Adina Beg
Khan was a phenomenal personality. He was a mastermind of political strategies.
He managed to rule out Dehli and Kabal supremacy. With his political
maneuvering and Sikh armed forces, he smartly managed the Afghans to
deteriorate the Mughal invaders in Punjab and handled the Marathas to throw out
Afghans from Punjab.
Adina Beg
Khan started his political journey when he became Administrator (Nazim) of
Jalandhar Doab (old name Bast Doab), which was very rich in revenue. According
to Hein Sin, a 7th-century Chinese traveler, that area was very rich.
Adina Beg
Khan managed power players smartly and then with smart political maneuvering he
ruled Punjab. From Dina, he became Adina and then selected titles like Beg and
Khan for himself, a usual tradition.
Adina Beg
Khan, the son of Channu, of the Arain agriculturalist caste, mostly settled in
Doaba region of Punjab was born in the village of Sharakpur, near Lahore,
now in the Sheikhupura district of Pakistan. Adina Beg Khan was brought up in
Mughal homes, for the most part in Jalalabad, Khanpur, and Bajvara in the
Jalandhar Doab. Starting his career as a soldier, he rose to be a collector of
revenue of the village of Kang in the Lohian area, near Sultanpur Lodhi.
He obtained half a dozen villages in the Kang area on lease and within a year the
entire Kang region. After some time Nawab Zakariya Khan, the governor of
Lahore appointed him Chief (Hakam) of Sultanpur Lodhi.
When after Nadir Shah’s invasion (1739), Sikhs started gaining power, Zakariya
Khan made Adina Beg Khan Administrator (Nazim) of the Jalandhar Doab, to
suppress the Sikhs. Shrewd as he was, he tried to strengthen his own political
position by strengthening the position of Sikhs by encouraging Sikhs instead of
repressing them.
Under
pressure from Zakariya Khan, he, however, had to expel the Sikhs from his
dominion. Therefore he stopped to pay the revenue and due to nonpayment of
government due's he was taken into custody under the orders of the Governor of
Lahore and subjected to torture. On being set free after a year, due to his
political importance in Jalandhar Doab, he was appointed as the Deputy
Administrator (Nazim) of Jalandhar Doab under Shah Nawaz Khan.
After Zakariya Khan`s death on 1st, July 1745, his sons, Yahiya Khan, and Shah
Nawaz Khan contested succession. Adina Beg Khan maintained good relations with
both. Shah Nawaz Khan had captured Lahore and appointed Adina Beg Khan
Administrator (Nazim) of Jalandhar Doab.
Meanwhile,
Nadir Shah died on 19 June 1747 and Ahmad Shah Durrani became ruler of Kabul
and Qandahar. Shah Nawaz Khan following Adina Beg Khan`s advice invited the
Durrani King to march towards Punjab, warning at the same time the Government
at Delhi about the Durrani`s invasion.
As Ahmad
Shah advanced into the country, Shah Nawaz fled towards Delhi. Mu`in-ul-Mulk
(Mir Mannu), son of Qamar-ud-Din, the Chief Wazir of the Delhi King, succeeded
in checking the invader at Manupur, near Sirhind.
Adina Beg
Khan joined hands with Mu`in-ul-Mulk and was wounded in the battle.
Mu`in-ul-Mulk became Governor of Lahore, with Kaura Mall as his Diwan and Adina
Beg Khan as Administrator (Nazim) of the Jalandhar Doab as before.
Adina Beg
Khan, on one hand, would woo Sikhs to join him against Mughals on the other hand;
he had secret links with Afghanis, while he drew his salary from Mughals.
Sikhs again
started plundering the country. Ahmad Shah Durrani launched upon his third
incursion into Punjab (December 1751), this time, forcing Mu`in-ul-Mulk to
surrender. Mu`in-ul-Mulk surrendered and remained Governor, now on the behalf
of Durrani`s.
Mu`in-ul-Mulk
and Adina Beg Khan directed their energies towards quelling the Sikhs. On the
festival of Hola Mohalla in March 1753, Adina Beg Khan fell upon Sikh pilgrims
at Anandpur killing a large number of them. The Sikhs retaliated by plundering
villages in the Jalandhar and Bari Doabs.
Adina Beg Khan was as quick in coming to terms as he was in opening hostilities.
He assigned some of the revenue of his territory to the Sikhs and admitted
several of them, including Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, into his army. Thus the Sikh
Misals started to rise to a position of supremacy in Punjab.
Mu`in-ul-Mulk died on 3 November 1753, and during the time of his widow, Murad
Begam (Mughlani Begum), Adina Beg Khan assumed independent authority in the
Doab, extending his influence up to Sirhind (March 1755). The Emperor of Delhi
bestowed on him the title of Zafar Jarig Khan. The ruler of Kangra accepted his
overlordship.
In May
1756, he was appointed as Governor of Lahore and Multan by the Mughal
Government of Delhi on payment of an annual tribute of a thirty lakh of rupees.
On November
1756, Ahmad Shah Abdali came to Mughlani Begam`s help and invaded Punjab for
the fourth time and captured Lahore but soon he returned to Afghanistan leaving
behind his son Timur Shah at Lahore.
