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New England Sikh Study Circle
2009 Senior Sikh History
September 20 2009
Maharaja Ranjit Singh : Early Life
1. Ranjit Singh was born on Nov. 13, 1780 at Gujranwala. He had his first taste of
battle, when he was hardly ten years old against Sahib Singh Bhangi of Gujarat
Mahan Singh and Ranjit Singh besieged Sahib Singh at the fort of. Mahan singh
fell grievously ill, and apprehending his approaching end invested Ranjit Singh as
chief of the Sukerchakia Misl. When the other Bhangi sardars came to know
about that the Sukerchikia army was commanded by a child of ten years they
came to rescue the Sahib singh bhangi at Sodhran. Ranjit singh ambushed them
and routed their forces.
2. Mahan Singh died in 1792. Ranjit singh was then 12 years old. He was too young
to manage the affairs of the estate on his own. His mother Raj Kaur became his
natural guardian. He was also helped by Diwan Lakhpat Rai., who served as
regent. Ranjit "in his youth was remarkably active and excellent horseman and
well skilled in everything connected with military feats.
3. At the age of 16 Ranjit singh was married to Mehtab Kaur of Kanhaiya missal;
this marriage brought two great misals together. Then in 1798 he again married to
the daughter of Khazan singh Nakai thus adding to his strength. The second
marriage annoyed his mother in law, Sada Kaur and Mehtab Kaur.
4. Upto this time diwan Lakhpat Rai was managing the affairs of the estate. He was
murdered while away in the Dhanni area for collecting the revenue. This gave an
opportunity to Ranjit singh to take over the administration. Thus at the age of 18
Ranjit singh assumed the powers directly. Sada Kaur seized the opportunity and
became Ranjit Singh’s guide and mentor, playing a large role in his future
successes.
5. Punjab presented a picture of chaos and confusion when Ranjit singh took over
the Sukerchikia misal. Ahmad Shah Abdali's empire in India had crumbled after
his death in 1773. Peshawar and Kashmir though under the suzerainty of
Afghanistan had attained de facto independence.
6. In 1793, Shah Zaman succeeded to the throne of Kabul and decided to re-establish
control over the Punjab.His first attempt was made in 1793. He came upto Hassan
Abdal from where he sent an army of 7000 strong cavalry under Ahmad
Shahnachi but the Sikhs totally routed them. It was a great setback to Shah Zaman
but again in 1795 he reorganized forces and attacked Hassan Abdal, snatched
Rohtas from the Sukerchikias However, Shah Zaman had to return to Kabul to
respond to an invasion from the west and Ranjit dislodged the Afghans from
Rohtas.
7. Shah Zaman crossed the Indus for the third time in 1796 and dreamt of capturing
Delhi. By now he had collected a huge Afghan army and was confident that a
large number of Indians would join with him. The Nawab of Kasur had already
assured him help. Sahib Singh of Patiala betrayed his countrymen and declared
his intentions of helping Shah Zaman. The news of Shah Zaman’s invasion spread
like wild fire and people started fleeing to hills for safety. Shah Zaman was able
to occupy the territory of the Bhangis without a fight.
8. Next was the territory of Ranjit singh. He was alert and raised an army of 5000
horsemen. But they were inadequately armed with only spears and muskets. The
Afghans were equipped with heavy artillery. Ranjit Singh thought of a stiff united
fight against the invaders. A congregation of Sarbat Khalasa was called and many
Sikh Sardars answered the call in Amritsar. An almost unanimous opinion
prevailed that Shah Zaman's army should be allowed to enter the Punjab, and they
all should retire to hills.
9. However, Sada Kaur thought otherwise and exhorted the Sikhs to fight to the last.
She persuaded Ranjit singh to be bold enough to face the Afghan army and offer
stiff resistance. Forces were reorganized under the command of Ranjit Singh and
they marched towards Lahore. They were able to defeat the Afgans in several
villages and ultimately surrounded the city of Lahore. In 1797, Shah Zaman,
suddenly left for Afghanistan as his brother Mahmud had revolted. Shahanchi
Khan with considerable force was left at Lahore. The Sikhs however followed
Shah Zaman upto Jhelum and snatched many goods from him. The Sikhs on their
way back were attacked by the army of Shahnachi Khan near Ram Nagar, who
was defeated. It was the first major military achievement of Ranjit Singh. He
became the hero of the land of Five Rivers and his reputation spread far and wide.
10. Again in 1798 Shah Zaman attacked Punjab to avenge his defeat; people took
refuge in hills once more. A Sarbat Khalsa was again called and Sada Kaur again
persuaded Sikhs to resist. Shah Zaman sought help of Raja Sansar Chand of
Kangra, who agreed. Shah Zaman attacked Lahore and Sikhs were surrounded
from all sides, they had to fight a grim battle. The Afghans occupied Lahore on
Nov. 1798, and planned to attack Amritsar. Ranjit Singh collected his men and
faced the enemy forces about 8 Km from Amritsar. The Afghans were defeated
and fled towards Lahore. Ranjit Singh pursued them and surrounded Lahore.
Afghan supply lines were cut. Crops were burnt and other provisions plundered so
that they did not fall into Afghan's hands.
11. Ranjit singh pursued the Afghan forces and caught them unawares near
Gujranwala. They were chased further up to Jhelum. Many Afghan were put to
death and their war equipment was taken into possession and they were made to
run for their lives. Shah Zaman was overthrown by his brother and was blinded.
He became a helpless creature and 12 years later came to Punjab to seek refuge in
Ranjit Singh's court..
12. After Shah Zaman left, Bhangi Sardars, Chet Singh, Sahib Singh and Mohar
Singh reoccupied Lahore, the most important city in the Punjab. They had no
talent and ability to rule and did not take any interest in the welfare of the people.
By this time the people of Lahore had become aware of the rising strength of
Ranjit Singh. Muslims joined Hindus and Sikh residents of Lahore in making an
appeal to Ranjit Singh to free them from the tyrannical rule. Ranjit Singh
mobilized a 25000 Army and marched towards Lahore on July 6, 1799.
13. Early morning on July 7 1799, Ranjit Singh's men had taken their positions. Guns
glistened and the bugles were sounded. Rani Sada Kaur stood outside Delhi gate
and Ranjit Singh proceeded towards Anarkali Gate. Ranjit Singh rode along the
walls of the city and got the wall mined. A breach was blown. Ranjit Singh
entered the city with his troops through the Lahori gate. Sada Kaur with a
detachment of cavalry entered through Delhi gate. Before Bhangi sardars had any
inkling, a part of the citadel was occupied without any resistance. Sahib Singh and
Mohar singh left the city and sought shelter at some safer place. Ranjit Singh's
cavalry surrounded Hazuri Bagh and Chet Singh surrendered.
14. Ranjit Singh was well entrenched in the town now. Immediately after taking
possession of the city, he paid visit to Badashahi mosque. This gesture increased
his prestige and his status was in the eyes of people. He won the hearts of the
subjects, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs alike.
