Afghan–Sikh wars

1748–1837 wars between the Afghan and Sikh empires

Afghan–Sikh wars

Historical Sikh depiction of a battle between the Sikhs and the Durranis.
| Date| 1748–1837 (Intermittent)

|

Location|

Punjab, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Result|

Sikh victory

* Sikhs seize control of Punjab, Kashmir, and lower part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Territorial
changes|

Sikhs consolidate central rule over multiple north western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

* Sikh Empire
* Kapurthala State
* Patiala State
* Nabha State
* Jind State
* Faridkot State

Belligerents
Durrani Empire (1747–1823)
Emirate of Kabul (1823–1837)
Supported by:
Khanate of Kalat
Dil Brothers
Peshawar Sardars|  Dal Khalsa (1748–1765)
Misldar Army (1765–1799)
Sikh Empire (1799–1837)
Supported By
Maratha Empire[1]
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Shah Durrani
Jahan Khan
Timur Shah Durrani
Moin-ul-Mulk
Zaman Shah Durrani
Fateh Khan Barakzai
Zain Khan Sirhindi †
Jamal Shah †
Nawab Muzaffar Khan †
Dost Mohammad Khan
Sultan Mohammad Khan
Azim Khan
Wazir Akbar Khan
Mir Nasir Khan I|  Akali Baba Deep Singh †
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
Sukha Singh †
Jassa Singh Ramgharia
Hari Singh Dhillon
Charat Singh
Jai Singh Kanhaiya
Maha Singh
Sukha Singh †[2]
Baba Gurbaksh Singh †[3]
Ala Singh
Jhanda Singh Dhillon
Baghel Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Dewan Mokham Chand
Misr Diwan Chand
Hari Singh Nalwa †
Jodh Singh Ramgarhia
Kharak Singh
Tej Singh
Mahan Singh Mirpuri
Khushal Singh Jamadar
Akali Phula Singh †
Amar Singh Majithia †
Balbhadra Kunwar †
Sher Singh
Goolab Singh †[4]
Kurram Singh †[4]

* v
* t
* e

Afghan–Sikh Wars

* Kalanaur (1748)
* Manupur (1748)
* Amritsar (1757)
* Mahilpur (1757)
* Jalandhar (1757)
* Sirhind (1758)
* Lahore (1758)
* Peshawar (1758)
* 1st Lahore (1759)
* 2nd Lahore (1759)
* Lahore (1760)
* Sialkot (1761)
* Gujranwala (1761)
* Lahore (1761)
* Jandiala (1762)
* Kup (1762)
* Amritsar (1762)
* Harnaulgarh (1762)
* Pipli Sahib (1762)
* Lakhi Jungle (1762)
* Ravi (1762)
* Sialkot (1763)
* Kasur (1763)
* Urmar Tanda (1763)
* Gujranwala (1763)
* Malerkotla (1763)
* Chamkaur (1764)
* Sirhind (1764)
* Chenab River (1764)
* Rohtas (1764)
* Qarawal (1764)
* Lahore (1764)
* Darbar Sahib (1764)
* Jandiala (1764)
* Batala (1764)
* Adinanagar (1764)
* Jullundur (1765)
* Sutlej Ford (1765)
* Nurmahal (1765)
* Kapurthala (1765)
* Beas Ford (1765)
* Gujrat (1765)
* Fatahbad (1766)
* Jhelum Town (1766)
* Amritsar (1767)
* Meerut (1767)
* Lahore (1767)
* Jullundur (1767)
* Rohtas (1767)
* Kunjpura (1772)
* Multan (1772)
* Rohtas (1779)
* Multan (1780)
* Shujabad (1780)
* Attock (1787)
* Sialkot (1789)
* Rohtas (1795)
* Indus Ford (1795)
* Gujrat (1796)
* Rohtas (1796)
* Attock (1796)
* Lahore (1796)
* Pind Dadan Khan (1796)
* Amritsar (1797)
* Battle near Amritsar (1797)
* Gujrat (1797)
* Sarae Kali (1798)
* Wazirabad (1798)
* Shahdara (1798)
* Near Lahore (1798)
* Amritsar (1798)
* Rogheen (1798)
* Kasur (1798)
* Eminabad (1798)
* Chunian (1798)
* Ravi Ford (1798)
* Battle in centre of Gujrat and Wazirabad (1798)
* Kasur (1807)
* Multan (1810)
* Kashmir (1812-1813)
* Hasan Abdal
* Attock
* Kashmir
* Multan (1818)
* Shopian
* Gandgarh
* Mangal
* Mankera
* Taragarh
* Nowshera
* Akora
* Shaidu
* Haidru
* Balakot
* Bannu
* Peshawar
* Ramkani
* Khyber Pass
* Michni
* Panjtar
* Jamrud

History of South Asia

Outline

Palaeolithic (2,500,000–250,000 BC)

|  Madrasian culture|

|

Soanian culture|

Neolithic (10,800–3300 BC)

|  Bhirrana culture|  (7570–6200 BC)

|

Mehrgarh culture|  (7000–3300 BC)
Edakkal culture|  (5000–3000 BC)

