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Battle of Nadaun

Coordinates: 31°47′N 76°21′E / 31.783°N 76.350°E / 31.783; 76.350
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Battle of Nadaun
Part of the Mughal–Sikh wars

Illustrated folio from a Dasam Granth manuscript depicting the Battle of Nadaun (Hussaini Yudh) between Sikh and Mughal forces, ca.1870
Datec. 1691[1][2]
Location
Nadaun
Result Bilaspur State victory[3][4]
Belligerents

Bilaspur State

Under Assistance of:

Akal Sena (Sikhs)		 Mughal Empire
Kangra State
Bijarwal State
Commanders and leaders

Bhim Chand Chandel
Parmanand Pandit

Guru Gobind Rai
Dayaram Pandit		 Aurangzeb
Hussaini Khan
Wazir Khan
Alif Khan
Mian Khan
Kirpal Chand Katoch
Dayal Chand

The Battle of Nadaun, alternatively known as the Hussaini Yudh[5][6][7][8], was fought at Nadaun, between Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) and the Mughals under Alif Khan. Bhim Chand was supported by Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) and the Mughals were supported by other hill chieftains, notably Kirpal Chand from Kangra and Dayal Chand from Bijharwal.[9] Bhim Chand and some hill chieftains, after conclusion of Battle of Bhangani had refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor which led to the battle at Nadaun.[10] The battle resulted in the victory of Bilaspur State and Sikh alliance.[11]

Bichitra Natak, considered to be the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh, is one of the major sources of information about the battle. However, its authorship is disputed by some scholars.

Dating

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Different authors give the date of the battle variously as 1687,[12][13] 1689,[14][15] 1690,[16] 20 March 1691,[17] and 4 April 1691.[18]

Cause

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The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns against Bijapur and Golconda had put considerable strain on the Mughal exchequer. To meet these expenses, Aurangazeb ordered the Governor of Punjab, Azim Khan, to recover annual tributes from the rulers of hill states, who had been defaulting on the payment for three consecutive years.[17]

Azim Khan assigned the duty of collecting tributes to Mian Khan, the viceroy of Jammu. The duty of collecting tributes from Kangra and adjoining principalities was assigned to Alif Khan (or Alaf Khan).[19]

Alif Khan first approached Raja Kirpal Chand (or Bhim Chand Katoch[17]) of Kangra. The Raja told him that Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) was the most powerful king in the region; if he pays tribute, the others will follow. Raja Dayal of Bijarwal (or Bijharwal) was persuaded by Kirpal to meet Alif Khan's demands. At Raja Kirpal's suggestion, Alif Khan proceeded towards Bhim Chand's capital. He halted at Nadaun and sent his envoy to Bhim Chand of Bilaspur with his demands. However, Bhim Chand refused to pay the tribute.

Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur formed an alliance with the rest of the hill Rajas, and also sought the support of Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru, who was against the idea of paying tributes to the Mughals, decided to support Bhim Chand.

Description in Bichitra Natak

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The author of Bichitra Natak states that Bhim Chand was aided by Raj Singh, Ram Singh, Sukhdev Gaji of Jasrot, and Prithi Chand of Dadhwal, among others.[20] He also states that the Rajputs of the Nanglua and Panglu tribes, and the soldiers of Jaswar and Guler, also participated in the battle.[21] The Mughal forces were led by Hussain Khan.[22]

Initially, the forces of Kirpal Chand overpowered Bhim Chand's forces.[23] Then, Bhim Chand recited Hanuman mantras, and called all his allies, including the Guru.[24] As the combined forces launched an attack, the enemy forces of Raja Dayal of Bijharwal and Raja Kirpal also advanced.[25] In the ensuing battle, the forces of Mughals and Kirpal Chand were driven out into the river.[26] Alif Khan and his warriors fled away.[27]

The battle drums beat and horses danced. Weapons were wielded and the 'krrak' of steel against steel was heard. Fearless warriors clashed and the Nihangs roared. Swords were wielded and young warriors were laid low. Muskets fired with a 'trrak', arrows flew with a 'krrak'. Javelins found their mark with a 'srrak', long-shafted axes struck with a 'shrrak'. Warriors roared. Immovable warriors clashed. Nihangs moved about like leopards. Horses neighed and trumpets blew. Warriors reigned down blows with a 'trrak'. Other warriors endured them. Nihangs fell martyred, lying on the ground as if intoxicated with cannabis, their hair open like dreadlocked ascetics.