15. The jealously of the leading sardars surfaced with increase in Ranjit's fame. Shah
Zaman no longer posed any threat. Earlier, the Sikh chiefs joined hands and
collaborated to meet the Afghan menace. The Sikh chiefs Sahib Singh Bhangi of
Gujarat, Jassa Singh Ramgharhia, Jodh Singh Bajwa of Wazirabad, and Gulab
Singh Bhangi of Amritsar joined hands to wrest Lahore from Ranjit Singh. They
sought the help of Nizam-Ud-Din of Kasur, who was an aspirant to the subedari
of Lahore. In early 1800 they marched towards Lahore. Ranjit singh faced them at
about 16 km from city at Bhasin, with Kanhaiyas on his side. The forces of Ranjit
Singh won a very easy victory in only three days and these misal sardars were
unable to defeat Ranjit Singh.
16. Ranjit Singh hastened back to Lahore triumphantly. He was given a royal
reception by the citizens. Ranjit Singh's expansionist designs now knew no
bounds he marched on to Jammu. On the way he annexed Narowal and Varowal
and made the Maharaja of Jammu his vassal
17. Ranjit Singh was now considered a great force. He appointed Ramdayal to
manage his day to day affairs and interactions with his subjects.. Fateh Singh
Ahluwalia, the foster son of Jassa Singh and the leader of the Ahluwalia Misal,
was appointed to look after army matters. Fakir Aziz-Ud-Din was given
responsibility for Foreign Affairs; he played a large role in developing an
amicable relationship with the British.
18. On April 12 1801, Ranjit Singh declared himself Maharaja of the Punjab. The
investiture ceremony was performed by Sahib Singh Bedi, who was the direct
descendant of Guru Nanak. A commemorative coin , the Nanakshahi rupee was
issued. People showered flowers on him and in turn Ranjit Singh showered gold
and silver coins on his subjects. Ranjit Singh rode on an elephant and passed
through the streets of Lahore. At night the town was illuminated with oil lamps
and there was display of fire works. The city which had suffered 30 years of
Bhangi misrule now had peace and rule of law. A sense of security prevailed.
Trade and Business were established on a sound basis.
19. Thus, at the relatively young age of 21, Ranjit Singh the leader of the
Shukerchakia Misal became the first Sikh Maharaja of the Punjab. He took great
care not to exhibit the trappings of royalty. He refused to wear any emblem of
royalty on his simple turban and refused to sit on a throne, preferring to sit in a
chair. He took great pains to be fair to all of his subjects and established himself
as the King of Hindus, Sikhs and Mulsims of the Punjab.
The Rise of the Sikh Empire
After assuming the title of Maharaja, Ranjit Singh started the task of
consolidating and expanding his empire. He first turned his attention towards the
Kings who had collaborated with the Afghans, Nizamuddin Khan and Sansar
Chand. Nizamuddin Khan of Kasur was defeated by Fateh Singh Kalianwala, one
of Ranjit Singh’s generals. Sansar Chand was defeated by Ranjit Singh after he
had the audacity to usurp estates belonging to Sada Kaur in Batala.
21. Ranjit Singh and Fateh Singh Ahluwalia exchanged turbans in a symbolic gesture
of friendship and cemented a relationship that was to last for decades. Every
conquest that was made with Fateh Singh’s help resulted in one district being
turned over to him.
22. Ranjit Singh and Fateh Singh then mounted a campaign in the Northwest and
captured the towns of Pindi Bhattian, Potohar and Chiniot. The province of
Multan which had been captured from the Bhangis was attacked and liberated.
23. The Maharaja’s first son Kharak Singh was born in 1802, to his second wife, Rani
Raj Kaur, the Nakkai princess.
24. Amritsar at the time was a major commercial center. It was divided among a
dozen families, who had built for themselves small fortresses and maintained a
force of tax collectors who forcibly collected money from the trading community.
The citizens secretly approached Maharaja Ranjit Singh to invite him to attack the
city. The Sardars of Amritsar were disunited and the only powerful family was
that of Mai Sukhan, widow of the Bhangi chief, Gulab Singh, who was in
possession of Gobindgarh fort.
25. In 1802, Maharaja Ranjit Singh marched towards, Amritsar at the head of the
force consisting of Kanahaiya, Nakkai and Ahluwalia troops in addition to his
own force. When the troops reached Amritsar, the Rani closed the gates of the
town and mounted the ramparts to fight the invaders. Fateh Singh Ahluwalia and
Ranjit Singh were successful in defeating her and captured Gobindgarh. The
capture of the fort brought Ranjit Singh five large cannon including the legendry
Zam Zama.
26. The Zam Zama was a massive brass and copper cannon that had been cast at the
orders of Ahmed Shah Abidali. It had been used to devastating effect in many
campaigns by the Afghans. It was captured by the Shukerchakias and finally
made its way into the hands of the Bhangis, until it was reclaimed by Ranjit Singh
after the battle for Gobindgarh.
27. More important than the capture of Gobindgarh was the acquisition of the services
of the gallant warrior, Akali Phula Singh. He belonged to the militant order of the
Nihangs and had devoted his life to the protection of the Sikh shrines. With him
were about three thousand Nihangs who joined the army of the Maharaja. The
Akali proved to be a great asset to the Maharaja and became one of his most
formidable generals. He was a man of such a forceful will and character that
20.
feared nobody including the Maharaja and fearlessly upbraided him when he
strayed.
28. The Maharaja took a keen interest in the management of Harmandir Sahib. He
appointed Surat Singh as its Manager. He gave shrine its marble face and its
golden look from which the name Golden Temple is derived. Marble and fresco
paintings were also added. Amritsar's splendor increased. It was inhibited by
aristocracy and many high dignitaries often visited the town. It was illuminated on
special occasions.
29. The capture of the Amritsar brought fame and honor to Ranjit Singh. Many
soldiers from the force of East India Company started joining the ranks of his
army. For the first time, Ranjit Singh was exposed to soldiers who could march in
step and form battle formations on simple words of command. Her hired several
of the soldiers as drill sergeants and sent several young men to train in the
Company’s forces to learn English military techniques.
30. Sikh forces until then mostly consisted of cavalry; foot soldiers were looked down
upon. However Ranjit Singh raised infantry battalions of Punjabi Mussalmans,
Hindustanis and Gurkhas. Seeing the new foot soldiers in action, Sikhs started
enlisting in the infantry as well.
31. Ranjit Singh also recognized the power of artillery. His artillery was managed by
Ghaus Mohammed Khan and later Shaikh Elahi Baksh. Many Sikhs trained under
them and became the most proficient gunners in India.
32. The Maharaja took a personal interest in the training of the new recruits; by the
fall of 1803, the new units were ready for battle. They were sent out to subdue
various rebellious chiefs and capture new territory, which they did with ease.
33. The army was reorganized into three divisions; the first under the direct command
of the Maharaja was 13,000 strong and included cavalry, artillery and infantry.
The cavalry was largely a Sikh force under the command of legendary generals
like Hari Singh Nalwa, Desa Singh Majhithia and Hukma Singh Chimni. The
infantry was a mixture of Hindus and Muslims with a few Sikhs; the artillery was
commanded by Ghaus Mohammed Khan.
34. The second division, 10,000 strong, consisted of the forces of vassals of Ranjit
Singh. The third division consisted of the forces of allied Misls such as the
Kanhyas and Nakkais. The total fighting force numbered 31,000.
