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{{Short description|Sikh Interwarfare}}
{{User sandbox}}
{{infobox military conflict
<!-- EDIT BELOW THIS LINE -->
| conflict = Ahluwalia–Ramgarhia War
{{short description|Sovereign state of the Sikh Confederacy}}
| partof = ]
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
| image =
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}}
| caption =
{{refimprove|date=November 2024}}
| date = 1776–1778
{{Infobox country
| place = ], ]
| conventional_long_name = '''Kanhaiya Misl'''
| native_name = ''Kanaihya Misal'' | coordinates =
| common_name = '''Kanhaiya Misl''' | map_type =
| year_start = 1748 | latitude =
| year_end = 1801 | longitude =
| p1 = Durrani Empire | map_size =
| map_caption =
| flag_p1 = Flag of Herat until 1842.svg
| p11 = Singhpuria Misl | map_label =
| territory = ] territory occupied by ] and ]
| flag_p11 = Sikh flag.jpg
| s1 = Sikh Empire | result = Ahluwalia–Kanhaiya victory
| flag_s1 = Sikh Empire flag.svg | status =
| combatant1 = {{ubl|] ]|] ]}}'''Supported By:'''<br>] ]<br>] ]
| flag = Nishan Sahib
| combatant2 = ] ]
| flag_border = no
| commander1 = {{ubl|]|]|]}}
| era = Early modern period
| commander2 = {{ubl|]{{WIA}}|]{{KIA}}|Mali Singh}}
| event_start = Split from ]
| event_end = Merged into the ] | strength1 =
| capital = ] {{small|(initial)}} | strength2 =
| strength3 =
] {{small|(later)}} ] {{small|(later)}}
| religion = {{plainlist| | casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
*] {{small|(rulers)}}
| casualties3 =
*] {{small|(majority)}}
| notes =
*]
}} }}
The '''Ahluwalia–Ramgarhia War''' was fought in 1776–1778 between a Coalition led by ] against the ]. It was primarily caused by territorial claims,{{sfn|Singh|1990|p=199|ref= GandaSingh1990}} leading to a conflict over territorial control in ] in which the Ramgarhia Sardars got expelled.
| languages_type = Common language
| languages = ]
| title_leader = ]
| leader1 = ]
| year_leader1 = 1748–1789
| leader2 = ]
| year_leader2 = 1789–1801
| today = ], ]
}}
{{Misls}}
The '''Kanhaiya''' '''Misl''' was one of the twelve misls of the ]. It had been founded by ] ]s.<ref name=SH4>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/m-kanhaiya.html |title=Kanhaiya misl of Sandhu Jats |access-date=24 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815162834/http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/m-kanhaiya.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{Qn|date=November 2024}}</ref>


== History == ==Background==
After fighting on opposite sides during the campaign at ], the long-standing animosity between ] of the ] and ] of the ] reappeared in 1775. The two leaders clashed in Zahura which is close to the ].{{sfn|Gupta|1939|p=37|ref=HariRamGupta1939}} A gunshot wound to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia during the subsequent fighting forced him to leave the field. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was able to declare victory in the engagement as a result.{{sfn|Chhabra|1960|p=487|ref=G.S.Chhabra1960}} Later, ] of the ] was given the area of Zahura.{{sfn|Gupta|1939|p=37|ref=HariRamGupta1939}}{{sfn|Gandhi|1999|p=472|ref= SurjitSinghGandhi1999}}
Jai Singh Sandhu (son of Khushal Singh) of the village ] (district ]) was the founder of this ''Misl''; hence the misl came to known as Kanhaiya Misl; another founder leader of this Misl was Amar Singh of Kingra village.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singha |first=H. S. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/243621542 |title=The encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 entries) |date=2000 |publisher=Hemkunt Publishers |isbn=81-7010-301-0 |location=New Delhi |page=119 |oclc=243621542}}</ref> ] and his brother Jhanda Singh had got initiation from the ''jatha'' of (''Nawab'') ]; when all the Sikh Jathas were organised into ], Jai Singh’s ''jatha'' was named as Kanhaiya Misl.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/123308032 |title=History of the Sikhs |date=1999–2001 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |isbn=81-215-0540-2 |volume=IV - The Sikh Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of Sikh Misls |location=New Delhi |pages=256–268 |oclc=123308032}}</ref>