Adina Beg
Khan took refuge in the Sivalik hills and due to the political influence of
Adina Beg Khan in Jalandhar Doab, the Afghans reappointed him Administrator
(Nazim) of the Jalandhar Doab.
During Taimur Shah`s governorship (1757-58), Adina Beg Khan began to look
around for allies with a view to expelling the Afghans. The Sikhs and Adina Beg
Khan`s troops joined hands and defeated the Afghans at Mahalpur, in Hoshiarpur
district.
Adina Beg Khan expressed his gratitude to the Sikhs by presenting a sum of a
thousand rupees as an homage to the Guru Granth Sahib and a lakh and a quarter as
protection money for the Jalandhar Doab.
By 1758, Adina Beg Khan met the Sikhs and requested their help to throw out the
Afghans representative from Lahore. Soon Hari Singh Bhangi along with his son
Jhanda Singh, Gujjar Singh, Lehna Singh built a combined front with Jassa Singh
Ahluwalia, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Jai Singh Kanahiya, Charat Singh Sukerchakia,
and other Sikh Sardars.
Keeping up appearances with the Sikh Sardars, he wished to weaken the power of
Afghans in Punjab and invited to this end Marathas who had taken Delhi to come
to Punjab, offering them one lakh of rupees a day on the march.
He also
persuaded Sikhs to help the Marathas against the Afghans. The Marathas led by
Raghunath Rao and accompanied by the forces of the Sikhs and those of Adina Beg
Khan entered Lahore in April 1758. Timur Shah fled to Afghanistan and they
captured the city of Lahore without any great effort.
Adina Beg Khan got the Subahdar of Punjab at 75 lakh of rupees a year to be
paid to the Marathas. Punjab had now three masters: the Mughals, the Afghans,
and the Marathas, but in reality only two Adina Beg Khan and the Sikhs.
Adina Beg Khan succumbed to an attack of colic in Batala on 10 September 1758.
He died at the age of 48. His dead body was buried, honoring his will, at
Khanpur, 2 km Northwest of Hoshiarpur.
Adina Beg Khan was a bridging and binding force to unite the Muslim Punjabis
and Sikh Punjabis to liberate Punjab from Mughal invaders, to control the
Afghans, to maneuver the Marathas by smartly managing the Afghans to
deteriorate the Mughal invaders in Punjab and handling the Marathas to throw
out Afghans from Punjab. But after his death at age of 48, the defenders of
Punjab were the only Sikhs.
If Adina Beg Khan had not died at the age of 48 and had a life for a decade or
two then the Secular Empire of Punjab was presumed in the 1760s under Kingship
of Adina Beg Khan and liberated Punjab from Mughal invasion would not have been
plundered by the Afghans and due to Muslim Punjabi and Sikh Punjabi harmony
with political strategies and political maneuvering skills of Adina Beg Khan
along with the physical power of Sikh armed forces, Punjab would have been a
powerful state of South Asia.
Taking advantage of a political leadership vacuum in Punjab and only the
presence of Sikh armed groups without political strategies and maneuvering
skills, in February 1762 Ahmed Shah again invaded Punjab and the Sikhs suffered
a heavy loss of life and property in the battle of Kup. These disasters
setbacks and humiliations did not deter the Sikhs as is evident from their
subsequent actions.
While Ahmed Shah Abdali stayed in Lahore, Bhangi Sardars Hari Singh and his son
Jhanda Singh and Ganda Singh and other companions, along with the other Sikh
Sardars continued to carry out their armed assaults against Abdali’s representatives
in Punjab, such as Zain Khan, Khabiat Singh, Mehar Singh, Rai Ahmed Mashaih,
Afghans of Malerkotla and Kotkapura and Zamindars of Faridkot Tahmas Khan
Misakin, Tahmas Namah, and obtained tribute from them.
In December 1762, Ahmed Shah left Lahore for Afghanistan. After some time in
Afghanistan Ahmed Shah received the news of the disturbance created by the
Sikhs in Punjab, he at once deputed his general Jahan Khan to march upon Punjab
and take punitive action against the Sikhs. Soon Jahan Khan crossed the river
Indus made straight for Sialkot. When the Sikhs came to know the arrival of
Jahan Khan at Sialkot Bhangi Sardar Jhanda Singh, Gujjar Singh, and Lehna Singh
joined with Charat Singh Sukerchakia and fell upon on the camp of Jahan Khan. They
launched a ferocious attack against the Afghans and dispersed those inflicting
heavy losses. Soon Jahan Khan himself took flight and all his camp equipage
fell into the hands of the Sikhs.
In the course of two years after the departure of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Bhangi
Sardars threw out the Abdali representatives from Sirhind, Multan, Jhang,
Chiniot, Kasur, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Dera Ismail Khan and
occupied them as their permanent territories.
Hearing of the failure of his generals and representatives in Punjab and the
conquest of the Sikhs, Ahmed Shah Abdali again crossed the river Indus in
October 1764, with an army of 18,000 soldiers. When he reached Lahore, he led
some expeditions against the Sikhs but failed. Then he advanced towards
Sirhind, from where he decided to return to Afghanistan.