35. In 1805, a powerful Maratha chief called Jaswant Rao Holkar, who was fighting
the British, entered the Punjab. The British were in pursuit and demanded that
Holkar be expelled. Holkar tried to create an alliance with Ranjit Singh while
treacherously inviting the Afghans to attack again.
36. Ranjit Singh convened a Sarbat Khalsa in Amritsar. The dilemma was whether
the Khalsa should ally with Holkar or accede to the British request. Having
learned of Holkar’s secret negotiations with the Afghans and having a healthy
respect for the British, Ranjit Singh and Fateh Singh Ahluwalia signed a treaty
with the British on January 1, 1806, in which they agreed to expel Holkar from
Amritsar in exchange for a non-aggression pact with the British. Holkar was
allowed to leave, leaving the British as the only power on Punjab’s eastern
frontier.
37. As the dangers of an Anglo Maratha conflict receded, the Khalsa chiefs of Malwa,
the territory between the Sutlej and Yammuna rivers, started fighting each other
again. A fight between Nabha and Patiala threatened the stability of Malwa.
Ranjit Singh was asked to mediate and he proceeded to Patiala with his forces and
forced the Sardars to compromise with each other.
38. On his way back the Maharaja was approached by his old enemy Sansar Chand of
Kangra for help in fighting off an attack by the Gurkhas under Amar Singh
Thapa. The Gurkhas, despite being fierce warriors did not have the stomach to
take on Ranjit Singh and they retreated, upon which Sansar Chand paid tribute to
the Maharaja. On his way back the Maharajah learned that his first wife, Mehtab
Kaur, had given birth to twin sons, who were named Sher Singh and Tara Singh.
39. There was fresh rebellion in Kasur, instigated by Kuttubdinn Khan, brother of the
now deceased Nizamuddinn Khan, with the support of Muzaffar Khan of Multan.
Ranjit Singh dispatched Fakir Azizuddin to quell the rebellion. The Khalsa forces
prevailed after pitched battles in which the Nihang soldiers played a major part.
40. After the Multan campaign, Ranjit Singh was asked to mediate another conflict in
Patiala. As he was returning, he heard of the death of Tara Singh Gheba, head of
the Dallewalia Misl. Ranjit Singh fixed a pension for the widow of Tara Singh
and took over the territory and forces of the Misl. An able general called Dewan
Mohkam Chand was appointed administrator.
41. Dewan Mohkam Chand, one of Ranjit Singh’s most distinguished generals
entered his service after falling out with the Bhangi chief who employed him.
Ranjit Singh, having seen his bravery in battle, gave him employment without
hesitation. Mohkam Chand commanded a cavalry unit as well as 1500 foot
soldiers. His first assignment was to capture Pathankot, which was one of the
strongest forts in the North opposed to Ranjit Singh. Mohkam Chand successfully
subdued Pathankot and captured other kingdoms for Ranjit Singh as well.
42. In 1808 Bhawani Das an accountant who had been in the employ of Shah Zaman
was appointed to Ranjit Singh’s Durbar. He reorganized the Durbar’s finances by
establishing treasuries and put into place uniform accounting practices.
43. Another prominent officer who entered Ranjit Singh’s employ that year was
Kaushal Chand, a Brahmin youth, who started out as a common soldier, rose to be
the Maharajah’s bodyguard and finally became the Deohridar or person in charge
of the Maharajah’s private apartments. He also brought into the court his nephew
Tej Singh and brother Ram Singh. This was a rare case of poor judgment in
personnel decisions on Ranjit Singh’s part. The family of Brahmins was
treacherous and was to play a negative role in the future.
44. In the decade after Ranjit Singh became Maharajah, the Afghan threat receded
significantly and the only significant power remaining were the British. The
British ruled almost all of India except the Punjab and Sind. Ranjit Singh too, had
consolidated power west of the Sutlej River and intended to occupy the land
between the Sutlej and the Yammuna rivers to gain complete control over the
Punjab.
45. Ranjit Singh was the de-facto master of the Malwa region; all that remained was
for the British to formally recognize his title to the region.
46. In 1807, after Mohkam Chand crossed the Sutlej and captured Anandpur, the
Sardars of Malwa appealed to the British for help.
47. The British had traditionally not been interested in territory west of the
Yammuna. However a strange set of events changed that. Napoleon Bonaparte,
after a successful string of conquests had signed a treaty with Tsar Alexander of
Russia. The British feared that the French-Russian alliance would take the land
route through Persia, Afghanistan, Sind and Punjab to attack them in India; this
increased their interest in the Malwa and the Punjab.
48. The Malwa Sardars, fearful that their territories would be annexed by Ranjit
Singh, sought the protection of the British. Ranjit Singh got wind of their plans
and summoned them to Amritsar, assuring them that he would never seize their
kingdoms. The British still stuck to their official policy of not venturing west of
the Yammuna.
49. A British emissary called Metcalfe was appointed to negotiate with Ranjit Singh
and secure his support in the event of a Franco-Russian invasion. While the
British had no interest in Malwa, Metcalfe was instructed to use Malwa as a pawn
in the negotiations because Ranjit Singh’s designs on Malwa were well known.
50. Ranjit Singh was willing to sign the treaty, but he wanted the British to recognize
his claim to Malwa formally as a precondition. Metcalfe continued to equivocate
and made no commitments. In the meantime, Ranjit Singh mounted a campaign in
Malwa to show the British that he was the unquestioned ruler of the region.
51. By that time British designs had changed and they decided to take control of
Malwa. Even as Metcalfe was negotiating with Ranjit Singh a British force under
Colonel Ochterlony started moving towards the Sutlej.
52. As the designs of the British became clearer, the Durbar geared up to fight and an
army 100,000 strong was raised. Mohkam Chand however was not confident of
victory and Fakir Azizuddin recommended appeasement.
53. Ranjit Singh decided to swallow his pride and accept the Sutlej as the eastern
boundary of this empire. A treaty was signed. The Durbar was divided. Die-hards
like Mohkam Chand and Akali Phula Singh wanted to tear up the treaty and fight.
Alliances with Holkar were considered, but Ranjit Singh did not buy into the
concept.
54. Malwa was virtually annexed by the British and became a part of their empire.
The treaty provided a measure of stability on the Durbar’s Eastern frontier, but
that was unfortunately not going to last.
New England Sikh Study Circle
Who’s Who in the Sikh Empire
Hari Singh Nalwa
Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was born at Gujranwala now in the West Pakistan in 1791 in the family
of Sardar Gurdial Singh and Bibi Dharam Kaur. The young Hari Singh was trained in the art of
warfare as well as being taught Gurmukhi, Urdu and Persian. Hari Singh presented himself
before Maharaja Ranjit Singh in his open durbar which he used to hold for a week or so on the
eve of Basant fair every year. The Maharaja was so impressed by the feats of valor shown by him
that he was taken in the royal service as a personal khidmatgar or an attendant. Maharaja
commissioned him in 1804 by granting him a command of 700 footmen and horses with the honor
of Sardar.