===Early Skirmishes===
], Jeewan Singh, Tara Singh and Mehtab Singh (all four from village Julka, about 6 km from village Kanha) too were senior generals of this Misl.
], was on his way to a fair at Achal, which is close to ], in 1776. Mali Singh, a commander of the ] and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's brother, was simultaneously in charge of a detachment traveling from ] to Batala. On their separate travels, the two parties came into collision with one other, which led to a bloody Battle.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=281}}{{sfn|Singh|1990|p=199|ref= GandaSingh1990}} The battle claimed the lives of several of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia's soldiers and left him with two injuries. He suddenly fell from his horse and lost consciousness. Mali Singh intervened by putting him in a palanquin and taking him to Sri Hargobindpur for treatment.{{sfn| Siṅgha |1993|p=66|ref= BhagataSiṅgha1993}}


Although ] was able to manage the situation, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, referred to as the "Emperor of the Panth" or "Jathedar Sultan-Ul-Qaum," felt deeply humiliated by the attack.{{sfn|Singh|1990|p=199|ref= GandaSingh1990}} During his two-day stay in Sri Hargobindpur, he refrained from eating or drinking and did not speak to anyone.{{sfn|Gupta|1939|p=38|ref=HariRamGupta1939}}On the third day ], ], and other leaders paid him a visit at this period and urged him to take revenge on the Ramgarhias.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=281}}
===Rise to Power===
] was the Viceroy of the ] from May to September 1758. Known for his strict rule, he sought to stop any disturbances brought on by ]. He did this by sending a military force led by Mir Aziz to hunt them out. As a result, a number of Sikh leaders sought shelter in the mud fort of Ram Rauni in ], including Nand Singh Sanghania, ], and ]. After that, Mir Aziz's army besieged the fort in an effort to crush the ]. ] launched many attacks on the besieging army during the siege. He made several charges while mounted on a swift horse, sliding by the attackers before turning back toward the fort. Even though he encountered resistance throughout these movements, he was always able to go back to the fort.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/123308032 |title=History of the Sikhs |date=1999–2001 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |isbn=81-215-0540-2 |volume=IV - The Sikh Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of Sikh Misls |location=New Delhi |pages=256–257 |oclc=123308032}}</ref>


Jassa Singh Ramgarhia made arrangements for Ahluwalia to travel for ] on the third day with full honors and an appropriate escort. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia pledged to get revenge and expel the Ramgarhias from Punjab in spite of the diplomatic attempts.{{sfn| Siṅgha |1993|p=66|ref= BhagataSiṅgha1993}}
===Conflicts with the Bhangis===
==Expulsion of the Ramgarhias==
The ] and the ] were in conflict in September 1778 over the revenue of some areas since their domains were mixed together in the Upper Bari ] and Upper Jullundur Doab districts.{{sfn|Gandhi|1999|p=472|ref= SurjitSinghGandhi1999}} In this dispute, ] had the backing of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. With the support of an Ahluwalia force, Jai Singh and ] attacked Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's headquarters in ]. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia gave a staunch resistance, but the pressure from the attackers compelled him to leave the Trans-Sutlej area.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=282}}


Meanwhile, ], which was occupied by Jassa Singh's brother Mali Singh, was under siege by ].{{sfn|Gupta|1939|p=38|ref=HariRamGupta1939}} Mali Singh was known for his tyrannical rule, which involved many cruel actions. His rule did not get much support from the local population either.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=282}} Tired of him, they collaborated with the attackers and opened the way to the city for the besieging Kanhaiyas.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=282}}
At first, Jai Singh Kanaihya and ] remained close, working together on a number of military operations against the ] and the ]. The two Sardars, however, disputed on how to divide the looted plunder after the ]. Jai Singh and ] later became tense with one another, which resulted in a fight close to ]. Neither side won a clear win, and the combat ended inconclusively.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Siṅgha |first1=Bhagata |title=A History of the Sikh Misals |date=1993 |publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University |location=Punjab (India) |page=152 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BihuAAAAMAAJ&q=clashed+near+Eminabad}}</ref>
After Mali Singh retreated, the Kanhaiyas took control of Batala, and Gurbakhsh Singh was selected as the new administrator. Prominent administrators like Raja Singh, Diwan Singh, Mansabdar Qanungo, and the ] Tara Chand were among those who helped Gurbakhsh Singh.{{sfn|Gandhi|1999|p=474|ref= SurjitSinghGandhi1999}}