Chalcolithic (3500–1500 BC)

|  Anarta tradition|  (c. 3950–1900 BC)

|

Ahar-Banas culture|  (3000–1500 BC)
Pandu culture|  (1600–1500 BC)
Malwa culture|  (1600–1300 BC)
Jorwe culture|  (1400–700 BC)

Bronze Age (3300–1300 BC)

|  Indus Valley Civilisation| (3300–1300 BC)

|

– Early Harappan culture| (3300–2600 BC)
– Mature Harappan culture| (2600–1900 BC)
– Late Harappan culture| (1900–1300 BC)
Vedic Civilisation| (2000–500 BC)
– Ochre Coloured Pottery culture| (2000–1600 BC)
– Swat culture| (1600–500 BC)

Iron Age (1500–200 BC)

|  Vedic Civilisation| (1500–500 BC)

|

– Janapadas|  (1500–600 BC)
– Black and Red ware culture| (1300–1000 BC)
– Painted Grey Ware culture|  (1200–600 BC)
– Northern Black Polished Ware|  (700–200 BC)
Pradyota dynasty|  (799–684 BC)
Haryanka dynasty|  (684–424 BC)
Three Crowned Kingdoms|  (c. 600 BC – AD 1600)
Maha Janapadas|  (c. 600–300 BC)
Achaemenid Empire|  (550–330 BC)
Ror Dynasty|  (450 BC – AD 489)
Shaishunaga dynasty|  (424–345 BC)
Nanda Empire|  (380–321 BC)
Macedonian Empire|  (330–323 BC)
Maurya Empire|  (321–184 BC)
Seleucid India|  (312–303 BC)
Sangam period|  (c. 600 BC – c. 300 AD)
Pandya Empire|  (c. 300 BC – AD 1345)
Chera Kingdom|  (c. 300 BC – AD 1102)
Chola Empire|  (c. 300 BC – AD 1279)
Pallava Empire|  (c. 250 AD – AD 800)
Maha-Megha-Vahana Empire|  (c. 250 BC – c. AD 500)
Parthian Empire|  (247 BC – AD 224)

Middle Kingdoms (230 BC – AD 1206)

|  Satavahana Empire|  (230 BC – AD 220)

|

Kuninda Kingdom|  (200 BC – AD 300)
Mitra Dynasty|  (c. 150 – c. 50 BC)
Shunga Empire|  (185–73 BC)
Indo-Greek Kingdom|  (180 BC – AD 10)
Kanva Empire|  (75–26 BC)
Indo-Scythian Kingdom|  (50 BC – AD 400)
Indo-Parthian Kingdom|  (AD 21 – c. 130)
Western Satrap Empire|  (AD 35–405 )
Kushan Empire|  (AD 60–240)
Bharshiva Dynasty|  (170–350)
Nagas of Padmavati|  (210–340)
Sasanian Empire|  (224–651)
Indo-Sassanid Kingdom|  (230–360)
Vakataka Empire|  (c. 250 – c. 500)
Kalabhras Empire|  (c. 250 – c. 600)
Gupta Empire|  (280–550)
Kadamba Empire|  (345–525)
Western Ganga Kingdom|  (350–1000)
Kamarupa Kingdom|  (350–1100)
Vishnukundina Empire|  (420–624)
Maitraka Empire|  (475–767)
Huna Kingdom|  (475–576)
Rai Kingdom|  (489–632)
Kabul Shahi Empire|  (c. 500 – 1026)
Chalukya Empire|  (543–753)
Maukhari Empire|  (c. 550 – c. 700)
Harsha Empire|  (606–647)
Tibetan Empire|  (618–841)
Eastern Chalukya Kingdom|  (624–1075)
Rashidun Caliphate|  (632–661)
Gurjara-Pratihara Empire|  (650–1036)
Umayyad Caliphate|  (661–750)
Mallabhum kingdom|  (694-1947)
Bhauma-Kara Kingdom|  (736-916)
Pala Empire|  (750–1174)
Rashtrakuta Empire|  (753–982)
Paramara Kingdom|  (800–1327)
Yadava Empire|  (850–1334)
Somavamshi Kingdom|  (882–1110)
Chaulukya Kingdom|  (942–1244)
Western Chalukya Empire|  (973–1189)
Lohara Kingdom|  (1003–1320)
Hoysala Empire|  (1040–1347)
Sena Empire|  (1070–1230)
Eastern Ganga Empire|  (1078–1434)
Kakatiya Kingdom|  (1083–1323)
Zamorin Kingdom|  (1102–1766)
Kalachuris of Tripuri|  (675-1210)
Kalachuris of Kalyani|  (1156–1184)
Chutiya Kingdom|  (1187–1673)
Deva Kingdom|  (c. 1200 – c. 1300)