— Guru Gobind Singh, 'Bachittar Natak', Dasam Granth, chapter 11, verses 18–23, translation published in 'Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History' (2017; Vol. I; page 18) by Amandeep Singh Madra and Parmjit Singh[28]

Aftermath

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Soon after the battle, Chand patched up his quarrel with the Mughal faujdar and agreed to pay tribute to them. Guru Gobind Singh reacted to this by plundering a village in his territory.[29]

According to Bichitra Natak, Guru Gobind Singh remained at Nadaun, on the banks of the River Beas, for eight more days, and visited the places of all the chiefs.[27] Later, both the parties made an agreement and peace was established.[30]

Photograph of Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvin in Nadaun, taken by Dhanna Singh Chahal 'Patialvi', 1933

Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a gurdwara on the spot where the Guru had pitched his tent. The Gurdwara was affiliated to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in 1935.[17] It is known as Gurudwara Dasvin Patshahi or Gurdwara Nadaun Sahib.

References

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  1. ^ Jacques, Tony (2006). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Press. p. 704. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. ^ Jacques, p. 704
  3. ^ Singh, Kartar (1967). Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughals. Chandigarh: Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. p. 55. OCLC 49259.
  4. ^ Raj Pal Singh (2004). The Sikhs : Their Journey Of Five Hundred Years. Pentagon Press. p. 35. ISBN 9788186505465.
  5. ^ Kaur, Madanjit. "Guru Gobind Singh and His Mission". Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh (sikhinstitute.org). Retrieved 27 February 2023. In the Dasam Granth this battle is referred to as the Hussaini Yudh after the name of the Mughal commander Hussain Khan who was heading the Mughal troops.
  6. ^ Kaur, Madanjit (2007). Guru Gobind Singh : historical and ideological perspective. Chandigarh, India: Unistar Books. p. 6. ISBN 978-81-89899-55-4. OCLC 294940899.
  7. ^ Singh, Teja; Singh, Ganda (1950). A Short History of the Sikhs: 1496-1765. Orient Longmans. p. 65.
  8. ^ Kaur, Daljit (2003). A Case Study of Khanzada Expedition and Hussaini Yudh against Guru Gobind Singh - Punjab History Conference, thirty-fifth session, March 6-8, 2003 : proceedings, English & Punjabi. Sukhadiāla Siṅgha, Punjabi University. Department of Punjab Historical Studies. Patiala: Publication Bureau, Punjab University. p. 95. ISBN 81-7380-885-6. OCLC 63386918.
  9. ^ J.S. Grewal (2019). Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708). OUP India. p. 62. ISBN 9780190990381.
  10. ^ Singh, Raj Pal (2003). The Sikhs: Their Journey of Five Hundred Years. Bhavana Books & Prints. ISBN 978-81-86505-46-5.
  11. ^ Singh, Kartar (1967). Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughals. Chandigarh: Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. p. 55. OCLC 49259.
  12. ^ Malik, Arjan Dass (1975). An Indian guerilla war : the Sikh peoples war, 1699-1768. New York: Wiley. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-470-56576-6. OCLC 1339733.
  13. ^ Johar, Srinder Singh (1976). The Sikh gurus and their shrines. Vivek Pub. Co. p. 87. OCLC 164789879. A fierce battle was fought at Nadaun in 1687.
  14. ^ Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1965). The Quintessence of Sikhism. Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. p. 46. OCLC 2654849.
  15. ^ Seetal, Sohan Singh (1968). Prophet of Man, Guru Gobind Singh. Ludhiana: Seetal Pustak Bhandar. p. 179. OCLC 115772. This battle of Nadaun was fought in November, 1689.
  16. ^ Singh, Gopal (1979). A History of the Sikh People, 1469-1978. New Delhi: World Sikh University Press. p. 275. OCLC 6330455. This is known as the battle of Nadaun and was fought probably late in 1690
  17. ^ a b c d Avinash Dani (7 November 1999). "Little-known gurdwara of Nadaun". Sunday Reading. The Tribune. Retrieved 6 December 2007.
  18. ^ "Temples in the District: Gurudwara sahib Nadaun". NIC Hamirpur. Archived from the original on 20 December 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2007.
  19. ^ Singh, Prithi Pal (2007). The History of Sikh Gurus. Lotus Books. p. 138. ISBN 978-81-8382-075-2.
  20. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 3-4 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 16 Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Kaur, Madanjit. "Guru Gobind Singh and His Mission". Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh (sikhinstitute.org). Retrieved 27 February 2023. In the Dasam Granth this battle is referred to as the Hussaini Yudh after the name of the Mughal commander Hussain Khan who was heading the Mughal troops.
  23. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 4-5 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 6 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 7 Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 19 Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ a b Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 22 Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ Madra, Amandeep Singh; Singh, Parmjit (2017). Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History (Volume 1) (2nd ed.). Kashi House. p. 18. ISBN 9780956016850.
  29. ^ Grewal, J.S. (8 October 1998). The Sikhs of the Punjab. Cambridge University Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780521637640.
  30. ^ Bichitra Natak. Chapter 9, Chaupai 23 Archived 9 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
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31°47′N 76°21′E / 31.783°N 76.350°E / 31.783; 76.350

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