Following these victories, the combined Kanhaiya and Ahluwalia forces advanced towards ], which was held by ], another brother of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Following Tara Singh's defeat and death, Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya took control of Kalanaur. Consequently, the whole Ramgarhia area in the Trans-Sutlej region was effectively taken by the Kanhaiyas and the Ahluwalia Misl.{{sfn|Chhabra|1960|p=487|ref=G.S.Chhabra1960}}{{sfn| Narang |1969|p=251|ref= NarangKirpalSingh1969}}
In 1774, the ] got involved in a struggle between ] and his oldest son, ], over the succession to Jammu. The conflict started when Brij Raj Dev tried to protect Ranjit Dev's inheritance and he preferred his younger son, Dalel Singh, as his successor. ] and ] decided to support Brij Raj Dev's claim when he sought allies. ] and Kanhaiya Misls' combined troops invaded ], establishing a camp east of the river. Ranjit Dev organized his own army, collaborating with ] forces.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hutchison |first1=John |title=History of the Panjab Hill States, Volume 1 |date=1994 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=Punjab Hill States (India) |isbn=9788120609426 |page=89 |edition=reprint |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3btDw4S2FmYC&dq=Jammu+1774&pg=PA89}}</ref>


==Aftermath==
The fighting went on for a while until ] perished when as his own revolver exploded, striking him in the forehead. The allies struggled to hold onto their position against the formidable ] Chief after losing Charat Singh. ], aware of their fragile situation, used a loyal operative to assassinate ] to shift power. After the Bhangi leader's death, Kanhiya strengthened the Kanhaiya Misl, allowing the area to settle under ], Jhanda Singh's successor.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Hari Ram |title=History of the Sikhs: Trans-Sutlej Sikhs, 1769-1799 |date=1939 |publisher=S.N. Sarkar |location=Punjab (India) |page=34-35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZtS42Jxi9MC}}</ref>
Afterwards Kanwar Bhag Singh Ahluwalia was assigned to Mahtabkot, close to the ]. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia had advised him not to block the ] retreat over the river or interfere with their flight.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=282}} The ] didn't give in in spite of this defeat. He subsequently assembled a sizable contingent of irregular cavalry on the other side of the river and, with the help of ] leader ], took up his position in the ] area.{{sfn|Gupta|1999|p=282}}{{sfn|Gandhi|1999|p=474|ref= SurjitSinghGandhi1999}}


From Hissar, the Jassa Singh Ramgarhia launched his raids all the way to ]'s walls. One time he broke into the city and took four cannons and a big chunk of variegated stone from the ] quarters. Additionally, he assaulted ] and forced its Muslim leader to pay a hefty tribute.{{sfn| Narang |1969|p=251|ref= NarangKirpalSingh1969}}
After Jhanda Singh's death, the rivalry between ] and Kanhaiya misls resurfaced, causing issues for Ganda Singh. The dispute over Jhanda Singh's grant of ] to Nand Singh escalated. Nand Singh's widow proposed to ] for Pathankot and her daughter, but Tara Singh, a Kanhaiya Misl relative, seized the land under doubtful circumstances. After marrying the daughter, Tara Singh murdered both and claimed the territory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gandhi |first1=Surjit Singh |title=Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century: Their Struggle for Survival and Supremacy |date=1999 |publisher=Singh Bros. |isbn=9788172052171 |page=518 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MiluAAAAMAAJ&q=+dinanagar+1774}}</ref>
==References==

The Kanhaiya Misl rejected Ganda Singh's petition for the restitution of ] after this act outraged him. In order to oppose the Kanhaiyas, ] allied up with ] and other regional leaders, such as Ranjit Dev of Jammu. Along with the ] and ], the Kanhaiya Misl organized themselves for the conflict.

