86th Regiment, Siege of Bhurtpore.

During the early 1800s a number of Indian rulers opposed the British attempts to pacify the country in order to consolidate Britain's control of the sub-continent. The Mahratta (or Anglo-Maratha) Wars were the result.

Serving with the British force was the 86th Regiment. On 10 February 1804, as the 86th approached the fortress of Bhurtpore, large numbers of enemy cavalry attacked the column but were beaten off. On the following day the siege commenced.

Nine days later the Regiment successfully stormed a defensive outwork covering one of the principal gates and captured 11 guns. Returning to camp with their captured prizes, the 86th had to form a square en route to protect them from a determined enemy intent on recapturing their brass guns. Beating the enemy off and returning to their lines, the Commander-in-Chief, General Lake, marked the 86th's courage by directing that the captured guns be placed in front of the Regiment's camp. The following day another attack failed to breach the fort's defences and General Lake, lacking an adequate siege train and perceiving that his depleted forces were inadequate for the task, raised the siege. Within several days the Maharajah of Bhurtpore offered peace terms which the British accepted.