He was only with the Maharaja for a few months when one day he was asked to accompany the
Maharaja for a hunt. As they entered the forest, suddenly a man eating lion jumped on him and
threw him on the ground. Hari Singh was completely caught unaware and did not even have the
opportunity to draw his sword. But he got hold of the jaw of the lion and with great force flung the
lion away, and withdrawing his sword, with one blow severed the lion's head. The Maharaja and
the other courtiers were extraordinarily amazed at this feat. From that day onwards Hari Singh
was given the appellation of "Nalwa" by the Maharaja, who acknowledged that Hari Singh had
killed the lion similar to the way King Nall used to hunt (King Nall was a very brave king and was
known for his audacity to kill lions and other dangerous animals with his bare hands, and hence
the Maharaja adorned Hari Singh with that title i.e. "Nall-wa"- 'like Nall' )
Hari Singh Nalwa's most significant military achievement was the conquest of Multan. Before
annexing Multan in 1818, six expeditions were sent by the Maharaja. Hari Singh contributed in all
of these six campaigns as well as conquest of Multan. Multan had a great commercial and
strategic importance having been the gateway of Afghanistan.
After Kashmir was conquered in 1814, Hari Singh Nalwa was appointed Governor. Jaziya and the
other taxes which Hindu and Sikh population had to pay to their Muslim rulers for "not being a
Muslim" were eradicated.) .
The Afghanis of North West region across river Indus around Peshawar were divided into several
tribes. From time to time the Punjabi forces from Lahore were sent there to subjugate them.
Each time they would offer some tribute and then again revolt. To totally take control of these
areas Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave command to Hari Singh Nalwa. Also to stop the attacks of
Afghanis on Punjabi soil, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and others decided to put a series of forts to be
built up the defenses of the Punjabi frontier. From Attock to the Khyber Pass series of small forts
were built under Hari Singh Nalwa to keep Afghanis in check. The most important part of this
fortification was to put a complete halt at invaders who had attacked India entering from Khyber
Pass in West, starting with Greeks in 500 B.C. So after 2300 years of constant defeat and
humiliation of Punjabi and Indian people, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was able to totally shut down this
historic route of invasion into India.
Peace in Punjab was only possible by sealing the border of Kabul, and Peshawar being
geographically situated in its close proximity was an indispensable asset for Maharaja Ranjit
Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh invaded Peshawar in 1818. Durbar forces with Mian Ghausa and
Diwan Mohkam Chand leading the charge With Sardar Nalwa as general of Cavalry won an easy
victory.
In 1823, the Afghans reoccupied Peshawar. Ranjit Singh sent another expedition; the battles of
Jahangira and Naushera were fought in March 1823 where Sardar Nalwa, Akali Phula Singh,
Mian Ghausa, Misr Diwan Chand, Sardar Attar Singh marched in the battle field at the head of
their divisions and defeated the Afghans in the battles of Jahangira and Naushera. The Lahore
troops lost an indispensable commander, Akali Phula Singh. Hari Singh Nalwa played a
conspicuous role first by inflicting a crushing defeat upon the enemy and secondly by pursuing
the enemy after the defeat in order to be sure about the victory of the Lahore troops. The battle of
Naushera made it evident to the frontier tribesmen that the Afghan militia was weaker than those
of Lahore troops. This battle established Sikh supremacy over Peshawar.
In 1827, Sayed Ahmad Bareli who claimed to be the messenger of Prophet Mohammad inspired
the tribesmen by fervent appeals to recover their territory from the "kafir" or "Infidel" kingdom of
Lahore. These forces captured Peshawar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent Hari Singh Nalwa to
recapture the Peshawar as well as major parts around Khyber Pass. On 6th May 1834, Peshawar
was made part of Punjab and Hari Singh Nalwa was made his first non-Muslim governor.
The Afghans managed to capture Peshawar again 1n 1837. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was sent at
the head of Lahore troops to face Afghans. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa had earlier built a fort on the
entrance of Khyber Pass called fort of Jamrud. For want of men and war material Nalwa had to
fight against heavy odds and was wounded severely. His wounded body was put near a parapet
of the fort in a sitting position so that the Afghans would see him and think him alive. Afghans
could not dislodge the 500 Sikh troops from the fort of Jamrud. General Hari Singh Nalwa gave
his last command to his men to not to disclose his death and continue giving enemy a tough fight.
Akali Phoola Singh
Akali Phoola Singh was one of those Sikhs who came to be called Nihangs in the time of Guru
Gobind Singh. The word Nihang is derived from Persian which means 'crocodile'. The appellation,
Nihang, was coined by Dasam Pita Guru Gobind Singh , for that section of the Khalsa, who were
not only ready to die fighting for the supremacy of His Will, but also cared little for their own
comfort and life when it came to serving others..
Akali Phoola Singh was born on January 14, 1761 in the village named Shinh, in Amritsar. He
became a Nihang at an early age where he got all the martial training. Later, when he was 18
years old he shifted to the fort of Gobindgarh, became a leader of one of the band of Nihang
fighters of the Khalsa. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh extended his sovereignty over Amritsar, the
Nihangs under Akali Phoola Singh still maintained their headquarters at the Akal Takht, and did
so all through the Sarkar-é-Khalsa period. This single fact signifies two very important points. One
that Maharaja Ranjit Singh never felt powerful enough to take on the Nihangs. And two, that the
Nihangs enjoyed a respect amongst the Sikh Panth which gave them the final say in the spiritual
matters.
This latter fact is borne out by the incident when Ranjit Singh had married a Muslim woman,
named Moran of Lahore. Akali Phoola Singh declared at the Akal Takht that Maharaja Ranjit
Singh was a Tankhaiya meaning under punishment for violating a Sikh principle. He ordered the
Maharaja to present himself at Akal Takht before the community. Ranjit Singh came and admitted
that he had made a mistake. Akali Phoola Singh ordered 50 lashes as punishment for the
Maharaja right there. Ranjit Singh took off his shirt and bowed down to receive his punishment, at
this Akali Phoola Singh asked the community (Sadh Sangat) to forgive the Maharaja as he had
bowed down in front of the Sadh Sangat for this mistake. And thus Maharaja was pardoned, but
not before he promised never to violate a Sikh principle again.
Akali Phoola Singh was against Europeanizing the Khalsa forces, as he foresaw that this would
ultimately lead the Khalsa into serving the interests of the State rather than fighting for the
supremacy of Waheguru's Hukam. In 1809, at Ropar Maharaja Ranjit Singh signed a treaty with
British to make Satluj a permanent border between the Sarkar-é- Khalsa and British. Akali Phoola
Singh wanted Maharaja to tear up this treaty; he even threatened to move against the Maharaja.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh explained to him that first they will subdue the area this side of Satluj, and
later they will confront the British. This treaty was to mark the border between the Sikh kingdom
and the British protectorate. Satluj was decided as boundary.
Akali Phoola Singh and his command helped Maharaja in the campaigns of Kasur, Multan, and all
over Punjab. Nihangs under his command at Multan surpassed all bravery when they one by one
gave their shoulder under a canon which had a wheel broken, but was crucial to break through
the fort walls. Thus many of them attained martyrdom. By 1822 all the regiments of Sarkar-éKhalsa were Europeanized. Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to turn towards North West Frontier
province. In 1815 Maharaja attacked NWFP and levied tribute on number of principalities. Since
10 centuries Pathans and tribesmen had held sway over these areas, plundering these at will,
this was the first time that anybody took the battle to their homes. In 1823, the Governor of
Peshawar did not give tribute to Maharaja Ranjit singh. Khalsa forces led by Akali Phoola Singh,
Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, Sardar Fateh Singh Attariwala, and other Generals of Khalsa marched
towards Peshawar.
