JunkoQxl0473817 at 20:23, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T20:23:28Z

New page

{{Short description|1686 - 1688 conflict}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Bhangani
| partof = [[Hill States-Sikh Wars]]
| image = Painting of Guru Gobind Singh mounted up for a battle atop of an elephant, circa late 17th to early 18th century.jpg
| caption = Painting of Guru Gobind Das riding an elephant in the Battle of Bhangani, circa late 17th to early 18th century, Toor Collection.<ref>{{cite web |title=Punjab: The Land of Five Rivers - Historical Context |url=https://www.wallacecollection.org/explore/explore-in-depth/the-sikh-empire/punjab-land-of-the-five-rivers/historical-context/ |website=Wallace Collection |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>
| date = 18 September 1686 or 1688
| place = Bhangani, near [[Paonta]], [[Punjab region]] (now [[Himachal Pradesh]])
| territory =
| result = Sikh victory<ref>{{cite book|title= The Sikhs : Their Journey Of Five Hundred Years|author= Raj Pal Singh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ra19YSPDliQC&q=Bhangani+enemies+defeated&pg=PA21 |publisher= Pentagon Press|year= 2004|isbn= 9788186505465|page= 35}}</ref><ref name="Phyllis2004">{{cite book|title= Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia, Volume 1|author= Phyllis G. Jestice|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=H5cQH17-HnMC&q=hargobind+jahangir&pg=PA312|publisher= [[ABC-CLIO]]|year= 2004|isbn= 9781576073551|pages= 345, 346}}</ref>
| combatant1 = [[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Akal Sena]] ([[Sikhs]])
* [[Pir (Sufism)|Pir]] Budhu Shah's disciples
* [[Udasi]]s<ref>{{cite book |author=Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh |title=Birth of the Khalsa, The: A Feminist Re-Memory of Sikh Identity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=squPx387FuwC&pg=PA27 |date=February 2012 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-8266-7 |page=27 }}</ref>
| combatant2 = Alliance of 16 [[Hill States of India|Hill States]], including: 
[[File:Bilaspur_flag.svg|25px]] [[Bilaspur State (princely state)|Kahlur]] [[File:Flag_of_the_Princely_State_of_Tehri_Garhwal.svg|25px]] [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]] [[File:Flag_of_Kangra_state.png|25px]] [[Kangra State|Kangra]] 
[[Guler State|Guler]] [[Nalagarh#History|Hindur]] [[Siba State|Siba]] [[Jaswan]]
| commander1 = {{plainlist|
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Guru Gobind Singh|Guru Singh]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Bhai Daya Singh|Bhai Sobhi]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Bhai Sangat Singh|Bhai Singh]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Bhai Jit Mal|Bhai Mal]]{{KIA}}
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]]Shah Sangram (Sango Shah){{KIA}}
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Mahri Chand]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Ganga Ram]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Lal Chand Halwai|Lal Halwai]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Daya Ram]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Diwan Nand Chand|Diwan Chand]]
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]]'Uncle' Kirpal Chand
*[[File:Akal Sena Flag.svg|30px]] [[Sahib Chand]]
*[[Mahant]] Kirpal Das [[Udasi]]
*Kaale Khan [[Pathan]]
*[[Pir (Sufism)|Pir]] Buddhu Shah}}
| commander2 = [[File:Bilaspur_flag.svg|25px]] [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)|Bhim Chand]] [[File:Flag_of_the_Princely_State_of_Tehri_Garhwal.svg|25px]] [[Fateh Shah]] [[Hari Chand]]{{KIA}} [[Hayat Khan]]{{KIA}} [[Najabat Khan]]{{KIA}} [[Bhikhan Khan]] Raja Gopal (Raj Singh) of Guler Hari Chand (of Hindur) Madhukar Shah Dadwal (of Siba) Raja of Jaswan
| strength2 = 10,000 <ref>{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit |title=The History of The Sikh Gurus Retold 1606 - 1708 |publisher=Atlantic |year=2007 |isbn=978-8126908592 |pages=774 |language=English}}</ref>
| strength1 = 1,000 with 507 reinforcements arriving later<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit |title=The History of The Sikh Gurus Retold 1606 - 1708 |publisher=Atlantic |year=2007 |isbn=978-8126908592 |pages=774, 775 |language=English}}</ref>
}}
{{Campaignbox Hill States-Sikh Wars}}
The '''Battle of Bhangani''' was fought between [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s army and [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)]] of [[Bilaspur State|Bilaspur]] on 18 September 1686 or 1688,<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Singha |first=H. S. |title=The encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 entries) |date=2000 |publisher=Hemkunt Publishers |isbn=81-7010-301-0 |location=New Delhi |pages=18–19 |oclc=243621542}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=9780191004124 |series=Oxford Handbooks |quote=A final context relevant to the Khalsa Heritage Complex is the town of Anandpur Sahib itself. Renowned as a site where the Sikh Khalsa was inaugurated by the tenth and final living Guru, Gobind Singh, Anandpur is already filled with important commemorative sites and structures. At the centre of the town lies Guru de Mahal, where the Guru and his family lived and where his followers built a dharmsal and langar. This is the reputed place where several Kashmiri pandits came seeking protection from Aurangzeb's army, in response to which Guru Tegh Bahadur made his fateful voyage to Delhi where he was martyred by the Mughal emperor. Gobind Rai, Tegh Bahadur's son, had been installed as Guru Gobind by his father prior to setting off for Delhi, and the spot where this took place, too, is commemorated at Anandpur. Guru Gobind returned to Chak Nanaki from Paonta in 1688 following his victory over an alliance of hill Rajas at the battle of Bhangani (Mann 2009). At the time of his return, the Guru founded a new centre which he called Anandpur, as an annex to Chak Nanaki.}}</ref> at Bhangani near [[Paonta Sahib]]. An alliance of Rajput Rajas of the [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik Hills]] participated in the engagement on behalf of [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)|Bhim Chand]] of [[Bilaspur State]]'s side, including the states of [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]] and [[Kangra State|Kangra]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Dahiya |first=Amardeep S. |title=Founder of the Khalsa : the Life and Times of Guru Gobind Singh. |date=2014 |publisher=Hay House |isbn=978-93-81398-61-6 |location=Carlsbad |chapter=Chapter 3 - Battles of Bhangani and Nadaun |oclc=881415374}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/g/garhwal.htmlk| title= Garhwal (Princely State)| access-date= 1 December 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027091328/http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/g/garhwal.html| archive-date= 27 October 2007| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}</ref> It was the first battle Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth [[Sikh Guru]], fought at the age of 19.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Bhagat Lakshman
| title = A Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh
| publisher = Asian Educational Services
| year = 1995
| isbn = 978-81-206-0576-3
| oclc = 55854929
| pages = 78
}}</ref>

