Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Mughal–Sikh War (1621-1635)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
The Mughal-Sikh War (1621-1635)[1][2] was a series of armed battles between the Sikh Panth under Guru Hargobind and the Mughal Empire under emperor Shah Jahan. The conflict was rooted in rising tensions following the execution of Guru Arjan Dev in 1606, after which his successor Guru Hargobind militarized the Sikh religion. Over the following years, a number of battles were fought in Punjab. The conflict concluded with the Sikh victory at Kartarpur and the subsequent battle of Phagwara in 1635, after which Guru Hargobind withdrew to Kiratpur Sahib.
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
_from_Gurdwara_Chhevin_Patshahi,_Hadiara,_Lahore_district_(bright_flash_version).jpg)
Remove ads
Background
Summarize
Perspective
The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, was executed in 1606 under controversial circumstances during the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Historians have debated the cause behind his execution. Some argue that it was politically motivated citing as reasons his alleged backing of Jahangir's rebel son Khusrau Mirza and also the growing influence of the Guru.[3][4] Jahangir's memoirs, the Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, describes Arjan as a Hindu religious leader who had "captured many of the simple-hearted of the Hindus and even of the ignorant and foolish followers of Islam, by his ways and manners".[4]
Sikh tradition views Arjan's death as persecution by the Mughals, rooted in his refusal to pay a fine, alter sacred hymns, or convert to Islam.[5] Accounts vary on whether he was tortured, executed, or drowned in the Ravi River.[4] Contemporary sources, such as Jesuit missionary Jerome Xavier and Dabistan-i Mazahib, describe his steadfastness during torture, with Xavier noting Sikh attempts to commute the sentence to a fine, which failed.[6] His martyrdom is seen as a turning point that inspired Sikhs to militarize under his successor, Guru Hargobind.[7] Multiple narratives, including those involving Chandu Shah, attempt to explain or absolve Mughal responsibility but lack consistent evidence.[8][9]
Militarisation of Sikhism
The militarization of Sikhism began with Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan. Realizing the challenges ahead, Guru Hargobind initiated a new vision for the Sikh community.[10] At his succession ceremony, he requested Baba Buddha to adorn him with two swords, symbolizing Miri (worldly authority) and Piri (spiritual authority).[11] These two swords represented the dual role of the Guru: protecting the oppressed and upholding righteousness on one hand, and nurturing spirituality and community welfare on the other.[11][12]
Guru Hargobind emphasized the need of having horses and weapons for self-defense and urged Sikhs to adopt a dual approach of prayer and preparation.[13] Thus, he established a small but trained force that expanded from a 52-man bodyguard to a well-coordinated army with infantry, artillery, and cavalry.[14] Faith-driven, many followed him, seeing their work as a religious obligation and an opportunity for spiritual atonement.[13]
By constructing the Lohgarh, the Fortress of Steel, in Amritsar, he fortified Sikh fortifications. He also embraced sovereign symbols like a personal flag and a nagara (war drum), which served as a community rallying cry. Directly across from the Harmandir Sahib, he built the Akal Takht in 1606.[15] The Akal Takht became the seat of Sikh temporal power, where Guru Hargobind administered justice, accepted sacrifices, and led the populace, while the Harmandir remained the site of spirituality.[16]
Imprisonment of the Guru
In 1609, on the pretext that the fine imposed on Guru Arjan had not been paid,[17] Jahangir put the then 14-year-old Guru Hargobind in prison in Gwalior Fort. Considerable variations (between two to twelve years) are reported about the length of his stay in prison. The Persian sources like Dabestan-e Mazaheb show an extended period of imprisonment including 1617–1619 and Mughal surveillance even after his release.[17][18]
The reasons for his release are debated among scholars. Some argue that by 1611 Jahangir reverted to Akbar's tolerant policies, having consolidated his rule and distanced himself from Naqshbandi court officials. Others suggest that Jahangir found Guru Hargobind harmless and ordered his release.[17]
During his imprisonment, Indian rajas who were being held as hostages came to like Guru Hargobind. He asked for their release along with his own and stood surety for their loyalty. Jahangir agreed, and Guru Hargobind wore a cloak with 52 hems which showed the kings freedom as they followed him out of the fort.[19][20]
