Battle of Hargobindpur

Gurdwara Damdama Sahib Where Guru Sahib took rest after Battle

Battle of Hargobindpur was the first war fought between Guru Hargobind & Abdullah Khan(Subedar of Jalandhar) 1621. A battle was fought near village Ruhela where Muslim army and Turk chieftains especially the ruler of Jallandar were defeated by Guru Hargobind and his warriors. Guru Har Gobind Ji renamed this village Ruhela as Sri Hargobindpur.

Reason of Confilict

The village was established on the ruins of Ruhela by Guru Arjan Dev in 1587 and named Sri Gobindpur, but it was appropriated by Bhagvan Das Gherar helped by Chandu's machinations. The site, where Guru Hargobind actually laid the foundation of new town, was situated in the tiny village of Ruhela, on the right bank of the river Beas. He liked the place so much that he decided to build a town, on an open space available on the bank of the river.

During Rainy Season, Guru Hargobind ji left Kartarpur & Camped at Sri Hargobindpur, on Second thursday of Sawan. At that time, Bhagwan Das Ghirarh(Khatri) had illegal possesion over the land. Bhagwan Das was relative of Chandu Shah(Murderer of Guru Arjun Dev).

When Guru Hargobind Ji was Setting up a Camp. Bhagvan Das, a rich Khatri of the Gherar clan, challenged Guru Hargobind and asked him to vacate the site. Bhagwan said some foul words to Guru Sahib. Bhagwan Das contemplated his right of ownership on the land and with the help of some hired ruffians forcibly tried to dislodge them, who were engaged in developing the new township. In the ensuing small clash with Sikhs Bhagwan Das and his most hired ruffians were killed.

After this incident, Son of Bhagwan Das Ghirhar Went to jalandhar where His Relative Karam Chand, who was son of Chandu Shah, Resided. They together went to Ali Beg(Abdullah Khan), Subedar of Jalandhar and complained about Guru Hargobind. It was misreported to Abdulla Khan, Subedar of Jalandhar, that Guru was constructing a fort at Sri Hargobindpur. Abdulla Khan the Faujdar of Jalandhar dispatched ten thousand soldiers.

Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, took objection to this action of the Mughal ruler. This brought him in conflict with the Mughal army.

Prepration of Battle

Abdullah Khan first send troop of 4000 soldiers to hargobindpur and he also conveyed local Cheiftians of area to ready their troops. Local faujdars like Bairam Khan, Muhomad Khan, Balwand KHan, Imam Baksh, Nabi Baksh, Chirag Din, Akbar Khan & Sher Muhommad was his main Pawns. The whole troops were divided to eight places

Guru Har Gobind Ji Gave Command of Army to Bhai Jattu and made one Jathedar of each Jatha. Bhai Kalyana, Bhai Piraga, Bhai Mathra Bhat(Son of Baba Bhikha), Bhai Jagan Nath, Bhai Jagna, Bhai Saktu, Bhai Jati Mall, Bhai Paras Ram, Bhai Malooka were incharge of main Jathas. He kept Jatha of Bhai Bidhi Chand as defensive so that they can support fighting jatha whenever in need.

First Day of Battle

Results

In the skirmish that occurred, Bhagvan Das was killed. His son, Ratan Chand, with the help of Chandu's son, Karam Chand, sought the assistance of the faujdar of Jalandhar, who sent with them an armed body of troops to expel the Guru. The Chaudhry was killed in a squabble when he used undignified words for the Guru. The attack launched by this force, however, aborted and both Ratan Chand and Karam Chand were killed. Besides Rattan Chand and Karam Chand, the Faujdar of Jalandhar, Abdullah Khan his two sons and five commanders were killed. Guru Sahib sacrificed Saint Soldiers like Mathura Bhat Ji (son of Baba Bhikha Ji), Bhai Nanu Ji, Bhai Saktu Ji, Bhai Jattu Ji, Bhai Pirana Ji, Bhai Paras Ram Ji, Bhai Jagannath Ji and Bhai Kalyana Ji.

Four shrines commemorate Guru Hargobind's stay at Ruhela. The local population was thankful for riddance of the tyranny of the evil minded Chaudhry. They helped the Guru in the construction work of the town which came to be called after the Guru as Sri Hargobindpur.

References

• Aticle by (Lucky 17:24, 7 March 2009 (UTC)), copied from History book from Sri Hargobindpur which he get on his personal visit.

Battles By Sikh Gurus

Battle of Amritsar || Battle Of Hargobindpur || Battle Of Gurusar || Battle Of Kartarpur || Battle Of Kiratpur || Battle of Bhangani || Battle of Nadaun || Battle of Anandpur || Battle of Chamkaur || Battle of Muktsar

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