Battle of Lahira

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The Battle of Lahira, also known as Battle of Gurusar and Battle of Mehraj was fought between Mughal Empire and Sikhs assisted by the State of Kangra in 1631 or 1634.

Prelude

Guru Hargobind's popularity became a cause of the tension between Sikhs and Mughals.[context needed] The concerned Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan illegally confiscated two of Guru Hargobind’s horses. They were kept in Lahore Fort. Bhai Bidhi Chand was sent to bring the horses back to Guru Hargobind which he did.[1] At the time Rai Jodh the local king of Kangra was visiting Guru Hargobind.[2][3]Shah Jahan enraged on hearing the horses were taken from Lahore Fort prepared to attack the Guru personally. He was talked out of it by Wazir Khan who was sympathetic to the Guru. He asked his court who was willing to face the Guru. Rose the governor of Kabul, Lala Beg. He was sent with 35,000 soldiers. He brought with him, his brother, Kamar Beg, Kamar’s two sons, Kasam Beg, and Shamas Beg and Lala’s nephew Kabul Beg.[4] The Mughal Generals in their desire for a quick victory and with the promise of great rewards marched their soldiers nonstop to the Guru's Position in extreme, bone-chilling winter of the Punjab.[4]Guru Hargobind had gotten word of the Mughal army’s advancement. The Guru had set up camp with 3,000 Sikhs under his command, supported by 1,000 troops under Rai Jodh of Kangra’s command. [5]

Before the battle Lala Beg sent a spy named Hussain Khan to Guru Hargobind’s camp. He told Lala Beg that the Guru’s troops wrte few in number, but were strong and brave. Lala Beg enraged dismissed him. Hussain Khan decided to go back to Guru Hargobind and requested protected him. Guru Hargobind decided to accept his request and Hussain Khan joined the camp. Hussain Khan told Guru Hargobind about the Mughal commanders and info about the Mughal army. Guru Hargobind is also said to have blessed Hussain Khan. Guru Hargobind told him that he will become the next governor of Kabul replacing Lala Beg.[6][2]

Battle

The battle began 4 hours and 30 minutes after sunset. Guru Hargobind and Rai Jodh had set up their forces up in a jungle and surrounded a lake.[2] Kamar Beg marched with 7,000 forces in the dark. Hussain Khan told Guru Hargobind and Rai Jodh of this. Rai Jodh took his army of 1,000 to oppose Kamar Beg. Rai Jodh and his forces rained matchlock bullets from a distance not letting Kamar Beg’s forces come near. The rain of bullets caused havoc in Kamar Beg’s forces who began fighting each other as they were unable to distinguish friend and foe in the darkness. Rai Jodh shot a bullet which struck and killed Kamar Beg. Another account holds Kamar Beg was killed by a spear wielded by Rai Jodh. In 1 hour and 12 minutes the entire force of 7,000 had been killed. Rai Jodh informed the Guru of his victory soon after.[2][7]

As the sun began to rise the Mughals saw clearly the bodies of their troops. Lala Beg planned to advance but Shamas Beg, Kamar Beg’s son, said that he would advance instead. Hussain Khan watched the situation with the Guru from afar and told the Guru that a strong warrior would be required to stop Shamas Beg. Guru Hargobind sent Bidhi Chand with 500-1500 Sikhs under his command. Samas Beg has 7,000 soldiers with him.[2][8]

Both forces fought each other. The battle went on for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Samas Beg’s entire force of 7,000 was killed. Samas Beg dueled Bidhi Chand and was cut in half. Lala Beg was engaged on seeing the sight of his nephew and his force die. His second nephew Kasam Beg requested to join the battlefield. Lala Beg sent him with a force of 7,000. Hussain Khan pointed him out from afar and told the Guru he was a powerful warrior who was held in great esteem by Shah Jahan. Guru Hargobind sent Bhai Jetha with 500 Sikh to face Kasam Beg.[8][2]

On Kasam Beg coming face to face with Bhai Jetha he remarked, “O grey-beard, why thou come with such a puny force to seek thy destruction? Go enjoy a few days more of this world, and send to the battlefield him who hath killed my father and brother.” Bhai Jetha responded with advising Kasam Beg to leave the battlefield as he is still young. He told Kasam Beg to anticipate a fierce fight and to prepare himself for a duel if the battle cannot be decided.[9]

