Battle of Bhangani

The Battle of Bhangani was fought between Guru Gobind Singh's army and Bhim Chand (Kahlur) of Bilaspur on 18 September 1686 or 1688,[6][7] at Bhangani near Paonta Sahib. An alliance of Rajput Rajas of the Shivalik Hills participated in the engagement on behalf of Bhim Chand of Bilaspur State's side, including the states of Garhwal and Kangra.[8][9] It was the first battle Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, fought at the age of 19.[10]

Battle of Bhangani
Part of Hill States-Sikh Wars
Date18 September 1686 or 1688
Location
Bhangani, near Paonta, Punjab region (now Himachal Pradesh)
Result Sikh Victory [1][2]
Belligerents
Akal Sena (Sikhs)
Pir Budhu Shah's disciples
Udasis[3]

Alliance of 16 Hill States, including:
Kahlur
Garhwal
Kangra

Guler
Hindur
Siba
Jaswan
Commanders and leaders
Guru Gobind Rai
Bhai Daya Singh
Bhai Sangat Singh
Bhai Jit Mal †
Shah Sangram (Sango Shah) †
Mehri Chand
Ganga Ram
Lal Chand
Daya Ram
Kripal
Nand Chand
'Uncle' Kirpal
Sahib Chand		 Bhim Chand (Kahlur)
Fateh Shah
Hari Chand †
Hayat Khan †
Najabat Khan †
Bhikhan Khan
Raja Gopal (Raj Singh) of Guler
Hari Chand (of Hindur)
Madhukar Shah Dadwal (of Siba)
Raja of Jaswan
Strength
1,000 with 507 reinforcements arriving later[4] 10,000 [5]

Bichitra Natak, an autobiography generally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, contains a detailed description of the battle.[11]

Causes

Guru Gobind Singh resided at Anandpur, which was though located in the territory of Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) but Anandpur Sahib was an autonomous region held by Guru Gobind Singh as the barren land of Makhowal was purchased by his father Guru Tegh Bahadur and town was developed with earlier name Chakk Nanki.[12][6][7]

By the 1680s, the Guru's influence and power had increased greatly. His devotees came from distant places and brought him valuable gifts. A devotee called Duni Chand visited Anandpur in 1681, and presented him a Shamiana (an imperial canopy or tent) embroidered in gold and silver, and was studded with pearls. Ratan Rai, the son of Raja Ram Rai of Assam, visited Anandpur with his mother and several ministers, and presented several gifts to the Guru, including an elephant called Prasadi (or Parsadi).[13][14]

In the mid-1680s, Guru Gobind Singh ordered the construction of a war drum (nagara) to enthuse his army. The job of constructing the drum was entrusted to the Guru's Dewan, Nand Chand, and the drum was named Ranjit Nagara.[15] The use of such a war drum was limited to the chieftains, within their territory. Its use by the Guru was considered a hostile act by Raja Bhim Chand. On his Prime Minister's advice, the Raja arranged a meeting with the Guru, and visited his court in Anandpur. There, his eyes fell on the valuable gifts presented to the Guru by the devotees.[16][17]

Some days later, Bhim Chand sent a message to Anandpur, asking the Guru to lend the Prasadi elephant to him. Bhim Chand wanted the elephant to make a display of his wealth to the guests at his son's proposed wedding. The Guru knew that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant by deceptive tactics, and declined the Raja's request. He stated that the devotee who had presented the elephant didn't want it to be given away to anybody else. Bhim Chand is said to have sent his emissaries thrice to the Guru, the last one being Raja Kesari Chand of Jaswan. However, the Guru didn't accept his demand, and refused to part with the elephant.[18]

The Raja felt disgraced by the Guru's refusal, and got restless with Guru's growing influence, and his interest in military exercises. Soon an atmosphere of confrontation developed between them due to Guru's sovereign and autonomous actions though Guru never seemed offensive towards territorial gains.[19]

