Madras or bust – part two (1620-21)
Madras or bust – part two (1620-21)
In May 1620 the Scottish-Vijayanagaran War had been raging for almost three years. Scottish troops had gradually captured territory in the north and south of India, with enemy forces concentrated in the landlocked centre of the country – and around Madras, which had been retaken from Scotland late in 1619. At the end of May the Vijayanagaran army finally moved north, and attempted to bring the Scottish army to a decisive battle at Raichur Doab. The Vijayanagaran army suffered a humiliating defeat, losing over half of their 6000 men. The Scottish also suffered heavily, with 2000 casualties.
The defeat in Raichur, and the Scottish occupation of her major population centres, had humilitated the Vijayanagaran rulers, and encouraged peasants and farmers to revolt in overseas provinces and colonies. Across Indonesia rebellions flared, with thousands of armed peasants engaging Vijayanagaran armies in battle – preventing them from pushing home their advantage on the Scottish garrison at Palembang.
By September 1620 Scotland had forced Brunei to surrender after a swift campaign. Scotland’s complete control of the seas enabled an amphibious assault directly on the Bruneien capital. Brunei renounced her claims on the lands Scotland had captured in their previous war. Scottish forces were quickly convoyed back to India, to finish the war against the Vijayanagarans – who now stood alone.
In October the famous Battle of Malabar began. The Vijayanagaran King, Vira I, lead an 11,000-strong army south from the centre of India to attack what he considered to be the Scottish weak point – Malabar on the Southern coast. Once again, Scottish control of the seas enabled her to swiftly respond. Troops from other Indian provinces were quickly transferred by sea to reinforce the small defensive garrison. Eventually the Scottish General, Malcolm Stewart, commanded a force 9000-strong. But the battle proved to be bloody and protracted.
On the 18th November 1620 the Scottish army finally won the Battle of Malabar. Over 3000 of the Vijayanagaran Royal Army lay dead, her main force finally shattered, her King disgraced. Only 1400 Scottish troops had been lost. A second Scottish army, 12,000 strong, was besieging Madras. In total the Scottish King, John II, now fielded over 50,000 troops in India – the largest Scottish army in history. The Scottish army in India was now almost as large as the population of Scotland itself, with troops drawn from across the empire.
The victorious forces from Malabar hounded the retreating Vijayanagarans back towards Kongu, a landlocked province that was the their last redoubt on the subcontinent.
The final battle of the Scottish-Vijayanagaran War, at Kongu, was a rout. Over 6000 of the remaining 9000 Vijayanagaran troops were slaughtered, including their King Vira I – with only 568 Scottish losses.
Two days later, on the 21st March 1621, Vijayanagara surrendered. Three rich and highly populated territories were ceded to the Scottish crown, including the jewel of Madras – home to 293,000 new Scottish subjects.
