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 [1] [2]
Belligerents
Durrani Empire	Sikh Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Shah Durrani	Ballam Singh  †
Strength
Unknown	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, per invitation by Mir Qasim of Bengal seeking Afghan intervention to help enthrone him to crown of Murshidabad. ^[3] The Shah crossed the Indus in the last days of November and moved eastward toward the Jhelum–Rohtas area. ^{[3] [4]}

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. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} Afghan troops encountered the Sikh positions on the far bank of the Jhelum near Behgy. The Sikh defenders 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 ^{[3] [4] [5]} , a number of prisoners taken, and several soldiers drowned in river Jhelum. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Aftermath

The Sikhs are also said to have made a subsequent attempt to block the Shah's passage, but this effort likewise failed. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

References

1. www.DiscoverSikhism.com. Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. p. 302.
2. Chhabra, G. S. (1960). The Advanced Study in History of the Punjab. Sharanjit. p. 454.
3. Singh, Ganda (1959). Ahmad shah durrani, father of modern Afghanistan. Asia Publishing House, Bombay. p. 310.
4. www.DiscoverSikhism.com. History Of The Sikhs Vol. II Evolution Of Sikh Confederacies (1707-69). p. 237.
5. Tikekar, Shripad R. (1938). Sardesai Commemoration Volume. p. 17.
6. Ghosh, D. K. Ed (1978). A Comprehensive History Of India Vol. 9. People's publishing house. p. 293.