''[[Bichitra Natak]]'', an autobiography generally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, contains a detailed description of the battle.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fenech |first=Louis E. |title=The Sikh Ẓafar-nāmah of Guru Gobind Singh : a discursive blade in the heart of the Mughal Empire |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-998060-4 |location=New York |oclc=826068533 |quote=49. Bachitar Natak 8:1-3, Dasam Granth, p. 60. Chapter 8 deals almost exclusively with the Battle of Bhangani after which the Guru went back to his patrimony and strengthened it. Bachitar Natak 8:36, Dasam Granth, p. 62. An intriguing understanding of this section of the Bachitar Natak (8:1-3) which sets it within the context of the love/violence reading of bhakti is Balbinder Singh Bhogal, "Text as Sword: Sikh Religious Violence Taken as Wonder," in John R. Hinnells and Richard King (eds.), Religion and Violence in South Asia: Theory and Practice (London: Routledge, 2007), pp. 121-22.}}</ref>

==Causes==
[[Guru Gobind Singh]] resided at [[Anandpur Sahib|Anandpur]], which was though located in the territory of Raja Bhim Chand of [[Kahlur|Bilaspur]] (Kahlur) but Anandpur Sahib was an autonomous region held by Guru Gobind Singh as the barren land of Makhowal was purchased by his father [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]] and town was developed with earlier name Chakk Nanki.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dilgeer |first=Harjinder Singh |title=Who are the Sikhs? |publisher=Sikh Educational Trust |year=2000 |pages=28}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