In the battle of Naushehra in 1823, in which thousands were killed was fought with the tribes of
Yusufzais, Khattaks and Afridi tribes of Pathans. Prince Sher Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa led the
advance columns early in 1823. They spanned the river Attock by means of a pontoon bridge and
occupied the fort of Jehangiria. Then Maharaja Ranjit Singh along with Akali Phoola Singh led the
rest of forces up to the Eastern bank of River Attock, but by this time, tribals had destroyed the
pontoon bridge and had besieged Prince Sher Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa in the fort. Hastily,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to cross the river again and came to the rescue of his son and
Hari Singh Nalwa just in the nick of time. The enemy entrenched themselves on a hill called Pir
Sabak or Tibbi Tiri on the plains between Jehangiria and Peshawar. The main Afghan force was
separated from the tribal ghazis by a small but swift-running stream, the Landai. The Khalsa
artillery, led by Mian Ghausa, bypassed the tribesmen, and reached the bank of Landai, and
trained its heavy guns on the opposite bank. Azim Khan made a dash from Peshawar and joined
the forces of Afghans on the opposite Bank of Landai. He could not cross the stream due to the
heavy bombardment by Khalsa forces from this side of Landai. On the second front, Sarkar-éKhalsa launched an offensive at Pir Sabak Hill. This war was not evenly matched, but Khalsa was
outnumbered by the Afghans. Khalsa forces made up for this by their disciplined and well-trained
army. Tribal forces fought desperately but were overcome by the Khalsa. Then Akali Phula Singh
and his nihangs moved up finish the Afghans off . Four thousand Afghans were left dead on the
field. Khalsa's casualties were in the hundreds, but Akali Phoola Singh too was killed in battle.
While pursuing Afghanis, Akali Phoola Singh's horse was shot under him. He took an elephant
and pressed on. This presented the enemy marksmen a clear target. Afghanis saw the man who
had so often humbled them, and trained their muskets on him. Phoola Singh was riddled with
bullets. He collapsed in his howdah, exhorting nihangs with the last breath of his body not to give
way
Even though Khalsa paid a heavy price in the loss of a great warrior like Akali Phoola Singh, it
was a crushing defeat for Afghans, and it convinced the Pathan tribesmen of the superiority of the
Khalsa soldiers. Three days later Maharaja entered Peshawar at the head of his victorious troops.
The citizens welcomed him and paid homage with nazaranas
A most important aspect of Akali Phoola Singh's life was that he and the Nihangs under him
fought on the side of Ranjit Singh only when latter was involved in a battle with non-Sikhs.
Whenever Ranjit Singh was involved in fight with other Sikh missals, Akali Phoola Singh
scrupulously maintained a neutral stance. However, his agony can be imagined when he saw
Sikhs fighting Sikhs for petty material gains instead of fighting for the supremacy of Waheguru's
Will. Thus, Akali Phoola Singh represents that pure strain of Akal Purakh ki Fauj which dedicated
its life only for righteousness.
Fakir Azizuddin
Fakir Azizuddin was a physician by training. He first met Ranjit Singh in 1799, when he was
summoned to treat him for eye trouble. He was one of Ranjit Singh’s early recruits. He served the
Maharaja for forty years and rose to become his Minister of Foreign affairs and hence, his chief
diplomat.
Dewan Mohkam Chand
Dewan Mohkam Chand was the most distinguished of the Maharaja’s generals. He was in the
employ of the Bhangi Sardars when he decided to join Ranjit Singh, who welcomed him because
of his bravery and talent. He was made a commander in the cavalry. His son Moti Ram and his
grandson Ram Dyal also served the Durbar with great distinction. He was very aggressive and
bitterly opposed to making peace with the British when their designs on Malwa became clear. He
led the Darbar’s expedition to Kashmir in 1812 in an alliance with Wazir Fateh Khan of
Afghanistan. He won a great victory against the Afghan forces at Attock in July 1813 recapturing
the important fort from the Afghans after an occupation of 800 years. He was the Commander In
Chief of the Durbar forces until his death in 1814.
Misr Dewan Chand
Misr Dewan Chand was named the Commanded In Chief of the Durbar armies in 1818. He was
the son of a poor Brahmin shopkeeper who had attracted Ranjit Singh’s attention because of his
intelligence. He was recruited as a clerk in 1812 into the Ordnance Department, which he was
promoted to lead on the death of Ghaus Khan in 1814. Over the protests of senior commanders,
he was named to lead the expedition against Multan in 1818, under the nominal command of the
16 year old Prince Kharak Singh. After the success of this campaign the title Zafar Jang Bahadur.
He also led the successful campaign against Kashmir in1819.
Lahina Singh Majithia
Son of Desa Singh Majithia, was commander, civil and military administrator, and one
of the principal sardars of the Sikh court. Of all the Majithias associated with the ruling
family of Lahore, Lahina Singh was the ablest and most ingenious. He succeeded his
father Desa Singh in 1832 as the nazim (governor) of Kangra and the hill districts, with
the title of Qaisar ul-Iqtidar.
Earlier, he had served the Maharaja in various capacities. He commanded 2
battalions of infantry, a topkhana of 10 light and field guns, and 1,500 horse. In
1831, he was assigned to the task of collecting monies from the Nakais; the
same year, he along with General Ventura took part in the Dera Isma'il Khan
expedition. At the court, he often acted as chief of protocol, receiving and looking
after important foreign dignitaries. On several occasions, he led goodwill
missions on behalf of the Maharaja. Like his father, he held charge of the
management of Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar.
Lahina Singh was a man of learning and was especially interested in astronomy
and mathematics. He was a skilful mechanic and designer of ordnance. He cast
shrapnel shells made of pewter for the Sikh artillery. He invented gun shell that
would explode at a fixed place and time. He also invented a clock which showed
the hour, the day of month and the lunar changes.
Amidst the rivalries of the Dogra and Sandhanvalia factions soon after the death
of Maharaja Kharak Singh, Lahina Singh maintained his position and influence at
the Darbar. In March 1844, Lahina Singh fell foul of the Jalla regime and feeling
insecure at Lahore, he left the Punjab for Haridvar. His jagirs were promptly
confiscated and usurped by Hira Singh. Lahina Singh settled in Banaras, and
declined to return to the Punjab even when he was offered the office of Wazir
(minister) by Maharani Jind Kaur during her regency. He was arrested and kept
under surveillance by the British from 23 January 1846 till the end of the first
Anglo-Sikh war.
In 1846, the British Resident, Sir Henry Lawrence, suggested his nomination as
Wazir in place of Lal Singh, but Lord Hardinge did not accept the proposal.
Lahina Singh returned to the Punjab in 1851, but after two years went back to
Banaras where he died in 1854.