Having stayed at Sirhind for a few days, Ahmed Shah marched back homeward and
crossed the river Satluj, probably at Machhiwara. One morning when he had
hardly gone 3 kilometers from the other bank of the river, the Sikhs fell upon
his army. Ahmed Shah at once braced himself to face the challenge of the Sikhs,
who had organized themselves in a regular battle formation as Hari Singh
Bhangi, Gulab Singh Bhangi, Gujjar Singh Bhangi, and Ram Das also called Ram
Singh (belonging to the Bhangi Misal) was on the left; Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia with the other Sikh Sardars in the center while Lehna
Singh Bhangi and Charat Singh Sukerchakia and Jai Singh Kanahiya were on the
right.
The author
of Jang Nama Qazi Nur Muhammad, who participated in many battles under Ahmed
Shah Abdali against the Sikhs talks about the nine prominent leaders in the
Sikh army who had come to fight with Ahmed Shah. Out of these nine leaders, 5
leaders belong to Bhangi Misal, namely Hari Singh, Lehna Singh, Gujjar Singh,
Gulab Singh, and Ram Das. This account of Qazi Nur Muhammad confirms the facts
shore that the Bhangi Misal was supreme in the Dal Khalsa at that time. These
skirmishes went on for seven days. Later, when the Ahmed Shah Abdali was
heading for the Beas, he was also challenged by the Sikhs under the command of
Hari Singh Bhangi, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, and Bhagel Singh. Subsequently, Ahmed
Shah crossed the river Ravi and returned to Afghanistan.
Consequently, after the departure of Ahmed Shah from Punjab, Gujjar Singh
Bhangi, Lehna Singh Bhangi, and Sobha Singh marched towards Lahore in April
1765 and banished the Abdali envoy Kabuli Mal from Lahore and conquered
territories all around the Suba of Lahore.
In the course of the next two years from 1765 to 1767, the Bhangi Sardars
Jhanda Singh and Gujjar Singh extended their control over most of the Afghan
legislature such as Gujrat, Wazirabad, Sodhera, Jalalpur, Shahpur, Akhnur,
Islamgarh, Bahawalpur, Pakpatan, etc.
To reclaim
his lost territories, Ahmed Shah Abdali again crossed river Indus in December
1766 and reached Lahore. Before his arrival, the three rulers of Lahore Gujjar
Singh Bhangi, Lehna Singh Bhangi, and Sobha Singh left the city, as they could
not withstand the large armed force of Ahmed Shah Abdali.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Shah Abdali reached Lahore. The venerable members of the
population, including Hindus and Muslims, informed him about the preparations
and planning of the Sikhs with particular mention of Sardar Lehna Singh Bhangi.
They told him that Lehna Singh possessed good administrative qualities and was
a sympatric ruler, who suitable for the people of Lahore. He had never made any
distinctions between the Hindus and the Muslims. He bestowed turbans on the
Qazis, Muftis, and Imams of the mosques on the festival of Id-ul-Zuha. He deals
with the general public with great regard. The Muslims of the Lahore had no
fear of the Khalsa and they had started looking upon them as their comrades rather
than antagonistic enemies. Afterward, they request him to call Sardar Lehna
Singh and appoint him as a Governor of Lahore in the place of his Muslim
nominee.
The Author of Ibrat Nama, Ali-ud-Din Mufti says that “when Ahmed Shah Abdali,
came to Know from the people of Lahore about the credibility of Sardar Lehna
Singh Bhangi, he wondered how Lehna Singh a competent organizer could flee from
the city”. On the other hand, the great Durrani leader had lost his youth, and
infirmity was creeping upon him. He had no man of genius like Adina Beg Khan to
leave in charge of the province. Thus he resolved to conciliate the Sikhs
chiefs.
Soon he sent a present of fruits to Lehna Singh and offered him the
Governorship of Lahore. But Lehna Singh returned the fruits and declined the
offer, asserting to accept a proposal of an invader was against the policy and
the dignity of the Khalsa community.
Around this time Sardar Lehna Singh and Charat Singh Sukerchakia allied with
the other Sikh Sardars and made a surprise attack on Ahmed Shah’s army and
plundered their baggage. In the circumstances, Ahmed Shah Abdali tried to buy
peace with the Sikhs and on 15 January 1767 when he was in the neighborhood of
Nurud-din Kot wrote a Khundba (letters) to Jhanda Singh Bhangi, Jassa Singh
Ahluwalia and Khushal Singh Singhpuria the chiefs of the Sikhs, to effects that
if they were desirous of entering his service they should come and join him,
but if they any hostile intentions, they should meet him in the field. But in
short, the Sikh Sardars declined the proposal of Ahmed Shah Abdali. Thereafter,
Bhangi Sardar Jhanda Singh along with Gujjar Singh again moved towards Lahore
with their forces, while small bodies of their men kept hovering all around the
Ahmed Shah’s army in the sphere of about 20 kilometers. Several skirmishes took
place between the Afghans and the Sikhs such as one with Jahan Khan, who was
defeated at Sialkot by Jhanda Singh, Lehna Singh, and Gujjar Singh Bhangis;
Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Charat Singh Sukerchakia, and many others. Another one
took place with Najib-ud-Daula, who was defeated by Rai Singh Bhangi and his
companions at Bari-Ghat (Jamuna).