Throughout ten days, the two forces engaged in a continuous and violent battle at ]. When Ganda Singh unexpectedly passed away from sickness, the Bhangis' circumstances drastically changed. The Bhangi troops became insecure after his death and the subsequent death of his nephew Charat Singh, and they ultimately left the battlefield. Due to unclear leadership and low morale among the Bhangi allies, the Kanhaiya Misl and its alliance held their ground and won the war.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chhabra |first1=G. S. |title=The Advanced Study in History of the Punjab: Guru and post-guru period upto Ranjit Singh |date=1960 |publisher=Sharanjit |location=Punjab (India) |page=494 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7pMAAAAIAAJ&q=+dinanagar+}}</ref>

===Conquest of Kangra===
In the late 18th-century struggle for the ], the Kanhaiya Misl played a crucial role. The region was previously ruled by ] lords of the ] line. Under ], the fort was located 50 meters above the Ban Ganga. During ]'s rule, Ghamand Chand Katoch ruled, while Saif Ali Khan remained in charge.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chakrabarti |first1=Dilip K. |last2=Hasan |first2=S. Jamal |title=The Antiquities of Kangra |date=1984 |publisher=Munshiran Manoharlal |location=India |page=9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gsC1AAAAIAAJ&q=Saif+Ali+Khan+}}</ref>

In 1782, Raja ] sought help from Jai Singh Kanhiya to take over ]. Jai Singh sent Gurbakhsh Singh and ] to assist in the siege. After Saif Ali Khan's death, Jiwan Khan took over as defender. ] recommended financial and jagir benefits to Jiwan Khan for a peaceful surrender, but followed a different strategy. He personally paid Jiwan Khan a substantial fee in a secretive deal to persuade him to let the Kanhaiya soldiers enter the fort. This move shocked and infuriated Raja ] as Gurbakhsh Singh was able to seize control of the fort. After it, the Kanhaiya Misl took control of the whole ] area, dominating it all the way to ].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Hari Ram |title=History Of The Sikhs: The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls, Vol. Iv |date=1999 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |location=Punjab (India) |isbn=9788121501651 |edition=illustrated |url=https://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.IvTheSikhCommonwealthOrRiseAndFallOfSikh/page/n271/mode/2up}}</ref>

===Conflict with the Sukerchakias===
{{Main|Battle of Achal}}
Following ]'s Sack of ], a disagreement over booty distribution led to a war between ] and Maha Singh Sukarchakia. Kanhaiya criticized Mahan Singh for hoarding wealth, while Maha Singh ] rejected his attempts to please him, leading to retribution. When Mahan Singh started preparing for battle, Jai Singh retaliated by attacking a number of Mahan Singh-controlled areas, including as Mandiala and ]. This sparked a string of clashes that ended with Jai Singh's loss and withdrawal across the Beas River in the Battle of ]. Maha Singh, with increased strength, formed alliances with ] and Raja ]. The final ] resulted from allied forces pushing on Jai Singh's fortress, ]. Jai Singh lost his son, ], in the struggle. After the defeat, he disarmed and left himself vulnerable to enemy fire. Opponents chose not to strike further, respecting the experienced leader.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gupta |first1=Hari Ram |title=History Of The Sikhs: The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls, Vol. Iv |date=1999 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |location=Punjab (India) |isbn=9788121501651 |page=41-43 |edition=illustrated |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.35179/page/n55/mode/2up}}</ref>

==Later History==

When ] died in 1789, his daughter-in-law ] succeeded him.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Roy|first1=Kaushik|title=Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia|date=2015-10-06|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317321286|page=82|language=en|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q5JECgAAQBAJ&pg=PA82}}</ref> The Kanhaiya Misl's widowed leader, Sada Kaur, was instrumental in forming ]'s political climate. Sada Kaur demonstrated strategic insight by convincing her father-in-law, ], to set up a matrimonial match between ], her only daughter, and Ranjit Singh, the young ] heir. Formally established in 1796, this alliance coupled the Kanhaiya Misl's success to that of ], the new leader.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Harbans |title=The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism: S-Z |date=1992 |publisher=Punjabi University |isbn=9788173805301 |page=2 |edition=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XhXYAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

