Guerrilla warfare
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 2 "Reshaping India's Political Map"; Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
Guerrilla warfare is fighting in small, mobile groups. These groups use speed, surprise and knowledge of the land to defeat much bigger armies. They avoid open battle. Instead, they ambush the enemy, raid at night and then disappear. In medieval India it suited hills and forests. It was Shivaji's signature tactic. Hill forts gave his troops shelter between attacks.
Example
In 1659, near Pratapgad fort, Maratha soldiers hid in the forest. After Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, they routed the Bijapur army. Later, Shivaji led a small team on a night raid on the Mughal noble Shaista Khan's camp. Khan lost his fingers and fled Maharashtra.
Don't confuse with
- Pitched battle: Here two large armies meet face to face on open ground, as at Panipat in 1761. Guerrillas avoid this kind of fight.