Banda Singh Bahadur's invasion of the Hill States

Last updated
Banda Singh Bahadur's Invasion of the Hill States
Part of Hill States-Sikh wars
Date1711
Location
Result Sikh Sovereignty over the Hill States
Territorial
changes
Extensive land annexed by Banda Singh Bahadur's First Sikh State and monthly tributes secured from each kingdom
Belligerents
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png First Sikh State

Alliance of the Sivalik Hill States

Commanders and leaders
Leader
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Banda Singh Bahadur
Sikh Jathedar
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Baba Baghar Singh
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Baba Ranjor Singh
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Bhai Bajar Singh
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Bhai Kehar Singh
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png Bhai Ranjit Singh
Leader
Bilaspur flag.svg Raja Ajmer Chand  White flag icon.svg
Flag of Mandi State.png Raja Sudh Sain  White flag icon.svg
Drapeau Chamba.png Raja Udai Singh  White flag icon.svg
Flag of the Princely State of Tehri Garhwal.svg Raja of Garhwal  White flag icon.svg
Flag of Kangra state.png Raja of Kangra  White flag icon.svg
Flag of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir (1846-1936).svg Raja of Jammu  White flag icon.svg
Raja of Kullu   White flag icon.svg
Casualties and losses
Unknown 1,300+
7 War Elephants

Banda Singh Bahadur's invasion of the Hill States was a Sikh military invasion of the Hill States.

Contents

Background

After taking Punjab from the Mughal Empire and establishing the first sovereign Sikh State, Banda Singh Bahadur launched an invasion of the Hill States.[ citation needed ] He officially established his headquarters at Kiratpur Sahib, and positioned some troops at Anandpur Sahib. [1]

Invasion

Kahlur

The first Hill State Banda focused was on Kahlur. The main reason of Kahlur becoming the first target was because of Kahlur always being a key enemy to Guru Gobind Singh. [2] [3] A messenger was sent to the Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur to ask him to submit. [4] Both parties had a meeting in which they made discussions about a battle and what they would do it they won. Right after the discussion, the Raja of Kahlur placed as many troops as possible to defend the Kahlur Fort. The fort was guarded by 1,300 Mian Rajputs and 7 war elephants. [4] [5] Banda Singh sent 5 Sikhs to the battlefield who were accompanied voluntary by a large number of Sikhs. Bhai Kehar Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh and Baba Ranjor Singh finished all 7 of the war elephants. Bhai Bajar Singh marched towards the fort and brought down both of its doors. Baba Baghar Singh cleared the passage through enemy columns and destroyed the forces which were blocking the entrance of the fort. During all this time, the Khalsa reinforcements had arrived. Kahlur was defeated with 1,300 troops dead. [2] [4] [6] [7] Bilaspur's immense booty was plundered by the Sikhs. [8] This defeat also spread terror among other hill Rajas, forcing most of them to submit to the Sikhs. Many of them went to the Sikh camp to greet them and offer them allegiance and to pay tribute to the Sikh treasury. [4]

Mandi

The Raja of Mandi Sudh Sain was informed that Banda Singh was about to attack Mandi next. The raja declared himself the follower of Guru Nanak and gave in marriage a woman from his own family. [9] D.S Saggu says that Banda met his wife Bibi Susheel Kaur at Jammu, Surjit Gandhi states that it was Chamba and Rattan Singh Bhangu states that it was Mandi. [5]

Kullu

Banda Singh Bahadur wanted to visit the famous shrine of Mahesh at Kullu and also wanted to pay a visit to the various Siddhas. However, when Banda Singh stepped into the territory of Kullu, the Raja immediately arrested him.[ citation needed ] The other Sikhs assisted by an enraged Sudh Sain launched a campaign to free Banda Singh. Banda Singh was freed and taught a lesson to the Raja of Kullu. [5]

Chamba

Now the only raja who didn't submit to Banda Singh Bahadur was Raja Udai Singh of Chamba. [10] The Raja called his prime minister to strike a treaty with Banda by offering him tribute which Banda Singh agreed and accepted and in return received his blessings.

Aftermath

Having secured the hills, Banda descended to the plains and proceeded to Jammu. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhai Mani Singh</span> 18th-century Sikh religious leader and martyr

Bhai Mani Singh was an 18th-century Sikh scholar and martyr. He was a childhood companion of Guru Gobind Singh and took the vows of Sikhism when the Guru inaugurated the Khalsa in March 1699. Soon after that, the Guru sent him to Amritsar to take charge of Harmandir Sahib, which had been without a custodian since 1696. He took control and steered the course of Sikh destiny at a critical stage in Sikh history. He was also a teacher of the Gianian Bunga, later becoming known as the "Amritsari Taksal", currently located in Sato Ki Gali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hukamnama</span> Hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib taken as an order

A Hukamnama, in modern-times, refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib which is given as an injunction, order, or edict to Sikhs. It also refers to edicts issued by the contemporary Takhts. In the historical sense, it was used to refer to an issued commandment, instruction, injunction, order, or edict given by one of the Gurus of Sikhism or their officiated followers and associates during their lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second siege of Anandpur</span> Battle in north-east India

The second siege of Anandpur, also known as the second battle of Anandpur (1704), was a siege at Anandpur, between Sikhs and the Mughal governors, dispatched by Aurangzeb, Wazir Khan, Dilwaar Kahn and Zaberdast Khan, and aided by the vassal Rajas of the Sivalik Hills which lasted from May 1704 to 19 December 1704.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Muktsar</span> 1705 conflict in the Mughal-Sikh Wars

The Battle of Sri Muktsar Sahib(Muktsar) or Battle of Khidrāne Dee Dhāb took place on 29 December 1705, (29 Poh) following the siege of Anandpur Sahib. In 1704, Anandpur Sahib was under an extended siege by the allied forces of the Mughals and the Hill States of Shivalik.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banda Singh Bahadur</span> Sikh warrior and general

Banda Singh Bahadur, was a Sikh warrior and a general of the Khalsa Army. At age 15, he left home to become an ascetic, and was given the name Madho Das Bairagi. He established a monastery at Nānded, on the bank of the river Godāvarī. In 1707, Guru Gobind Singh accepted an invitation to meet Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah I in southern India, he visited Banda Singh Bahadur in 1708. Banda became disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was given a new name, Gurbaksh Singh(as written in Mahan Kosh), after the baptism ceremony. He is popularly known as Banda Singh Bahadur. He was given five arrows by the Guru as a blessing for the battles ahead. He came to Khanda, Sonipat and assembled a fighting force and led the struggle against the Mughal Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binod Singh</span>

Binod Singh, a Trehan Khatri and a descendant of Guru Angad, was an army man and disciple of Guru Gobind Singh and was among few Sikhs who accompanied him to Nanded in 1706. In Budha Dal Chronicles, Guru Gobind Singh made Baba Binod Singh the head of the Khalsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Chappar Chiri</span> 1710 conflict

The Battle of Chappar Chiri, also called Battle of Sirhind, was fought between Mughal Empire and the Sikhs on 12 May 1710 at Chappar Chiri, located 20 kilometers from Sirhind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Rahon (1710)</span> About a battle fought between Sikhs and the Mughals

The Battle of Rahon was fought between Sikhs and Mughal Empire on 11 October 1710.

The first siege of Anandpur was a thirty-five-day-long siege at Anandpur led by the Rajas of the Sivalik Hills and the Gujar and Ranghar tribesmen against the armies of the Sikh under Guru Gobind Singh.

Sardarni Bibi Susheel Kaur also referred to as Mata Susheel Kaur was the wife of Sikh General Banda Singh Bahadur, who established the first Sikh state and the mother of his son, Ajai Singh. She was the only daughter of Maharaja Udai Singh of Chamba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill States–Sikh wars</span> Sequence of battles (1628–1812)

The Hill States–Sikh wars, also known as the Sikh–Pahari Raja wars, was a set of battles and conflicts fought by the Sikhs and the rajas (kings) of the Hill States located in the Sivalik Hills.

The Battle of Anandpur was fought between the Sikh forces led by Guru Gobind Singh and the Hill State forces by Alim and Balia Chand. This was the first major battle fought after the formation of the Khalsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alam Singh Nachna</span> Historical Indian figure

Alam Singh Nachna, also called Alim Singh, was a warrior in the army of Guru Gobind Singh, and was a Rajput turned Sikh. Sarup Das Bhalla of Mahima Prakash describes him as one of Guru Gobind Singh's constant and closest companions. He is also known for killing a lion single handedly.

The Battle of Anandpur (1685) was fought between the Sikhs and an allied force of rajas of the Hill States of the Sivalik range, specifically Kahlur, Kangra, and Guler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brahmin Sikhs</span> Sikh subgroup

Brahmin Sikh is a Sikh religious group whose members belong to Brahmin community. They played a key role in the early years of Sikhism. Sometimes called Kashmiri Sikhs those who are of Kashmiri origin.

The Battle of Anandpur was fought in 1812 by the Sikh forces led by Sodhi Surjan Singh and the Rajput forces of Kahlur led by Raja Mahan Chand.

The Battle of Bilaspur was fought in 1711 by Sikh forces led by Banda Singh Bahadur and the rulers of the Sivalik Hills led by Raja Ajmer Chand of Princely State of Kahlur (Bilaspur).

The Battle of Talwara was fought in 1770 by the Sikh forces led by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and the Kangra forces led by Raja Ghamand Chand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Sikh State</span> Former country in South Asia (1709–1715)

The First Sikh State was a breakaway and short lived sovereign Sikh state during the 18th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent that existed from 1709 to 1715. It was established by Banda Singh Bahadur after the Battle of Samana and lasted until his defeat in the Battle of Gurdas Nangal.

References

  1. Gupta, Hari Ram (1978). History Of The Sikhs Vol. II Evolution Of Sikh Confederacies (1707-69). p. 21.
  2. 1 2 Sagoo, Harbans Kaur (2001). Banda Singh Bahadur And Sikh Sovereignty. p. 190.
  3. Gurdev Singh Deol (1972). Banda Bahadur. p. 76. ISBN   9788186622254.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Singh, Ganda (1990). Life Of Banda Singh Bahadur Based On Contemporary And Original Records - Dr. Ganda Singh. Sikh Digital Library. pp. 154–155.
  5. 1 2 3 D.S Saggu VSM (2018). Battle Tactics And War Manoeuvres of the Sikhs. ISBN   9781642490060.
  6. Patwant Singh (2007). The Sikhs. ISBN   9780307429339.
  7. Harajindara Siṅgha Dilagīra (1997). The Sikh reference book. p. 257. ISBN   9780969596424.
  8. Raj Pal Singh (1998). Banda Bahadur and His Times. p. 43. ISBN   9788186622254.
  9. 1 2 Surjit Singh Gandhi (1999). Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. Singh Bros. p. 46. ISBN   9788172052171.
  10. Harish Dhillon (2013). First Raj of the Sikhs. ISBN   9789381398395.

See also