by

What was the Battle of Pratapgad (1659)?

Introduction The Battle of Pratapgad (or Pratapgarh) was a land battle fought on 10 November 1659 at the fort of Pratapgad near the town of Satara, Maharashtra, India between the forces of the Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Adilshahi general Afzal Khan. The Marathas defeated the Adilshahi forces. It was their first significant… Read More

by

What was the Siege of Smerwick (1580)?

Introduction The Siege of Smerwick took place at Ard na Caithne (known in English as Smerwick, a Norse-derived name meaning ‘Butter-bay’) in 1580, during the Second Desmond Rebellion in Ireland. A force of anywhere from 400 to 700 (accounts vary) Papal freelance soldiers, mostly of Spanish and Italian origin, captured the village but were forced… Read More

by

What was the Battle of Cocos (1914)?

Introduction The Battle of Cocos was a single-ship action that occurred on 9 November 1914, after the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney (under the command of John Glossop) responded to an attack on a communications station at Direction Island by the German light cruiser SMS Emden (commanded by Karl von Müller). After the retreat of… Read More

by

What was the Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799)?

Introduction The Coup of 18 Brumaire brought General Napoleon Bonaparte to power as First Consul of France and in the view of most historians ended the French Revolution. This bloodless coup d’état overthrew the Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. This occurred on 09 November 1799, which was 18 Brumaire, Year VIII under the… Read More