Late medieval period (1206–1526)

|  Ghaznavid Dynasty|  (977–1186)

|

Ghurid Dynasty|  (1170–1206)
Delhi Sultanate|  (1206–1526)
– Mamluk Sultanate|  (1206–1290)
– Khalji Sultanate|  (1290–1320)
– Tughlaq Sultanate|  (1320–1414)
– Sayyid Sultanate|  (1414–1451)
– Lodi Sultanate|  (1451–1526)
Ahom Kingdom|  (1228–1826)
Chitradurga Kingdom|  (1300–1779)
Reddy Kingdom|  (1325–1448)
Vijayanagara Empire|  (1336–1646)
Bengal Sultanate|  (1352–1576)
Garhwal Kingdom|  (1358–1803)
Mysore Kingdom|  (1399–1947)
Gajapati Empire|  (1434–1541)
Ladakh Kingdom |  (1470–1842)
Deccan Sultanates|  (1490–1596)
– Ahmadnagar Sultanate|  (1490–1636)
– Berar Sultanate|  (1490–1574)
– Bidar Sultanate|  (1492–1619)
– Bijapur Sultanate|  (1492–1686)
– Golkonda Sultanate|  (1518–1687)
Keladi Kingdom|  (1499–1763)
Koch Kingdom|  (1515–1947)

Early modern period (1526–1858)

|  Mughal Empire|  (1526–1858)

|

Sur Empire|  (1540–1556)
Madurai Kingdom|  (1529–1736)
Thanjavur Kingdom|  (1532–1673)
Bhoi dynasty|  (1541–1804)
Bengal Subah|  (1576–1757)
Marava Kingdom|  (1600–1750)
Sikkim Kingdom|  (1642–1975)
Thondaiman Kingdom|  (1650–1948)
Maratha Empire|  (1674–1818)
Sikh Confederacy|  (1707–1799)
Travancore Kingdom|  (1729–1947)
Sikh Empire|  (1799–1849)

Colonial states (1510–1961)

|  Portuguese India|  (1510–1961)

|

Dutch India|  (1605–1825)
Danish India|  (1620–1869)
French India|  (1759–1954)
Company Raj|  (1757–1858)
British Raj|  (1858–1947)

National histories

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Regional histories

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The Afghan–Sikh wars spanned from 1748 to 1837 in the Indian subcontinent, and saw multiple phases of fighting between the Durrani Empire and the Sikh Empire (and its predecessors), mainly in and around Punjab region. The conflict's origins stemmed from the days of the Dal Khalsa, and continued after the Emirate of Kabul succeeded the Durrani Empire.

## Background[edit]

The Sikh Confederacy had effectively achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the Chhota Ghallughara. The Afsharid Persian emperor Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader Shah's death in 1747, Ahmed Shah Abdali, the founder of the Durrani Empire declared independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.

## Campaigns of Ahmad Shah Abdali[edit]

Ahmad Shah Durrani (left) and Baba Deep Singh (right)

Further information: Indian campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani

On 12 January 1748, Ahmad Shah Durrani invaded and occupied Lahore,[5] after the Mughal governor of Lahore, Shah Nawaz Khan, fled to Delhi.[6] Establishing a governor over Lahore, Ahmad marched his army east taking more territory,[5] but was defeated at the Battle of Manupur by Mughals in alliance with Sikhs[7] and fled back to Kandahar.[6] Sikh bands under Charat Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Ala Singh continued to harass Durrani forces as they retreated. Thus, the first invasion of Shah proved a failure but it gave an opportunity to the Sikhs to organize themselves into the Dal Khalsa, an army of the Sikh Confederacy, at Amritsar in March 1748.[8] The Sikhs retook Lahore only to lose it to the Afghans by 12 April 1752.[5]

The Sikhs used guerilla warfare to try to oust the Afghans from Punjab.[9] In November 1757, the Sikhs defeated the outnumbered Afghan army at Battle of Amritsar (also known as the Battle of Gohalwar), under the command of Timur Shah Durrani, son of Ahmad Shah Durrani.[5] After witnessing the fall of Lahore, the Durrani commander-in-chief Jahan Khan and Timur Shah fled the city, and while trying to cross the Chenab and Ravi rivers, thousands of Afghan soldiers were drowned and much of the soldier's baggage's abandoned.[9] Sikhs took the captured Afghan prisoners to Amritsar to clean the sacred pool in Amritsar that was desecrated by the Afghans.[9] In 1758, the Sikhs defeated the Afghan faujdar (military officer) Sa‘adat Khan Afridi, who fled from Jalandhar, followed with the defeat of Afghan army from all direction. Though the Sikhs captured and plundered Lahore,[10] the Afghans recaptured Lahore in 1761, but just within couple of months, in May 1761, the Sikh army defeated the Afghan army, led by Ahmad Shah's governor of the Chahar Mahal, followed with defeat and surrender of relief party sent from Kandahar.[11] Thereafter, Sikhs captured Lahore.[11] In September 1761, near Gujranwala, Ahmad Shah Durrani's governor of the province of Lahore, was defeated by the Sikhs, continued with the defeat and ousting of the remaining commanders of Durrani's, eventually bringing the entire territories from the Satluj to the Indus, under Sikh occupation, along with Bist Jalandhar Doab, Sarhind, Rachna and the Chaj Doabs.[10] Ahmad Shah lost most of the Punjab to Sikhs.[11]

