Gurkha-Sikh War

Gurkha-Sikh War
Date March 1809- August 1809 Location Kangra fort Result Sikh Empire victory
Belligerents
Sikh Empire	Nepal
Commanders and leaders
Maharaja Ranjit Singh	Amar Singh Thapa

The Gurkha-Sikh War was a small conflict between the forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Sikh Empire) and the Gurkha Army in 1809.

Conquest of Kangra fort

The Maharaja recalled Diwan Mohkam Chand from the Kangra expedition in March 1809 and directed him to reach Phillaur. After settlement of affairs with the British government, the Maharaja again turned his attention towards Kangra. The Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa with a large army had been at war for quite some time with Raja Sansar Chand in the Kangra valley and had besieged the fort of Kangra. Sansar Chand lost hope for life. Therefore, he sent his brother Fateh Singh to the Maharaja to seek help. The Maharaja demanded the possession of the fort of Kangra in return for help; to which Sansar Chand agreed. The Maharaja set-out with full preparations and reached Kangra accompanied by a large army by the end of May. All the feudal chiefs were present with their respective militias. According to Munshi Sohan Lal's estimate there were about one hundred thousand horse and foot with the Maharaja at that time. The hill Chiefs who were well- acquainted with the routes of the hilly terrain were ordered to block all passages so as to stop all means of procurement of provisions and equipment for the Gorkha army.

After making these arrangements, the Maharaja asked Sansar Chand to vacate the fort to enable the Khalsa army, to occupy it. But he showed some reticence and instead asked Ranjit Singh, as to what was the hurry. He explained that he would vacate the fort and hand it over to the Maharaja as soon as the Gurkha army left. But Ranjit Singh was not to be taken in. He detained Sansar Chand's son Anurodh Chand who used to remain in attendance upon him. Sansar Chand was thus forced to vacate the fort, and on August 24, 1809 A.D., the Maharaja's forces got full control of the Kangra fort.

War with the gurkha army

Supply routes of the Gurkha army had been closed since the last few days. The Maharaja finding an opportune time launched an attack and occupied their positions about a mile (1.06 km.) in front of the fort. A pitched battle ensued. The Gurkhas fought dauntlessly. Four or five officers and a few sepoys of the Khalsa army were killed, but the Gurkhas had to retreat. Thereafter, they gave a pitched battle near the Ganesh Valley. The Maharaja sent another army division there. The Gurkhas had made elaborate preparations in order to rub the blot of their former defeat and to restore their national honour. A fierce bloody battle took place. After the artillery fire abated, hand to hand swordy duels followed. Both the sides demonstrated their skills with equal valour. But the Gurkha troops could not face the long swords of the tall Sikhs. Their khukhris lost their luster in front of the Khalsa's sparkling swords as night's darkness recedes before dawn of the day . Suddenly the Gurkhas pushed their feet back and ran away from the battle field. The Sikhs carried the day.

The end of the campaign

Though the Sikhs suffered heavy losses during this war, the entire hilly region came under the Maharaja's sway. He entered the fort of Kangra on September 24, 1809 A.D. and held a grand Darbar which was attended by rulers of Kangra, Chamba, Nurpur, Kotla, Shahpur, Jasrota, Basohli, Mankot, Jaswan, Guler, Mandi, Suket, Kullu and Datarpur etc. All the hill Rajas presented tributes and were given costly robes of honor on behalf of the Maharaja. The Maharaja appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia as governor (nazim) of the entire hilly region, and Qiladar of Kangra fort. Pahar Singh was appointed his deputy. Some troops, as per requirements, were stationed at Kangra. Diwan Mohkam Chand was ordered to strengthen the fort of Phillaur on the bank of the Sutlej and to stay there for some time. After making these arrangements; the Maharaja returned to Lahore. To celebrate the victory of Kangra, illuminations were held in Lahore and Amritsar, and alms were distributed among the poor. The Maharaja himself joined the celebrations at night, mounted on an elephant.