Battle of Lahore (1758)

Battle of Lahore (1758)
Part of Afghan–Maratha War
Date 20 April 1758 Location Lahore, Punjab (modern day Pakistan) Result Combined Maratha-Sikh victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire Sikh Misls Mughal Empire	Durrani Empire
Commanders and leaders
Raghunathrao Adina Beg Jassa Singh Mirza Khan	Hazar Khan (POW) Taimur Shah Durrani Jahan Khan
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown wounded 200 captured by Marathas

During the Maratha invasion of the Punjab in 1758, the Mughal-ki-Sarai near Ambala, Rajpura, and Sarai Banjara were all significant locations that witnessed the passage of the Maratha army. The Battle of Lahore in 1758, however, was a pivotal moment in this campaign.

Battle

Tahmas Khan Miskin took charge of Lahore, closing the city gates at sunset and patrolling through the night. At around 5 a.m. on April 20, 1758, he encountered five hundred Maratha cavalry and 100 Mughal troops led by 'Ashur Ali Khan, who presented him with orders from their leaders. Miskin promptly opened the Delhi Gate and placed the city under their protection. The following day, Khwajah Mirza Khan, leading 1,000 Mughals, and Manaji Paygude, commanding 10,000 Marathas, arrived in Lahore. That same morning, Timur Shah retreated from Shahdara, leaving behind several thousand soldiers under Mir Hazar Khan.

Khwajah Mirza Khan crossed the Ravi River and engaged Mir Hazar Khan, who fled after some skirmishes. The Marathas besieged them, ultimately capturing their leader. This news alarmed Timur Shah Durrani and Jahan Khan, prompting them to hasten their departure.

Raghunathrao and Adina Beg were following closely. While passing through Amritsar, Raghunathrao paid his respects at the Sikh Temple, receiving visits from local Sikh leaders. Upon arriving in Lahore, Adina Beg hosted a grand reception for the Maratha Sardar. He constructed an elaborate platform in the Shalimar Garden at a cost of one lakh rupees, where Raghunathrao was seated and offered gifts. The garden was illuminated, and fountains played with rose-water for the occasion.

Meanwhile, Jahan Khan halted in Sarai Kachhi, near Eminabad, but was soon pursued by Khwajah Mirza Khan and allied Maratha and Sikh forces. Although lacking siege equipment, Jahan Khan managed to escape during a moonlit night. They reached the Chenab River below Wazirabad, where Timur Shah, Jahan Khan, and their families crossed in boats. As they did so, the Marathas and Sikhs attacked, seizing a vast amount of loot. This bounty was transported to Lahore by 20,000 Marathas and 10,000 Sikhs in multiple trips. Additionally, the Sikhs captured around 200 Afghan prisoners and forced them to clear debris from the tank that Ahmad Shah and Jahan Khan had filled. Khwajah Mirza also recruited many of these captives into his forces.