Battle of Rohilla

The Battle of Rohilla was a 1621 campaign by the Mughal Empire against the growing influence of the Sikhs.[1] Because of historic persecution from the Mughal Empire and the martyrdosm of the fifth Guru of the Sikh, Guru Arjan (Also Guru Hargobind's father), Rao Mandan Rathore and Guru Hargobind fully militarized the Sikhs into a properly militia mostly based on an irregular cavalry style of warfare. This resulted in increased political and military power in the region leading to fears of usurpation by local feudal lords (jagirdars). Thus the Sikhs were attacked by a group of local jagirdars under the command of the Governor of Punjab, Abdul Khan. The attacking forces were killed by Rao Mandan Rathore and the surviving portions of the mughal army fled the field of battle resulting in a decisive Sikh victory.[2]

Battle of Rohilla
Part of Mughal-Sikh Wars
Date 1621 Location Northeast of Amritsar at Rohilla Result Decisive Sikh Victory
Belligerents
Sikh Fauj (militia)	Local Mughal jagir
Commanders and leaders
Guru Hargobind Rao Mandan Rathore Jattu Singh †	Muhammad Abdul Khan † Nabi Bakhsh † Karim Bakhsh †
Units involved
700	4,000
Casualties and losses
unknown	thousands

A subsequent campaign against the continuely growing influence of the Sikhs saw 4,000 Mughal troops sent to northern Punjab to support local Governor Abdul Khan against Guru Hargobind following his sound defeat in the initial skirmish. Although the Sikh General Bhai Jattu was killed in heavy fighting northeast of Amritsar at Rohilla, Abdul Khan was ultimately defeated and killed, along with his sons Nabi Bakhsh and Karim Bakhsh, greatly enhancing the Sikh cause.[2]

References

1. Jaques, Tony. Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 860. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
2. Jaques, Tony. Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 860. ISBN 978-0-313-33536-5. Retrieved 31 July 2010.