By the 1680s, the Guru's influence and power had increased greatly. His devotees came from distant places and brought him valuable gifts. A devotee called Duni Chand visited Anandpur in 1681, and presented him a ''Shamiana'' (an imperial [[Canopy (building)|canopy]] or tent) embroidered in gold and silver, and was studded with [[pearl]]s. Ratan Rai, the son of Raja Ram Rai of [[Ahom Kingdom|Assam]], visited Anandpur with his mother and several ministers, and presented several gifts to the Guru, including an elephant called ''Prasadi'' (or ''Parsadi'').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit Singh |title=A historian's approach to Guru Gobind Singh |date=2004 |publisher=Singh Bros |isbn=81-7205-306-1 |edition=1st |location=Amritsar |pages=142 |oclc=62342291}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Surjit Singh |title=History of the Sikh Gurus: A Comprehensive Study |publisher=Gur Das Kapur |year=1978 |pages=398}}</ref>

In the mid-1680s, Guru Gobind Singh ordered the construction of a war drum ([[Naqareh|nagara]]) to enthuse his army. The job of constructing the drum was entrusted to the Guru's [[Dewan]], Nand Chand, and the drum was named ''Ranjit Nagara''.<ref>Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh, SIKH HISTORY in 10 volumes (in English), Sikh University Press, 2010-11.</ref> The use of such a war drum was limited to the chieftains, within their territory. Its use by the Guru was considered a hostile act by Raja Bhim Chand. On his Prime Minister's advice, the Raja arranged a meeting with the Guru, and visited his court in Anandpur. There, his eyes fell on the valuable gifts presented to the Guru by the devotees.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhillon |first=Dalbir Singh |title=Battles of Guru Gobind Singh |publisher=Deep & Deep Publications |year=1990 |pages=33}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nara |first=Ishar Singh |title=Safarnama and Zafarnama: Being an Account of the Travels of Guru Gobind Singh and the Epistle of Moral Victory Written by Him to Emperor Aurangzeb |publisher=Nara Publications |year=1985 |pages=34 |translator-last=Singh |translator-first=Joginder}}</ref>

Some days later, Bhim Chand sent a message to Anandpur, asking the Guru to lend the ''Prasadi'' elephant to him. Bhim Chand wanted the elephant to make a display of his wealth to the guests at his son's proposed wedding. The Guru knew that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant by deceptive tactics, and declined the Raja's request. He stated that the devotee who had presented the elephant didn't want it to be given away to anybody else. Bhim Chand is said to have sent his emissaries thrice to the Guru, the last one being Raja Kesari Chand of [[Jaswan State|Jaswan]]. However, the Guru didn't accept his demand, and refused to part with the elephant.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chhabra |first=G. S. |title=Advanced History of the Punjab: Guru and post-Guru period upto Ranjit Singh |publisher=New Academic Publishing Company |year=1968 |volume=1 |pages=263–268}}</ref>

The Raja felt disgraced by the Guru's refusal, and got restless with Guru's growing influence, and his interest in military exercises. Soon an atmosphere of confrontation developed between them due to Guru's sovereign and autonomous actions though Guru never seemed offensive towards territorial gains.<ref name="AjaySR_Garhwal">{{cite book
| last = Rawat
| first = Ajay Singh
| title = Garhwal Himalaya : a study in historical perspective
| publisher = Indus Publishing
| year = 2002
| isbn = 81-7387-136-1
| oclc = 52088426
| pages = 50–54
}}</ref>

