'Fortress of Gwalior'

Coloured line engraving by William Byrne and J Hall after the original sketch by Captain J Hickes and drawing by Hearne, published by James Rennell, London, 5 April 1784.

The hitherto impregnable fortress at Gwalior was captured by the British during the 1st Maratha War (1778-1782) on 3 August 1780 when Captain William Popham led 1200 sepoys against it in a surprise assault. The Governor-General of Bengal, Sir Warren Hastings, described it as 'the key to Hindustan' and its capture 'equalled if not surpassed the importance of the Battle of Plassey'.