In April 1685, Guru Gobind Singh shifted his residence to Paonta (now Poanta sahib) in Sirmur state, at the invitation of Raja Mat Prakash (a.k.a. Medni Prakash) of Sirmur. The reasons for the shift are not clear.[19] The author of Bichitra Natak doesn't mention any reason for shifting his residence to Paonta.[20] According to the Gazetteer of the Sirmur state, the Guru was compelled to quit Anadpur due to differences with Bhim Chand, and went to Toka. From Toka, he came to Nahan (the capital of Sirmur) at the request of Raja Medni Prakash. From Nahan, he proceeded to Paonta.[21] According to Ajay S. Rawat, Raja Mat(Medni) Prakash invited the Guru to his kingdom in order to strengthen his position against Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal.[19] At the request of Raja Mat Prakash, the Guru constructed a fort at Paonta with help of his followers, in a short time. He continued to increase his army. Raja Fateh Shah also paid a visit to the Guru, and was received with honor in his court. The Guru established a peace treaty between the two Rajas.[22]

The marriage of Bhim Chand's son was arranged with the daughter of Fateh Shah. Bhim Chand had to go from Bilaspur to Srinagar (the capital of Garhwal) for the marriage ceremony, and the shortest route passed through Paonta. However, the Guru had no faith in Bhim Chand, and he refused to let his heavily armed party pass through Paonta. After negotiations, the Guru permitted only the bridegroom and a small number of his companions to cross the ferry near Paonta. The rest of the marriage party, including Bhim Chand, had to follow a circuitous route to Srinagar. This increased Bhim Chand's hostility towards the Guru.[23]

Fateh Shah had invited the Guru to the wedding celebrations. The Guru sent his representatives Bhai Nand Chand (or Namd Chand) and Bhai Daya Ram to the wedding celebrations. He also sent jewellery worth approximately a hundred thousand rupees as a gift for the bride. His representatives were accompanied by 500 horsemen to guard the gift. When Bhim Chand learns of the gift from the Guru, he threatened to cancel the marriage if Fateh Shah accepted the gift.[19] Fateh Shah, fearing for his daughter's future, refused to accept the gift, and sent back the Guru's contingent.[24]

On their way back to Paonta, the Guru's horsemen were attacked by the Rajas' forces. They managed to defend themselves, and told the Guru about the incident. The Guru, anticipating an attack from the Rajas, made preparations for the war.[21]

Guru Gobind Singh in his autobiographical work Bichitra Natak wrote that Fateh Shah fought with him for no reason.[25][2][26]

Armies

Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah formed an alliance with 14 other Hill Rajas: such as Kirpal of Katoch, Gopala of Guler (or Guleria), Hari Chand of Hindur and Kesari Chand of Jaswan.[27][28][29][30][31]

According to Harjinder Dilgeer Guru Gobind Singh Ji's army consisted of around 4,000 Sikhs only besides a number of Udasis and Pathans. Except for Mahant Kirpa Das and a few others, most of the Udasis had deserted the Guru. The Pathans who had taken up employment under Guru Ji on the recommendation of Pir Buddhu Shah were all bought over by Bhim Chand. They were promised free share of the loot at Paonta Sahib. Guru Ji informed Pir Buddhu Shah about the unfaithful behavior of the Pathans and he himself led his Sikhs to a place six miles outside Paonta Sahib, called Bhangani.

Pir Buddhu Shah presents his sons to Guru Gobind Singh On hearing about the unreliable Pathans, Pir Buddhu Shah was greatly perturbed. Immediately he called his sons, and along with between 500 and 700 of his followers he rushed to Guru Ji's side. Mahant Kirpal Das was using a heavy stick called a Kutka to fight, he killed Hayat Khan, the chief of the Pathans now finghting on the opposing side. Pir Buddhu Shah also fought bravely as did his sons and followers in this bloody of battles which Guru Ji describes in martial verses in his autobiography, Bachittar Natak (wondrous drama) . Besides several hundred Sikhs, the two sons of Pir Buddhu Shah and a large number of his followers died in the fighting. Guru Ji's general Sangho Shah, after killing the brave Najabat Khan also fell in battle, so did his brother Jeet Mal thus reviving the glory of their maternal grandfather, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

The battle

The battle of Bhangani lasted for a day; some historians argue that it lasted for nine hours. But it was fought with great fury.[32] As the combined armies of the hill Rajas marched towards Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh also marched towards them. The opposing forces met on the banks of Yamuna river, at Bhangani, 6 miles (9.7 km) away from Paonta. The battle resulted in the death of several of the Guru's and the Pir's disciples, including the two sons of the Pir.[33]

