Battle of Bhangani

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict = Battle of Bhangani
partof =


caption =
date = 18 September 1688
place = Bhangani, near Paonta
territory =
result = Guru Gobind Singh's victory
combatant1 = • Guru Gobind Singh's disciples (Sikhs), • Pir Budhu Shah's disciples, • Udasis, • Pathans
combatant2 = Combined armies of Rajas: • Bhim Chand of Bilaspur, • Fateh Shah of Garhwal, • Kirpal of Katoch, • Gopal of Guler, • Hari Chand of Hindur, • Kesari Chand of Jaswal, • defected Pathans
commander1 = • Guru Gobind Singh, • Pir Budhu Shah, • Mahant Kirpal Das, • Kale Khan
commander2 = • Hari Chand, • Bhikan Khan, • Najabat Khan, • Hyat Khan, • Umar KhanThe Battle of Bhangani was fought between Guru Gobind Singh's army and the combined forces of many Rajas of the Sivalik Hills ("pahari raja"s), on 18 September 1688, at Bhangani near Paonta Sahib. [cite web
url = http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/g/garhwal.html
title = Garhwal (Princely State)
accessdate = 2007-12-01] It was the first battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, at the age of 19. [cite book
last = Singh
first = Bhagat Lakshman
title = A Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh
publisher = Asian Educational Services
origyear = 1995
isbn = 978-8120605763
oclc = 55854929
pages = 78]

"Bichitra Natak", considered to be the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh, contains detailed description of the battle.

Causes

Guru Gobind Singh resided at Anandpur, which was located in the territory of Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur).

By the 1680s, the Guru's influence and power had increased greatly. His devotees came from distant places and brought him valuable gifts. A devotee called Duni Chand visited Anandpur in 1681, and presented him a "Shamiana" (a royal canopy or tent) embroidered in gold and silver, and was studded with pearls. Ratan Rai, the son of Raja Ram Rai of Assam, visited Anandpur with his mother and several ministers, and presented several gifts to the Guru, including an elephant called "Prasadi" (or "Parsadi").

In mid-1680s, Guru Gobind Singh ordered the construction of a war drum (nagara) to enthuse his army. The job of constructing the drum was entrusted to the Guru's Dewan, Nand Chand, and the drum was named "Ranjit Nagara". The use of such a war drum was limited to the chieftains, within their territory. Its use by the Guru was considered a hostile act by Raja Bhim Chand. On his Prime Minister's advice, the Raja arranged a meeting with the Guru, and visited his court in Anandpur. There, his eyes fell on the valuable gifts presented to the Guru by the devotees.

Some days later, Bhim Chand sent a message to Anandpur, asking the Guru to lend the "Prasadi" elephant to him. Bhim Chand wanted the elephant to make a display of his wealth to the guests at his son's proposed wedding. The Guru suspected that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant, and declined the Raja's demand. He stated that the devotee who had presented the elephant didn't want it to be given away to anybody else. Bhim Chand is said to have sent his emissaries thrice to the Guru, the last one being Raja Kesari Chand of Jaswal. However, the Guru didn't accept his demand, and refused to part with the elephant.

The Raja was perturbed by the Guru's refusal to give away the elephant, his growing influence, and his interest in military exercises. An atmosphere of confrontation developed between the two on small issues.cite book
last = Rawat
first = Ajay Singh
title = Garhwal Himalaya : a study in historical perspective
publisher = Indus Publishing
year = 2002
isbn = 8173871361
oclc = 52088426
pages = 50-54]

