The Battle of Assaye has been called Arthur Wellesley’s first great victory, a clash that set the stage for his later fame as the Duke of Wellington. Outnumbered six to one by the mighty Maratha Confederacy, Wellesley’s 6,500 men faced a storm of cannon fire, disciplined infantry, and thousands of cavalry in a battle that could easily have ended in disaster. Instead, through bold gambles, ruthless determination, and sheer grit, Assaye became a defining moment in both the Second Anglo-Maratha War and in Wellesley’s own meteoric career.

In this episode of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Josh Provan to break down this bloody, high stakes showdown. We explore the political intrigue that led to war in India, the geography around the village of Assaye, and the snap decision that saw Wellesley launch his outnumbered army into one of the fiercest fights of his life. From desperate bayonet charges to Wellesley himself rallying troops in the thick of battle, Assaye has it all: courage, chaos, and consequences that reshaped British power in India.

If you love epic battles, leadership under fire, and the origins of a legend, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

More of Josh Provan's work can be found here Joshua Provan - Biography | Helion & Company | Military History Books

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Ready to blast through the walls of Napoleonic history? In this pounding episode of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, we talk to Dr Zack White about his edited collection An Unavoidable Evil - Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon. Discover how the era of Napoleon wasn't all about Austerlitz and Waterloo; from the fortresses of Izmail and Braila to Wellington’s Peninsular sieges, we uncover the dramatic and gritty stories of sieges that shaped empires.

We'll explore how siege warfare evolved during this period and why modern historians are turning their sights back on these crucial events. Dr White shares fresh insights from a team of top historians, bridging scholarly depth with battlefield excitement. Tune in as we delve into the strategies commanders used to crack fortress defenses, the challenges soldiers and civilians faced under relentless bombardment, and the lessons these epic sieges teach us about war and society. This is a must listen for military history enthusiasts craving a new perspective on the Napoleonic era's most explosive episodes!

Zack's edited collection can be found here An Unavoidable Evil | From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 | Helion & Company

Have you ever wondered how Britain’s redcoats marched across Europe with full bellies, coin in their pockets, and plenty of ammunition? In this episode, award winning historian Professor Kevin Linch returns to our British Army series to help us break down the gritty reality of military logistics behind the lines.

We explore what was in a soldier's daily ration and how it was cooked up on campaign. We dig into how the army kept its soldiers paid, clothed, and armed in the heat of battle. From supply-line nightmares and busted boots to cunning contractors and a dash of black-market intrigue, nothing is off the table. It's a punchy, behind-the-scenes ride through the unglamorous but crucial "sinews of war" that kept the army fighting fit from the 1790s to Waterloo.

Find more on Kevin's work here Pen and Sword Books: Titles by Kevin Linch

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