Battle of Rohtas (1764)

The battle of Rohtas took place in summer of 1764 between the Durranis and the Sikh Misls. The battle resulted in Sikh Victory with the capture of the city of Rohtas Fort and its governor Sarbuland Khan.[2][3][4]

Battle of Rohtas
Part of Afghan-Sikh wars
DateSummer 1764[1]
Location
Rohtas Fort
Result Sikh victory
Belligerents
Durrani Empire Sikh Misls
Commanders and leaders
Sarbuland Khan (POW) Charat Singh
Gujar Singh
Strength
12,000 Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Background

In February 1764, the Sikhs captured Lahore and killed commander Khwaja Ubaid Khan whereas the governor, Kabuli Mall, submitted to the Sikhs with agreement to pay large tribute and a stay for Hari Singh Bhangi's Vakil, Tek Chand, in Lahore with salary of 10 rupees per day.[1][5] The government in the Punjab region on the east of Chenab was reduced to vassal of the Sikhs whereas the north west region between Chenab and Jhelum to Multan in the South west was brought under the control of Charat Singh and Bhangi Sikhs by summer of 1764.[1] After crossing Chenab, Charat Singh and Gujjar Singh entered into Chaj Doab where they overpowered the resistance by Afghans and then moved forward beyond Jhelum towards Rohtas.[1]

Battle

Sarbuland Khan, uncle of Ahmad Shah Abdali,[6] with a strong force of 12,000 soldiers opposed the Sikhs but they were defeated and forced back inside the fort.[7][8][9] The Fort fell under siege but then Charat Singh set up a trap by acting to move away and lifting the siege.[7][9] Watching the Sikhs retreat, Sarbuland Khan came out of the fort with his remaining soldiers to pursue them but Charat Singh turned back and rushed to capture the fort where many Afghans were killed and their baggages were plundered whereas Sarbuland Khan was captured.[10][7]

Aftermath

After the capture, Sarbuland Khan, who was pleased with the well treatment and respect given to him by Sikhs, offered himself to serve as governor for Charat Singh but upon Charat Singh's refusal to appoint him as governor, Sarbuland Khan paid 200,000 rupees for his freedom to return home.[7][9]

References
  1. Singh 1959, p. 294.
  2. Singh, Ganda (1959). Ahmad Shah Durrani: Father of Modern Afghanistan. Asia Publishing House and online by Cambridge University Press. p. 295.
  3. Sarkar, Jagadish Narayan (1976). A Study of Eighteenth Century India. Saraswat Library. p. 347.
  4. University, Punjabi (2006). The Panjab Past and Present Volume 37. Department of Punjab Historical Studies. p. 11.
  5. Singh, Rishi (2014). State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony. SAGE Publications. p. 178. ISBN 9789351505044.
  6. Singha, H.S. (2000). The encyclopedia of Sikhism. Hemkunt Publishers. p. 179. ISBN 9788170103011.
  7. Singh 1959, p. 295.
  8. Gupta, Hari Ram (1999). Evolution of Sikh Confederacies. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 213. ISBN 9788121502481.
  9. University 2006, p. 11.
  10. Banerjee, A.C. (1978). A Comprehensive History of India. People's Publishing House. p. 288.
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