Sikh raids on Delhi

The Sikhs raided Delhi 14 times between 1766 and 1788. Sikhs were very scornful towards Delhi due to the following reasons.

Prelude

In 1764, Sikhs helped Jats of Bharatpur to capture Delhi after the Battle of Delhi (1764).

First Raid

After defeating Mughals in the Battle of Sirhind (1764)[2] Sikhs plundered Jagir of Najib-ud-daula. Najib appointed Afzal Khan to take care of Delhi. Sikhs raided the Paharganj region of the city.

Second Raid

Sikhs raided Delhi in 1770. They sacked panipat and enter the territories of Najib-ud-daula and attacked Delhi. Zabita Khan was sent to stop Sikhs[3] The Sikhs demanded a large amount of money for friendship but declined by Zabita.[4]

Third Raid

In 1770, Najib-ud-daula passed away and Zabita Khan took the chief of Rohilla. The Sikhs again came to Delhi and attacks Zabita Khan 's territory. Details of Sikh invasion have been noted by French Missionary, Father Peere.[5]

Sikhs Defeated Mughals

Nasir ul Mulk was the third son of Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah I of Hyderabad state was disappointed by his brother's so he came to Delhi. In 1772, he was appointed as the Governor of Sirhind. He had an army of 19,000 soldiers of Mughals, Afghans and Marathas. At the Battle of Kunjpura (1772), he was attacked by Sikh sardars Sahib Singh, Dyal Singh and Laja Singh with 6,000 soldiers. 500 men lost on both sides. Nasir ul Mulk along with Daler Khan went to the fort but Sikhs besieged fort for 13 days. On 14th day, the Mughals were defeated.[6]

Tenth Raid

In 1783, a body of 40,000 Sikhs camped Delhi. Prince Mirza Shikoh was defeated and he fleed. The Sikh soldiers were divided into 3 groups. Two groups of 5,000 Sikhs each deployed at Majnu-ka-Tilla and Ajmeri Gate whereas 30,000 Sikhs under Baghel Singh camped at a place known as Tees Hazari before attacking Red Fort. The Sikhs defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Delhi (1783) and captured Delhi.[7][8][9][10] Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was placed on the takht of Delhi as Badshah Singh of Delhi but Jassa Singh Ramgarhia objected that without Dal Khalsa meeting no one can be placed on the throne.[11] Mughals agreed to construct 7 Sikh Gurudwaras in Delhi for Sikh Gurus.[7][8][12][10]

Gurudwaras

Photo of Mughal Slab

Mughal slab from Delhi was roped with horse and brought to Amritsar in Punjab[17][18]

  • Slab of Mughal throne placed in Bunga[19][20]

References
  1. Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. p. 580.
  2. Lansford, Tom (2017-02-16). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598847604.
  3. Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. p. 580.
  4. Gupta, Hari Ram (1944). History of the Sikhs. Vol. II. The Minerva Bookshop.
  5. Gupta, Hari Ram (1944). History of the Sikhs. Vol. II. The Minerva Bookshop.
  6. Gupta, Hari Ram (1944). History of the Sikhs. Vol. II. The Minerva Bookshop.
  7. Sethi, Jasbir Singh. Views and Reviews. ISBN 9788190825986.
  8. Louis E. Fenech; W. H. McLeod (2014). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-4422-3601-1.
  9. Singha, H. S, ed. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Hemkunt Press. ISBN 978-81-7010-301-1.
  10. Bhagata, Siṅgha (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. pp. 271–282. Baghel Singh, Baghel Singh took the leadership of karorisingha misl.
  11. Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century. p. 475.
  12. Singha 2000.
  13. Randhir, G.S (1990). Sikh Shrines in India. ISBN 9788123022604.
  14. H. S. Singha (2000). The encyclopedia of Sikhism. Hemkunt Press. p. 187. ISBN 81-7010-301-0.
  15. "A Gurdwara steeped in history". The Times of India. 25 Mar 2012.
  16. "Majnu ka Tila and the romance of sepak takraw". Indian Express. 28 Jul 2011.
  17. http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=2532&cat=14
  18. "Untitled Document".
  19. http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=2532&cat=14
  20. "Untitled Document".
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