In October 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani attacked Amritsar but was defeated by the Sikhs.[12] In December 1762, he fought a skirmish with Sikh forces at the Battle of the Ravi Ford in December 1762. In November 1763, Sikh forces had forced Durrani armies to advance upon them, which led to the Battle of Sialkot, where the Afghans were defeated, and were forced to leave their Punjab campaign in the wake of this defeat.[13][14] At Gujranwala, Jahan Khan was heavily defeated by the Sikhs, who then continued their victory by sacking the towns of Malerkotla and Morinda,[12] followed with the defeat of the commander of Rohtas Fortress, Sarbaland Khan Saddozai, who was captured and imprisoned but later released after consenting to the Sikh sovereignty.[12] The reports of catastrophe enraged Ahmad Shah and wrote to Nasir Khan, beglar begi of Khalat, to join him in jihad (holy war) against the Sikhs, to destroy them and to enslave their women and children, but Ahmad Shah's march to Punjab in 1764, resulted in failure of Jihad with the defeat, ambush and ousting of advance guards by the Sikhs outside of Lahore.[12] In 1765, Ahmad Shah marched again to Punjab with Qazi Mur Muhammad but his authority was only restricted within his camp as he remained on the defensive side with Sikhs swarming around the camp, which eventually resulted in Ahmad Shah's return to Kabul without pursuing even a single battle, where the Qazi noticed with disappointment that the country from Sirhind to Derajat was divided amongst the Sikhs with their sovereignty[10] The Sikh sovereignty was further acknowledged in Lahore by striking a coin which pierced the same inscription that fifty five years ago was used by Banda Singh Bahadur on his seal, followed with re-establishment of 13 Sikh rule.[10]

The Sikhs would also capture Multan in 1772.[15][16] The period after this would be known as the "Sikh Interlude Period", from 1772 to 1780.[17]

## Campaigns of Timur Shah[edit]

Main articles: Battle of Rohtas (1779), Battle of Shujabad (1780), and Siege of Multan (1780)

Depiction of Durrani Soldiers by James Rattray. c. 1847

Timur Shah ascended to the throne of the Durrani Empire after his father, Ahmad Shah Durrani's death.[18] Timur Shah consolidated his rule through multiple attempts, and also attempted an earlier campaign in 1775, however realizing the weakness of his army in view of smaller in number, Timur Shah retired to Peshawar which proceeded with rebellion by Faizullah Khan,[19] who plotted to assassinate Timur Shah but was cunningly executed.[20] In late 1779, Timur Shah decided to conquer Multan.[21] Due to Sikhs having been in possession of the provinces of Lahore and Multan, these provinces served as a barrier for any attempt by Timur Shah to invade, many chiefs and nobility, dependencies of Durranis, paid no respect to the Durrani sovereignty, such as Sind which reduced the amount of tribute and hardly paid it, mostly due to its concurrent civil war between the Talpurs, and the Kalhoras; Nasir Khan Balouch, the ruler of the Khanate of Kalat under Timur Shah did not acknowledge the authority of Afghan monarch, as a result, inducing other Durrani chiefdoms to do the same, including the chief of Bahawalpur, who treated the authority of Timur Shah with no respect.[22] Timur Shah thereupon tried to recover Multan by diplomacy and therefore sent Haji Ali Khan, as his agent, along with companions, to the Bhangi Sikh Chiefs to negotiate, with advice to behave and be polite, but instead, Haji Ali Khan threatened the Bhangi Chiefs to retire from Multan or face the royal wrath. The Bhangis tied Haji to the tree and shot him dead whereas his companions were left unharmed and sent back to report to Timur.[22] Upon the news of death of his agent, Timur Shah detached a force of 18,000 men that included Yusafzais, Durranis, Mughals and Qizalbashes under general Zangi Khan,[23] with orders to march by less known routes and fall upon the Sikhs unaware and Zangi Khan gave strict orders to his army to keep the movement secret. Zangi Khan halted 25 km from the Sikh camps with orders to imprison anyone who goes in the direction of the Sikh camp to make the Sikhs aware of their presence. Timur Shah positioned himself in the centre, at the head of 5,000 Yusafzai men.[24] Little before daybreak, early morning, the Sikhs completely unaware of Afghan army's presence, were attacked, and though unorganized, the Sikhs gave tough resistance but were eventually overwhelmed. About 3000 Sikhs were killed, and 500 others drowned in river Jhelum in trying to cross it during the Sikh retreat, while 2000 escaped by successfully reaching the opposite bank of the river.[25] Following the victory, Timur Shah Durrani captured Multan after meeting the relieving Sikh force in Shujabad where a severe battle was fought on 8 February 1780. The Sikhs lost 2,000 men in killed and wounded and proceeded to flee towards Lahore. Timur sent a large army in pursuit of them and managed to overtake them at Hujra Muqim Khan, 64 km south west of Lahore. After this successful juncture, Timur hurried from Shujabad to Multan and ordered a general massacre in the city and besieged the fort in which the Sikh army was residing.[24] Negotiations were held and with the acceptance of conditions, Timur took over the fort on 18 February 1780, following which Timur Shah appointed Muzaffar Khan as the Nazim of Multan and Abdul Karim Khan Babar, a defected Muslim general of the Sikh army was appointed as Naib (Chief officer) of Muzaffar Khan.[26] Multan would remain under Afghan rule until its loss in 1818 to the Sikh Empire, during the Siege of Multan.

