Battle of Amritsar: Difference between revisions

The Battle of Amritsar between Guru Hargobind and the Mughal forces was fought on the 22 day of Jeth, in Bikrami 1685, April 1634. Jahangir had died in 1627 with his son Shah Jahan becoming his successor. Adding to Shah Jahan's worries over the increasing influence and power of the Sikhs, those who harboured ill-will against the Sikhs renewed their conspiracies and incited him to turn against Guru Ji.

The Battle of Amritsar started with the capture of a rare white Baz (hawk) which had been a gift to Shah Jahan from the Emperor of Persia. (The Hawk was at the time one of the royal symbols of authority). Shah Jahan and some of his companions were hunting in the territory around Gumtala Village near Amritsar at the same time as some of the Guru's Sikhs. This escalated to a small violent conflict between the two parties when the Sikhs, when approached by the Emperor's men, refused to return the hawk. Guru Hargobind Sahib was not directly involved in this clash.

Hearing of this incident the enraged Shah Jahan deputed Mukhlis Khan with a force of 7,000 soldiers, "to teach a lesson" to Guru Hargobind. First the mini fortress of Lohgarh was attacked. The Sikhs stationed there, though small in number, put up a stiff resistance. The attackers had an upper hand over the Sikhs on the first day of the battle. They looted and plundered all the property and holy residence of Guru Sahib.

On the next morning the Sikhs, after consolidating their position, struck back, giving a devasting blow to the mughal force. The general, Mukhlis Khan had been captured by the sikhs on two occassions, each time Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji gave orders to free the prisoner. Each time he attacked back with his force. Mukhilis Khan had challenged Guru Ji to a one on one fight, while the other soldiers looked on. The battle did not last very long, Guru Ji had told him to attack first, just to make sure the Mughal general would have no regrets, Mukhilis Khan made three swings at Guru Ji, each time, Guru Ji had evaded the swing, finally Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji had decided to finish the job, in one swing, Guru Ji had cut Mukhilis Khan's body directly in two pieces, as the Mughals looked in terror, they started to retreat. The battle ended in a sikh victory, resulting in Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji to gain great respect with in india.

This first armed clash between the Mughals and the Sikhs was the first victory for Guru Hargobind. With the battle over, Guru Ji and his family traveled to Chabal, to solemnize the marriage of Bibi Viro Ji (the Guru's daughter).