He remained in India until 1805, returning to England as a 36-year-old Major General. It was in India that the young Wellington honed his skills, learning how to counter guerrillas in their own territory, collaborate with allies, manage logistics in challenging environments, and maintain the health and sustenance of his troops. Wellington’s time in India marked his transformation from a relatively inexperienced battalion commander at the siege of Seringapatam during the 4th Mysore War – a moment where he faced panic and loss of control – into the highly proficient commander of the field army during the 2nd Mahratta War. Many of Wellington’s Indian battlefields remain remote and untouched by tourism, preserving the landscapes where British and Indian troops once fought against the armies of Tippoo Sultan, Dowlat Rao Scindia, the Rajah of Berar, Baptiste Filoze, and others. Further Reading:
Breakfast will be served at the hotel and post breakfast we explore the areas that witnessed the siege of Seringapatam (in April/May 1799). It is here that the assault was successful and the death of Tippoo Sultan brought the Fourth Mysore War to an end. Overnight at the hotel in Mysore.
Today we have some time for a comfortable breakfast at our hotel. Post breakfast we may explore the city of Mysore or just relax at our hotel in Mysore. Later we will check-out and will be transferred to Bangalore airport in time to connect our flight to Poona (now Pune) – the seat of Baje Rao, the Peshwah (ruler) of the Marathas. His deposition had then led to the 1st Maratha War. On arrival in Pune, we will be transferred to our hotel and overnight in Pune.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, today we will check-out from our hotel in Pune and travel by road to Ahmednagar (3 hrs) and follow Wellesley on his mission to capture the walled city and how he besieged the fort. Till date it is a major military station, which was stormed by him on the 8th of August 1803. Check-in at our hotel in Ahmednagar. Overnight in Ahmednagar.
Breakfast at the hotel and post breakfast we check-out drive to Akola (3.5 hrs) .We walk the Battle of Assaye (23 September 1803), the pivotal battle of the First Maratha War and the one that Wellington, in his old age, always maintained was the hardest he ever fought, and which brought the First Maratha War to an end. Overnight in Akola
This morning post breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport to fly from Nagpur to Mumbai (Bombay). Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Today we will visit Wellesley’s Bombay including the old fort area, the Afghan church and the ‘Gateway to India’. Overnight in Bombay at the hotel.