], one of the triumvirates who ruled over ] in the late 18th century prior to the leadership of ], was from the Kanhaiya Misl.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheikh |first=Majid |date=2015-06-28 |title=HARKING BACK: Amazing genius of Gujjar Singh and his Lahore 'qila' |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1190931 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Painting of possibly Amar Singh Kingra with attendant, mid-late eighteenth century.jpg|Painting of possibly Amar Singh Kingra with attendant, mid-late eighteenth century
File:Painting of Jai Singh Kanhaiya receiving Raja Raj Singh and other hill princes with canopy overhead, ca.1774.jpg|Painting of ] receiving Raja Raj Singh and other hill princes with canopy overhead, ca.1774
File:Miniature painting of Gurbaksh Singh Kanhaiya with a fly-whisk attendant. Family atelier of Purkhu of Kangra, ca.1785.jpg|Miniature painting of ] with a fly-whisk attendant. Family atelier of Purkhu of Kangra, ca.1785
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


=== Works cited ===
==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |author-link=Hari Ram Gupta |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Harbans |editor-link=Harbans Singh |title=The encyclopaedia of Sikhism: Volume III |year=2011 |publisher=] |isbn=978-8-17-380349-9 |oclc=888565644 |pages=102–103 |edition=3rd |entry=KANHAIYĀ MISL}}
*{{cite book |last=Siṅgha |first=Bhagata |title=A History of the Sikh Misals |year=1993 |publisher=Punjabi University |pages=149–174 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BihuAAAAMAAJ |chapter=The Kanaihya Misal |oclc=622730722}} * {{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |date=1939 |publisher=S.N. Sarkar |location=Punjab |title=History of the Sikhs: Trans-Sutlej Sikhs, 1769-1799 |ref=HariRamGupta1939}}
* {{cite book |last=Chhabra |first=G.S. |date=1960 |publisher=Sharanjit |location=Punjab (India) |title=The Advanced Study in History of the Punjab, Volume 1 |ref=G.S.Chhabra1960}}

* {{cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit Singh |date=1999 |publisher=Singh Bros |isbn=9788172052171 |title=Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century: Their Struggle for Survival and Supremacy |ref=SurjitSinghGandhi1999}}
{{Sikh Empire}}
* {{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |date=1999 |publisher=] |isbn=9788121501651 |edition=3rd, illustrated |title=History Of The Sikhs: The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls, Vol. IV }}
{{Sikhism|state=collapsed}}}
* {{cite book |last=Singh |first=Ganda |date=1990 |publisher=Publication Bureau, ] |title=Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia |ref=GandaSingh1990}}
]
* {{cite book |last=Siṅgha |first=Bhagata |date=1993 |publisher=Publication Bureau, ] |location=Punjab (India) |title=A History of the Sikh Misals |ref=BhagataSiṅgha1993}}
]
* {{cite book |last=Narang |first=Kirpal Singh |date=1969 |publisher=Uttar Chand Kapur |edition=3nd |location=Punjab (India) |title=History of the Punjab, 1526-1857 |ref=NarangKirpalSingh1969}}
]
{{refend}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahluwalia–Ramgarhia conflict}}
]
] ]

{{Sikhism-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:34, 8 December 2024

Sikh Interwarfare
Ahluwalia–Ramgarhia War
Part of Sikh Interwarfare
Date1776–1778
LocationPunjab, India
Result Ahluwalia–Kanhaiya victory
Territorial
changes		 Ramgarhia territory occupied by Ahluwalias and Kanhaiyas
Belligerents
Supported By:
Bhangi Misl
Sukerchakia Misl		 Ramgarhia Misl
Commanders and leaders

The Ahluwalia–Ramgarhia War was fought in 1776–1778 between a Coalition led by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia against the Ramgarhia Misl. It was primarily caused by territorial claims, leading to a conflict over territorial control in Punjab in which the Ramgarhia Sardars got expelled.

Background

After fighting on opposite sides during the campaign at Pathankot, the long-standing animosity between Jassa Singh Ahluwalia of the Ahluwalia Misl and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia of the Ramgarhia Misl reappeared in 1775. The two leaders clashed in Zahura which is close to the Beas River. A gunshot wound to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia during the subsequent fighting forced him to leave the field. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was able to declare victory in the engagement as a result. Later, Baghel Singh of the Karorsinghia Misl was given the area of Zahura.