With neither any chance of peace with the Sikhs nor any prospect of checking
their rising power, Ahmed Shah Abdali speedily marched towards his native place
Afghanistan in 1767, leaving the whole territory of Punjab in the hands of the
Sikhs. This was the inglorious end of the last invasion of Ahmad Shah. In spite
of all his Herculean and constant efforts, he was ultimately unsuccessful in
eliminating the powerful Sikh Sardars, who were not only closely knit together
by affinities of race and religion but also possessed invincible courage and
irresistible will.
After the disappearance of Ahmed Shah from Punjab, Gujjar Singh Bhangi, Lehna
Singh Bhangi and Sobha Singh again captured the city of Lahore. In the course
of the next five years, they completely threw out the Afghan representatives in
Punjab and extended their control up to Multan, Rawalpindi, Jhang, Chiniot, Sialkot,
Kasur, Bahawalpur, and some portion of Jammu.
In 1772-73, Ahmed Shah Abdali died and was succeeded by his son Timur Shah. Now
a greater calamity was awaiting the Sikhs because of Timur Shah the successor of
Ahmed Shah was resolved to recover his lost territories in Punjab.
Accordingly, he sent his general, Faizullah Khan, to Peshawar to launch an
attack on Punjab. According to Syed Muhammad Latif, the general mustered up a considerable number of Afghans, Chiefly from the Khyber tribes with the avowed
object of punishing the Sikhs, but instead entered into an undisclosed
agreement with Mian Muhammad, son of Sheikh Omar, the Sahibzada of Chamkani and
a declared enemy of the Ahmed Shah, to put an end to the king’s life. He
marched his troops to the citadel of Peshawar on the pretext of parading them
before the King; but when they reached the fort, they cut to pieces the guards
at the gates and forced their way in. Timur Shah ascended the upper story of
his palace and made his situation known to the guards. The Gholam Shahis, the
King’s own bodyguards, and the Durranis attacked Faizullah’s men and a terrible
slaughter ensued, ending in the arrest of Faizullah and his son were tortured to death.
Timur Shah now took vigorous steps to execute his plans regarding Sindh,
Bahawalpur, and the lower Punjab. In the winter season of 1777-78, Timur Shah
dispatched an expedition under Haini Khan to recover Multan. The battle
seems to have been fought near Kali Sare, in which Hiaini Khan was defeated and
captured by the Sikhs. He was tied to the mouth of the gun and was blown apart.
In 1778, Timur Shah again sent one of his generals named Baharu Khan in the siege of Multan. He entered the town by breaching the wall and ransacked the city and
soon retired to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Timur Shah sent his ambassador, Abdul Jabbar Khan, to Delhi. When he
reached Delhi, on, March 12, 1778, and met Shah Alam-II. He assured him of his
full co-operation to Timur Shah. Timur Shah thereupon determined to recover
Multan himself and sent a contingent of 15, 000 horses as his superior
protector. This force was opposed by Diwan Singh Chhachowalia, the Governor of
Multan and his Bhangi allies on the bank of the river Indus and beaten back to
Peshawar.
In view of the serious opposition from the Sikhs, the Durrani agents in Delhi
tried to secure assistance from the notable Maratha chief Mahadji Sindhia, so
that the Sikhs might be attacked from the two fronts. Mahadji cleverly put them
off.
News dated
September 12, 1779, near Karnal, stated that Timur Shah had arrived in Peshawar
and his superior protector had crossed the river Jhelum. There it was revealed
that a strong army of 60, 000 Sikhs intended to seize Dera Ismail Khan, Dera
Ghazi Khan, and Sind. At this news, Timur Shah was greatly alarmed. To check
this grandiose scheme of the Sikhs, Timur Shah made up his mind, to recover
Multan.
Timur Shah at first tried to recover Multan by diplomacy. He sent Haji Ali Khan
as his agent to the Sikhs. When the agent reached Multan; he tried to
intimidate the Sikhs by warning them about the impending conflict with the
“Lion of Islam” and of the terrible consequences of the royal wrath. He
endeavored to persuade them to retire from Multan voluntarily.
According to Giani Gian Singh, when Haji Ali Khan an agent of Timur Shah
reached Lahore, he asked Gujjar Singh and other Bhangi Sardars (Those were
coming to Multan for the relief of Diwan Singh) to submit before Timur Shah.
