "The battle was decided by the troop of Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's 22nd. regiment."*

The loss of the enemy was very great, and eleven pieces of cannon were taken in position on the nullah, together with seventeen standards. The Beloochee force was completely defeated, and their commander, Meer Shere Mahomed, fled to the desert. Among the killed was the great promoter of the war, Hoche Mahomed Seedee. Twenty-three rank and file of the 22nd. regiment were killed on this occasion; Lieutenants Chute, Coote, Evans, and Brennan, Ensign Richard Pennefather, six sergeants, one drummer, four corporals, and one hundred and twenty-three privates were wounded. At the battle of Hyderabad the regiment mustered only five hundred and sixty-two rank and file; the remainder, being sick and convalescent, having been left at Sukkur, in Upper Scinde.

These successes gained for the troops the high honour of the thanks of Parliament, and the Order of the Bath for several of the officers.

THE STAR FOR MAHARJPOOR AND PUNNIAR.

1843.

The Government of India, as a mark of their distinguished merit, presented to every officer and soldier engaged in these battles, a bronze star of six points, made from the captured guns, faced with a smaller star of silver. Both stars are similar, the only difference being that one has "Maharajpoor" on the silver face, the other " Punniar," the date being the same

*The words "Meeanee," "Hyderabad," and "Scinde," were authorised to be borne on the colours of the 22nd. regiment.

+In the pursuit of Meer Shere Mahomed, the following men of the 22nd., concealing their wounds received in the battle of Hyderabad, marched with their regiment the next day, thinking another action was at hand-Sergeant Haney, John Durr, John Muldowney, Robert Young, Henry Lines, Patrick Gill, James Andrews, Thomas Middleton, James Mulvey, and Silvester Day.

"December 29th., 1843." They were permitted to be worn by the Queen's regiments. The star was originally issued with a brass hook to fasten it to the breast of the wearer's coat, but eventually it was worn with the "rainbow ribbon."

BATTLES OF MAHARAJPOOR AND PUNNIAR. 29TH. DECEMBER, 1843.

A FORCE named the "Army of Exercise " was assembled at Agra, in November, 1843, in consequence of affairs in the state of Gwalior, which had for some time required the attention of the Indian Government, although it was not anticipated that actual hostilities would take place. The events which led to the collision between the Anglo-Indian troops and those of the once powerful Mahratta kingdom, are as follow-Upon the decease of Maharajah Thunkojee Rao Scindiah, the British Government promptly acknowledged as his successor the Maharajah Tyajee Rao Scindiah, who was nearest in blood to the late sovereign of Gwalior, and whose adoption by the Maharanee, his Highness's widow, was approved by the chiefs. During the minority of the Maharajah, the office of regent was to be held by Mama Sahib. In a short time the regent was compelled by force to quit the Gwalior state, and the Dada Khasgee Walla succeeded to the confidence of the Maharanee without possessing generally that of the chiefs, and by his influence various acts were committed insulting and injurious to the British Government. The delivery of the Dada being peremptorily insisted upon as a necessary preliminary to the re-establishment of the customary relations with the Gwalior state, the Maharanee at length complied with the request, and the Governor-General, in order to give friendly support to the youthful Maharajah, directed the immediate advance of forces sufficient for the purpose. The Anglo-Indian troops entered the dominions of Scindiah, and a strong government having been established at Gwalior, they received orders to withdraw ; but were not destined to return to their own territory without a severe conflict. Negotiations appeared proceeding to an

amicable issue, but the design of the enemy to gain time to concentrate his forces became at length so evident, that active measures of hostility were determined upon. The British army left Agra, between the 12th. and 18th. of December, under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, who was accompanied by the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, in

person.

The main division crossed the Koharee river early in the morning of the 29th. of December, and found the Mahratta forces drawn up in front of the village of Maharajpoor, in a very strong position, which they had occupied during the night, and which they had carefully entrenched. The British were about fourteen thousand strong, with forty pieces of artillery, while the enemy mustered eighteen thousand men, including three thousand cavalry, with a hundred guns. Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty of the country, intersected by deep and almost impassable ravines, the whole of the Anglo-Indian troops were in their appointed positions by eight o'clock in the morning of the 29th. of December. The action commenced by the advance of Major-General Littler's column, which was exactly in front of Maharajpoor; whilst MajorGeneral Valiant's brigade took it in reverse, both being supported by Major-General Dennis's column, and the two light field batteries.

Her Majesty's 16th. Lancers, and the 39th. and 40th. regiments highly distinguished themselves. The 30th., forming part of Brigadier Wright's brigade with the 56th. Native Infantry attacked with such vigour that they stormed the enemy's batteries and bayoneted the gunners at their posts. But the Mahrattas rallied in the village, and after firing their Matchlocks threw them away, and fought sword in hand with the most determined bravery. In the meantime General Valiant's brigade had taken Maharajpoor in reverse, and by this combined movement twenty-eight guns were captured, but the Mahratta position was not taken till nearly all its defenders had been slain on the spot.

A small work of four guns on the left of the entrenched main position of Chonda was long and obstinately defended, but subsequently carried; and the guns captured by the grenadiers