Battle of Dholpur (1766)
The Battle of Dholpur (1766) was fought between Jawahar Singh and his step-brother Nahar Singh, with the Sikhs supporting Jawahar Singh and the Marathas backing Nahar Singh.[1]
Background
[edit]In December 1765, the Sikhs carried out raids, moving from Saharanpur to Delhi and then to Rewari, causing destruction along the way. During this time, Jawahir Singh was engaged in a conflict with Raja Madho Singh of Jaipur. To strengthen his position, Jawahir Singh hired 25,000 Sikhs led by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. In response, Madho Singh sought help from the Marathas. Fearing a Maratha attack on Bharatpur, Jawahar Singh made peace with Jaipur, paid the Sikhs a subsidy, and allowed them to leave.[2][3]
Battle
[edit]After resolving the Jaipur issue, Jawahir Singh turned his attention to Dholpur, which was ruled by his step-brother Nahar Singh. Jawahar Singh enlisted 7,000 Sikhs to fight for him, while Nahar Singh sought support from the Marathas. A fierce battle between the Sikhs and Marathas occurred on March 13-14, 1766. The Marathas suffered a heavy defeat and abandoned Nahar Singh, who fled to Jaipur to seek refuge with Madho Singh. The Jaipur ruler bribed the Sikhs, who then left Jawahar Singh and returned to Punjab.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History of the Sikhs, Vol. III: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764-1803. Munshilal Manoharlal. ISBN 978-81-215-0213-9. Page 56. Accessed 8 January 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History of the Sikhs, Vol. III: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764-1803. Munshilal Manoharlal. ISBN 978-81-215-0213-9. Page 56. Accessed 8 January 2025.
- ^ Singh, Khushwant (11 October 2004). A History of the Sikhs: 1469–1838 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-19-567308-1. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History of the Sikhs, Vol. III: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764-1803. Munshilal Manoharlal. ISBN 978-81-215-0213-9. Page 57. Accessed 8 January 2025.