Battle of Kartarpur

Battle of Kartarpur
	Part of Mughal-Sikh Wars
Date	25 April 1635
Location	Kartarpur
Result	Sikh victory
Belligerents
Sikhs	Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Guru Hargobind; Tegh Bahadur; Bidhi Chand; Baba Gurditta; Bhai Jati Malik; Bhai Lakhi Das; Bhai Amiya; Bhai Mehar Chand	Kale Khan †; Kutub Khan †; Painda Khan † ; Anwar Khan †; Azmat Khan †
Strength
1800	52,000
Casualties and losses
700	50,000

The Battle of Kartarpur occurred on 25 April 1635^[a] It started when the Mughal Empire attacked the town of Kartarpur, and was the last major battle of the Mughal-Sikh Wars during Guru Hargobind's period of Guruship.The Mughal force was repulsed by the Sikh defenders.^[3]

Events

Painda (or Painde) Khan, ex-general of the Sikh troops, convinced Shah Jahan to send a force against Guru Hargobind in Kartarpur. The expedition was commanded by Kale Khan, the governor of Peshwar. Assisted by Khans Qutub (Qutab or Kutub, the faujdar of Jalandhar) and Painda.^[1]^{: 541–542} Painda was accompanied by his son-in-law, Asman Khan.^[2]^: 204

Qutub sent Anwar Khan with gifts to Guru Hargobind which were rejected. Anwar challenged Hargobind to a game of chaupar. After being defeated, Anwar insulted the Guru's predecessors, and in return was beaten and sent away.^[2]^{: 200–201}

Kartarpur was defended by Bhai Bidhi Chand with Guru Hargobind and his eldest son Baba Gurdita supporting him.^[3]

According to historian Max Macauliffe, Hargobind had "eighteen hundred regular fighting men who were supplied by his friends in Kartarpur", whilst "twenty thousand imperial troops ... advanced" against the city.^[2]^{: 202, 203}

The Mughal troops attacked at night and were met with heavy resistance. Anwar Khan was felled by an arrow from Bidhi Chand. In the morning, after serious losses overnight, Painda and Asman entered the field determined to capture the Guru.^[2]^{: 205–206} Bhai Lakhu and Qutub Khan exchanged arrows, knocking each other to the ground in turn, after which Qutub took Lakhu's head with his sword.^[2]^: 207

Guru Hargobind met and slew Painda in combat. He enjoined the dying Painda to recite the kalma (shahada), and shaded his body from the sun with his shield.^[1]^: 542 ^[2]^: 209 Gurdita felled Asman, his childhood friend, with an arrow.^[2]^: 210

Qutub^[2]^{: 210–211} and Kale^[1]^: 542 ^[2]^{: 211–212} were also killed, supposedly in single combat with Hargobind.^[2]^{: 210–212} After their last leader fell, the remaining Mughal troops fled.^[1]^: 542 ^[2]^: 212

Macauliffe relayed "it is said" that the losses were seven hundred Sikhs and several thousand to twelve thousand Mughals.^[b]

This was the first and only battle that future Guru Tegh Bahadur had fought, and due to his valor and swordsmanship he earned the title 'Tegh' meaning large sword.

Aftermath

After the battle, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib travelled to Giractpur (Kirtapur) via Bhawarati (Phagwara). At Palahi village near Phagwara, he was set upon by royal forces under Ahmad Khan, and suffered considerable losses.^[1]^{: 542–543} He remained in Kiratpur until his death.^[1]^: 543

Notes

^ According to Macauliffe, "It ended an hour before nightfall on the 24th day of Har, Sambat 1691 (A.D. 1634)."
^ "It is said that several thousand Muhammadans but only seven hundred of the Guru's brave and skilful Sikhs perished in this sanguinary battle." (p. 212) "it is said, twelve thousand of Kale Khan's army slept their final sleep" (p. 203)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Surjit Singh Gandhi (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 9788126908585.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o Macauliffe, Max Arthur (1909). The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors, Vol 4. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Wikisource
^ ^a ^b Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges, vol. F-O. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 513. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

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[3] According to Macauliffe, "It ended an hour before nightfall on the 24th day of Har, Sambat 1691 (A.D. 1634)."

[5] "It is said that several thousand Muhammadans but only seven hundred of the Guru's brave and skilful Sikhs perished in this sanguinary battle." (p. 212) "it is said, twelve thousand of Kale Khan's army slept their final sleep" (p. 203)

[Gandhi2007-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Surjit Singh Gandhi (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 9788126908585.

[Macauliffe1909-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o Macauliffe, Max Arthur (1909). The Sikh Religion, its gurus, sacred writings and authors, Vol 4. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Wikisource

[Jaques_513-4] Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges, vol. F-O. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 513. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

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