However, Gujjar Singh replied that the Kingship was bestowed on them by God and
they would not accept the overlordship of Timur Shah. The Sikhs, in the face of
this challenge, held Gurmata and acknowledged that “here is an ambassador of
the Timur Shah, but our king is Sat Guru. This man threatens us with the Timur
Shah’s displeasure; we should, therefore, put him to death.” Thereafter the
Sikhs commanded to tie Haji Ali Khan to a tree and shoot him dead. His
companions were allowed to depart in peace to report to the Timur Shah. The
Sikhs then fell back to Rohtas. On learning this sad news Timur Shah sent forth
a contingent 18, 000 men, including Yusafzais, Durranis, Mughals, and
Qizabashes under Zangi Khan the Durrani general. Zangi Khan encamped at a
distance of 25 kilometers from the Bhangis camp. Desa Singh Bhangi the Chief
was at this time embroiled with the leaders of the rival Misals in Multan and
was absolutely ignorant of their presence, considering them to be at Peshawar,
nearly 300 Kilometers away. The next day early in the morning a little before
daybreak, Timur Shah fell upon the Sikhs and gave them hot pursuit. About 3,
000 were slain, and 500 drowned in the river Jhelum in an attempt at crossing
it; while 2,000 of them safely reached the opposite bank of the river. This
news greatly encouraged Timur Shah and rekindled his hopes off to recover
Multan. Soon a fierce attack was launched against the Sikhs by Zangi Khan near
Leiah. Just at that moment, a storm began. Clouds of dust darkened the sky. A
war drum of the Sikhs fell into the hands of the Afghans. It was forcefully
beaten, the Sikhs on hearing the sound of their war drum ran towards it. They
were all slain. The remaining Sikh army took to flight. In the meantime, Timur
Shah joined with Zangi Khan and pursued the Sikhs up to the walls of Multan.
The Sikhs took up their position in the fort and closed the city gates.
Early in
January 1780, Timur Shah laid the siege to the town of Multan. Timur Shah
expected reinforcements for the Sikhs garrison and in that event, he considered
his own resources insufficient. He, therefore, marched towards Bahawalpur, to
secure reinforcements for himself. The major portion of his army was left in
Multan. The Nawab of Bahawalpur gave the Timur Shah 12,000 troops and Ghulam
Ali Khan Letti paid tribute. Just at that time Gujjar Singh Bhangi and Lehna
Singh Bhangi along with Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Haqiqat Singh Kanahiya, Bhanga
Singh and other Sikh Sardars at the head of 15,000 horsemen arrived with
reinforcement to the help of Diwan Singh Chhachowalia.
Timur Shah at once hurried from Bahawalpur towards Multan and confronted with
the Sikhs at Shujabad, where a severe battle was fought on 8, February 1780.
The Sikhs lost the day with 2,000 causalities and fled towards Lahore. Timur
Shah dispatched a detachment of 20,000 strong soldiers in pursuit of them. This
force overtook the Sikhs at Hujra Muqim Khan, 64 kilometers from Lahore. Timur
Shah hurried to Multan to penalize the Sikhs and occupied the city of Multan,
on 18 February 1780. After this victory, Timur Shah bestowed the Governorship
of Multan on Shuja Khan, father of Muzaffar Khan, sir-named Safdar Jang, who
retained it until being expelled by Ranjit Singh.
The Timur Shah then subdued Bahawal Khan the Abbasi Chief of Bahawalpur. The
town of Bahawalpur was pillaged and many of its edifices were burnt. The
Nawab’s arsenals, together with a portion of the fort, were blown up. The Nawab
was compelled to pay an annual tribute and the Afghan troops withdrew. Timur
Shah then reduced to subjection the Talpurs of Sindh, who also agreed to pay a
subsidy. After this, he led several expeditions towards India but could not
capture more territories and he died on, May 18, 1793.
Timur Shah was succeeded by his son Shah Zaman. He succeeded the throne of
Kabul on 18 May 1793 and turned his attention to recovering his lost
territories in Punjab. He initiated a series of Punjab invasions, in 1794 and
marched up to Peshawar. In 1796 Shah Zaman again crossed the river Indus at
Attock and marched towards Punjab. Soon he captured Rohtas which was under
Sukerchakia.
Shah Zaman
had stayed at Hasan Abdal for about a week but soon returned to Afghanistan to
take punitive against Muhammad Khan of Herat and Aga Muhammad Khan Kajar who
had revolted against him. He left behind a general named Ahmed Khan
Shahanchibashi to stay at Rohtas. He also dispatched Bahadur Khan, Son of Faiz
Ali Khan Shahnkarwala at the head of 12,000 horses to conquer Gujrat.
When Bahadur Khan reached Gujrat, Sahib Singh Bhangi son of Gujjar Singh Bhangi
came out to oppose him. In the course of fighting Bahadur Khan was killed and
the Afghans were defeated. Just at this time, Ranjit Singh sought help from
Sahib Singh Bhangi to recover Rohtas. Both the Sikh Sardars along with Nihal
Singh and Wazir Singh Attariwala, Jodh Singh Wazirabad, and Karam Singh Dullu
marched upon Rohtas, where Ahmed Khan Shahanchibashi was staying. No sooner did
they reach the bank of the river Jhelum than, Ahmed Khan Shahanchibashi left
Rohtas and fled away to Peshawar.
The Sikhs after defeating the Afghans captured the areas of Rohtas, Pothohar,
and Gheba. Crestfallen Shah Zaman then opened negotiations with the Sikhs. He
sent a special messenger to the Sikh Sardars asking them not to torment his
troops and impede his progress to Delhi in the interest of their safety of
life, honor, and property. The Sikhs Sardars expressed their willingness to
cooperate to and allow him safe passage through Punjab on the condition of the
Shah Zaman commitment on the part with “a large portion of plunder” which he
would bring from Delhi.