This phase ended with the death of Timur Shah on 20 May 1793, leading his successor, Zaman Shah Durrani to ascend to the Durrani throne.[27]

## Campaigns of Zaman Shah[edit]

Zaman Shah Durrani

Zaman Shah Durrani ascended to the Durrani throne after his father, Timur Shah died on 20 May 1793. Zaman Shah lead multiple campaigns of Punjab against the Sikhs. His first campaign was in November 1796.[28]

Zaman Shah's campaign of Punjab in 1796 against the Sikhs, led to capture of Lahore in January 1797,[29] without any opposition as the Sikh chiefs retired to Amritsar to protect the holy city.[30] Zaman Shah progressed towards Amritsar on January 13, 1797, where he was defeated by the Sikhs, 10 km away from the city.[31] As intelligence from Kabul had warned of a possible Persian invasion of main Afghanistan, Zaman Shah was forced to abandon his first Punjab campaign and return home to mobilize an army to combat this threat, headed by his own brother, Mahmud Shah Durrani. The Sikhs recaptured Lahore as he left.[29] After retreat, he left his deputy general, Ahmad Khan Shahanchi-bashi in charge, along with Afghan soldiers but he too was defeated and killed by the Sikhs.[32]

### Second campaign of Punjab[edit]

Having dealt with Mahmud Shah Durrani for the time being, Zaman Shah returned to Punjab and resumed his campaign once again, occupying Lahore[33] in autumn of 1798, without opposition, as it was strategy of Ranjit Singh to drive them into Lahore and then lay siege to the city.[34] Zaman Shah intended to march on Delhi but the Sikhs laid waste around 150 km of his camp to stop supplies and engaged in skirmishes. Facing determined foe who could cut of his communication with Kabul, Shah Zaman exercised discretion and returned to Afghanistan with his troops on 4 January 1799.[30] Bhangi Sikh Misl recaptured Lahore.[35] Zaman Shah then appointed 19 yr old Ranjit Singh as governor of Lahore to try to divide the Sikhs and returned to Peshawar where Sikhs all along harried the Afghans to river Jhelum. While crossing the river, Zaman Shah lost most men, supplies and heavy artillery due to upsurge. Eventually, Shah Zaman and his remaining army reached Kandahar in late 1799, exhausted from the campaign.[33]

### Third campaign of Punjab[edit]

Zaman Shah set out his third campaign of Punjab in the spring of 1800, plotted to deal with a rebellious Ranjit Singh. However, having civil strife in Afghanistan, he was forced to cut his campaign short, having to deal with his brother, Mahmud Shah Durrani once again. Shah Zaman would not return to Punjab, and he would be deposed by Mahmud Shah.[36]

## Campaigns of Maharaja Ranjit Singh[edit]

Main article: Battle of Attock

Ranjit Singh (left) and Dost Mohammad Khan (right)

Hari Singh Nalwa

In 1813, after demanding the return of the fort at Attock, the Durrani prime minister Wazir Fateh Khan besieged Attock.[37] A Punjabi relief force arrived and for three months the two armies faced each other, neither side moving.[37] As the heat from summer started to affect the armies, Dewan Mokham Chand marched his army to block the Afghans from getting water from the river.[37] Without water the Afghan troops began to suffer dehydration, so they launched attack after attack towards the river, but were unable to break through.[37] Chand, realizing the Afghans were weakened, charged his cavalry at the Afghans who broke and ran, losing two thousand men.[37]

Accusing Ranjit Singh of treachery, Fateh Khan set off from Kashmir at the head of 15,000 cavalry[38] in April 1813 and invested Attock Fort.[39] At the same time Ranjit Singh rushed Dewan Mokham Chand and Karam Chand Chahal from Burhan with a force of cavalry, artillery, and a battalion of infantry to meet the Afghans.[40]

Dewan Mokham Chand Nayyar encamped 8 miles (13 km) from the Afghan camp,[41] unwilling to risk a decisive engagement, although both sides engaged in numerous skirmishes and took losses. On 12 July 1813, the Afghans' supplies were exhausted and Dewan Mokham Chand Nayyar marched 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Attock to Haidaru, on the banks of the Indus River, to offer battle. On 13 July 1813, Dewan Mokham Chand Nayyar split the cavalry into four divisions, giving command of one division to Hari Singh Nalwa and taking command of one division himself. The lone battalion of infantry formed an infantry square protecting the artillery, with Gouse Khan commanding the artillery.[40] The Afghans took up positions opposite the Sikhs, with a portion of their cavalry under the command of Dost Mohammad Khan.