Period of Peace
After the previous strains, Emperor Jahangir showed a conciliatory attitude toward Guru Hargobind. According to Sikh tradition, Jahangir turned over Chandu Shah, who was partially responsible for the execution of Guru Arjan and the imprisonment of Guru Hargobind, to the Sikhs. At their hands, Chandu Shah was eventually killed.[21] On the site that was later bestowed upon him, Guru Hargobind built a new town, which came to be called Sri Hargobindpur.[21]
Begin of Hostitilities
Emperor Jahangir became ill in 1627 and passed away on November 7 at Rajauri. Asaf Khan endorsed Shah Jahan after his death, but Nur Jahan backed her son-in-law, Shahryar, as monarch.[22] After defeating Shahryar, Asaf Khan called for Shah Jahan from the Deccan. On February 24, 1628, Shah Jahan took the throne and put his brothers and nephews to death to solidify his position of power.[22] The friendly relations between the Sikhs and the Mughal Empire deteriorated shortly after his ascension, and open animosity emerged.[23]
Remove ads
Battles
Summarize
Perspective
Battle of Rohilla
In an attempt to suppress the growing influence of the Sikhs, around 4,000 Mughal soldiers, led by Governor Abdul, were sent to northern Punjab to confront Guru Hargobind. Intense combat occurred at Rohilla, leading to the death of Sikh General Jattu. Despite this setback, Abdul Khan suffered a defeat, and he, along with his sons Nabi Bakhsh and Karim Bakhsh, was killed in the battle.[24]
Battle of Sangrana
In a forest near Lahore, Emperor Shah Jahan and Guru Hargobind engaged in a hunting excursion for a prized hawk. After the Emperor left, Guru Hargobind's party secured the bird. The imperial hunting party demanded the hawk's handover, but the Sikhs declined, citing ancient game laws. This led to an altercation and a battle, with the Mughals being defeated.[25][26]
Battle of Amritsar
Mughal commander Mukhlis Khan fought fiercely with Sikh Guru Hargobind's army under Bhai Bhanno while on a campaign against him in Amritsar, where he was allegedly planning his daughter's wedding. Both sides sustained severe losses, but the Mughals were compelled to retreat and Mukhlis Khan and his lieutenant Shamas Khan were slain.[27][28]
Battle of Kartarpur
Kartarpur, a town north of Jullundar (present-day Jalandhar), was besieged by an army led by Painde Khan. With the assistance of Guru Hargobind and his son Baba Gurdita, Bhai Bidhi Chand attacked the Mughal army repelling the Mughal siege. Prominent leaders Qutab Khan of Jullundar and Kale Khan, the brother of Mukhli Khan, who was slain the previous year in the Battle of Amritsar, were among the many Mughal army losses.[29]
Battle of Lahira
After a period of peace, hostilities between the Mughals and the Sikhs resurfaced, this time fueled by horses. Sadh, a devoted Sikh, was sent to Central Asia to bring horses for the Guru. Despite his son's death, Sadh remained steadfast in his devotion to the Guru. He traveled to Iraq and returned to Lahore, where Governor Khalil Beg seized two of Sadh's horses. Bidhi Chand, a devoted Sikh, successfully recovered the horses, renaming them Janbhai and Suhela. The Guru also recruited Painda Khan as a soldier, providing him with a house and buffalo for milk. Despite the Mughal Empire's power, the Guru sought refuge in the Lakhi jungle. He eventually reached the Brar Jat country, where the Sikhs won a battle against the Mughal troops. The Mughal Governor Khalil Beg faced personal insult and death of his son.[30][31]
Battle of Phagwara
Mughal soldiers, led by Ahmad Khan, attacked Guru Hargobind and his soldiers in Phagwara. The Sikhs killed Ahmad Khan and Fateh Khan, while Zafat Khan and Jamal Khan survived. Two Sikhs, Bhai Desa and Bhai Sohela, died in combat.[32] This was the Last Battle between the Guru and the Mughals.[33]
Remove ads
Aftermath
According to Historian Hari Ram Gupta, following the successful achievemeants of his objectives, Guru Har Gobind proceeded to Kiratpur, where he dedicated the remainder of his life to preaching.[34] According to the contemporary Historian Mohsin Fani in his work Dabestan-e Mazaheb, “From this time the disciples of the Guru increased considerably, and in this mountainous country, as far as the frontiers of Tibet and Khota, the name of the Mussalman was not heard of.”[35] The Guru wielded significant influence over the Hill Rajas of the Shivalik Hills, further expanding his reach among local communities.[36]
See also
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads