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First Battle of The Sikhs

The First Battle of the Sikhs occurred shortly after Shah Jahan's proclamation banning non-Islamic religious practices, prompting the Sikhs to defend Amritsar. The conflict began when a Sikh hunting party captured a royal hawk, leading to an attack by General Mukhlis Khan's army. The Sikhs, motivated by their desire for freedom and honor, ultimately triumphed in battle, resulting in the royal army's retreat after the Guru defeated their leader.

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8 views2 pages

First Battle of The Sikhs

The First Battle of the Sikhs occurred shortly after Shah Jahan's proclamation banning non-Islamic religious practices, prompting the Sikhs to defend Amritsar. The conflict began when a Sikh hunting party captured a royal hawk, leading to an attack by General Mukhlis Khan's army. The Sikhs, motivated by their desire for freedom and honor, ultimately triumphed in battle, resulting in the royal army's retreat after the Guru defeated their leader.

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First Battle of the Sikhs

King Jahangir died on the 8th November, 1627 A.D. His son, Shah Jahan
ascended the throne of India on the 6th February, 1628 A.D. After becoming the
king, he issued a proclamation, “Preaching of any religion except Islam is banned.
Temples constructed in the last few years be demolished and no new ones be
constructed.” In accordance with this proclamation, the step-well at Lahore was
filled up and a mosque was constructed at the site. This happening alerted the
Sikhs to be prepared to defend Amritsar.
One day a squad of Sikhs, while hunting, reached near Lahore where the
royal family was also hunting. The Sikhs set their hawk in pursuit of a quarry.
The royal hunters also released their hawk from the other side. The hawk of the
Sikhs caught the prey and brought it to them. The royal hawk in pursuit of the
prey also came to the Sikhs. The Sikhs caught the royal hawk. When the royal
hunters came and demanded their hawk, the Sikhs refused. On return, the royal
hunters told Kulij Khan, the governor of Lahore. To chastise the Sikhs, he
despatched General Mukhlis Khan with an army of seven thousand to attack
Amritsar.
On the 15th May, 1628 A.D., when the Guru heard of the arrival of the royal
army, he ordered his generals to take up positions. The marriage of Bibi Viro,
the daughter of the Guru, had been fixed for the third day and the marriage party
was coming to Amritsar. The Guru sent the holy Granth and the family to village
Chabhal and sent a message to the bridal procession to reach there.
The Sikhs and the royal army clashed near Pipli Sahib. The braves from both
sides began to show their skills. This was the first battle on Punjab's soil in which
there was no involvement of wealth, land or any worldly thing. The Sikhs had
only come forward to fight the excesses of the rulers not caring for their lives
for the sake of their freedom and honour. When the Guru reached Lohgarh fort,
he ordered the Sikhs to fire the stone-cannon. That cannon had been made by
Mohri, a carpenter of Khem Karan, from a dried tree. When the army started
to retreat due to the rain of stones from the fort, Mukhlis Khan challenged, “You
are the sons of brave men and there is only a band of fakirs (ascetics) on the
other side.” Out of shame, the royal army kept on fighting till dusk.
The next day, in the first attack, Painde Khan came out of the fort and made
short work of Didar Ali, Mukhlis Khan's companion. The Guru after defending
three blows from Mukhlis Khan's sword, inflicted such a blow on him with his
double-edged sword that pierced his shield and split him into two. Seeing the
end of their leaders, the royal army fled. After the cremation of the Sikhs who
attained martyrdom in the battle, the Guru took the Sikhs with him and reached
Chabhal by the fall of night.

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