Description in Bachittar Natak

The author of Bachittar Natak, Guru Gobind Singh, praises his own soldiers, as well as those of the enemy forces. According to him, the Guru's soldiers included the five sons of Bibi Viro (the daughter of Guru Har Gobind): Sango Shah, Jit Mall, Gulab Chand, Mahri Chand and Ganga Ram.[34] Sango Shah fell down after killing Najbat Khan[35] of the opposing army.[36] The Guru praises the heroism of Daya Ram, and equates him to Dronacharya of Mahabharata.[37] He also says that his maternal uncle Kirpal Chand fought like a true Kshatriya and killed one Hayat Khan with his Kutka (mace).[38]

The other soldiers mentioned by the author include Lal Chand, Sahib Chand, Maharu, Nand Chand or Namd Chand (who fought with his dagger after his sword broke).[39] The enemies mentioned by him include Gopal (the king of Guleria), the Raja of Chandel, and the chiefs of Jaswal and Dadhwal.

The author praises the archery skills of Hari Chand.[40] Hari Chand killed Jit Mall in a duel, but himself fainted. After coming to his senses, he fired arrows at the Guru, who survived and killed Hari Chand with an arrow.[41]

The author said that he himself went into the battlefield when an arrow struck his body.[29]

Result

Guru Gobind Singh came out victorious,[42] and won the battle.[43] Guru Gobind Singh in Bichitra Natak also mentions that the battle resulted in the victory of the Guru's forces, and the enemy forces fled from the battlefield.[44] Hari Chand was killed in battle.[45]

The Guru, though victorious, did not occupy the territory of defeated hill chiefs.[46] Some historians such as H. Raturi, Anil Chandra Banerjee and A. S. Rawat speculate that the battle must have ended without any conclusive result, since the Guru's victory is not substantiated by any territorial annexations, and the Guru entered into an understanding with Bhim Chand soon after the battle.[19][47] However, this was most likely because the Guru was not after any territorial gains, just as his grandfather, Guru Hargobind had done when winning his battles against the Mughals.

Aftermath

The tombs of the dead hill chieftains were constructed at Bhangani.[21] The Guru is said to have pitched his flag at Bhangani, and today a Gurdwara marks the spot.[21]

The author of Bichitra Natak states that after the battle, the Guru didn't remain at Paonta, and returned to Anandpur. Those who fought in the battle were rewarded, and those who didn't were turned out of the town.[48]

Sometime after the Guru's return to Anandpur, peace was established between Raja Bhim Chand and Guru Gobind Singh,[33] after the former paid a visit to the Guru with his minister.[49]