Shah Zaman left Kabul on 12 October 1796 and reached Attock. He sent a
contingent of his troops towards Hasan Abdal under General Sher Muhammad, which
was stopped by Milkha SinghRawalpindi. The engagement lasted for a few hours
and in the combat, about fifty men on both sides were killed. At last Milkha
Singh was defeated and fell back into Rohtas.
On 19 December news arrived in Lahore that Shah Zaman was staying at Hasan
Abdal and his advance guard marched towards Jhelum. Ranjit Singh had already
left Rohtas and retired to Pind Dadan Khan from where he took up his position
at Miani where he was joined by Milkha Singh and Sahib Singh of Gujrat.
Lehna Singh ruler of Lahore had always been the most famous Sikh chief with his
subjects, particularly with the Muslims and whenever there was an invasion, the
Muslims always commended him to the Durrani monarch for more considerate
treatment. On this occasion, Shah Zaman sent messengers to Lehna Singh Bhangi
assuring him of the royal favor and retention in the Governorship of Lahore and
advising him to shake off his apprehensions. Lehna Singh thanked the Shah Zaman
for his kindness and regard but declined the offer on account of the hostile
attitude of the Khalsa community. Later on, Lehna Singh offered to the Muslim
leaders of Lahore to take charge of the city; “but was persuaded by their
entreaties to stay two days more.”
The
distance between the Ravi and the Chenab on the highway was about 100
kilometers. As the Shah Zaman was marching slowly, it was expected that he
would take three or four days in reaching Lahore. On the second day, Lehna
Singh delivered the keys of the citadel to Mian Chiragh-ud-din Shah Sultanpuri.
Then he summoned Mian Chiragh-ud-din Shah Sultanpuri, Mir Ghalib Shah, Mian
Muhammad Ashiq, and other Muslim leaders. “Without manifesting any partiality
for the Hindus”, he made over the city to their charge. He told them that he
was leaving the fort in good repair without any damage done to it. He requested
them to use their power with the Shah Zaman to secure lenient treatment to the
people. Afterward, he got into a palanquin as he was growing old and was not in
good health and accompanied by 100 horses, one field piece, and an elephant
halted at the forte of Haji Said Khan.
On 31st December 1796, Wazir Share Muhammad Khan as the head of 12.000 troops
entered into the city of Lahore. The leading Muslim citizens of the city
delivered the keys of the fort to him. Just at that time arrived a letter from
the Shah Zaman for Lehna Singh Bhangi promising him all concessions and favor.
Another messenger brought a proclamation from the Shah Zaman prohibiting the Afghan
soldiers from commenting on any outrage on the inhabitants of the city. It was
also declared that if any Afghan officer would live inside the city, he could
rent a house with the consent of the proprietor. Ahmed Khan Shahanchibashi and
the city Kotwal proclaimed security of life and property and in consequence,
the shops which had been shut were reopened. Such was the strict orders of Shah
Zaman that intelligence from Lahore stated that “no outrage has been committed
upon any individual during the Shah Zaman progress from Peshawar to Lahore”
declaring that his troops “Put to death all the Sikhs who appear in arms
against the Afghans, but spare the rest.”
Afterward, Shah Zaman entered Lahore on 3rd January 1797 and took possession of the city. According to Syed Muhammad Latif, the city was
illuminated for three successive nights in honor of its occupation by the
Durranis. The deserted houses in the city were all occupied by the Afghan
Sardars and nobles, while the parade ground, fronting the palace was swarmed
with the followers of the Afghan army.
Following the policy adopted by his grandfather, Ahmed Shah, the invader
dispatched Chapals, or light parties, in various directions into the country to
persecute the Sikhs in their retreat by rapid marches, to seize their cattle,
destroy their grain and harass them in all ways possible. He also wrote to the
Sikh Chiefs that if they desired peace they should attend upon the Shah Zaman;
else they would be punished by the imperial army. In February 1797, he left for
Afghanistan leaving behind Ahmed Khan at Rohtas to look after the affairs of
the country between the Jhelum and Sindh with Bahadur Khan, Muhammedzie, Bostan
Khan, Durrani and Nueullah Khan, Khatak at the head of 7,000 horses as his
subservient generals.
After the departure of Shah Zaman, the people of the city of Lahore invited
Lehna Singh to come to Lahore and resumed the Governorship. At the behest of
the general public Lehna Singh, Sahib Singh, and Sobha Singh returned to Lahore
and occupied it. But Lehna Singh died in September 1797, leaving behind a son
named Chait Singh. About the same time, Sobha Singh also died and was succeeded
by his son Mohar Singh. Now the Sikhs again started recovering their lost
territory. Milkha Singh joined with Sahib Singh of Gujrat and proceeded towards
Rawalpindi, while Ranjit Singh marched towards Rohtas. Just at this time Hayat
Khan, son of Chaudhry Rahmat Khan Wariach of Jalalpur captured Islamgarh and
raises the standard of revolt against Sahib Singh of Gujrat. In such state of
affairs Ahmed Khan Shahanchibashi, made up his mind to drive the Sikhs from
Gujrat. He made Islamgarh the base of his operations. His plan was to begin his
campaign from Sialkot in the east and to drive the Sikhs from Gujrat towards
Jhelum, surround them on the bank of the river and to force them to capitulate.