Fateh Khan opened the battle by sending his Pathans on a cavalry charge which was repulsed by heavy fire from the Sikh artillery.[40] The Afghans rallied under Dost Mohammad Khan, who led the Ghazis on another cavalry charge which threw one wing of the Sikh army into disarray and captured some artillery.[39] When it appeared the Sikhs had lost the battle, Dewan Mokham Chand led a cavalry charge atop a war elephant that repulsed the Afghans "at all points",[41] and routed the remaining Afghan troops.[42] Fateh Khan, fearing his brother, Dost Mohammad Khan, had died, escaped to Kabul and the Sikhs captured the Afghan camp, including the lost artillery pieces.[43]

Two months after the victory at Attock, Ranjit Singh decided to capitalize on instability in the Durrani Kingdom, and launched a campaign to take Kashmir from the Durrani Empire. [44] A late Autumn start postponed the campaign until the next spring.[44] By June, an army of 30,000 men under the command of Ram Dyal, grandson of Dewan Mokham Chand, marched toward Baramulla, with a pincer attack of 20,000 men led by Ranjit Singh marching to Poonch.[44]

Ranjit's force was delayed by torrential rains, while Ram Dyal's army took the fortress of Baramulla on 20 July 1814.[44] When Dyal's army reached Shupaiyan, the governor of Kashmir, Azim Khan blocked his advance.[45] Fighting a delaying action, Dyal waited on a reinforcement of 5,000 men from Ranjit.[46] These reinforcements were forced to a standstill by Afghan snipers.[46]

Ranjit Singh's force made little progress.[46] Faced with a scorched earth from the fleeing populace, food supplies became a major issue for his army, followed by a cholera outbreak.[46] Meanwhile, Ram Dyal, who was entrenched near Srinagar, received a proposal from Azim Khan for a negotiated peace and was able to extricate himself from a difficult situation.[46] Ranjit Singh's campaign ended in failure.[46]

Amritsar, Lahore, and other large cities across the Sikh Empire were illuminated for two months afterwards in rejoicing over the victory.[47] After his defeat at Attock, Fateh Khan fought off an attempt by Ali Shah, the ruler of Persia, and his son Ali Mirza to capture the Durrani province of Herat, which left their newly captured province of Kashmir open to attack.[48]

### Siege of Multan[edit]

Main article: Siege of Multan (1818)

Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia of Kapurthala

In early January the Sikh force began their campaign with the capture of Nawab Muzaffar Khan's forts at Muzaffargarh and Khangarh. In February, the Sikh force under Kharak Singh reached Multan and ordered Muzaffar to pay the large tribute he owed and to surrender the fort, but Muzaffar refused. The Sikh forces won an engagement near the city but were unable to capture Muzaffar before he retreated into the fort. The Sikh army asked for more artillery and Ranjit Singh sent them the Zamzama and other large artillery pieces, which commenced fire on the walls of the fort. In early June, Sadhu Singh and a small band of other Akalis attacked the fort walls and discovered a breach in the wall. As they ran in to battle the unaware garrison the larger Sikh army was alerted and entered the fort through the breach. Muzaffar and his sons attempted a sortie to defend the fort but were killed in the battle.

The siege of Multan ended significant Afghan influence in the Peshawar region and led to multiple Sikh attempts at capturing and the final capture of Peshawar.[49]

### Battle of Shopian[edit]

Main article: Battle of Shopian

The battle took place in the Shopian region in the Kashmir region. This battle included the 1819 Kashmir expedition, which led to Kashmir being annexed to the Sikh Empire.[50]

When the Sikh army entered the city of Srinagar after the battle, Prince Kharak Singh guaranteed the personal safety of every citizen and ensured the city was not plundered. The peaceful capture of Srinagar was important as Srinagar, besides having a large Shawl-making industry, was also the center of trade between Panjab, Tibet, Iskardo, and Ladakh.[51]

After taking Srinagar, the Sikh army faced no major opposition in conquering Kashmir. However, when Ranjit Singh installed Moti Ram, the son of Dewan Mokham Chand, as the new governor of Kashmir, he also sent a "large body of troops" with him to ensure tribute from strongholds within Kashmir that might attempt to resist Sikh rule.[52] The capture of Kashmir set the boundaries and borders of the Sikh Empire with Tibet. The conquest of Kashmir marked an "extensive addition" to the Sikh Empire and "significantly" increased the empire's revenue and landmass.[51]

### Battle of Nowshera[edit]

Main article: Battle of Nowshera

took place on 14 March 1823, in the bloody battle of Nowshera, Ranjit Singh led Sikh force's defeated Yusufzai Afghan supported by the Peshawar sardars. Azim Khan Barakzai felt so much heart broken that he died of grief and disgrace after one month and a half in the beginning of May.[53]

### Battle of Jamrud[edit]

Main article: Battle of Jamrud

The Battle of Jamrud was the fifth and foremost battle within the third Afghan–Sikh war. The result of the battle is disputed amongst historians. Some contend the failure of the Afghans to take the fort and the city of Peshawar or town of Jamrud as a victory for the Sikhs. On the other hand, some state that the killing of Hari Singh Nalwa resulted in an Afghan victory. James Norris, Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University, states that the battle's outcome was inconclusive.[54][55]

Maharaja Sher Singh receives Emir Dost Mohammad Khan

## See also[edit]

* List of battles between Mughals and Sikhs
* List of battles involving the Sikh Empire
* Hill States–Sikh wars
* Pashtun tribes
* Nepal–Sikh war
* Sino-Sikh war
* First Anglo-Sikh war
* Second Anglo-Sikh war