Raja Dhian Singh Dogra
Chamberlain to the Royal Household (1796-1843)
The second son of Waft Kishora Singh Dogra and the middle one of the three
brothers from Jammu serving Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born on 22 August
1796. He was presented before Ranjit Singh at Rohtas in 1812 by his elder
brother, Gulab Singh, and was given employment as a trooper on a monthly
salary of sixty rupees. Dhian Singh by his impressive bearing, polished manner
and adroitness, steadily rose in the Maharaja's favour and, in 1818, replaced
Jamadar Khushal Sinngh as deorhidar or chamberlain to the royal household. In
this capacity, he had ready access to the Maharaja and became a man of
influence at the court. He was at times assigned to military duties as well. He
took part in the battle of Naushera in March 1823. As Ranjit Singh, following the
death on 30 April 1837 of Hari Singh Nalva, hastened towards the northwest
frontier, Dhian Singh marched with his force in advance.
Dhian Singh received from the Maharaja endless favours. He was granted a
large number of jagirs in the hilly country of Jammu and created Raja in 1822. On
20 June 1827, he was given the title of Raja-i-Rajgan Raja Kalan Bahadur. He
became the principal minister of the Maharaja and the most powerful person in
the kingdom after him. The highest distinction came on 21 June 1839 when
Maharaja Ranjit Singh proclaimed in the presence of the entire court and the
army stationed in Lahore that he had granted full powers to Prince Kharak Singh,
the heir apparent, over all his dominions and troops, and that the Prince had
chosen Raja Kalail Bahadur to be his Wazir, principal minister or counsellor. The
Maharaja also conferred upon Dhian Singh the title of Naib-us-Salatnat-i'Azamat, Khairkhwah-i-Samimi-iDaulat-i-Sirkar-i-Kubra, Wazir-i-'Azam, Dastur-iMu'azzam, Mukhtar-i-Mulk.
On the morning of the funeral of the Maharaja, 28 June 1839, Dhian Singh
expressed his intention to immolate himself on the late monarch's pyre and had
to be dissuaded by the queens and courtiers. Maharaja Kharak Singh himself
begged him to continue to steer the State. Dhian Singh agreed that he would
remain in the service of Kharak Singh for one year and proceed thereafter on a
pilgrimage to sacred places. But he soon found himself at the centre of courtly
intrigue. He set afloat the rumour that Kharak Singh and his favourite, Chet
Singh, were soliciting British protection and were going to compromise the
sovereignty of the Punjab. He summoned Prince Nau Nihal Singh from
Peshawar, and won over the Sandhanvalia sardars to join him in a plot to kill
Chet Singh. The scheme was carried out and Chet Singh was assassinated on 9
October 1839 by Dhian Singh in the presence of the Maharaja who was himself
placed under restraint, Prince Nau Nihal Singh running the affairs of the State on
his behalf.
Death, however, removed from the scene Nau Nihal Singh returning from his
father's cremation on 5 November 1840. Dhian Singh now chose to place Prince
Sher Singh on the throne. He concealed the fact of Nau Nihal Singh's death for
three days, till Sher Singh had arrived at Lahore at his summons. But his plans
were upset 'by his rivals, the Sandhanvalias, who decided to support Kharak
Singh's widow, Chand Kaur, as a regent for Nau Nihal Singh's child yet to be
born.
On 2 December 1840, Chand Kaur was proclaimed Maharani. Sher Singh went
back to his estate in Batala the following day, and Dhian Singh retired to Jammu
a few days later. This was, however, only a tactical withdrawal by the astute Raja
Kalan. Even while on his way to jammu, he wrote to army commanders at
different levels and to other government officials to render obedience and
assistance to Prince Sher Singh upon his return to Lahore. Sher Singh arrived at
Lahore on 13 January 1841 and the bulk of the royal army then in Lahore went
over to him. Raja Dhian Singh returned from Jammu on 17 January. Sher Singh
was proclaimed Maharaja of the Punjab on 18 January with Dhian Singh as his
Wazir.
On 15 September 1843 the Sandhanvalla Sardars, Ajit Singh and Lahina Singh,
assassinated Maharaja Sher Singh and Kanvar Partap Singh, the heir apparent,
on the outskirts of Lahore. As they were returning to the Fort with the heads of
Sher Singh and Partap Singh hung on spikes, they were met on the way by
Dhian Singh who was lured into the Fort. As he advanced his claim to be Wazir
to the succeeding Maharaja, Ajit Singh fired a shot and killed him on the spot.
Jean Francois Allard
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, an order instituted in 1802 by Napoleon I, was
born at Saint-Tropez, France, on 8 March 1785. In 1803, he joined the French
army and served in it fighting in the Imperial Cavalry in far-flung fields in Italy,
Spain and Portugal until its final defeat at the hands of the allies in 1815 when
the Imperial Guard, in which he had been serving as a lieutenant since 1810,
was disbanded. Allard returned to Saint-Tropez on demi-solde (half pay), but as
soon as he learnt of Napolean's escape and landing at Golfe Juan in March
1815, he joined the latter who promoted him Captain on 28 April 1815 and
appointed him aide-de-camp to Marechal Brune in Provence and was therefore
not present at Waterloo where Napolean was finally defeated. In 1818 he left for
the Middle East on four months' leave but never rejoined service and was
therefore dismissed from the army on 31 August 1819 for long absence without
leave. He served at Tabriz in Iran from February 1820 to September 1821. By
that time the British government agreed to pay a huge war contribution to Iran on
condition that all French officers in the service of Persia be dismissed and sent
back to Europe. However, Allard and Ventura escaped in disguise towards Kabul
and on to India.
In March 1822, Allard arrived at Lahore in company with Ventura, and secured
employment at the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh only after the Maharaja had
ensured that they were French officers of Napolean and not British spies. He was
entrusted with the task of reorganizing the Maharaja's cavalry on European-lines.
On 22 May 1822 Allard and Ventura took command of Shaikh Basawan's Paltan
Khas and later Paltan Deva Singh (1822), and the Gurkha Paltan (1823). These
formed the infantry of the Fauj-I-Khas. The cavalry (Fransisi Sowar) was
originally formed by two regiments raised by Allard on 16 July 1822-Rajman
(Regiment) Khas Lansia (Lancers) and Rajman Daragun (Dragoon). In place of
the traditional ghorcharas, who protested against the new drills, fresh
recruitments were made. Allard raised, another regiment of Dragoons in 1823. By
1825, the Fauj-i-Khas (infantry, cavalry and artillery) was 5000-6000 strong. The
training was based on a French pamphlet Allard had brought with him. All the
words of command were in French. Allard commanded the whole force, and took
orders only from the Maharaja. Ventura, under Allard's orders, was in charge of
infantry. The uniform of the Fauj-i-Khas was inspired by the uniform of
Napolean's Grande Armee; the standards of the regiments were the tricolour
French flag, inscribed with the motto Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh, and each regiment
had the Imperial Eagles. Sikh cavalry, under Allard, had achieved a very high
level of efficiency. His Cuirassiers, a "turbaned edition" of the steel-clad
horsemen of the Garde Imperiale, were the most noble-looking troops on parade.
The men and horses were well picked, their accoutrements were of the finest
quality and the regularity and the order in which they manoeuvred could scarcely
be matched by the East India Company's cavalry across the border. Besides the
European form of drill, Allard introduced the use of carbine among the Sikh
troops.
