Battle of Behgy

Battle of Behgy
Part of Afghan–Sikh wars
Date December 1766 Location Behgy (near Rohtas Fort) 32°58′N73°35′E / 32.97°N 73.58°E / 32.97; 73.58 Result Durrani victory
Belligerents
Durrani Empire	Sikh Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Shah Durrani	Ballam Singh  †
Strength
Unknown	7,000-8,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

The Battle of Behgy was a military clash fought between the forces of Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Sikh chief Ballam Singh. The engagement took place during Ahmad Shah Durrani's eighth invasion of India and resulted in an Afghan victory.

Background

In November 1766, Ahmad Shah Durrani launched his eighth incursion into the Punjab region, motivated in part by the stated objective of suppressing Sikh resistance and, according to some narratives, by political entreaties from figures in Bengal seeking Afghan intervention against British influence. ^[1] The Shah crossed the Indus in the last days of November and moved eastward toward the Jhelum–Rohtas area. Local Sikh leaders had constructed several fortified positions intended to contest the Afghan advance. ^{[1] [2]}

Battle

Sikh field force under a chief identified as Ballam Singh, with several other sardars, and garrisoning multiple strongpoints in the Rohtas district. The Sikhs mounted force at roughly 7,000–8,000 Cavalry. ^{[1] [2]} But the Sikhs hovered 40,000 around the Afghan camp under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, but they however, never came to a close engagement. ^[3] Afghan troops encountered the Sikh positions on the far bank of the Jhelum near Behgy. The Sikh defenders despite their fortifications and large mounted contingents lacked unified command and failed to coordinate a sustained defense. Afghan cavalry and infantry launched a vigorous charge which broke the Sikh lines. Ballam Singh was killed ^{[1] [2]} , a number of prisoners taken, and several soldiers who drowned while attempting to flee across the Jhelum. The Sikhs are also said to have made a subsequent attempt to block the Shah's passage, but this effort likewise failed. ^{[1] [2]}

Aftermath

The victory at Behgy permitted Ahmad Shah to continue his advance and maintain momentum in the campaign season. The defeat weakened local Sikh capacity for organized resistance in the area, and served as one of several successes allowing Afghan operations to press deeper into the Punjab. The engagement is referenced in later campaign narratives as part of Ahmad Shah's 1766–1767 operations against Sikh forces. ^[1]

References

1. Singh, Ganda (1959). Ahmad shah durrani, father of modern Afghanistan. Asia Publishing House, Bombay. p. 310.
2. www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikhs Vol. II Evolution Of Sikh Confederacies (1707-69). p. 237.
3. Ghosh, D. K. Ed. A Comprehensive History Of India Vol. 9. p. 293.