Battle of Sutlej
Part of Early Mughal-Sikh Wars
Date1652
Location
Near Sutlej River
Result Sikh victory
Belligerents
Akal Sena (Sikhs) Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Guru Har Rai(Did not participate in the battle)
Bhai Gaura		 Muhammad Yarbeg Khan †
Strength
300[1] 1,000[2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Sutlej was fought by Guru Har Rai's Sikhs and Muhammad Yarbeg Khan's Mughal forces in 1652. Muhammad Yarbeg Khan was the grandson of Mukhlis Khan, a Mughal general who was killed by Guru Hargobind during Battle of Amritsar (1634).[3]

Background

Bhai Gaura was the eldest son of Bhai Bhagtu, a devotee of the 5th, 6th and 7th Sikh Guru. He had killed someone who was part of Guru Har Rai's hunting party. After this Guru Ji had forbid Gaura to enter his presence.[3][4] For the next few months Bhai Gaura followed Guru Har Rai to everywhere he went, crawling in the shadows.[5]

Battle

Once Guru Har Rai and his bodyguards were walking along the Sutlej River. There they met Mughal troops which were marching from Lahore to Delhi.[5][6] One of the Mughal officers, was the grandson of Mukhlis Khan who had killed by Guru Hargobind, inquired the name of the party and upon knowning that it was Guru Har Rai, he immediately attacked seeking revenge for his grandfather.[5] Bhai Gaura came out of the shadows and defended Guru Har Rai with his troops. Usually, Guru Har Rai had tried to avoid conflicts.[6] But this time with the help of Bhai Gaura's troops he fought the Mughals valiantly until they fled away. Muhammad Yarbeg Khan was slain by Bhai Gaura himself. Bhai Gaura had bought time for Guru's party to safely cross the river.[7]

Aftermath

After the battle, Bhai Gaura was pardoned by the Guru, allowing Bhai Gaura to return to his territory instead of following Guru ji.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Suraj Granth Ras 10 Chapter 10-11
  2. ↑ Surjit Singh Gandhi (1978). History Of The Sikh Gurus - A Comprehensive Study. p. 331.
  3. 1 2 Macauliffe, Max Arthur (1909). The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors, Vol 4. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Wikisource
  4. ↑ Macauliffe 1909, p. 295.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Macauliffe 1909, p. 296.
  6. 1 2 Dhillon, Harish (2015). The Sikh Gurus. p. 122.
  7. ↑ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism - Volume II E-L. p. 58.


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