## References[edit]

1. ^ Goswami, Arunansh B. "Debunking misconceptions of Khalistan sympathisers". The Times of India.
2. ^ Sant Singh Sekhon: Selected Writings. Sahitya Akademi. 2005. ISBN 9788126019991.
3. ^ Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encycl opedia of Sikhism Volume II E-L (3rd ed.). Punjabi University, Patiala. pp. 131–132. ISBN 978-81-7380-204-1. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
4. ^ a b "The history of the Sikhs; containing the lives of the Gooroos; the history of the independent Sirdars, or Missuls, and the life of the great founder of the Sikh monarchy, Maharajah Runjeet Singh". 1846.
5. ^ a b c d Lansford 2017, p. 20.
6. ^ a b Dupree, Louis (2014). Afghanistan. Princeton University Press. p. 335\. ISBN 9781400858910.
7. ^ "Baba Ala Singh". 2005.
8. ^ Mehta, J. L. (2005). Advanced study in the history of modern India 1707–1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 251\. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
9. ^ a b c Drahm 2020, p. 126.
10. ^ a b c d Grewal, J. S. (2008). The Sikhs of the Punjab Volumes 2-3. Cambridge University Press. pp. 91–93. ISBN 9780521637640.
11. ^ a b c Drahm 2020, p. 128.
12. ^ a b c d Drahm 2020, p. 129.
13. ^ "Afghanistan a History from 1260 to the Present".
14. ^ The last phase of Muslim phase in Multan
15. ^ Pakistan Historical Society (1991). Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society Volume 39. Pakistan Historical Society. p. 146\. "During the life time of Ahmad Shāh Abdali, the Sikhs under Jhanda Singh and Lahna Singh succeeded in capturing Multan on 5th January 1772"
16. ^ Sughra, Bibi (1994). "Peshawar under the AFGHANS (1753-1819)" (PDF). PRR: 162. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
17. ^ Sughra 1994, p. 162.
18. ^ Khan Malik, Ajmal (1993). UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (Thesis). Vol. 01\. University of Peshawar, Pakistan. p. 158. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
19. ^ Gupta 2000, p. 236.
20. ^ Gupta 2000, p. 237.
21. ^ Gupta 2000, p. 238.
22. ^ a b Gupta, Hari Ram (2000). Studies In Later Mughal History Of The Punjab 1707-1793. Sang-e-Meel Publications. pp. 237–240. ISBN 9789693507560.
23. ^ Muhammad Khan, Ashiq (1998). THE LAST PHASE OF MUSLIM RULE IN MULTAN (1752 - 1818) (Thesis). University of Multan, MULTAN. p. 157. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
24. ^ a b Hari Ram Gupta (2001). History of the Sikhs: The Sikh Commonwealth. Munshirm Manoharlal Pub Pvt Ltd. pp. 432–435. ISBN 9788121501651.
25. ^ Gupta 2000, p. 240.
26. ^ Muhammad Khan 1998, p. 158.
27. ^ Drahm, Abdel (2020). "Afghanistan A History From 1260 To The Present". AAF: 155. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
28. ^ Drahm 2020, p. 159.
29. ^ a b Drahm 2020, p. 160.
30. ^ a b Jaswant Lal Mehta (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. New Dawn Press, Incorporated. p. 680\. ISBN 9781932705546.
31. ^ Tony Jaques (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O. Greenwood Press. p. 419\. ISBN 9780313335389.
32. ^ Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Oxford University Press. p. 17.
33. ^ a b Drahm 2020, p. 161.
34. ^ Jann Tibbets (2016). 50 Great Military Leaders of All Time. Vij Books India Private Limited. p. 460\. ISBN 9789385505669.
35. ^ Patwant Singh (2007). The Sikhs. Crown Publishing Group. p. 95\. ISBN 9780307429339.
36. ^ Drahm 2020, p. 162.
37. ^ a b c d e Singh 1999, p. 235.
38. ^ Prakash 2002, p. 329
39. ^ a b Griffin 1892, p. 192
40. ^ a b c Prakash 2002, p. 330
41. ^ a b M'Gregor 1846, p. 170
42. ^ Jaques 2006, p. 81
43. ^ Prakash 2002, pp. 330–331
44. ^ a b c d Singh 1999, p. 238.
45. ^ Singh 1999, p. 238-239.
46. ^ a b c d e f Singh 1999, p. 239.
47. ^ M'Gregor 1846, p. 171
48. ^ "The English in Afghanistan". The North American Review. Cedar Falls, Iowa: University of Northern Iowa. 277–230 (2): 54. 1929.
49. ^ Sandhu, Autar Singh (1935). General Hari Singh Nalwa 1791–1837. p. 10.
50. ^ Chopra, Gulshan Lall. The Panjab as a Sovereign State, Lahore: Uttar Chand Kapur and Sons. p. 26.
51. ^ a b Chopra (1928), p. 26
52. ^ Prinsep & Prinsep (1846), p. 53
53. ^ Gupta, Hari Ram (2008). The Sikh Lion of Lahore Maharaja Ranjit Singh, (1799-1839). Munshiram Manohorlal. p. 180\. ISBN 978-81-215-0515-4.
54. ^ Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Atlantic Publishers & Distri. p. 43.
55. ^ Nalwa, Vanit (2009), Hari Singh Nalwa, "champion of the Khalsaji" (1791-1837), Manohar, pp. 177–317, ISBN 9788173047855