In April 1685, Guru Gobind Singh shifted his residence to [[Paonta]] (now Poanta sahib) in [[Sirmur]] state, at the invitation of [[Mat Prakash|Raja Mat Prakash]] (a.k.a. Medni Prakash) of Sirmur. The reasons for the shift are not clear.<ref name="AjaySR_Garhwal"/> The author of ''Bichitra Natak'' doesn't mention any reason for shifting his residence to Paonta.<ref>''Bichitra Natak''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081209004527/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=143 Chapter 8, Chaupai 1].{{dead link|date=May 2018}} "Then I left my home and went to place named Paonta.".</ref> According to the Gazetteer of the Sirmur state, the Guru was compelled to quit Anadpur due to differences with Bhim Chand, and went to Toka. From Toka, he came to [[Nahan]] (the capital of Sirmur) at the request of Raja Medni Prakash. From Nahan, he proceeded to Paonta.<ref name="Gazetteer_Simur">{{cite book
| title = Gazetteer of the Sirmur State
| publisher = Indus Publishing
| location = [[New Delhi]]
| year = 1996
| isbn = 978-81-7387-056-9
| oclc = 41357468
| page = 16
}}</ref> According to Ajay S. Rawat, Raja Mat(Medni) Prakash invited the Guru to his kingdom in order to strengthen his position against Raja [[Fateh Shah]] of [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]].<ref name="AjaySR_Garhwal"/> At the request of Raja Mat Prakash, the Guru constructed a fort at Paonta with help of his followers, in a short time. He continued to increase his army. Raja Fateh Shah also paid a visit to the Guru, and was received with honor in his court. The Guru established a peace treaty between the two Rajas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dahiya |first=Amardeep S. |title=Founder of the Khalsa : the Life and Times of Guru Gobind Singh. |date=2014 |publisher=Hay House |isbn=978-93-81398-61-6 |location=Carlsbad |oclc=881415374 |quote='He is no man's enemy. He is enemy only to tyranny and oppression whichever form it takes. As for war, remember the war was not of his choosing, it was thrust upon him by you and your allies. If he had been a warmonger, he would have taken advantage of his victory, like all victors do, to annex some of your territory, to extend the sphere of his influence into your kingdom to demand reparation for the losses he sustained in the war. He did none of these things. Instead he even withdrew from Medini Prakash's territory to his own settlement to spare his host any embarrassment. Remember how effectively he brought a rapprochement between Fateh Shah and Medini Prakash, after centuries of hostility between Garhwal and Sirmaur?'}}</ref>

The marriage of Bhim Chand's son was arranged with the daughter of Fateh Shah. Bhim Chand had to go from Bilaspur to [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]] (the capital of Garhwal) for the marriage ceremony, and the shortest route passed through Paonta. However, the Guru had no faith in Bhim Chand, and he refused to let his heavily armed party pass through Paonta. After negotiations, the Guru permitted only the bridegroom and a small number of his companions to cross the ferry near Paonta. The rest of the marriage party, including Bhim Chand, had to follow a circuitous route to Srinagar. This increased Bhim Chand's hostility towards the Guru.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=J. S. |title=Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) : master of the white hawk |date=2019 |isbn=978-0-19-949494-1 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi, India |oclc=1121651952 |quote=Koer Singh highlights Bhim Chand's role in persuading Fateh Shah to attack Guru Gobind Das. Bhim Chand's son was betrothed to the daughter of Fateh Shah. For the marriage ceremony, Bhim Chand had set out with a large party to go to Srinagar, the capital of Fateh Shah. He had to cross the Jamuna at a point near Paunta that was under the Guru's control. Bhim Chand sent his wazir to the Guru with the request to forgive him and to return to Anandpur. He praised the Guru as the avtar of Rama and Krishna, and requested for a safe passage. Guru Gobind Das told him that his master was not sincere and that he would have to face armed resistance if he tried to cross the Jamuna. The Guru added that he would return to Anandpur on his own with the beat of the drum.& Eventually, only the bridegroom was allowed to cross the Jamuna to reach Srinagar before the auspicious time fixed for marriage. Bhim Chand had to take a longer route and he reached late. He persuaded Fateh Shah to attack Paunta and dislodge the Guru. Among those who came to their support were the chiefs of Guler, Jaswan, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Jammu, Mandi, and Suket.}}</ref>

