Battle of Guler (1696)

The Battle of Guler was fought between forces led by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh and Mughal forces, aided by the Rajas of the Sivalik Hills.[1]

Battle of Guler
Part of Mughal-Sikh Wars
Date1696
Location
Result Sikh victory.[1]
Belligerents
Akal Sena (Sikhs)

Mughal Empire

Hill States
Commanders and leaders
Guru Gobind Rai
Bhai Himmat Rai
Bhai Alam Chand
Sahibzada Ajit Singh
Bhai Daya Ram Sobhi
Hussain Khan [2]
Rajas of the Sivalik Hills[2]
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Almost all[1]

Background

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In an expedition against Guru Gobind Singh, Rustom Khan failed, and he returned humiliated.[3] Therefore, General Hussain Khan marched to besiege Anandpur, and on his way, Mudhkar Shah (ruler of Dadwal), along with his sons, were defeated by Khan.[3][2] Moreover, others like Chand Katoch of Kangra and Bhim Chand of Bilaspur State submitted before the Mughal Army without a fight.[3] Hussain Khan demanded certain tribute from the rajas, but the Raja of Guler State, Raja Gopal, brought less money than demanded by Khan. In anger, Raja Gopal's fort was besieged.[3][2]

Battle

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Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent his men to help the raja of Guler. A fierce battle was fought between Sikhs and Hussain's army southeast of Pathankot at Guler, in which Hussain Khan and his coalition rajas, Kirpal Chand Katoch and Himmat Singh, were killed by Guru's forces. Guru mentioned the battle in Bachittar Natak also.[3][2][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Jacques, Tony (2006). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Press. p. 420. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Archived from the original on 2015-06-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e Fenech, E. Louis; Mcleod, H. W. (11 June 2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-4422-3601-1.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sagoo, Harbans (2001). Banda Singh Bahadur and Sikh Sovereignty. Deep & Deep Publications. ISBN 9788176293006.