On hearing of the atrocities of Shahanchibashi, Bedi Ram Singh belonging to
village Kotli Faqir Chand Bedian in Sialkot district joined with Jodh Singh and
Diwan Singh Kalaswalia (belonging to the Bhangi Misal) and Mehtab Singh Bhangi
of Wadala marched upon Sialkot, where Shahanchibashi’s troops were staying.
Shahanchibashi deputed Kamil Din, Murid Khan, Asadullah, and Ali Khan to meet
the Sikhs. The first-day battle was fought at the village Portain. The battle was
fought over a tract of about 10 square kilometers, but neither could score a
victory. The next morning the two sides again got ready for the fight. The Sikhs
managed their forces in regular battle as under; Ram Singh was in the front,
Behind him were Diwan Singh and Charat Singh of Klaswalia, Dharam Singh
Jalalwala, Budh Singh Dodia, Karam Singh Gill, Mehtab Singh Wadala, Ram Singh
Sare Kali, Jodh Singh Atariwala, Nar Singh Chimiariwala, Mansa Singh, Milkha
Singh Rawalpindi (they were all the Bhangis), Jodh Singh Ramgarhia, Bhag Singh
Ahluwalia, Natha Singh Shahid, Desa Singh, Sham Singh Sultanwind, Jaimal Singh
Kanahiya and many more. A pitched battle was fought the whole day. Both the
parties fell back in Daska and none of them was triumphant.
The major part of the Afghan army was under Shahanchibashi who was camping at
some distance from Gujrat. At this time Sikhs advanced from the western bank of
river Chenab. Sahib Singh Bhangi of Gujrat and Ranjit Singh and the other Sikh
Sardars proceeded from the west against Shahanchibashi. A savage battle was
fought between them about 7 kilometers from Gujrat. In the battlefield,
Shahanchibashi was shot dead and the Afghan forces took to flight and a large
booty consisting of camels, horses, and war material fell into the hands of the
Sikhs.
The Sikhs knew that Shah Zaman was determined to repeat his exploits and they
expected his invasion in the winter session of 1797. Some Sikh chiefs decided
to meet in Amritsar on the day of Diwali and to concert measures to oppose the
invader. They invited Sahib Singh the ruler of Patiala to be present at
Amritsar, but being a loyal subject of the Afghan monarch “declined the
invitation to be present at the conference on the pretense that their plans this
year would prove equally inefficacious like those of last season”. Sahib Singh
of Patiala was in correspondence with Shah Zaman. He sent his messengers to the
invader, when they meet in Peshawar, offering his submission and homage. They
brought letters from the Shah Zaman and his Wazir for the Raja. Sahib Singh
received these letters in the full court and offers to apply them to his forehead
and delivered them to his Munshi to be readout.
About this time The territorial distribution was as such: Milkha Singh was at
Rawalpindi; but the farthest outpost on the north-west frontier at Sare Kali
was held by his wife, Sahib Singh at Gujrat, Jodh Singh at Wazirabad, Jassa
Singh Son of Karam Singh Dullu in Chiniot, Chait Singh son of Lehna Singh at
Lahore, Bhag Singh, Nahar Singh, Fateh Singh and Jiwan Singh (belonging to the
Bhangi Misal) at Sialkot, Gulab Singh Bhangi at Amritsar, Ranjit Singh at Pind
Dadan Khan, Dal Singh at Ramnagar, Jodh Singh Ramgarhia at Tarn Taran, Tara
Singh Gahiba at Nakoder and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at Naduan.
The military strength of the various important Sardars was as follows:
1. Milkha
Singh of Rawalpindi 2,000 horse
2. Sahib
Singh of Gujrat 6,000 horses
3. Ranjit
Singh 15,000 horses
4. Cahit
Singh and Mohar Singh of Lahore 16,000 horses
5. Gulab
Singh of Amritsar 6,000 horses
6. Jassa
Singh of Ramgarhia 3,000 horses
It was, however, expected that the Sikhs would not allow the Shah Zaman an easy
passage and that they would carry out Guerilla warfare, harass his troops and
impede his progress.
On 13
October 1798 Shah Zaman again marched towards Punjab and reached Attock. Shah
Zaman sent his advance guard under Madad Khan, who reached Sare Kali, which had
already been evacuated by the wife of Milkha Singh. She managed to reach
Rawalpindi, where Milkha Singh along with Ram Singh was already engaged in a
battle with the Mulluka Zamindars of Sare Kali in Rawalpindi and had fallen
back by 50 kilometers. Having been taken unawares the Sikhs lost the day in the
skirmish and both the Sardar Milkha Singh and Ram Singh captured and were sent
to Shah Zaman at Attock. They paid a ransom of three Lakhs of rupees to Shah
Zaman, for their release.
