Battle of Bhangani
| Battle of Bhangani | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| • Guru Gobind Singh's disciples (Sikhs), • Pir Budhu Shah's disciples, • Udasis |
Combined armies of Rajas: • Bhim Chand of Bilaspur, • Fateh Shah of Garhwal, • Kirpal of , • Gopal of Guler, • Hari Chand of Hindur, • Kesari Chand of Jaswal, |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| • Guru Gobind Singh, • Pir Budhu Shah, • Mahant Kirpal Das, |
• Fateh Shah • Sangho Shah • Hari Chand |
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The Battle of Bhangani (Punjabi: ਭੰਗਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਯੁੱਧ) was fought between Guru Gobind Singh's army and the combined forces of many Rajas of the Sivalik Hills (pahari rajas), on 18 September 1686, at Bhangani near Paonta Sahib. It was the first battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, at the age of 19.
Bichitra Natak, an autobiography generally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, contains a detailed description of the battle.
Guru Gobind Singh resided at Anandpur, which was located in the territory of Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur).
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 or tent) embroidered in gold and silver, and was studded with pearls. 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).
In mid-1680s, Guru Gobind Singh ordered the construction of a war drum (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. 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.
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 suspected that Bhim Chand wanted to gain permanent possession of the elephant, and declined the Raja's demand. 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.
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Wikipedia