Gurudwara Bhai Daya Singh ji Bhai Dharam Singh ji, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.431005
SIKH MILITARY COMMANDER
S. HARI SINGH JI NALWA
Hari Singh Nalwa was born into a Uppal Khatri(warrior caste)
Sikh of the Sukerchakia Misl. The family originally came from Majitha, near
Amritsar. His grandfather, Hardas Singh, had been killed fighting against Ahmad
Shah Durrani in 1762. His father, Gurdial Singh, had taken part in many of the
campaigns of the Sukkarchakkias Charat Singh Sukkarchakia and Mahari Singh.
Hari Singh Nalwa was the Commander-in-chief at the most
turbulent North West Frontier of Ranjit Singh's kingdom. He took the frontier
of the Sarkar Khalsaji to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass. For the past eight
centuries, marauders, who had indulged in looting, plunder, rape, and forcible
conversions to Islam had used this route into the subcontinent. In his
lifetime, Hari Singh became a terror to the ferocious tribes inhabiting these
regions. He successfully thwarted the last foreign invasion into the
subcontinent through the Khyber Pass at Jamrud, permanently blocking this route
of the invaders. Even in his death, Hari Singh Nalwa's formidable reputation
ensured victory for the Sikhs against an Afghan force five times as numerous.
Hari Singh Nalwa's performance as an administrator and a
military commander in the North West Frontier remains unmatched. Two centuries
on, Britain, Pakistan, Russia and America have been unsuccessful in effecting
law and order in this region. Hari Singh Nalwa's spectacular achievements
exemplified the tradition established by Guru Gobind Singh such that he came to
be hailed as the "Champion of the Khalsa".
"FIGHT WITH TIGER"
During a hunt in 1804, a lion attacked him and also killed his horse.
His fellow hunters attempted to protect him but he refused their offers and
killed the lion by himself with a shield and dagger, thus earning the cognomen
Baagh Maar (Lion-killer).[1] Whether he was by that time already serving in the
military is unknown but he was commissioned as Sardar, commanding 800 horses
and footmen, in that year.
"General Hari Singh Nalwa seated in full armour adopting a militant stance" by Sir John McQueen
The 20 major battles of Hari Singh Nalwa
(either
participated or was in command)
Battle of Kasur
(1807) Hari Singh's first significant participation in a Sikh conquest on
assuming charge of an independent contingent was in 1807, at the capture of
Kasur. This place had long been a thorn in the side of Ranjit Singh's power
because of its proximity to his capital city of Lahore. It was captured in the
fourth attempt. This attack was led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Jodh Singh
Ramgarhia. During the campaign the Sadar showed remarkable bravery and
dexterity.[9] The Sardar was granted a jagir in recognition of his services.[10]The
famous fort of Moranda (Kasur) was captured by General Sardar Gurmukh Singh
Lamba from Afghans, the grand son of Amed Saha Abdali.Sardar was wounded by
anarrow and was awarded Jagirof Kasur, Rupees trity seven thousand five hundred
annual as reward.
Battle of Sialkot
(1808) Ranjit Singh nominated Hari Singh Nalwa to take Sialkot from its
ruler Jiwan Singh. This was his first battle under an independent command. The
two armies were engaged for a couple of days, eventually seventeen year old
Hari Singh carried the day.[11]
Battle of Attock
(1813) The fort of Attock was a major replenishment point for all armies
crossing the Indus. In the early 19th century, Afghan appointees of the Kingdom
of Kabul held this fort, as they did most of the territory along this frontier.
This battle was fought and won by the Sikhs on the banks of the Indus under the
leadership of Dewan Mokham Chand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's general, against Azim
Khan and his brother Dost Mohammad Khan, on behalf of Shah Mahmud of Kabul.
Besides Hari Singh Nalwa, Hukam Singh Attariwala, Shyamu Singh, Khalsa Fateh
Singh Ahluwalia and Behmam Singh Malliawala actively participated in this
battle. This was the first victory of the Sikhs over the Durranis and the
Barakzais.[12][13] With the conquest of Attock, the adjoining regions of
Hazara-i-Karlugh and Gandhgarh became tributary to the Sikhs. In 1815, Sherbaaz
Khan of Gandhgarh challenged Hari Singh Nalwa's authority and was
defeated.[14]Sardar General Gurmukh Singh Lamba commanded a Division and
assisted in securing the fort of Attock.
Abortive attempt on
Kashmir (1814) The Sikhs made an attempt to take Kashmir soon after the
Battle of Attock. The army was under the general command of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, who camped at Rajauri. The troops were led towards Srinagar by Ram
Dayal, grandson of Dewan Mokham Chand, while Jamadar Khushal Singh commanded
the van, Hari Singh Nalwa and Nihal Singh Attariwala brought up the rear. Lack
of provisions, delay in the arrival of reinforcements, bad weather and
treachery of the allies forced the Sikhs to retreat. The next few years were
spent in subduing Muslim chiefs within the Kashmir territory, en route Srinagar
Valley.[15] In 1815–16, Hari Singh Nalwa attacked and destroyed the stronghold
of the traitorous Rajauri chief.[16]
Conquest of Mahmudkot
(Mehmood Kot, Muzaffargarh) (1816) In preparation of the conquest of the
strongly fortified Mankera, Ranjit Singh decided to approach it from its
southern extremity. After the Baisakhi of 1816, Misr Diwan Chand, Illahi
Bakhsh, Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, Nihal Singh Attariwala and Hari Singh Nalwa
accompanied by seven paltans and the topkhana went towards Mahmudkot.[citation
needed] When news of its conquest arrived, it left the Maharaja so elated at
the success of Sikh arms that he celebrated this victory with the firing of
cannons. Two years later, on their way to Multan, the Sikhs captured the forts
of Khangarh and Muzzaffargarh.[17]
Battle of Multan
(1818) The winter of 1810 saw a jubilant Sikh army stationed near Multan in
the Bari Doab. They were riding high on the success of having conquered the
Chuj Doab. The possession of the city of Multan was taken with little
resistance; however, the fort could not be captured. The fort was bombarded and
mined without effect. Sardar Nihal Singh Attariwala and the young Hari Singh
Nalwa were seriously wounded. A fire pot thrown from the walls of the fort fell
on Hari Singh and he was so badly burnt that it was some months before he was
fit for service.[16] Ranjit Singh was disconcerted beyond measure at the length
of the siege and perforce had to abandon the attempt. Multan was finally
conquered under the nominal command of Kharak Singh and the actual command of
Misr Diwan Chand. It was a fiercely contested battle in which Muzzaffar Khan
and his sons defended the place with exemplary courage, but they could not
withstand the onslaught of the Sikhs. Hari Singh Nalwa was "chiefly
instrumental" in the capture of the citadel.[12]
Peshawar becomes
tributary (1818) When Shah Mahmud's son, Shah Kamran, killed their Barakzai
Vazir Fateh Khan in August 1818 the Sikhs took advantage of the resulting
confusion and their army formally forded the Indus and entered Peshawar, the
summer capital of the Kingdom of Kabul (modern-day Afghanistan), for the first
time. Thereafter, Hari Singh Nalwa was deputed towards Peshawar in order to
keep the Sikh dabdaba kayam — maintain the pressure.
Mitha Tiwana becomes
his jagir (1818) In the beginning of 1819, Hari Singh accompanied Misr
Diwan Chand to collect tribute from the Nawab of Mankera. On completion of the
mission, Diwan Chand crossed the river Chenab along with his topkhana and set
up his camp in Pindi Bhattian near Chiniot. He was asked to leave Hari Singh
stationed in the suburbs of Nurpur and Mitha Tiwana.[citation needed] Hari
Singh must have achieved significant success for soon thereafter the Maharaja
bestowed all the possessions of the Tiwana chiefs in jagir on the Sardar.[16]
Kashmir becomes a part of the Punjab (1819) In April 1819,
the Sikh army marched towards Kashmir. On this occasion, Prince Kharak Singh
held nominal command. Misr Diwan Chand led the vanguard, while Hari Singh Nalwa
brought up the rear for the support of the leading troops. The third division,
under the personal command of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, expedited supplies and
conveyed these to the advance troops.[18] On the morning of 5 July 1819, the
Sikh columns advanced to the sound of bugles. A severe engagement took place
between the two armies and the Sikhs captured Kashmir. Great rejoicing followed
in the Sikh camp and the cities of Lahore and Amritsar were illuminated for
three successive nights.[citation needed] Thus came to an end the five
centuries of Muslim rule in Kashmir.[19] Two years later, as Governor of Kashmir,
Hari Singh Nalwa put down the rebellion of the most troublesome Khakha chief,
Gulam Ali.[20]
Battle of Pakhli
(1819) Under the Afghans, Hazara-i-Karlugh, Gandhgarh and Gakhar territory
were governed from Attock. Kashmir collected the revenue from the upper regions
of Pakhli, Damtaur and Darband. Numerous attempts by the Sikhs to collect
revenue from Hazara-i-Karlugh not only met with failure, but also the loss of
prominent Sikh administrators and commanders. Following the Sikh conquest of
Kashmir, tribute was due from Pakhli, Damtaur, and Darband. On his return to
the Punjab plains from the Kashmir Valley, Hari Singh and his companions
followed the traditional kafila (caravan) route through Pakhli hoping to
collect tribute from the region. The Sikh request for Nazrana resulted in the
usual “fighting and mulcting”; the party however, was successful in their
mission.[15]
Battle of Mangal
(1821) Hari Singh's most spectacular success in the region of Pakistan's
Hazara came two years later. On the successful conclusion of his governorship
of Kashmir, he departed from the Valley and crossed the river Kishenganga at
Muzaffarabad with 7000 foot soldiers. Hari Singh Nalwa traversed the hazardous
mountainous terrain successfully, however when his entourage reached Mangal
(Mangli, Pakistan) he found his passage opposed. Mangal, the ancient capital of
Urasa was now the stronghold of the chief of the Jaduns who controlled the
entire region of Damtaur. Hari Singh requested the tribesmen for a passage
through their territory, but they demanded a tax on all the Kashmir goods and
treasure he was taking with him. All trade kafilas routinely paid this toll.
Hari Singh's claim that the goods he carried were not for trade purposes was
not accepted. When parleying produced no result, battle was the only option. A
combined tribal force numbering no less than 25,000 gathered from all the
adjoining areas and challenged Hari Singh and his men. Despite being completely
outnumbered, the Sardar stormed their stockades and defeated his opponents with
a loss to them of 2,000 men. Hari Singh then left to join forces with the Sikh
army poised for an attack on Mankera, but after he had collected a fine from
every house and built a fort in this vicinity.[21]
Battle of Mankera
(1822) The Sindh Sagar Doab was chiefly controlled from Mankera and Mitha
Tiwana. Nawab Hafiz Ahmed Khan, a relative of the Durranis, exerted
considerable influence in this region. Besides Mankera, he commanded a vast
area protected by 12 forts. With the weakening of Afghan rule in Kabul, the
governors of Attock, Mankera, Mitha Tiwana and Khushab had declared their
independence. Ranjit Singh celebrated the Dussehra of 1821 across the river
Ravi, at Shahdera. Hari Singh, Governor of Kashmir, was most familiar with the
territory that the Maharaja had now set his eyes on. Nalwa was summoned
post-haste to join the Lahore Army already on its way towards the river Indus.
The Maharaja and his army had crossed the Jehlum when Hari Singh Nalwa,
accompanied by his Kashmir platoons, joined them at Mitha Tiwana. The Sikhs
commenced offensive operations in early November.
Nawab Hafiz Ahmed's predecessor, Nawab Mohammed Khan, had
formed a cordon around Mankera with 12 forts—Haidrabad, Maujgarh, Fatehpur,
Pipal, Darya Khan, Khanpur, Jhandawala, Kalor, Dulewala, Bhakkar, Dingana and
Chaubara. The Sikh army occupied these forts and soon the only place that remained
to be conquered was Mankera itself. A few years earlier, the Nawab of Mankera
had actively participated in the reduction of Mitha Tiwana. The Tiwanas, now
feudatories of Hari Singh Nalwa, were eager participants in returning that
favour to the Nawab. The force was divided into three parts—one column being
under Hari Singh—and each column entered the Mankera territory by a different
route; capturing various places en route all three columns rejoined near
Mankera town. Mankera was besieged, with Nalwa's force being on the west of the
fort.[22]
The fort of Mankera stood in the middle of the Thal. It was
built of mud with a citadel of burnt brick surrounded by a dry ditch. To make
the central fortress inaccessible, no wells were permitted by the Nawab to be
sunk within a radius of 15 kos. During the night of 26 November Hari Singh
Nalwa, together with other chiefs and jagirdars, established their morchas
(batteries) within long gunshot of the place. They found old wells, which their
men cleared out and fresh ones were dug. On the nights of 6–7 December, they
approached closer to the ditch. The ensuing skirmish was ferocious and resulted
in considerable loss of life. The siege of the fort of Mankera lasted 25 days.
Finally, the Nawab accepted defeat and the last Saddozai stronghold fell to the
Sikhs.[citation needed] The Nawab was allowed to proceed towards Dera Ismail
Khan, which was granted to him as jagir.[23] His descendants held the area
until 1836.
Battle of Nowshera
(Naushehra) (1823) The Sikhs forayed into Peshawar for the first time in
1818, but did not occupy the territory. They were content with collecting
tribute from Yar Mohammed, its Barakzai governor. Azim Khan, Yar Mohammed's
half-brother in Kabul, totally disapproved of the latter's deference to the
Sikhs and decided to march down at the head of a large force to vindicate the
honour of the Afghans. Azim Khan wanted to avenge both, the supplication of his
Peshawar brethren and the loss of Kashmir. Hari Singh Nalwa was the first to
cross the Indus at Attock to the Sikh post of Khairabad; he was accompanied by
Diwan Kirpa Ram and Khalsa Sher Singh, the Maharaja's teenaged son, besides
8,000 men.
The Kabul Army was expected near Nowshera, on the banks of
the river Kabul (Landai). Hari Singh's immediate plan was to capture the
Yusafzai stronghold to the north of the Landai at Jehangira, and the Khattak
territory to its south at Akora Khattak. The latter was taken with out
difficulty however Jehangira was a masonry fort with very strong towers and the
Yusafzais offered tough resistance. Hari Singh entered the fort and established
his thana there.[22] The remaining troops re-crossed the Landai River and
returned to their base camp at Akora. Mohammed Azim Khan had encamped about ten
miles north-west of Hari Singh's position, on the right bank of the Landai,
facing the town of Nowshera, awaiting Ranjit Singh's approach. The Sikhs had
scheduled two battles – one along either bank of the Landai.
After Hari Singh had successfully reduced the tribal strongholds
on either side of the river, Ranjit Singh departed from the fort of Attock. He
crossed the Landai River at a ford below Akora, and set up his camp near the
fort of Jehangira. The famous army commander Akali Phula Singh and the no less
renowned Gurkha commander Bal Bahadur, with their respective troops,
accompanied the Maharaja. The Barakzais merely witnessed the main action from
across the river. Hari Singh Nalwa's presence had prevented them from crossing
the Landai.[24] Eventually, the inheritors of Ahmed Shah Abdali’s legacy fled
the scene in the direction of Jalalabad chased by Hari Singh Nalwa and his men
to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass.
Battle of Sirikot
(1824) Sirikot lay less than ten miles to the north-west of Haripur. This
Mashwani village was strategically placed in a basin at the top of the
north-east end of the Gandhgarh Range, which made its secure location a haven
for the rebellious chiefs in the entire region. Hari Singh Nalwa went towards
Sirikot before the rains of 1824. It was another six months before the attempt
produced conclusive results. The Sardar almost lost his life in the course of
this expedition. Ranjit Singh's military campaign for the winter of 1824 was
scheduled towards Peshawar and Kabul. While stationed at Wazirabad, he received
an arzi (written petition) from Sardar Hari Singh[25] informing him that he and
his men were overwhelmingly outnumbered – one Sikh to ten Afghans. Ranjit Singh
marched to [Rohtas], from there to [Rawalpindi] and via [Sarai Kala] reached Sirikot.
The news of the approach of the Sikh army led to an instant dispersal of the
insurgents.
The increasing success of the Sikh arms greatly disappointed
the Yusafzai and other tribes inhabiting the trans-Indus region of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. The Battle of Nowshera convinced them of their extreme
vulnerability. Not only had the Kabul Barakzais let them down, but their
subsequent application to the British for help had also met with little
success.
Battle of Saidu
(1827) The redeemer of the Yusafzais came in the form of one Sayyid Ahmad
[1], who despite being a 'Hindki' was accepted as a leader by them. Budh Singh
Sandhanwalia, accompanied by 4,000 horsemen, was deputed towards Attock to
assist in suppressing the Yusafzai rebellion. The Maharaja's brief required him
to thereafter to proceed towards Peshawar and collect tribute from Yar Mohammed
Khan Barakzai. Budh Singh first heard of the Sayyid after he had crossed the
Indus and encamped near the fort of Khairabad. Ranjit Singh was still on the
sickbed when the news of the Sayyid's arrival, at the head of a large force of
the Yusafzai peasantry, reached him. The gallantry of the Yusafzai defence in
the Battle of Nowshera was still vivid in his mind. On receiving this news, he
immediately put into motion all the forces that he could muster and immediately
dispatched them towards the frontier.
The Barakzais in Peshawar, though outwardly professing
allegiance to the Sikhs, were in reality in league with the insurgents. The
Sayyid marched from Peshawar in the direction of Nowshera. Sardar Budh Singh
wrote to the Sayyid seeking for a clarification of his intention. The Sayyid
haughtily replied that he would first take the fort of Attock and then engage
Budh Singh in battle.[citation needed]
Hari Singh Nalwa stood guard at the fort of Attock with the
intention of keeping the Sayyid and his men from crossing the river until
reinforcements arrived from Lahore. News had reached the Sikhs that the jihadis
accompanying the Sayyid numbered several thousand. The battle between the
Sayyid and the Sikhs was fought on 14 Phagun (23 February) 1827. The action
commenced at about ten in the morning. The Muslim war cry of Allah hu Akbar, or
"God is the greatest", was answered by the Sikhs with Bole so nihal,
Sat Sri Akal, or “they who affirm the name of God, the only immortal truth,
will find fulfilment”. Ironically, the opposing forces first professed the
glory of the very same God Almighty, albeit in different languages, before they
commenced slaughtering each other. The cannonade lasted about two hours. The
Sikhs charged at their opponents, routed them, and continued a victorious
pursuit for six miles, taking all their guns, swivels, camp equipage,
etc.[citation needed] The number of killed was not mentioned, but blood was said
to have flowed in torrents. The Sayyid sustained a complete defeat despite his
vastly superior numbers. He was compelled to retreat to the Yusafzai Mountains.
It was reported that 8,000 Sikhs had defended themselves against an enraged
population of 150,000 Mohammedans.[26] A salute was fired, illumination was
ordered by drumbeat in the city of Lahore in honour of the victory.[citation
needed]
Occupies Peshawar
(1834) The actual occupation of the great city of Peshawar and its ruinous
fort, the Bala Hisar, by the Sikhs was quite a comedy and a total anti-climax.
It was a reflection of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa's formidable reputation in
‘Pashtunistan’. Masson arrived in Peshawar just in time to see the Sikhs take
control of the city. His eyewitness account reports that the Afghans simply
fled the place and Hari Singh Nalwa occupied Peshawar without a battle.[27]
Dost Mohammad Khan
flees (1835) Hari Singh Nalwa was the governor of Peshawar when Dost
Mohammed personally came at the head of a large force to challenge the Sikhs.
Following his victory against Shah Shuja at Kandahar, in the first quarter of
1835, Dost Mohammed declared himself padshah (king), gave a call for jihad and
set off from Kabul to wrest Peshawar from the Sikhs. Ranjit Singh directed his
generals to amuse the Afghans with negotiations and to win over Sultan Mohammed
Khan. He directed them that on no account, even if attacked, were they to enter
into a general engagement until his arrival.[28]
Hari Singh Nalwa and the other Sikh chieftains requested
Ranjit Singh to permit them to engage with the Kabul Afghans. On 30 Baisakh (10
May 1835), Sardar Hari Singh, Raja Gulab Singh, Misr Sukh Raj, Sardar Attar
Singh Sandhanwalia, Jamadar Khushal Singh, the Raja Kalan (Dhian Singh),
Monsieur Court, Signor Avitabile, Sardar Tej Singh, Dhaunkal Singh, Illahi
Bakhsh of the topkhana, Sardar Jawala Singh and Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia
were ordered to move. The troops fanned out over five kos, forming a semicircle
in front of the Amir's encampment. Sardar Hari Singh proposed that the water of
the stream Bara, which flowed in the direction of Dost Mohammed Khan's camp, be
dammed. When the Ghazis appeared, Sardar Hari Singh commenced firing his guns.
The Maharaja, however, prohibited him from indulging in battle and dispatched
his Vakils to negotiate with the Amir.
Once Dost Mohammed Khan was assured that the Sikhs would
affect a truce until their Vakils were in his camp, he let them know what he
really felt. Harsh words were exchanged. He accused Fakir Aziz-ud-din of making
“use of much language, having plenty of leaves but little fruit”. On finding
both his step brothers, Jabbar and Sultan, irredeemably lost to him, Dost
Mohammed decided to retire from the field with the whole of his army, armament
and equipage. He left at night, making sure that the Fakir did not return to
the Sikh camp until after he had gone through the Khyber Pass.[29]
Takes Jamrud (Khyber
Pass) (1836) In October 1836, following the Dussehra celebrations in
Amritsar, Hari Singh made a sudden attack on the village of Jamrud, at the
mouth of the Khyber Pass. The Misha Khel Khyberis, the owners of this village,
were renowned for their excellent marksmanship and total lack of respect for
any authority. Hari Singh Nalwa's first encounter with this tribe had taken
place following the Battle of Nowshera when he had pursued the fleeing Azim
Khan; and once again, when he chased Dost Mohammed Khan in 1835.
The occupation of Jamrud was rather strongly contested, but
it appeared that the place was taken by surprise. On its capture, Hari Singh
Nalwa gave instructions to fortify the position without delay. A small existing
fort was immediately put into repair. News of this event was immediately
transmitted to Kabul. Masson informed Wade of the passage of events along this
frontier in a letter dated 31 October 1836. With the conquest of Jamrud, at the
very mouth of the Khyber,[28] the frontier of the Sikh Empire now bordered the
foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains.[citation needed]
Panjtaar [2]
defeated(1836) The defeat of the Khyberis sent shock waves through the
Afghan community. However, more was to follow. Hari Singh Nalwa accompanied by
Kanwar Sher Singh, now proceeded towards the Yusafzai strongholds, north-east
of Peshawar, which had withheld tribute for three years. The Sikhs completely
defeated the Yusafzais, with their chief, Fateh Khan of Panjtar, losing his
territory.[30] It was reported that 15,000 mulkia fled before the Sikhs like a
herd of goats, many being killed and the remaining taking refuge in the
hills.[citation needed] After burning and levelling Panjtar to the ground, Hari
Singh returned to Peshawar realising all the arrears of revenue. Fateh Khan was
obliged to sign an agreement to pay tribute on which condition Panjtar was
released.[citation needed] When news of the conquest of Panjtar reached the
Court of Lahore, a display of fireworks was proposed.[citation needed]
Battle of Jamrud
(1837) The news of the conquest of Jamrud put Dost Mohammed Khan into a
state of greatest alarm. General Hari Singh's latest possession gave the Sikhs
the command of the entrance into the valley of Khyber. “If this was a prelude
to further aggressive measures,” the Amir “saw in the intimation and submission
of the people of Khyber, the road laid open to Jelalabad.” Were the Sikhs to
take Jalalabad, their next stop would be Kabul. This information was followed
by the intelligence of the defeat of the Panjtaris.[citation needed]
The Maharaja's grandson, Nau Nihal Singh was getting married
in March 1837. Troops had been withdrawn from all over the Punjab to put up a
show of strength for the British Commander-in-chief who was invited to the
wedding. Dost Mohammed Khan had been invited to the great celebration.[citation
needed] Hari Singh Nalwa too was supposed to be at Amritsar, but in reality was
in Peshawar (some accounts say he was ill[31]) Dost Mohammed had ordered his
army to march towards Jamrud together with five sons and his chief advisors
with orders not to engage with the Sikhs, but more as a show of strength and
try and wrest the forts of Shabqadar, Jamrud and Peshawar.[32] Hari Singh had
also been instructed not to engage with the Afghans till reinforcements arrived
from Lahore.[citation needed]
Hari Singh's lieutenant, Mahan Singh, was in the fortress of
Jamrud with 600 men and limited supplies. Hari Singh was in the strong fort of
Peshawar. He was forced to go to the rescue of his men who were surrounded from
every side by the Afghan forces, without water in the small fortress. Though
the Sikhs were totally outnumbered, the sudden arrival of Hari Singh Nalwa put
the Afghans in total panic. In the melee, Hari Singh Nalwa was accidentally
grievously wounded. Before he died, he told his lieutenant not to let the news
of his death out till the arrival of reinforcements, which is what he did.
While the Afghans knew that Hari Singh had been wounded, they waited for over a
week doing nothing, till the news of his death was confirmed. By this time, the
Lahore troops had arrived and they merely witness the Afghans fleeing back to
Kabul.[33] Hari Singh Nalwa had not only defended Jamrud and Peshawar, but had
prevented the Afghans from ravaging the entire north-west frontier. The Afghans
achieved none of their stated objectives. The loss of Hari Singh Nalwa was
irreparable and this Sikh victory was as costly as a defeat.[34][35]General
Sardar Gurmukh Singh Lamba was nominated as military and civil administrator by
the Khalsa Sarkar wazir Sardar Jawahar Singh to safe guard the gains made by
the Khalsas.
Victories over the Afghans were a favourite topic of
conversation for Ranjit Singh. He was to immortalise these by ordering a shawl
from Kashmir at the record price of Rs5000, in which were depicted the scenes
of the battles fought with them.[citation needed] Following the death of Hari
Singh Nalwa, no further conquests were made in this direction. The Khyber Pass
continued as the Sikh frontier till the annexation of the Punjab by the
British.