Fateh Shah had invited the Guru to the wedding celebrations. The Guru sent his representatives Bhai Nand Chand (or Namd Chand) and [[Bhai Daya Singh|Bhai Daya Ram]] to the wedding celebrations. He also sent jewellery worth approximately a hundred thousand [[rupee]]s as a gift for the bride. His representatives were accompanied by 500 horsemen to guard the gift. When Bhim Chand learns of the gift from the Guru, he threatened to cancel the marriage if Fateh Shah accepted the gift.<ref name="AjaySR_Garhwal"/> Fateh Shah, fearing for his daughter's future, refused to accept the gift, and sent back the Guru's contingent.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Raju |first=Karam Singh |title=Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace |publisher=Sanbun Publishers |year=1999 |isbn=9789380213644 |pages=61–63}}</ref>

On their way back to Paonta, the Guru's horsemen were attacked by the Rajas' forces. They managed to defend themselves, and told the Guru about the incident. The Guru, anticipating an attack from the Rajas, made preparations for the war.<ref name="Gazetteer_Simur"/>

Guru Gobind Singh in his autobiographical work ''Bichitra Natak'' wrote that Fateh Shah fought with him for no reason.<ref>''Bichitra Natak''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 3]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 |date=17 July 2011 }} "...Fateh Shah became angry and fought with me without any reason.".</ref><ref name="Phyllis2004"/><ref>{{cite book|title= Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed|author= Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=BEP0Ty-GuVEC&q=hargobind+jahangir&pg=PA48|publisher= [[A & C Black]]|year= 2013|isbn= 9781441117083|page= 55}}</ref>

==Armies==

Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah formed an alliance with 14 other Hill Rajas: such as Kirpal of [[Katoch]], Gopala of [[Guler State|Guler]] (or Guleria), Hari Chand of [[Hindur State|Hindur]] and Kesari Chand of [[Jaswan]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Banerjee |first=Indubhusan |title=Evolution of the Khalsa |publisher=A. Mukherjee |year=1962 |edition=2nd |pages=72}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raju |first=Karam Singh |title=Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace |publisher=Sanbun Publishers |year=1999 |isbn=9789380213644 |pages=15–16}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=J. S. |title=Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) : master of the white hawk |date=2019 |isbn=978-0-19-949494-1 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi, India |oclc=1121651952 |quote=Among the warriors who fought on the side of Fateh Shah, according to the Bachittar Natak, were the hired Pathan commandants Hayat Khan, Najabat Khan and Bhikhan Khan, Raja Gopal (Raj Singh) of Guler, Hari Chand (of Hindur), Madhukar Shah Dadwal (of Siba), and the Raja of Jaswan. Among those who fought on the side of Guru Gobind Das were Shah Sangram (Sango Shah), Jit Mal, Mehri Chand, Ganga Ram, Lal Chand, Daya Ram, Kripal, Nand Chand, 'Uncle' Kirpal, and Sahib Chand. The first to be killed in the battle was Hayat Khan who was hit on the head by Kripal with his staff. Sahib Chand killed a number of Khans and warriors. Hari Chand killed many warriors on the Guru's side, including Jit Mal. Najabat Khan killed Sangram Shah, but himself got killed. Guru Gobind Das took part in the battle personally after the death of shah Sangram. His first arrow killed a Khan. His second arrow killed Bhikhan Khan's horse. Hari Chand shot three arrows at the Guru, but only one of the three pricked him slightly. Hari Chand was killed by the Guru's arrow. The army of Fateh Shah left the field of battle. The Guru was victorious through God's grace. He returned to Makhowal and founded Anandpur.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=ARIHANT EXPERTS |title=KNOW YOUR STATE : himachal pradesh. |date=2018 |publisher=ARIHANT PUBLISHERS |isbn=978-93-131-6765-5 |location=[S.l.] |pages=26 |oclc=1245922498}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Journal of Sikh Studies |publisher=Guru Nanak Dev University. Department of Guru Nanak Studies |year=1986 |volume=13 |pages=41}}</ref>

According to Harjinder Dilgeer Guru Gobind Singh Ji's army consisted of around 4,000 Sikhs only besides a number of [[Udasi]]s and [[Pathan]]s. Except for Mahant Kirpa Das and a few others, most of the Udasis had deserted the Guru. The Pathans who had taken up employment under Guru Ji on the recommendation of Pir Buddhu Shah were all bought over by Bhim Chand. They were promised free share of the plunder at Paonta Sahib. Guru Ji informed Pir Buddhu Shah about the unfaithful behavior of the Pathans and he himself led his Sikhs to a place six miles outside Paonta Sahib, called Bhangani.

