Banda Singh Bahadur's invasion of the Hill States
Banda Singh Bahadur's invasion of the Hill States was a Sikh military invasion of the Hill States.
| Banda Singh Bahadur's Invasion of the Hill States | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Hill States-Sikh wars | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 First Sikh State | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Leader Banda Singh Bahadur Sikh Jathedar Baba Baghar Singh Baba Ranjor Singh Bhai Bajar Singh Bhai Kehar Singh Bhai Ranjit Singh |
Leader Raja Ajmer Chand   Raja Sudh Sain  Raja Udai Singh  Raja Pradip Shah [1] Raja of Kangra Raja of Kullu | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown |
1,300+ 7 War Elephants | ||||||||
Background
editAfter taking Punjab from the Mughal Empire and establishing the first sovereign Sikh State, Banda Singh Bahadur launched an invasion of the Hill States.[citation needed] He officially established his headquarters at Kiratpur Sahib, and positioned some troops at Anandpur Sahib.[2]
Invasion
editKahlur
editThe first Hill State Banda focused was on Kahlur. The main reason of Kahlur becoming the first target was because of Kahlur always being a key enemy to Guru Gobind Singh.[3][4] A messenger was sent to the Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur to ask him to submit.[5] Both parties had a meeting in which they made discussions about a battle and what they would do it they won. Right after the discussion, the Raja of Kahlur placed as many troops as possible to defend the Kahlur Fort. The fort was guarded by 1,300 Mian Rajputs and 7 war elephants.[5][6] Banda Singh sent 5 Sikhs to the battlefield who were accompanied voluntary by a large number of Sikhs. Bhai Kehar Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh and Baba Ranjor Singh finished all 7 of the war elephants. Bhai Bajar Singh marched towards the fort and brought down both of its doors. Baba Baghar Singh cleared the passage through enemy columns and destroyed the forces which were blocking the entrance of the fort. During all this time, the Khalsa reinforcements had arrived. Kahlur was defeated with 1,300 troops dead.[3][5][7][8] Bilaspur's immense booty was plundered by the Sikhs.[9] This defeat also spread terror among other hill Rajas, forcing most of them to submit to the Sikhs. Many of them went to the Sikh camp to greet them and offer them allegiance and to pay tribute to the Sikh treasury.[5]
Mandi
editThe Raja of Mandi Sudh Sain was informed that Banda Singh was about to attack Mandi next. The raja declared himself the follower of Guru Nanak and gave in marriage a woman from his own family.[10] D.S Saggu says that Banda met his wife Bibi Susheel Kaur at Jammu, Surjit Gandhi states that it was Chamba and Rattan Singh Bhangu states that it was Mandi.[6]
Kullu
editBanda Singh Bahadur wanted to visit the famous shrine of Mahesh at Kullu and also wanted to pay a visit to the various Siddhas. However, when Banda Singh stepped into the territory of Kullu, the Raja immediately arrested him.[citation needed] The other Sikhs assisted by an enraged Sudh Sain launched a campaign to free Banda Singh. Banda Singh was freed and taught a lesson to the Raja of Kullu.[6]
Chamba
editNow the only raja who didn't submit to Banda Singh Bahadur was Raja Udai Singh of Chamba.[11] The Raja called his prime minister to strike a treaty with Banda by offering him tribute which Banda Singh agreed and accepted and in return received his blessings.
Aftermath
editHaving secured the hills, Banda descended to the plains and proceeded to Jammu.[10]
References
edit- ^ Rawat, Ajay Singh (2002). Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective. Indus Publishing Company. p. 22. ISBN 9788173871368.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram (1978). History Of The Sikhs Vol. II Evolution Of Sikh Confederacies (1707-69). p. 21.
- ^ a b Sagoo, Harbans Kaur (2001). Banda Singh Bahadur And Sikh Sovereignty. p. 190.
- ^ Gurdev Singh Deol (1972). Banda Bahadur. p. 76. ISBN 9788186622254.
- ^ a b c d Singh, Ganda (1990). Life Of Banda Singh Bahadur Based On Contemporary And Original Records - Dr. Ganda Singh. Sikh Digital Library. pp. 154–155.
- ^ a b c D.S Saggu VSM (2018). Battle Tactics And War Manoeuvres of the Sikhs. ISBN 9781642490060.
- ^ Patwant Singh (2007). The Sikhs. ISBN 9780307429339.
- ^ Harajindara Siṅgha Dilagīra (1997). The Sikh reference book. p. 257. ISBN 9780969596424.
- ^ Raj Pal Singh (1998). Banda Bahadur and His Times. p. 43. ISBN 9788186622254.
- ^ a b Surjit Singh Gandhi (1999). Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. Singh Bros. p. 46. ISBN 9788172052171.
- ^ Harish Dhillon (2013). First Raj of the Sikhs. ISBN 9789381398395.