## Sources[edit]

* Chopra, Gulshan Lall (1928), The Panjab as a Sovereign State, Lahore: Uttar Chand Kapur and Sons
* Dupree, Louis (1980). Afghanistan. Princeton University Press.
* Glover, William J. (2008). Making Lahore Modern: Constructing and Imagining a Colonial City. University of Minnesota Press.
* Grewal, J.S. (1990). The Sikhs of the Punjab. Cambridge University Press. p. 91\. ISBN 0-521-63764-3. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
* Griffin, Lepel Henry (1892). Ranjit Singh. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
* Jaques, Tony (2006). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A-E. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-33537-2.
* Lansford, Tom (2017). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598847604.
* M'Gregor, William Lewis (1846). The history of the Sikhs; containing the lives of the Gooroos; the history of the independent Sirdars, or Missuls, and the life of the great founder of the Sikh monarchy, Maharajah Runjeet Singh. London: J. Madden.
* Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. New Dawn Press, Inc.
* Prakash, Om (2002). Encyclopaedic History of Indian Freedom Movement. Anmol Publications. ISBN 978-81-261-0938-8.
* Singh, Khushwant (1999). A History of the Sikhs. Vol. 1, 1469–1839. Oxford University Press.
* Prinsep, Henry Thoby; Prinsep, James (1846), History of the Punjab: And of the Rise, Progress, and Present Condition of the Sect and Nation of the Sikhs (Volume II), Wm. H. Allen and Co., ISBN 978-1-142-34278-4

* v
* t
* e

Sikh Empire

Rulers|

* Ranjit Singh
* Kharak Singh
* Nau Nihal Singh
* Chand Kaur
* Sher Singh
* Jind Kaur
* Duleep Singh

Military
conflicts|

| Mughal-Sikh Wars|

* Battle of Bhangani
* Nadaun
* Basoli
* Nirmohgarh
* 1st Anandpur
* 2nd Anandpur
* Chamkaur
* Sarsa
* Muktsar
* Sonepat
* Samana
* Sirhind
* Sadhaura
* Chappar Chiri
* Rahon
* Lohgarh
* Jalalabad
* Jammu
* Gurdas Nangal
* Delhi

|

Afghan–Sikh wars|

* Battle of Lahore
* Battle of Attock
* Battle of Multan
* Battle of Shopian
* Battle of Nowshera
* Battle of Peshawar
* Battle of Jamrud

First Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Mudki
* Battle of Ferozeshah
* Battle of Aliwal
* Battle of Sobraon

Second Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Ramnagar
* Battle of Chillianwala
* Siege of Multan
* Battle of Gujrat

Others|

Nepal–Sikh War, Sino-Sikh war, Katoch–Sikh War, Hill States–Sikh Wars, List of battles involving the Sikh Empire

Military forces|

* Sikh Khalsa Army
* Fauj-i-Khas
* Fauj-i-Ain

Adversaries|

* Mughal Empire
* Durrani Empire
* Emirate of Afghanistan
* British East India Company
* Kingdom of Nepal
* Qing Empire
* Hill States Alliance
* Kingdom of Mankera
* Namgyal dynasty
* Barakzai dynasty
* Sudhans of Poonch
* Maqpon Dynasty

Forts|

* Jamrud Fort
* Multan Fort
* Harkishangarh
* Lahore Fort

Officials and warriors|

| Natives|

* Dhian Singh
* Diwan Dina Nath
* Diwan Bhawani Das
* Pratap Singh
* Misr Diwan Chand
* Diwan Mulraj
* Hari Singh Nalwa
* Mahan Singh Mirpuri
* Dewan Mokham Chand
* Khushal Singh Jamadar
* Zorawar Singh
* Tej Singh
* Lal Singh
* Gulab Singh
* Balbhadra Kunwar
* Jawahar Singh
* Mehta Basti Ram
* Sham Singh Attariwalla
* Sher Singh Attariwalla
* Chattar Singh Attariwalla
* Amar Singh Majithia
* Lehna Singh Majithia
* Ranjodh Singh Majithia
* Surat Singh Majithia
* Mangal Singh Ramgarhia
* Akali Phula Singh
* Chandu Lal
* Ajit Singh Sandhawalia
* Kahan Singh Nakai
* Sangat Singh Saini
* Hukma Singh
* Veer Singh
* Jarnail Ghaus Khan
* Ilahi Bakhsh
* Fakir Azizuddin
* Sultan Mahmud Khan
* Malik Fateh Khan Tiwana

|

Foreigners|

* Jean-François Allard
* Jean-Baptiste Ventura
* Claude Auguste Court
* François Henri Mouton
* Alexander Gardner
* Paolo Avitabile
* Josiah Harlan
* Johann Martin Honigberger
* Henry Lawrence

Influential families|

* Sandhawalia family
* Majithia family
* Tiwana family

Treaties|

* Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
* Treaty of Lahore (1846)
* Treaty of Amritsar (1846)

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*[e]: Edit this template
*[c.]: circa