See also

References
  1. Raj Pal Singh (2004). The Sikhs : Their Journey Of Five Hundred Years. Pentagon Press. p. 35. ISBN 9788186505465.
  2. Phyllis G. Jestice (2004). Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 345, 346. ISBN 9781576073551.
  3. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh (February 2012). Birth of the Khalsa, The: A Feminist Re-Memory of Sikh Identity. SUNY Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7914-8266-7.
  4. Gandhi, Surjit (2007). The History of The Sikh Gurus Retold 1606 - 1708. Atlantic. pp. 774, 775. ISBN 978-8126908592.
  5. Gandhi, Surjit (2007). The History of The Sikh Gurus Retold 1606 - 1708. Atlantic. p. 774. ISBN 978-8126908592.
  6. Singha, H. S. (2000). The encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 entries). New Delhi: Hemkunt Publishers. pp. 18–19. ISBN 81-7010-301-0. OCLC 243621542.
  7. The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies. Oxford Handbooks. Oxford University Press. 2014. ISBN 9780191004124. A final context relevant to the Khalsa Heritage Complex is the town of Anandpur Sahib itself. Renowned as a site where the Sikh Khalsa was inaugurated by the tenth and final living Guru, Gobind Singh, Anandpur is already filled with important commemorative sites and structures. At the centre of the town lies Guru de Mahal, where the Guru and his family lived and where his followers built a dharmsal and langar. This is the reputed place where several Kashmiri pandits came seeking protection from Aurangzeb's army, in response to which Guru Tegh Bahadur made his fateful voyage to Delhi where he was martyred by the Mughal emperor. Gobind Rai, Tegh Bahadur's son, had been installed as Guru Gobind by his father prior to setting off for Delhi, and the spot where this took place, too, is commemorated at Anandpur. Guru Gobind returned to Chak Nanaki from Paonta in 1688 following his victory over an alliance of hill Rajas at the battle of Bhangani (Mann 2009). At the time of his return, the Guru founded a new centre which he called Anandpur, as an annex to Chak Nanaki.
  8. Dahiya, Amardeep S. (2014). "Chapter 3 - Battles of Bhangani and Nadaun". Founder of the Khalsa : the Life and Times of Guru Gobind Singh. Carlsbad: Hay House. ISBN 978-93-81398-61-6. OCLC 881415374.
  9. "Garhwal (Princely State)". Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2007.
  10. Singh, Bhagat Lakshman (1995). A Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh. Asian Educational Services. p. 78. ISBN 978-81-206-0576-3. OCLC 55854929.
  11. Fenech, Louis E. (2013). The Sikh Ẓafar-nāmah of Guru Gobind Singh : a discursive blade in the heart of the Mughal Empire. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-998060-4. OCLC 826068533. 49. Bachitar Natak 8:1-3, Dasam Granth, p. 60. Chapter 8 deals almost exclusively with the Battle of Bhangani after which the Guru went back to his patrimony and strengthened it. Bachitar Natak 8:36, Dasam Granth, p. 62. An intriguing understanding of this section of the Bachitar Natak (8:1-3) which sets it within the context of the love/violence reading of bhakti is Balbinder Singh Bhogal, "Text as Sword: Sikh Religious Violence Taken as Wonder," in John R. Hinnells and Richard King (eds.), Religion and Violence in South Asia: Theory and Practice (London: Routledge, 2007), pp. 121-22.
  12. Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh (2000). Who are the Sikhs?. Sikh Educational Trust. p. 28.
  13. Gandhi, Surjit Singh (2004). A historian's approach to Guru Gobind Singh (1st ed.). Amritsar: Singh Bros. p. 142. ISBN 81-7205-306-1. OCLC 62342291.
  14. Gandhi, Surjit Singh (1978). History of the Sikh Gurus: A Comprehensive Study. Gur Das Kapur. p. 398.
  15. Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh, SIKH HISTORY in 10 volumes (in English), Sikh University Press, 2010-11.
  16. Dhillon, Dalbir Singh (1990). Battles of Guru Gobind Singh. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 33.
  17. Nara, Ishar Singh (1985). Safarnama and Zafarnama: Being an Account of the Travels of Guru Gobind Singh and the Epistle of Moral Victory Written by Him to Emperor Aurangzeb. Translated by Singh, Joginder. Nara Publications. p. 34.
  18. Chhabra, G. S. (1968). Advanced History of the Punjab: Guru and post-Guru period upto Ranjit Singh. Vol. 1. New Academic Publishing Company. pp. 263–268.
  19. Rawat, Ajay Singh (2002). Garhwal Himalaya : a study in historical perspective. Indus Publishing. pp. 50–54. ISBN 81-7387-136-1. OCLC 52088426.
  20. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 1. "Then I left my home and went to place named Paonta.".
  21. Gazetteer of the Sirmur State. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. 1996. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-7387-056-9. OCLC 41357468.
  22. Dahiya, Amardeep S. (2014). Founder of the Khalsa : the Life and Times of Guru Gobind Singh. Carlsbad: Hay House. ISBN 978-93-81398-61-6. OCLC 881415374. 'He is no man's enemy. He is enemy only to tyranny and oppression whichever form it takes. As for war, remember the war was not of his choosing, it was thrust upon him by you and your allies. If he had been a warmonger, he would have taken advantage of his victory, like all victors do, to annex some of your territory, to extend the sphere of his influence into your kingdom to demand reparation for the losses he sustained in the war. He did none of these things. Instead he even withdrew from Medini Prakash's territory to his own settlement to spare his host any embarrassment. Remember how effectively he brought a rapprochement between Fateh Shah and Medini Prakash, after centuries of hostility between Garhwal and Sirmaur?'
