The Battle of Malanggad

The British East India Company opened hostilities against the Marathas in 1774, by attacking Thane. Thus commenced the First Anglo Maratha War. They aimed to install Raghunathrao as a puppet at Pune and effectively control the Maratha Empire. But in 1779, a debacle at Wadgaon (covered in Battles of the Maratha Empire) ended that ill-planned dream. Another battle took place, this time at Malanggad near Kalyan, the following year. And like at Wadgaon, it too marked a Maratha victory over the British. A long-drawn battle took place between the British East India Company and the Marathas under Nana Phadnavis in the monsoon of 1780 for the control of Malanggad, also known as Haji Malang – famous for an old dargah of that name which is situated on the hill. It is a prominent landmark near Kalyan.

Reasons for conflict :

As of 1780, the primary concern of the British was to secure and fortify the Island of Mumbai, their base in this part of India. Hence, apart from forts in South Mumbai and what is today its suburbs – Sion, Mahim, etc, they also wanted to secure the routes leading into the city. Bor Ghat and Kasur Ghat to name a couple. Haji Malang Gad is a fort situated in the Matheran Hill range, in the Raigad district, Maharashtra. It is also known as Shree Malang Gad or Malang gad. Malang Gad fort is about 2590 ft. above sea level. It is approximately the same height as that of Chanderi Fort in Badlapur. It is as far as 17km from Kalyan city, near Mumbai.