Hill States–Sikh Wars

The Battle of Bhangani was a major battle fought between several different Hindu states and the Sikhs. An Alliance of the different Rajas of Sivalik Hills with Bhim Chand's Kahlur.[8][9]

During April 1685, the Guru shifted his residence to Paonta in Sirmur State. He was invited by Mat Prakash who was the king of Sirmur. This is believed to occur because of his differences with Bhim Chand in Anandpur.[10]

The town of Bhangani is located seven miles from the town of Paonta on the confluence of Jamuna River and River Girl. Pir Buduh Shah joined the Guru with his four sons, two brothers and 700 disciples.[11]

The battle is believed to be fought for an entire day. The Sikhs numbered about 1,000 in strength and were later reinforced by a force of 507 troops. The Alliance of Hindu Chiefs strength numbered around 10,000.[12] The Guru came victorious and won the battle. Bichitar Natak mentions that the enemy forces fled the battleground. Hari Chand, the king of Hindur was slain.[13][14][15]

After the Battle of Bhangani, Bhim Chand and some other hill chieftains refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor which ultimately led to Battle of Nadaun. He sought for help to the Guru and made an alliance. The alliance of the Sikhs and Kahlur came out as the victors.[16][17]

The exact date of the battle remains disputed. The main guess of the date is believed to be 1691 by Tony Jaques.[18]

Maharaja Sidh Sen Receiving an Embassy, including Guru Gobind Singh in 1701. "History records how Guru Gobind Singh spent time with the Raja Sidh Sen around 1701 (ref: Suraj Prakash, Rut 5, Chp. 8). Gurdeep Kaur, a researcher in Indian miniature paintings and Dr. Rohita Sharma a professor of Art in Panjab, both agree this is likely a painting of the Guru." (quote by Jvala Singh in June 2020, Sikh historian)[19]

Following the creation of the Khalsa the Hill Rajas were quite alarmed and jealous of the Guru. The Rajas thus began raiding Sikhs causing further tension between the Sikh and Rajas.[20][21]

When Guru Gobind Singh was on a hunting trip Raja Balia Chand, and Alim Chand launched a surprise attack in hopes of capturing the Guru. They outnumbered the Sikh but Sikh reinforcements soon arrived. Balia Chand was shot dead by Bhai Udai Singh and Alim Chand had his hand cut off by Alam Singh. After the death and injury of the Rajas the army retreated.[22][23][24]

After this defeat the Hill Rajas sent a petition to Delhi (The Mughal Empire) requesting their immediate assistance in battle. In response to this letter Aurangzeb sent 10,000 soldiers under Painde Khan and Din Beg.[25][26] They were joined by 20,000 soldiers of the Hill Rajas. The Rajas and Mughals, whose combined army was 30,000, attacked the Sikhs who numbered 7,000.[27][28] The Sikhs defeated the Mughal and Raja army killing Painde Khan and wounding Din Beg. The Sikhs chased the army all the way to Rupar.[29][30]

The Hill Rajas were alarmed by the success of Guru Gobind Singh. In a meeting of the hill kings, they all decided collect high contingents of troops from every raja and attack the Sikhs in Anandpur.[8] They besieged Anandpur. The Sikhs took position in the 5 forts at Anandpur.[31] The Defence of Lohgarh was entrusted to Sher Singh and Nahar Singh, Udai Singh took charge of Fatehgarh and Sahibzada Ajit Singh took command of force defending Taragarh.[8] The Hill Chief forces were led by General Jagutallah and is believed to be numbered around 300,000 troops.[32]

For many days straight, the Rajput forces attacked the fortresses without success.[33] One of the rajas named Ghumand Chand's horse was shot by a warrior named Alim Singh while he was killed himself by the hands of Bhai Himmat Singh.[34][35]

The Rajas decided to send a peace treaty to Guru Gobind Singh after a council was held. They sent a letter which said, "Satguru, we are susceptible to the mistakes. We swear on the cow and the sacred thread that we will never raid the town of Anandpur. We are ashamed to show our faces to the hill people. If you abandon the Fort Anandgarh just once and come back later, it will help us to restore our dignity.[36] Guru Gobind Singh was hesitiant to accept the Rajas demands, but the Sikhs insited upon it. After meeting Sikh commanders who proposed leaving Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikhs left Anandpur.[36]

In 1702, The Mughals and Hill Rajas made a plan to attack the Guru and the Sikhs at Nirmohgarh. The Rajas reinforced the Mughals and fought against the Sikhs in Battle of Nirmohgarh (1702).[36][37] At Basoli, the Mughal and Hill Chief forces failed to subdue the Sikhs and faced defeat by retreating.[38] In First Battle of Chamkaur, there was a small army of 500 soldiers with the Guru.[39] Alif Khan could not fight alone which made the entire enemy force including the hill rajas retreat.[40] In First Battle of Anandpur (1704), the commander of the Mughals was severely wounded while battling and retreated the force led by him.

The Mughals joined the Hill Kings. They besieged Anandpur with all supplies and communication cut off.[41] The strength of the Hill Rajas and Mughals was ten to fifteen times more than the Sikhs.[42] 8 months had passed without the Sikhs surrendering themselves to the enemy. Aurangzeb promised on the Quran while the Hill Rajas swore to their gods that the Sikhs will be safe if the Guru decides to leave the fort.[43] The Sikhs left the fort.

When the Sikhs arrived at the Sarsa, the Mughals and Hill Rajas broke their oath and attacked the Sikhs.[41] The Guru sent Bhai Jiwan Singh, Bhai Udai Singh and 48 other troops to Shahi Tibbi in order to defend the large army while everyone else tried to cross the river.[44] When the Battle of Shahi Tibbi was taking place, the rest of the caravan including the guru had reached the bank of Sarsa River.[45] The enemy forces had crushed the 50 Sikhs and reached Sarsa. There they reduced guru's forces from 400 men to 40. The next day, an army more than 700 times the size of the 40 Sikhs marched upon Chamkaur. However even after outnumbering them, they failed to capture Guru Gobind Singh.[46] This was the last battle fought between the Hill Rajas and Guru Gobind Singh.