In April 1685, Guru Gobind Singh shifted his residence Paonta in Sirmur state, at the invitation of Raja Mat Prakash (aka Medni Prakash) of Sirmur. The reasons for the shift are not clear. The author of "Bichitra Natak" doesn't mention any reason for shifting his residence to Paonta. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=143 Chapter 8, Chaupai 1] . "Then I left my home and went to place named Paonta.".] According to the Gazetteer of the Sirmur state, the Guru was compelled to quit Anadpur due to differences with Bhim Chand, and went to Toka. From Toka, he was brought to Nahan (the capital of Sirmur) by Mat Prakash. From Nahan, he proceeded to Paonta.cite book
title = Gazetteer of the Sirmur State
publisher = Indus Publishing
location = New Delhi
year = 1996
isbn = 978-8173870569
oclc = 41357468
page = 16] According to Ajay S. Rawat, Mat Prakash invited the Guru to his kingdom in order to strengthen his position against Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal. At the request of Raja Mat Prakash, the Guru constructed a fort at Paonta with help of his followers, in a short time. He continued to increase his army. Raja Fateh Shah also paid a visit to the Guru, and was received with honor in his court. The Guru established a peace treaty between the two Rajas.

The marriage of Bhim Chand's daughter was arranged with the daughter of Fateh Shah. Bhim Chand had to go from Bilaspur to Srinagar (the capital of Garhwal) for the marriage ceremony, and the shortest route passed through Paonta. However, the Guru had no faith in Bhim Chand, and he refused to let his heavily armed party pass through Paonta. After negotiations, the Guru permitted only the bridegroom and a small number of his companions to cross the ferry near Paonta. The rest of the marriage party, including Bhim Chand, had to follow a circuitous route to Srinagar. This increased Bhim Chand's hostility towards the Guru.

Fateh Shah had invited the Guru to the wedding celebrations. The Guru sent his representatives Bhai Nand Chand (or Namd Chand) and Bhai Daya Ram to the wedding celebrations. He also sent jewellery worth approximately one lakh (a hundred thousand) rupees as a gift for the bride. His representatives were accompanied by 500 horsemen to guard the gift. When Bhim Chand came to know about this gift from the Guru, he threatened to cancel the marriage if Fateh Shah accepted the gift. Fateh Shah, fearing for his daughter's future, refused to accept the gift, and sent back the Guru's contingent.

On their way back to Paonta, the Guru's horsemen were attacked by the Rajas' forces. They managed to defend themselves, and told the Guru about the incident. The Guru, anticipating an attack from the Rajas, made preparations for the war.

The author of "Bichitra Natak" says that Fateh Shah fought with him without any reason. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 3] . "...Fateh Shah became angry and fought with me without any reason.".]

Armies

Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah formed an alliance with the other hill Rajas: Kirpal of Katoch, Gopal of Guler (or Guleria), Hari Chand of Hindur and Kesari Chand of Jaswal.

The Guru organized an army consisting of his disciples (Sikhs), and some Udasis including Mahant Kirpal Das. The Guru had enlisted 500 Pathans on the recommendation of Pir Budhu Shah (a fakir, who lived at Sadhaura near Paonta). The Pathans were under the command of five chieftains: Kale Khan, Bhikan Khan, Najabat Khan (or Nijabat Khan), Hyat Khan (or Hayat Khan), and Umar Khan. Except the one hundred men under Kale Khan, all other Pathans deserted the Guru before the battle began. They were apprehensive of the scanty resources at the disposal of the Guru, and joined Bhim Chand, who promised them a share of the loot at Paonta. Most of the Udasis, except the chief Mahant Kirpal and a few others, also deserted the Guru. When the Guru informed the Pir about the defected Pathans, the Pir rushed to assist the Guru with his four sons, his brother, and around 700 of his followers.

The battle

The battle of Bhangani lasted for a day and some historians argue that it lasted for nine hours.But it was fought with great fury. [cite book
last = Singh
first = Prithi Pal
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The History of Sikh Gurus
publisher = Lotus Press
date = 2007
location =
pages = 137
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 8183820751] As the combined armies of the hill Rajas marched towards Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh also marched towards them. The opposing forces met on the banks of Yamuna river, at Bhangani, convert|6|mi|km away from Paonta. The battle resulted in the death of several of the Guru's and the Pir's disciples, including the two sons of the Pir.cite book
last = Singh
first = Prithi Pal
title = The History of Sikh Gurus
publisher = Lotus Books
year = 2007
isbn = 978-8183820752
page = 137-138]

