Battle of Ali Masjid (1839)

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The Battle of Ali Masjid took place on the 27 July 1839 between the Sikh Empire and its allies against the Emirate of Afghanistan. In the battle, the Khalsa Army and its Afghan levies emerged victorious and subsequently marched into Kabul. [1]

Contents

Battle of Ali Masjid (1839)
Part of the First Anglo-Afghan War and Afghan-Sikh Wars
Ali Masjid - Shrapnel.jpg
The fort of Ali Masjid (watercolour of 1890)
Date27, July 1839
Location
Result Sikh victory [2]
Belligerents
Sikh Empire flag.svg Sikh Empire
Supported By
Flag of Herat until 1842.svg Durrani Kingdom
Flag of Afghanistan pre-1901.svg Emirate of Kabul
Commanders and leaders
Sikh Empire flag.svg Sheikh Basawan
Flag of Herat until 1842.svg Timur Mirza
Flag of Afghanistan pre-1901.svg Wazir Akbar Khan
Strength
5,000 Khalsa Army
4,380 Afghan Levies
2,500 Men
14 guns

Background

With the intention of using the Khalsa Army to help reinstall the expelled Afghan Shah, Shah Shujah Durrani, on the throne in Kabul, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the latter engaged into a secret arrangement in 1833. The aims of the Tripartite Treaty of 1838, [3] which included Shah Shujah Durrani, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Lord Auckland, were echoed in this covert agreement. The conditions stated that the Khalsa army was to protect the Khyber Pass and guarantee the safe passage of the Shazada to Kabul, while the British forces were to advance to Kabul via the Bolan Pass and Ghazni. [4] [5]

Battle

After being tactically held in reserve, the Sikh army crossed the Indus River and assembled in Peshawar. Known for his recklessness, and as the son of Dost Muhammad, Wazir Akbar Khan had moved towards Dakka in order to prevent Col. Sheikh Basawan from crossing the Khyber Pass. As Akbar Khan stood at the entrance of the pass, waiting for the oncoming enemy, he was informed with dismay that Ghazni had fallen. [6] At the same time, people in the Khyber area swore loyalty to Shah Shuja Durrani, which led to rebellion in the Kohistan district in support of the latter. The young Barakzai prince quickly demolished his tent and withdrew north in response to all of this. Ali Masjid was effectively seized on July 27 by Colonel Sheikh Basawan's Khalsa Army. [6] [7]

Afghanistan during the First-Anglo Afghan War, 1838-42 Afghanistan during the First Anglo-Afghan War.gif
Afghanistan during the First-Anglo Afghan War, 1838-42

Aftermath

The British Government officially acknowledged Colonel Sheikh Basawan's leadership through dispatches, and in recognition of his military personnel bravery, the Governor-General Lord Auckland bestowed a sword upon him. [8] Dost Mohammed Khan recalled his son to Kabul once Ali Masjid fell to Col. Sheikh Basawan and Shahzada Timur's army on July 27, 1839. [9] Col. Sheikh Basawan and his Troops successfully reached Kabul and captured it later participated in the Victory parade of Shah Shujah Durrani's restoration to the Throne. [10] [11] [12] Following the victory, the Khalsa Army made their way back to Punjab. Through his envoy Mulla Muhammad Hussain, Shah Shujah Durrani offered horses, mules, swords, daggers, and pieces of kimkhab as a sign of friendship. Mulla Muhammad Hussain stated on April 16, 1840, that Dost Mohammed Khan's stolen property will provide the Lahore Darbar with seven weapons. [13]

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