Following both generals talking the battle began. It is said that every weapon except cannons were used in the battle. Arrows rained down. There was no order in the battle. Screams of, “Kill him”. were all that was heard. Kasam Beg’s army died in numbers. Kasam Beg’s horse was killed by the rainfall of arrows. Bhai Jetha charged and killed Kasam Beg soon after. Kasam Beg’s entire army was killed and so was he. Bhai Jetha’s army was also killed with him being the only surviving Sikh from the 500. Lala Beg on seeing the slaughter decided to enter the battlefield himself.[9][2]

4,000 of Lala Beg’s troop encircled Bhai Jetha as Lala Beg watched from a distance. Guru Hargobind refused to send troops to aid Bhai Jetha saying he wished to fight alone[2] and was like a tiger who could kill the entire Mughal army.[9]

The 4,000 Mughals that encircled Bhai Jetha fired arrows, bullets and threw spears. Jetha manages to block or dodge all of the projectiles. Advancing soldiers are killed quickly by Jetha who creates a pool of blood. Jetha is described to move as fast the wind. Jetha kills the 4,000 Mughals in 48 minutes.[2][9]

After seeing his forced die Lala Beg enters the battlefield himself. Jetha at the time had only a sword in his hand. Lala Beg charges firing arrows which are cut by Jetha.[2] Lala Beg then use a lance which is parried by Jetha. Lala Beg then pulls our his sword and duels Jetha.[10] A hard fought duel occurs and Jetha manages to break Beg’s sword. Jetha decides to throw his sword away as he believed in not attacking those who are unarmed. Both men begin to fight each other. They kick and punch each other. Jetha manages to wrestle Beg to the ground and leaves him on the ground. Be finds a sword on the ground and pick it up. Jetha punches Beg and stuns him. As Jetha advances Beg strikes Jetha in the head chopping his head off.[2] Jetha’s last words are said to be, “Waheguru”.[10]

Lala Beg after the duel advances with 3,000 soldiers. Bhai Jati Mal asks permission from Guru Hargobind to enter the battlefield. Guru Hargobind grants permission and Jati Mal enters the battlefield. Jati Mal fires arrows into the advancing force killing many. Lala Beg quickly responds with an arrow of his own hitting Jati Mal in the chest and knocking him out.[10]

Guru Hargobind had made his way into the battlefield and on seeing Jati Mal fall he invited Lala Beg to duel him. Lala Beg fires arrows from a distance all of whom miss. The Guru shoots Lala Beg’s horse sending Beg flying off. Guru Hargobind made his way to Lala Beg and dismounted from his horse. They began to duel. Lala Beg threw many blows with his sword all of which were parried. Guru Hargobind with one blow beheads Lala Beg.[10][2]

Kabul Beg, the only remaining general of the Mughal army, makes a quick advance with the remaining soldiers. Hussain Khan informs Guru Hargobind. Bidhi Chand, Rai Jodh, and Jati Mal, who had regained consciousness, opposed Kabul Beg. They caused havoc in the by now small Mughal army. Kabul Beg wounds the three Sikh generals with arrows.[10] Kabul Beg also fired arrows at Guru Hargobind which killed his horse.[2] Kabul Beg charged the Guru with many blows all of which were blocked. Guru Hargobind cut Kabul Beg’s head off and won the battle.[10]

1,200 Sikhs[10] and 500 of Rai Jodh’s soldiers were killed. Giving a total of 1,700. 35,000 Mughal soldiers were killed with 100 surrendering.[2]

Aftermath

The dead Sikh and Kangra soldiers were creamated. The 100 Mughal prisoners were made to bury the dead Mughals. Hussain Khan took the 100 prisoners with him to Lahore, where on recommendation of Wazir Khan, Shah Jahan made Hussain Khan the new governor of Kabul. He was also given 125,000 rupees. Guru Hargobind stayed 8 days more before leaving.[2][11]

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Gurbilas Patashai 6 Chapter 19
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Suraj Granth Raas 7
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Gurbilas Patashahi 6 Chapter 20

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