Pir Buddhu Shah presents his sons to Guru Gobind Singh
On hearing about the unreliable Pathans, Pir Buddhu Shah was greatly perturbed. Immediately he called his sons, and along with between 500 and 700 of his followers he rushed to Guru Ji's side. [[Mahant]] Kirpal Das was using a heavy stick called a Kutka to fight, he killed Hayat Khan, the chief of the Pathans now fighting on the opposing side. Pir Buddhu Shah also fought bravely as did his sons and followers in this bloody of battles which Guru Ji describes in martial verses in his autobiography, Bachittar Natak (wondrous drama) . Besides several hundred Sikhs, the two sons of Pir Buddhu Shah and a large number of his followers died in the fighting. Guru Ji's general Sangho Shah, after killing the brave Najabat Khan also fell in battle, so did his brother Jeet Mal thus reviving the glory of their maternal grandfather, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

==The battle==
[[File:Diorama sculptural monument of Mahant Kirpal Das in-combat during the Battle of Bhangani, Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib, Mehdiana, Ludhiana district, Punjab, India, 9 April 2023 01.jpg|thumb|Diorama sculptural monument of Mahant Kirpal Das in-combat during the Battle of Bhangani, Gurdwara Mehdiana Sahib, Mehdiana, Ludhiana district, Punjab, India, 9 April 2023]]
The battle of Bhangani lasted for a day; some historians argue that it lasted for nine hours. But it was fought with great fury.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Prithi Pal
| title = The History of Sikh Gurus
| publisher = Lotus Press
| year = 2007
| pages = 137
| isbn = 978-81-8382-075-2}}</ref> As the combined armies of the hill Rajas marched towards Paonta, Guru Gobind Singh also marched towards them. The opposing forces met on the banks of Yamuna river, at Bhangani, {{convert|6|mi|km}} away from Paonta. The battle resulted in the death of several of the Guru's and the Pir's disciples, including the two sons of the Pir.<ref name="Prithi_PS_History">{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Prithi Pal
| title = The History of Sikh Gurus
| publisher = Lotus Books
| year = 2007
| isbn = 978-81-8382-075-2
| pages = 137–138
}}</ref>

===Description in Bachittar Natak===

The author of ''[[Bachittar Natak]]'', Guru Gobind Singh, praises his own soldiers, as well as those of the enemy forces. According to him, the Guru's soldiers included the five sons of Bibi Viro (the daughter of [[Guru Har Gobind]]): Sango Shah, Jit Mall, Gulab Chand, Mahri Chand and Ganga Ram.<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 4-5] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> Sango Shah fell down after killing Najabat Khan{{efn|Not to be confused with another famous [[Najabat Khan]], the [[Afghan ethonym|Afghan]] Nawab of [[Kunjpura]]}} of the opposing army.<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=147 Chapter 8, Chaupai 23] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022120/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=147 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> The Guru praises the heroism of [[Bhai Daya Singh|Daya Ram]], and equates him to [[Dronacharya]] of [[Mahabharata]].<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> He also says that his maternal uncle Kirpal Chand fought like a true [[Kshatriya]] and killed one Hayat Khan with his ''Kutka'' (stick).<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 7-8] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

The other soldiers mentioned by the author include Lal Chand, Sahib Chand, Maharu, Nand Chand or Namd Chand (who fought with his dagger after his sword broke).<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Chapter 8, Chaupai 8] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> The enemies mentioned by him include Gopal (the king of Guleria), the Raja of Chandel, and the chiefs of Jaswal and Dadhwal.

