Battle of Chenab

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The Battle of Chenab was fought between the Durrani Empire and the Sikh Misls of Dal Khalsa in 1764.

Battle of Chenab
Part of Indian Campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani and Afghan-Sikh Wars
DateJanuary 13, 1764
Location
Belligerents
Kattar Dhal Talwar.jpg Sikh Misls Abdali flag.png Durrani Empire
Commanders and leaders
Charat Singh
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
Hari Singh Dhillon
Ahmad Shah Durrani
Strength
100,000+ 40,000
Casualties and losses
Low High

Battle

On 13 January 1764, Ahmad Shah Durrani crossed over Attock river. At that point of time, Sikhs were around Sialkot, Gujrat, Shah-Daula and Sodhra. On hearing his advance, Sikh chiefs, in a tactical move swiftly retreated to Guru Chak (Amritsar), there by giving an impression that they had run away due to impending fear from the Afghan troops. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Charat Singh and other Sikh chiefs held consultation at Amritsar. [1] It was resolved to let Ahmad Shah Durrani come and that the Khalsa would give him a fight the moment he crossed Chenab. He was under the impression that the Sikhs were at Guru Chak. Sikhs however, turned back with accelerated pace with all their armaments and dug in themselves along the left bank of Chenab to give a surprise battle to Abdali. [1]

Ahmad Shah halted at Rohtas Fort before crossing the Jhelum. The Sikhs divided their forces into two or three divisions with the idea of giving battle to him. He was on the other side of the Chenab with nearly 40,000 horses and the Sikhs were on this side of the river with more than 100,000 horses and foot. [2] The Shah crossed the river to fight a decisive battle. [3] Among the Sikhs were Charat Singh, Hari Singh (Bhangi), Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, and others.

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References

  1. 1 2 VSM, D. S. Saggu (2018-06-07). Battle Tactics And War Manoeuvres of the Sikhs. Notion Press. ISBN   978-1-64249-006-0.
  2. Grewal, J. S.; Habib, Irfan (2001). Sikh History from Persian Sources: Translations of Major Texts. Tulika. p. 31. ISBN   978-81-85229-17-1.
  3. Dilagīra, Harajindara Siṅgha (1995). Akal Takht Sahib. Sikh Educational Trust in collaboration with the Sikh University Centre, Denmark. p. 34. ISBN   978-0-9695964-1-7.