Allard's work won high appreciation from the Maharaja and he came to occupy
position of pre-eminence at the Sikh court. In addition to a salary of Rs 30,000 a
year, he was granted numerous jagirs enabling him to live in style at Lahore. He
was a man of high character and amiable disposition and all foreign travelers
passing through Lahore spoke very highly of him. Ranjit Singh considered Allard
to be more a political and military adviser than as a commander in the field,
although on extremely critical occasions he took command of the military forces
in operation, as he did in 1825 in Peshawar and Derajat for pacifying the Muslim
tribes along the Indus; in 1827 and 1830 for quelling the jihad of Sayyid Ahmad
Barelavi; and in 1837 in the attack on Jamrud after the death of Sardar Hari
Singh Nalva. From 1824 onwards, Allard was also responsible for the security of
the Anglo-Sikh border along the Sutlej, from the Himalayas down to Hari ka
Pattan.
The French naturalist jacquemont, who visited Lahore in 1831, calls him the
Suleman Bey of Ranjit Singh. Allard often acted as host to the European visitors
to the Maharaja's court. On ceremonial occasions, he was chosen for special
duties. He, for instance, escorted Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the time of his visit to
Ropar in October 1831 for a meeting with the Governor-General, Lord William
Bentinck. Allard also occasionally informed the Maharaja about Russian affairs
as they were reported in the French newspapers or in the Russian Gazette
(published
in
French).
In 1834, Allard along with his wife, Bannou Pan Del, daughter of the chief of
Chamba, whom he had married in 1826 at Lahore, and children proceeded to
France on two-years leave of absence at the expiry of which he returned to the
Punjab via Calcutta in early 1837, bringing for Ranjit Singh gifts and a letter of
greetings from Louis Philippe, the King of France.
Allard took part in almost all the major expeditions of Maharaja ,Ranjit Singh. In
1838, he was sent to Peshawar to help General Avitabile in the administration of
the province. On 23 January 1839, he died at Peshawar, having suffered for
some time from a diseased heart. His body was, as he had wished, brought to
Lahore and buried with full military honours between the tombs of his two
daughters in Kuri Bagh on 19 February.
Jean Baptiste Ventura
Was an Italian by birth who had served in Napoleon's army as a colonel of
infantry and had taken part in the battle of Wagram (1809), in the Russian
campaign (1812) and in the battle of Waterloo (1815). After the defeat of
Napoleon, he left France and wandering through Persia and Afghanistan,
reached Lahore in 1822 in company with Jean Francis Allard, whom he had met
in Teheran. Ventura was given employment by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and
enstrusted with the task of organizing Sikh infantry on European lines. He raised
four. battalions of Fauj-i-Khas, a mixed model brigade comprising over 3,000
men of regular infantry, a regiment each of grenadiers and dragoons and an
artillery corps of 30 guns. It was partly trained on the British model and partly on
the French, having its own flag with an emblem of eagle' with Guru Gobind
Singh's sayings embroidered on it. Ventura introduced the mess system in his
command. He also designed a uniform for the Gorkhas in the Lahore army which
style was later adopted by the British for their Gorkha troops.
In 1825, Ventura was engaged to carry out the strategic planning of the
Maharaja's expeditions. He took part in several important campaigns, including
the battles of Naushehra (1823) and Peshawar (1823). He also took part in the
campaign launched against the Wahabi fanatic, Sayyid Ahmad Barelavi, in 1831.
Another of the duties he was assigned to by the Maharaja was the taming of the
turbulent frontier districts. In 1832, he was entrusted with the administration of
the Derajat.
According to Baron Charles Hugel. who visited Punjab in 1835, Ventura during
1835-37 served as a qadi or chief justice of Lahore. Ventura was also often given
the honour of receiving dignitaries, especially Europeans, visiting the Sikh court.
In December 1836, he was promoted general, followed a few days later by the
grant of the tide of Faithful and Devoted. He was given the tide of Count de
Mandi after the campaign in the hills of 1841 and in France he was generally
known by that tide.
Ventura drew a salary of Rs 3,000 per month. He lived in style in a magnificently
built residence in the precincts of Anarkah's tomb in Lahore. He married an
Armenian lady at Ludhiana who bore him a daughter. After the death of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh, he continued in the Sikh service, supporting Sher Singh against the
Dogra faction. On Maharaja Sher Singh's assassination in September 1843, he
left the Punjab and retuned to Paris where he died on 3 April 1858.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Empire After
the British Annexation of the Malwa
1. The treaty of Lahore was a major set-back for Ranjit Singh as his dream of a unified Punjab
was shattered forever.
2. Ranjit Singh next turned his attention to Sansar Chand of Kangra, who had requested help
fighting off a Gurkha invasion. The Gurkhas were defeated in the battle of Ganesh Ghati;
Kangra was brought under the Durbar’s control and the Gurkha menace ended.
3. All remaining petty kingdoms in Punjab as well as the Bhangi, Nakkai amd Kanhya Misls
were integrated into the empire.
4. The next target was the strategic city of Multan, which was besieged by Durbar forces 19
1810. The siege was very costly because the Durbar lost many troops; even the Zamzama
could not make any impact on the massive walls of Multan fort; a truce was called after the
summer heat set in.
5. In 1811 Kharak Singh, the heir to the throne was married to Chand Kaur, a Kanhya princess.
All of Ranjit Singh’s vassals and the British sent expensive gifts and offerings of large sums
of money.
6. In the spring of 1812, Durbar forces under the command of Mohkam Chand marched towards
Kashmir in an alliance with the Afghans. The Eastern approaches to the Kashmir valley were
easily captured by the Durbar forces and twelve thousand men with the Afghans entered
Kashmir
7. Wazir Fateh Khan, the Afghan chief wanted to capture Shah Shuja, who was imprisoned in
Kashmir and fully intended to betray the Durbar. The shrewd Mohkam Chand, while the
Afghans were busy looting captured Shah Shuja to the chagrin of Wazir Fateh Khan. Ranjit
Singh opened negotiations with Jahan Dad Khan, the governor of Attock and took over the
strategic fort.
8. Shah Shuja’s family had offered the Koh I Noor diamond in return for the Darbar protecting
Shah Shuja. In 1813, after some reluctance the family ceded the diamond to Ranjit Singh.
9. Wazir Fateh Khan, after failing to talk the Darbar into handing Attock over to him organized a
Jihad aginst the Darbar. After a three month stand-off Dewan Mohkam Chand pinned down
the Afghans, cut off their supply lines and killed two thousand Afghans. The Battle of Attock in
1813 was the first victory that Punjabis had ever won against the Afghans. Lahore went wild
with joy and the humiliation of the Treaty of Lahore was forgotten.
10. Emboldened by the victory, Darbar forces set their sights on Kashmir again. A month after
the victory at Attock fifty thousand men under the command of Ram Dyal, Mohkam Chand’s
twenty year old grandson, accompanied by a host of experienced generals like Hari Singh
Nalwa and Mian Ghausa marched into Kashmir. A second force under Ranjit Singh also
attacked to create a pincer movement.
11. The monsoon rains broke and Ram Dyal’s forces were forced to a standstill by the Afghans.
Ranjit Singh’s force did not fare any better. Cholera broke out and many soldiers including
Mian Ghausa died. Ram Dyal too turned back; the campaign was a dismal failure.