The author praises the [[archery]] skills of Hari Chand.<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=145 Chapter 8, Chaupai 12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022126/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=145 |date=17 July 2011 }} and [Chaupai 26]</ref> Hari Chand killed Jit Mall in a duel, but himself fainted. After coming to his senses, he fired arrows at the Guru, who survived and killed Hari Chand with an arrow.<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 Chapter 8, Chaupai 28-8.33] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022140/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

The author said that he himself went into the battlefield when an arrow struck his body.<ref name=":3" />

===Result===
Guru Gobind Singh came out victorious,<ref>{{cite book |last= Mahajan |first= Vidya Dhar |author-link=Vidya Dhar Mahajan |title= Muslim Rule In India |publisher= S.Chand, New Delhi |year= 1970 |pages= 235 }}</ref> and won the battle.<ref>{{cite book |last= Singh |first= Bhagat Lakshman |title= Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh |publisher= Asian Educational Services |pages= 78 |isbn= 81-206-0576-4}}</ref> Guru Gobind Singh
in Bichitra Natak also mentions that the battle resulted in the victory of the Guru's forces, and the enemy forces fled from the battlefield.<ref name=BN>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 Chapter 8, Chaupai 34] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022140/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=148 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref> Hari Chand was killed in battle.<ref>Suraj Granth Ruth 2 Chapter 31</ref>

The Guru, though victorious, did not occupy the territory of defeated hill chiefs.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Prithi Pal
| title = The History of Sikh Gurus
| year = 2006
| publisher = Lotus Press
| pages = Guru Gobind Singh, 137
| isbn = 81-8382-075-1}}</ref> Some historians such as H. Raturi, Anil Chandra Banerjee and A. S. Rawat speculate that the battle must have ended without any conclusive result, since the Guru's victory is not substantiated by any territorial annexations, and the Guru entered into an understanding with Bhim Chand soon after the battle.<ref name="AjaySR_Garhwal"/><ref>{{cite book
| last = Raturi
| first = Harikrishna
| title = Garhwal ka Itihas
| publisher = Bhagirathi Prakashan Griha
| orig-year = 1928
| year = 1980
| isbn = 81-86424-00-8
| oclc = 7250188
}}</ref> However, this was most likely because the Guru was not after any territorial gains, just as his grandfather, [[Guru Hargobind]] had done when winning his battles against the [[Mughals]].

==Aftermath==
The tombs of the dead hill kings were constructed at Bhangani.<ref name="Gazetteer_Simur"/> The Guru is said to have pitched his flag at Bhangani, and today a [[gurdwara]] marks the spot.<ref name="Gazetteer_Simur"/>

The author of Bichitra Natak states that after the battle, the Guru didn't remain at Paonta, and returned to Anandpur. Those who fought in the battle were rewarded, and those who didn't were turned out of the town.<ref>''[[Bichitra Natak]]''. [http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=149 Chapter 8, Chaupai 35-8.37] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022243/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=149 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

Sometime after the Guru's return to Anandpur, peace was established between Raja Bhim Chand and Guru Gobind Singh,<ref name="Prithi_PS_History"/> after the former paid a visit to the Guru with his minister.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Singh
| first = Bhagat Lakshman
| title = Short Sketch of the Life and Works of Guru Gobind Singh
| publisher = Asian Educational Services
| pages = 80
| isbn = 81-206-0576-4}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Hill States of India]]
* [[Sivalik Hills]]
* [[Hinduism and Sikhism]]
* [[History of Sikhism]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{notelist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717022114/http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144 Description of the Battle of Bhangani] in ''[[Bichitra Natak]]'' (Chapter 8).
{{Guru Gobind Singh}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle of Bhangani}}
[[Category:Battles involving the Sikhs|Bhangani, Battle of]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Rajputs]]
[[Category:History of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:1686 in India]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1686]]
[[Category:1688 in India]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1688]]

Battle of Bhangani - Revision history

JunkoQxl0473817 at 20:23, 21 March 2026