Background

Multan was an important city, commercially, as well as strategically. It was situated in the center of a desert between the junction of two important rivers, the Satluj and the Ravi. It was the most important trading center for caravans which came from central Asia, through the Bolan Pass, on their way to Delhi.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had tried to capture Multan previously four times but his forces could not penetrate the massive fort, which rose like a mountain in the center of the metropolis. he had suceeded in capturing only the outlying bazaars of the city and exacting tributes. Without taking the fort, the possession of the city did not amount to much because guns from the high walls could hit the furthest suburbs.

Multan, held by Nawab Muzzaffar Khan, was the only city left which still owed it's allegiance to the Afghanistani's. The opppurtunity to capture Multan offered itself when the Afghans were embroiled with the Persians on their western front. Maharaja Ranjit Singh made use of this oppurtunity, and, in February 1818, sent a force of 20,000 uner Missar Dewan Chand to conquer Multan.

The Battle

Nawab Muzzaffar Khan had made massive preparations to defend Multan. When the Darbar forces reached the outskirts of Multan, they were engaged by Ghazi's who came out with swords and spears to fight in response to the jihad (holy war). They fought fervently, but lost miserably to the trained soldiers of the Darbar army. The engagement lasted only one day yet thousands of Ghazi's lay dead on the battlefield. Muzzaffar Khan's forces drew behind the city walls. The Darbar troops surrounded the city immediately and started bombarding it's walls. After a few weeks, the city walls eventually crumbled and Muzzaffar Khan retreated into the fort to fight his final battle.

The fort was surrounded by the Darbar forces. General Elahi Baksh's artillery pounded the massive walls for over a month without breaking the walls of the fort. Then arrived the Zam Zama cannon in April. It sent 80 pounds of solid metal hurtling into the wall with each shot and tore huge holes in it. While the enemy was busy blocking the other holes made by the Zam Zama, a party of Nihangs were able to sneak a cannon nearer the fort wall. The cannons made a hole in the wall of the fort. but lost one of its wheels, and could not direct its fire without the support. As the continued firing of the cannon was crucial for enlarging the hole, Sikh soldiers wrangled among each other to have the honour of supporting the cannons. Many were killed in the recoil of the gun while supporting it with their shoulders, but the gun was able to make a large hole in the fort wall.

A party of Nihangs, under Sadhu Singh, made a desparate charge through the hole and closed on the defenders. They showed great valour and fought like daredevils. Muzzaffar Khan, his two sons, and his nephew were killed fighting. The fort of Multan capitulated on June 12, 1818. with the conquest of Multan, the Afghans influence in punjab had finally ended.

All noted warriors who had distinguished themselves in the campaign were honoured with rewards and jagirs.