  23. Grewal, J. S. (2019). Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) : master of the white hawk (1st ed.). New Delhi, India. ISBN 978-0-19-949494-1. OCLC 1121651952. Koer Singh highlights Bhim Chand's role in persuading Fateh Shah to attack Guru Gobind Das. Bhim Chand's son was betrothed to the daughter of Fateh Shah. For the marriage ceremony, Bhim Chand had set out with a large party to go to Srinagar, the capital of Fateh Shah. He had to cross the Jamuna at a point near Paunta that was under the Guru's control. Bhim Chand sent his wazir to the Guru with the request to forgive him and to return to Anandpur. He praised the Guru as the avtar of Rama and Krishna, and requested for a safe passage. Guru Gobind Das told him that his master was not sincere and that he would have to face armed resistance if he tried to cross the Jamuna. The Guru added that he would return to Anandpur on his own with the beat of the drum.& Eventually, only the bridegroom was allowed to cross the Jamuna to reach Srinagar before the auspicious time fixed for marriage. Bhim Chand had to take a longer route and he reached late. He persuaded Fateh Shah to attack Paunta and dislodge the Guru. Among those who came to their support were the chiefs of Guler, Jaswan, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Jammu, Mandi, and Suket.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  24. Raju, Karam Singh (1999). Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace. Sanbun Publishers. pp. 61–63. ISBN 9789380213644.
  25. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 3. Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine "...Fateh Shah became angry and fought with me without any reason.".
  26. Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair (2013). Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed. A & C Black. p. 55. ISBN 9781441117083.
  27. Banerjee, Indubhusan (1962). Evolution of the Khalsa (2nd ed.). A. Mukherjee. p. 72.
  28. Raju, Karam Singh (1999). Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace. Sanbun Publishers. pp. 15–16. ISBN 9789380213644.
  29. Grewal, J. S. (2019). Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) : master of the white hawk (1st ed.). New Delhi, India. ISBN 978-0-19-949494-1. OCLC 1121651952. Among the warriors who fought on the side of Fateh Shah, according to the Bachittar Natak, were the hired Pathan commandants Hayat Khan, Najabat Khan and Bhikhan Khan, Raja Gopal (Raj Singh) of Guler, Hari Chand (of Hindur), Madhukar Shah Dadwal (of Siba), and the Raja of Jaswan. Among those who fought on the side of Guru Gobind Das were Shah Sangram (Sango Shah), Jit Mal, Mehri Chand, Ganga Ram, Lal Chand, Daya Ram, Kripal, Nand Chand, 'Uncle' Kirpal, and Sahib Chand. The first to be killed in the battle was Hayat Khan who was hit on the head by Kripal with his staff. Sahib Chand killed a number of Khans and warriors. Hari Chand killed many warriors on the Guru's side, including Jit Mal. Najabat Khan killed Sangram Shah, but himself got killed. Guru Gobind Das took part in the battle personally after the death of shah Sangram. His first arrow killed a Khan. His second arrow killed Bhikhan Khan's horse. Hari Chand shot three arrows at the Guru, but only one of the three pricked him slightly. Hari Chand was killed by the Guru's arrow. The army of Fateh Shah left the field of battle. The Guru was victorious through God's grace. He returned to Makhowal and founded Anandpur.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  30. ARIHANT EXPERTS (2018). KNOW YOUR STATE : himachal pradesh. [S.l.]: ARIHANT PUBLISHERS. p. 26. ISBN 978-93-131-6765-5. OCLC 1245922498.
  31. Journal of Sikh Studies. Vol. 13. Guru Nanak Dev University. Department of Guru Nanak Studies. 1986. p. 41.
  32. Singh, Prithi Pal (2007). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Press. p. 137. ISBN 978-81-8382-075-2.
  33. Singh, Prithi Pal (2007). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Books. pp. 137–138. ISBN 978-81-8382-075-2.
  34. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 4-5 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  35. Not to be confused with another famous Najabat Khan Nawab of Kunjpura
  36. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 23 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  37. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 6 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  38. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 7-8 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  39. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 8 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  40. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 12 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine and [Chaupai 26]
  41. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 28-8.33 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  42. Mahajan, Vidya Dhar (1970). Muslim Rule In India. S.Chand, New Delhi. p. 235.
  43. Singh, Bhagat Lakshman. Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh. Asian Educational Services. p. 78. ISBN 81-206-0576-4.
  44. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 34 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  45. Suraj Granth Ruth 2 Chapter 31
  46. Singh, Prithi Pal (2006). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Press. pp. Guru Gobind Singh, 137. ISBN 81-8382-075-1.
  47. Raturi, Harikrishna (1980) [1928]. Garhwal ka Itihas. Bhagirathi Prakashan Griha. ISBN 81-86424-00-8. OCLC 7250188.
  48. Bichitra Natak. Chapter 8, Chaupai 35-8.37 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  49. Singh, Bhagat Lakshman. Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh. Asian Educational Services. p. 80. ISBN 81-206-0576-4.
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