Afghan–Sikh Wars
The Afghan–Sikh wars were a series of wars between the Islamic Durrani Empire (centred in present-day Afghanistan), and the Sikh Empire (located in the Punjab region). The conflict had its origins stemming from the days of the Dal Khalsa.
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Background
The Sikh Confederacy had effectively achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the Sikh holocaust of 1746. The Afsharid Persian emperor Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader Shah's death in 1747, the Durrani Empire (roughly covering modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.
First Phase
Second Phase
In 1766, Ahmad Shah Durrani, again invaded India, taking Lahore without a fight.[2] The Sikhs withdrew, resorting to guerilla warfare against the Afghans.[2] Ahmad marched on to Amritsar, massacring the populous and destroying the city,[2] however his campaign was short-lived.[2] Faced with unpaid troops and internal strife in Kandahar, Ahmad was forced to march home.[2] By 1799, Sikhs were back in possession of Lahore.[3]
Third Phase
Battle of Attock
Siege of Multan
Battle of Shopian
Battle of Nowshera
Battle of Jamrud
See also
- Battles fought by Sikhs
- Pashtun tribes
References
- Mehta 2005, p. 303.
- Dupree 1980, p. 339.
- Glover 2008, p. 12.
Sources
- Dupree, Louis (1980). Afghanistan. Princeton University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Glover, William J. (2008). Making Lahore Modern: Constructing and Imagining a Colonial City. University of Minnesota Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. New Dawn Press, Inc.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)