On November 16, 1798, Shah Zaman reached Rohtas. On the other side Milkha
Singh, Karam Singh Dullu, and Ranjit Singh were camping at Rasulpur while Sahib
Singh was in Gujrat. On November 19, Wazir Wafadar Khan was attacked by Sahib
Singh, Nahar Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Sondhe Singh, somewhere between Gujrat
and Wazirabad. On the battlefield, Waffadar Khan lost a considerable number of
his troops. The victorious Sikhs returned to Wazirabad. Then the Sikhs came to
Amritsar, where they held interviews with Budh Singh, Gulab Singh, Bhag Singh,
Jaimal Singh, and Bibi Sada Kaur. Further, they invitedTara Singh, Jassa Singh
Ramgarhia, Gurdit Singh, Bhanga Singh Mehtab Singh, and Rai Singh Jagadhari to
join them in fighting against the Shah Zaman saying: “Victory is the gift of
God. Let us make an effort to oppose him.
On 24 November Shah Zaman came to know about the presences of the Sikhs in
Amritsar. He at once dispatched a contingent of 10,000 troops towards Amritsar.
At this time Sahib Singh Bhangi and Ranjit Singh at the head of 500 horses,
were patrolling around Amritsar. They clashed with Afghans and instantly
engaged them in a fight. On hearing about this engagement Gulab Singh Bhangi,
Jodh Singh and Budh Singh Klaswalia with 2,000 horses come to their assistance.
The battle raged for three hours and about 500 men on each side were killed and
the Afghans were ultimately forced to retreat to Lahore.
On November 29, Gulab Singh Amritsar, Chait Singh Lahore, Sahib Singh of
Gujrat, Bhag Singh and Ranjit Singh with 10,000 horses marched from Amritsar
towards Lahore to confront the Afghans. Shah Zaman reached Lahore on November
30, 1798. Consequently, the Sikhs encamped 16 kilometers from Amritsar on the
Lahore road and disrupted supplies of grain to the Shah Zaman camp, from two
directions, Kasur and Amritsar. The Sikhs further attacked the royal camp at
Lahore and after carrying out plunder of the merchants fled away.
According to Sohan Lal Suri, at this time Ranjit Singh himself rushed thrice
upon the Samman Buraj of the Lahore Fort with a few men, fired a number of
shots, killed and wounded a number of Afghans and on one occasion even
challenged the Shah Zaman himself to single-hand combat. ‘Come out you, o
grandson of Ahmed Shah, “shouted Ranjit Singh to him, “and try two or three
hands with the grandson of the great Sardar Charat Singh.”
At this time a moment development Afghanistan necessitated a Shah Zaman’s
return. According to Ali-ud-Din Mufti, Shah Zaman left for Kabul after a
month’s stay in Lahore as Mahmud Shah, in collaboration with Baba Qachar, had
attacked Kabul in his absence.
The Sikhs were constantly in touch with the happenings in Lahore. Chait Singh
Bhangi and Milkha Singh marched from Amritsar in the night between 3 and 4
January and encamped near Lahore. No sooner did the Shah Zaman cross the river
Ravi both the Sikh Sardars entered Lahore and re-occupied the city. Most of the
other Sikh Sardars also retired to their own territories.
Now the Sikhs decided to Shah Zaman on his way passage through the river
Chenab. Torment acting on diplomatic lines, Ranjit Singh chose not to pose any
threat to Shah Zaman on his march he rather facilitated his return so that he
might not get annoyed with him and think of hitting back at him at the earliest
opportunity. Ranjit Singh infects dissuaded the other Sikh Sardars from
executing their designs and the Shah Zaman was allowed to return to Kabul
unimpeded.
Since the Shah Zaman had to back hurriedly 12 of his guns sank in the river
Jhelum because of the rainy season. On the Shah Zaman
request, Ranjit Singh extricated all the 12 guns from the river. He dispatched
8 of them to Kabul and added four to his arsenal. One of these was of iron and
three brass.
In the year of 1798, when Shah Zaman invaded Punjab for the last time, all the
places in the Sikh occupation had been evacuated by them. In such a situation
the Zamindars of Shahdara invited Nizam-ud-din of Kasur to take ownership of
the forts evacuated by the Sikhs. He arrived there at the head of 400 horses.
On his way march, he captured the territories around Kasur including, Kankipur,
Havali, Maruf, Atari, Nadian, Mahimoki, Khemkaran and Chunian which were under
Tara Singh Cahinpuria who was a Bhangi Sardar. On November 18, 1798, Sahib
Singh Bhangi son of Gujjar Singh Bhangi joined Ranjit Singh and marched against
Nizam-ud-Din of Kasur and defeated him with heavy losses.
After the departure of Shah Zaman from Lahore, three Sikh Sardars Sahib Singh,
Cahit Singh and Mohar Singh again captured the city of Lahore. But they could
not set up an alliance with each other. Finding the situation in Lahore fluid,
Nawab Nizam-ud-Din of Kasur started toying with the idea of possessing Lahore.
But in view of Ranjit Singh’s growing power, the Nawab of Kasur was obliged to
drop the idea of occupyingLahore.
In 1799, Ranjit Singh captured the city of Lahore and the Bhangi Sardars formed
a plan to kill Ranjit Singh. To accomplish their plan they also invited the
Nawab of Kasur Nizam-ud-Din in the battle of Bhasin, in 1800. However, they
lost the battle, and Nizam-ud-Din returned to Kasur. In 1801 Ranjit Singh sent a
massive force against Nizam-ud-Din of Kasur. The Nawab suffered a defeat at the
hands of the Lahore army and obtained peace through submission and became a
tributary Subedar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
