Today in Sikh History :14th April

14th April

==> GURU HARGOBIND’S BATTLE OF AMRITSAR: The immediate cause of this battle was the seizure of royal hawk by Sikhs hunting near village Gumtala in the vicinity of Amritsar. The royal hawk had actually strayed away while on a hunt. Sikh tradition hold that teh royal hawk was trying hard to capture its target and was flying up and down in the sky time and again. The target was almost caught when it came to the notice of the Sikhs hunting nearby who moved by compassion set off their own hawk which pounced upon the royal hawk. The royal hawk fell and was captured by the Sikhs. The royal solidiesr approached the Sikhs and demanded the return of the royal hawk but on account of their insolent manners, they were refused. The matter was reported to the concerened local authorities with the result that a clash took place between the mughal troops and the Sikhs.

The attack of Mughal solidiers, headed by Mukhlis Khan was so sudden and unexpected that Guru Hargobind, who was then engaged in preparations for the marriage of his daughter, Bibi Viro, had to divert all his attention towards the clash. Bhai Bhanno commanded the Sikhs. As the Sikhs had no proper means of defence at their disposal they faced great hardship. A hollowed tree was convereted into a place of rough artillery and the enemy was given a fight from Lohgarh Fort at Amritsar. The Sikhs fought with confidence against the Mughal solidiers whose strength outnumbered theirs. The Mughals finally did manage to enter the city. However, the residents had already shifted, Guru’s family was moved to a house near Ramsar. Mughal solidiers looted Guru’s property including the sweets that had been preparade for the marriage. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Guru Sahib promptly managed to send his family to Chabal. He then made final arrangements for the battle. Bhai Bidhia, Bhai Parana, Bhai Bhanu, and Painda Khan commanded the Sikh forces consisting of footmen, horsemen, and archers. The weapons used by them were arrows, spears, swords, shields, lathis, and muskets. The Mughal troops commanded by Mukhlis Khan included Shamas Khan, Anwar Khan and Sayyad Muhammad as commanders of sub-sections.

The solidiers of both forces were seen in high spirits and the battle witnessed tough fighting. Bhai Bhannu and Bhai Singha were able to defeat certain sections of the enemy. Shamas Khan was killed by Bhai Bhai Bhanu. The swordsmen of the Guru, who were sufficiently akilled in the art of warfare, showed their powers in the battlefield. They included Bhai Ananta, Bhai Triloka, Bhai Tota, Bhai Nikab, and Bhai Nihala. The Guru himself supervised his men while fighting in the battlefield. Panda Khan, an Afghan retainer with the Guru, fought courageously and was able to bring down several solidiers of the enemy. Gradually, the Sikh solidiers gained the upper hand over the enemt forces.

Mukhlis Khan proposed terms to the Guru’s warriors for reconciliation, which was turned down with the warning that it was in his interest to retire immediately with his men. On complaince with the proposal, the victory of Guru Hargobind’s army was almost complete. Mukhlis Khan had been killed and the Mughal solidiers complete routed. The Sikh warriors of fame who died fighting in the battlefield included Bhai Bhagtu, Bhai Takhtu, Bhai Tota, Bhai Piara, Balu Mohan, Saindass, Gopla, and Nihalu.

-Ref. "The Sikhs in Ferment – Battles of the Sikh Gurus," by Gurbachan Singh Nayyar, 1992.

-Ref. THE SIKHS’ STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY, An Historical Perspective By Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer and Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon. Edited By: A.T. Kerr Page 110-119