12. Dewan Mohkam Chand died in 1814 and the Durbar lost its ablest commander.
13. In 1815, the British defeated the Gurkhas, after twhich Ranjit Singh was able to attract many
Gurka warriors into his army.
14. The Durbar after having made four unsuccessful attempts to take Multan mounted a
campaign again in 1818. The young Misr Dewan Chand was now the chief commander of a
twenty thousand strong force Artillery was commanded by General Elahi Baksh.
15. For a month Elahi Baksh pounded the walls of Multan without any results. The Zama Zama
was brought in in April; this time it was more effective. Each eighty pound round tore holes
into the walls of Multan fort. The cannon lost one of its wheels but Durbar troops persisted in
carrying the gun on their shoulders; several were killed by the recoil. The Nihang leader
Sadhu Singh led a band into the moat at night to lay mines into the breach. The next morning
a huge section of the wall was blown sky high. Multan was taken. Misr Dewan Chand was
honored with the title : Khair Khwah, Basafa, Zafar Jang, Fatah Nasib, Misr Dewan Chand
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Bahadur. (Well-wisher, Honorable, Victorious in War, Man of Victorious Destiny, Misr Dewan
Chand)
In 1818, Dhian Singh Dogra was appointed deorhidar. He also introduced his brothers Gulab
Singh and Suchet Singh as well as his young son Hira Singh into the Darbar. Hira Singh an
intelligent young man with dashing good looks soon became a favorite of Ranjit Singh. The
Dogra brothers started exercising a tremendous amount of influence on the Darbar.
Wazir Fateh Khan was murdered by Kamran, the son of Shah Mahmud plunging Afghanistan
into civil war. This was a good opportunity for the Durbar to secure Attock and push the
frontier with Afghan further north. In 1818 Ranjit Singh led his troops to the northwest. Among
the generals accompanying him were Hari Singh Nalwa and Akali Phula Singh. In November
1819 Ranjit Singh’s forces rode into Peshawar, the citadel of the Afghans. In the first time in
800 years an Indian conqueror rode through the streets of Peshawar. Dost Mohammad, an
Afghan offered to become Ranjit Singh’s vassal and govern Peshawar, with an annual tribute
of Rs 100000.
In April 1819, Darbar forces attacked Kashmir again, which was ruled by Azim Khan, a
brother of Wazir Fateh Khan’s. Two columns, one under Diwan Misr Chand and the other
under the sixteen year old Kharak Singh started a pincer movement. Durbar forces
surrounded the Afghans at Shupaiyan. The Afgahns were roundly defeated and retreated into
the hills. Misr Dewan Chand entered Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. A levy of Rs. 7000000
was imposed upon Kashmir. The Sikh empire, now stretched all the way to China and Tibet.
In 1821, the estates of Sadaa Kaur were attached by the Darbar. Sada Kaur, now in her
seventies tried to escape to the British. She was captured and spent the next eleven years in
captivity until she died.
In the spring of 1822, two officers from Napoleon Bonaparte’s disbanded army, Jean Baptiste
Ventura and Jean Francios Allard arrived in Lahore, seeking employment. The
Europeanization of the Darbar forces was accelerated. Witin a few years there were several
Frenc, English, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Hungarian soldiers in the Darbar’s employ. They
were well paid, but had several restrictions imposed upon them. They were encouraged to
marry Indian women and were not allowed to leave without formal permission from Ranjit
Singh. Several of them grew their hair and beards, abstained from smoking and married local
women, but eventually most of them fled after making their fortunes.
Although Ranjit Singh valued his European officers and promoted several of them to the
ranks of General and Governor., he never trusted them completely. They were never given
seats of honor on formal occasions.
The Punjabis generally disdained the foreigners. Most of the conquests had already been
made by Mohkam Chand, Misr Chand and Hari Singh Nalwa before the arrival of the
Europeans.
Ventura rose rapidly in the Darbar and virtually became the Commander In Chief of the
Darbar forces.
Allard never amounted to much as an officer, but he became a great favorite of Ranjit
Singh’s.
Other prominent Europeans included Paolo De Avitabile, an Italian, who ruled Peshawar with
great strictness, Seneor Oms, a Spainard who’s career was cut short by his untimely death.
Avitabile was a scholar and an engineer, whgo worked very closely with the most brilliant
Sikh engineer Lehna Singh Majithia.
Under the Europeans, the army increased greatly in size and became much more efficient.
However there were no major new conquests and the growing army was a huge drain on the
treasury. There was increasing resentment against the foreign generals and soldiers.
In 1822 trouble broke out in the Northwest. The Afghans once again launched a Jihad against
the Darbar. Misr Dewan Chand, Hari Singh Nalwa, Aklai Phula Singh, Fathe Singh Ahluwalia,
Allard, Ventura and Balbhadra, a Gurkha General started marching to the northwest. Prince
Sher Singh, Ranjit Singh’s son by the Kanhya princess Mehtab Kaur and Hari Singh Nalwa
led the advance columns early in 1823. They spanned the river Attock by means of a pontoon
bridge and occupied the fort of Jehangiria. Then Maharaja Ranjit Singh along with Akali
Phoola Singh led the rest of forces up to the Eastern bank of River Attock, but by this time,
tribals had destroyed the pontoon bridge and had besieged Prince Sher Singh and Hari Singh
Nalwa in the fort. Hastily, Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to cross the river again and came to
the rescue of his son and Hari Singh Nalwa just in the nick of time. The enemy entrenched
themselves on a hill called Pir Sabak or Tibbi Tiri on the plains between Jehangiria and
Peshawar. The main Afghan force was separated from the tribal ghazis by a small but swiftrunning stream, the Landai.
28. The Khalsa artillery, led by Mian Ghausa, bypassed the tribesmen, and reached the bank of
Landai, and trained its heavy guns on the opposite bank. Azim Khan made a dash from
Peshawar and joined the forces of Afghans on the opposite Bank of Landai. He could not
cross the stream due to the heavy bombardment by Khalsa forces from this side of Landai.
On the second front, Sarkar-é-Khalsa launched an offensive at Pir Sabak Hill. This war was
not evenly matched, but Khalsa was outnumbered by the Afghans. Khalsa forces made up for
this by their disciplined and well-trained army. Tribal forces fought desperately but were
overcome by the Khalsa.
29. Akali Phula Singh and his nihangs moved up finish the Afghans off . Four thousand Afghans
were left dead on the field. Khalsa's casualties were in the hundreds, but Akali Phoola Singh
too was killed in battle. While pursuing Afghanis, Akali Phoola Singh's horse was shot under
him. He took an elephant and pressed on. This presented the enemy marksmen a clear
target. Afghanis saw the man who had so often humbled them, and trained their muskets on
him. Phoola Singh was riddled with bullets. He collapsed in his howdah, exhorting nihangs
with the last breath of his body not to give way
30. Even though Khalsa paid a heavy price in the loss of a great warrior like Akali Phoola Singh,
it was a crushing defeat for Afghans, and it convinced the Pathan tribesmen of the superiority
of the Khalsa soldiers. Three days later Maharaja entered Peshawar at the head of his
victorious troops. The citizens welcomed him and paid homage with nazaranas