Description in Bichitra Natak

The author of "Bichitra Natak" praises his own (Guru's) soldiers, as well as those of the enemy forces. According to him, the Guru's soldiers included the five sons of Bibi Viro (the daughter of Guru Har Gobind): Sango Shah, Jit Mall, Gulab Chand, Mahri Chand and Ganga Ram. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 4-5] ] Sango Shah fell down after killing Najbat Khan of the opposing army. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=147 Chapter 8, Chaupai 23] ] The Guru praises heroism of Daya Ram, and equates him to Dronacharya of Mahabharata. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 6] ] He also says that his maternal uncle Kirpal fought like a true Kshatriya and killed Hayat Khan (the leader of the defected Pathans) with his "Kutka" (mace). ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 7-8] ] The Guru killed Bhikan Khan's horse with his arrow, and Khan fled from the battlefield.

The other soldiers mentioned by the author include Lal Chand, Sahib Chand, Maharu, Nand Chand or Namd Chand (who fought with his dagger after his sword broke). ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 8] ] The enemies mentioned by him include Gopal (the king of Guleria), the Raja of Chandel, and the chiefs of Jaswal and Dadhwal.

The author praises the archery skills of Hari Chand. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=145 Chapter 8, Chaupai 12] and [Chaupai 26] ] . Hari Chand killed Jit Mall in a duel, but himself fainted. After coming to his senses, he fired arrows at the Guru, who survived and killed Hari Chand with an arrow. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 Chapter 8, Chaupai 28-8.33] ]

Result

Guru Gobind Singh did not do well in the beginning but ultimately came out victorious, [cite book
last = Mahajan
first = Vidya Dhar
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Muslim Rule In India
publisher = S.Chand, New Delhi
date = 1970
location =
pages = 235
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = ] and won the battle. [cite book
last = Singh
first = Bhagat Lakshman
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh
publisher = Asian Educational Services
date =
location =
pages = 78
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 8120605764] The author of Bichitra Natak also mentions that the battle resulted in the victory of the Guru's forces, and the enemy forces fled from the battlefield. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 Chapter 8, Chaupai 34] ]

The Guru,though victorious, did not occupy the territory of defeated hill chiefs. [cite book
last = Singh
first = Prithi Pal
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The History of Sikh Gurus
publisher = Lotus Press
date =
location =
pages = Guru Gobind Singh, 137
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 8183820751] Some historians such as H. Raturi, Anil Chandra Banerjee and A. S. Rawat speculate that the battle must have ended without any conclusive result, since the Guru's victory is not substantiated by any territorial annexations, and the Guru entered into an understanding with Bhim Chand soon after the battle. [cite book
last = Raturi
first = Harikrishna
title = Garhwal ka Itihas
publisher = Bhagirathi Prakashan Griha
origyear = 1928
year = 1980
isbn = 8186424008
oclc = 7250188] However, this was most likely because the Guru was not after any territorial gains, just as his great grandfather, Guru Hargobind had done when winning his battles against the Mughals.

Aftermath

The Ranis of the slain hill Rajas committed sati, and their tombs were constructed at Bhangani. The Guru is said to have pitched his flag of victory at Bhangani, and today a Gurdwara marks the spot.

The author of Bichitra Natak states that after the battle, the Guru didn't remain at Paonta, and returned to Anandpur. Those who fought in the battle were rewarded, and those who didn't were turned out of the town. ["Bichitra Natak". [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=149 Chapter 8, Chaupai 35-8.37] ]

Sometime after the Guru's return to Anandpur, peace was established between Raja Bhim Chand and Guru Gobind Singh, after the former paid a visit to the Guru with his minister. [cite book
last = Singh
first = Bhagat Lakshman
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh
publisher = Asian Educational Services
date =
location =
pages = 80
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = 8120605764]

References

External links

* [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Description of the Battle of Bhangani] in "Bichitra Natak" (Chapter 8).