| Battle of Anandpur | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Hill States-Sikh Wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Sikh Empire |
 Kahlur | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Ranjit Singh Sodhi Surjan Singh Hukma Singh Chimni Bhai Mahna Singh Bhai Sukkha Singh |
Raja Mahan Chand | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
5,000 under Sodhi Surjan Singh[1] Unknown under Hukma Singh Chimni | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Anandpur was fought on 1812 by the Sikh forces led by Sodhi Surjan Singh and the Rajput forces of Kahlur led by Raja Mahan Chand.
Background
The Sikhs had enemies in the Hill States, especially Kahlur. Anandpur was disputed between the Sikhs and Kahlur and they fought many battles starting from 1682 to determine who was the rightful owner of the city.[2][3] After 1704, the Sikhs had left Anandpur and captured it during the reign of Banda Singh Bahadur. In 1812, the Kahlur Raja Mahan Chand asked Sodhi Surjan Singh to pay tax to him, claiming to own the city. When this was rejected, he attacked Anandpur.[4][5]
Battle
The Sikh general named Hukma Singh Chimni was camping near the city when he heard that there was an attack at Anandpur. He alongside his army marched to the city.[4] There is a vaar called Anandpur Di Var, also referred to as Sodhian Di Var written by Ram Singh about the battle.[6] The troops were defeated with heavy losses and were forced to retreat.[7] The poet states that Bhai Sukkha Singh, author of the famous book Gurbilas Daswin Patshahi and Bhai Mahna Singh, the Jathedar of Kesgarh fought in this battle.[8]
Aftermath
Instead of receiving tax, the Hill State had to pay the Sikhs the tax. This was the last attack on Anandpur before the colonial era of Punjab.[4]
References
- ↑ Harajindara Siṅgha Dilagīra (1997). The Sikh reference book. p. 627. ISBN 9788170103011.
- ↑ Hari Ram Gupta (1994). History Of The Sikhs Vol. I The Sikh Gurus (1469-1708). pp. 226–228. ISBN 8121502764.
- ↑ Karam Singh Raju (1999). Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace. p. 57. ISBN 9789380213644.
- 1 2 3 Harjinder Singh Dilgeer (May 2003). Anandpur Sahib. p. 66. ISBN 2-930247-06-1.
- ↑ Bakshi, Shiri Ram; Mahajan, Lipi (2000). Religions of India. p. 215. ISBN 9788176292290.
- ↑ Indu Banga (2005). Precolonial and Colonial Punjab. p. 182. ISBN 9788173046544.
- ↑ Harbans Singh (1995). The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism - Volume I A-D. p. 133. ISBN 9788173801006.
- ↑ Shamsher Singh Ashok (1950). Prachin Jang Name.
See also