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{{Short description|1688 conflict}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Bhangani
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = 18 September 1686
| 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 = [[Sikhs]]

[[Pir (Sufism)|Pir]] Budhu Shah's disciple
[[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 Hindu Hill Rajas
| commander1 = [[Guru Gobind Singh]]<br/>[[Bhai Daya Singh]]
[[Bhai Sangat Singh]]
| commander2 = [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)]]

[[Fateh Shah]]

Hari Chand
}}

{{Campaignbox Mughal-Sikh Wars}}
The '''Battle of Bhangani''' ({{lang-pa|ਭੰਗਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਯੁੱਧ}}) was fought between [[Guru Gobind Singh]]'s army and [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)]] of [[Bilaspur State|Bilaspur]] on 18 September 1686, at Bhangani near [[Paonta Sahib]].Rajput Rajas of [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik Hills]] participated in the war from [[Bhim Chand (Kahlur)]]‘s [[Bilaspur State]] side.<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.

==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 Teg Bahadur and town was developed with earlier name Chakk Nanki.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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'' (a royal [[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 [[Assam]], visited Anandpur with his mother and several ministers, and presented several gifts to the Guru, including an elephant called ''Prasadi'' (or ''Parsadi'').{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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 [[Jaswal]]. However, the Guru didn't accept his demand, and refused to part with the elephant.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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 came to know about this 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

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 the other hill Rajas: Kirpal of [[Katoch]], Gopala of Guler (or Guleria), Hari Chand of [[Hindur]] and Kesari Chand of [[Jaswal]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

The Guru organized an army consisting of his disciples ([[Sikh]]s), and some [[Udasi]]s including Mahant Kirpal Das. The Guru had enlisted 500 [[Pashtun people|Pathan]]s{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} on the recommendation of [[Pir (Sufism)|Pir]] Budhu Shah (a [[fakir]], who lived at [[Sadhaura]] near Paonta). According to oral folk tradition these 'Pathans' were under the supposed command of five chieftains: Kale Khan, Bhikan Khan, Najabat Khan (or Nijabat Khan), Hyat Khan (or Hayat Khan), and Umar Khan. Except the one hundred men under Kale Khan, all other Pathans deserted the Guru before the battle began.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} They were apprehensive of the scanty resources at the disposal of the Guru, and joined Bhim Chand, who promised them a share of the loot at Paonta. Most of the Udasis, except the chief Mahant Kirpal and a few others, also deserted the Guru. When the Guru informed the Pir about the defected Pathans, the Pir rushed to assist the Guru with his four sons, his brother, and around 700 of his followers.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

According to Harjinder Dilgeer there was no Pathan in the Guru's army, and story of Pir Budhu Shah sending his sons is a later concoction.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} Pir Budhu Shah was at Sadhaura, about 60 km from Paonta; it was not possible for him to receive the news of betrayal by Pathan soldiers.<ref>It is worth mentioning here that the whole story of the so-called 'Pathans' and of Budhu Shah's sons etc, is apocryphal. According to a contemporary memoir (1692) by one Haji Samiullah, a scholar of [[Rohtak]] (preserved in the Punjab Archives, [[Lahore]], Pakistan), probably Budhu Shah or some other Muslim Sufi divine did join the Guru's forces with some 45 (forty-five) 'Syeds and Kizilbashes' who were of the [[Shiah]] persuasion; and they played a modest part in the battle's proceedings. This incident was in all probability blown up into the popular story</ref> Even if it is accepted, there is no explanation for how he could get the news the same day and dispatch his son from Sadhaura to Bhangani: it would mean that the battle continued for several days. Thus, he concludes that Pir Budhu Shah's story is a concoction; however, there is no doubt that Pir was an admirer of the Guru and for this 'crime' Usman Khan the chief of Sadhaura had punished (killed) the Pir and his two sons.<ref name="Harjinder_2010">[[Harjinder Singh Dilgeer|Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh]] (2010), ''Sikh History'' (in 10 volumes), publisher Sikh University Press & Singh Brothers Amritsar, 2010–11</ref>

==The battle==

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]]'', believed to be 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 Najbat Khan<ref>Not to be confused with another famous [[Najabat Khan]] Nawab of Kunjpura</ref> 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'' ([[Gada (mace)|mace]]).<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.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===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>

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 chieftains 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>

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

==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:History of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:1688 in India]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1688]]

Battle of Bhangani - Revision history

JunkoQxl0473817: fix layout and updated info per standard format

ImportMaster: robot: Import article using Special:Import