Early Skirmishes

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, was on his way to a fair at Achal, which is close to Batala, in 1776. Mali Singh, a commander of the Ramgarhia Misl and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's brother, was simultaneously in charge of a detachment traveling from Sri Hargobindpur to Batala. On their separate travels, the two parties came into collision with one other, which led to a bloody Battle. The battle claimed the lives of several of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia's soldiers and left him with two injuries. He suddenly fell from his horse and lost consciousness. Mali Singh intervened by putting him in a palanquin and taking him to Sri Hargobindpur for treatment.

Although Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was able to manage the situation, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, referred to as the "Emperor of the Panth" or "Jathedar Sultan-Ul-Qaum," felt deeply humiliated by the attack. During his two-day stay in Sri Hargobindpur, he refrained from eating or drinking and did not speak to anyone.On the third day Jai Singh Kanhaiya, Gujjar Singh Bhangi, and other leaders paid him a visit at this period and urged him to take revenge on the Ramgarhias.

Jassa Singh Ramgarhia made arrangements for Ahluwalia to travel for Fatahabad on the third day with full honors and an appropriate escort. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia pledged to get revenge and expel the Ramgarhias from Punjab in spite of the diplomatic attempts.

Expulsion of the Ramgarhias

The Ramgarhias and the Kanhaiya were in conflict in September 1778 over the revenue of some areas since their domains were mixed together in the Upper Bari Doab and Upper Jullundur Doab districts. In this dispute, Jai Singh Kanhaiya had the backing of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. With the support of an Ahluwalia force, Jai Singh and Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya attacked Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's headquarters in Sri Hargobindpur. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia gave a staunch resistance, but the pressure from the attackers compelled him to leave the Trans-Sutlej area.

Meanwhile, Batala, which was occupied by Jassa Singh's brother Mali Singh, was under siege by Gurbaksh Singh Kanhaiya. Mali Singh was known for his tyrannical rule, which involved many cruel actions. His rule did not get much support from the local population either. Tired of him, they collaborated with the attackers and opened the way to the city for the besieging Kanhaiyas. After Mali Singh retreated, the Kanhaiyas took control of Batala, and Gurbakhsh Singh was selected as the new administrator. Prominent administrators like Raja Singh, Diwan Singh, Mansabdar Qanungo, and the Brahmin Tara Chand were among those who helped Gurbakhsh Singh.

Following these victories, the combined Kanhaiya and Ahluwalia forces advanced towards Kalanaur, which was held by Tara Singh Ramgarhia, another brother of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Following Tara Singh's defeat and death, Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya took control of Kalanaur. Consequently, the whole Ramgarhia area in the Trans-Sutlej region was effectively taken by the Kanhaiyas and the Ahluwalia Misl.

Aftermath

Afterwards Kanwar Bhag Singh Ahluwalia was assigned to Mahtabkot, close to the Satluj River. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia had advised him not to block the Ramgarhia retreat over the river or interfere with their flight. The Ramgarhia Misaldar didn't give in in spite of this defeat. He subsequently assembled a sizable contingent of irregular cavalry on the other side of the river and, with the help of Phulkian leader Amar Singh, took up his position in the Hissar area.

From Hissar, the Jassa Singh Ramgarhia launched his raids all the way to Delhi's walls. One time he broke into the city and took four cannons and a big chunk of variegated stone from the Mughal quarters. Additionally, he assaulted Meerut and forced its Muslim leader to pay a hefty tribute.

References

  1. ^ Singh 1990, p. 199.
  2. ^ Gupta 1939, p. 37.
  3. ^ Chhabra 1960, p. 487.
  4. ^ Gandhi 1999, p. 472.
  5. ^ Gupta 1999, p. 281.
  6. ^ Siṅgha 1993, p. 66.
  7. ^ Gupta 1939, p. 38.
  8. ^ Gupta 1999, p. 282.
  9. ^ Gandhi 1999, p. 474.
  10. ^ Narang 1969, p. 251.

Works cited

  • Gupta, Hari Ram (1939). History of the Sikhs: Trans-Sutlej Sikhs, 1769-1799. Punjab: S.N. Sarkar.
  • Chhabra, G.S. (1960). The Advanced Study in History of the Punjab, Volume 1. Punjab (India): Sharanjit.
  • Gandhi, Surjit Singh (1999). Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century: Their Struggle for Survival and Supremacy. Singh Bros. ISBN 9788172052171.
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