Battles & Campaigns · 1816
Battle of India Muerta
Arroyo India Muerta, near Velázquez, Rocha, Uruguay
What happened
Luso-Brazilian forces under Sebastião Pinto de Araújo Correia fought Federal League troops under Fructuoso Rivera. During the Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental, the two forces fought for four and a half hours by the India Muerta stream. The smaller Luso-Brazilian force, with only one cannon, won.
Why it matters
It was part of the Portuguese conquest of the land that is now Uruguay, which was opposed by José Artigas's followers.
What came next
The Banda Oriental became the Cisplatina Province of the Portuguese-Brazilian state, and Uruguay became independent in 1828.
Did you know?
The winners had only one cannon.
Timeline
- 1816Portuguese invade the Banda Oriental.
- 19 Nov 1816Battle of India Muerta.
- 1828Uruguay becomes independent.