Nur-ud-din Bamzai

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Nodh Singh was the leader of Sukharchakia Misal when the sikh misals were created as a part of the Dal Khalsa in 1748. Charat Singh born in 1729, was Nodh Singh's eldest son. He succeeded his father as the Sukharchakia Misal leader, and built a brick fortress at Gujranwala in 1758. He married the daughter of Amir Singh, a powerful sardar of Faizalpuria misal. Charat Singh was the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

On his 5th invasion of India, Ahmad Shah Abdali crossed the river Indus on October 25, 1759, with an army of about 60,000 men. In the battle of Panipat, fought on January 14, 1761, he defeated the Marathas and sealed the ill fate of their empire in northern India. But the Sikhs did not spare the victorious invader. On Abdali's return from Delhi, when his soldiers were crossing the Satluj river, the Sikhs relieved them of much of their booty. About 2,200 Hindu women, who were being taken away as captives by the Afghans, were also freed and returned to their families. The retreating afghans were allowed no rest by the Sikhs until they finally crossed the river Indus.

Ahmad Shah Abdali neither forgot nor forgave the Sikhs for harassing him and looting much of his booty during his victorious retreat through Punjab. After returning to Afghanistan, he deputised his trusted General Nur-ud-din Bamzai, with an amry of 12,000 trained Afghans, to chastise the Sikhs. The shah also instructed the officials of Punjab to cooperate with the General.

Nur-ud-din entered India in early August, 1761, and, crossing the river Jehlum, his army marched towards the river Chenab. On the way, his troops committed all kinds of violence and plundering, and laid waste the three largest towns of Bhera, Miani, and Chak Sanu.

After crossing the Chenab, Nur-ur-din encountered a strong Sikh force under Charat Singh Sukharchakia, who, anticipating the onslaught of the Afghans, had already moved from their headquarters at Gujranwala to arrest the progress of the Afghans. Charat Singh took a defensive position and waited for the General's attack. When the battle was joined, he repulsed and defeated the Afghans after giving them a tough fight. They fled in disarray and took shelter in the fort of Sialkot. Charat Singh maintaining a vigorous pursuit, immediately beseiged the fort. When their supplies ran out, the garrison was brought to the verge of starvation.

General Nur-ud-din, finding his men demoralized and starved, abandoned them to their fate. Disguised as a begger, he sought refuge in flight. The booty of Sialkot garrison provided Charat Singh with a large quantity of artillery, war weapons and other equipment. When all was over, Charat Singh triumphantly returned to his capital at Gujranwala.

This victory over seasoned troops of one of Asia's greatest conquerors, placed Charat Singh and the Sukharchakia Misal in the front ranks of Sikh leadership.