The battles of Anandpur Sahib were defining moments in Sikh history, showcasing the fearless resistance of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his followers against overwhelming forces.
These conflicts were not just military struggles but a reflection of the Sikh spirit of bravery, sacrifice, and commitment to justice. Faced with relentless attacks from the Mughal and Hill Rajas’ armies, the Sikhs stood firm, defending their faith and freedom with unmatched courage.
Historical Context
Anandpur Sahib was founded in 1665 by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru. The city, whose name means "City of Bliss," was established as a center for spiritual learning and growth. Under Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Anandpur Sahib developed into both a spiritual center and a strategic fortress. Its location in the Shivalik Hills provided natural defensive advantages that would prove crucial during the upcoming conflicts.
The growing influence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699 alarmed the Hill Rajas (local rulers) and the Mughal authorities. The Khalsa, a military order created by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, represented a direct challenge to the existing social and political order, causing significant concern among the Hill Rajas of the Sivalik region.
Political and Religious Climate Before the Battles
By the late 17th century, tensions between the Mughal Empire, the Hill Rajas, and the Sikh community had reached a boiling point. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was actively pursuing a policy of religious persecution, aiming to establish Islamic supremacy across India. His rule was marked by the forced conversion of Hindus and Sikhs, the destruction of temples and gurdwaras, and the execution of those who resisted his policies.
The Sikhs, under Guru Gobind Singh Ji, stood as a powerful force against oppression. Guru Ji had not only continued the spiritual teachings of Sikhism but had also transformed the Sikh community into a warrior order to defend religious freedom and justice. His decision to establish the Khalsa in 1699 marked a direct challenge to the Mughal rule and the traditional caste-based social order. The Khalsa embodied fearlessness, discipline, and a commitment to righteousness, making them a formidable opposition to the oppressive Mughal regime.
The Hill Rajas—local Hindu rulers of the Shivalik region—were also threatened by the growing power of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Though they were not fully aligned with the Mughals, they feared the Khalsa’s influence over their territories. These rulers, led by Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur (Bilaspur), sought to curb Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s growing strength. Unable to defeat him alone, they turned to Aurangzeb for military support.
This alliance between the Mughals and the Hill Rajas set the stage for the battles of Anandpur Sahib, as the combined forces of these two powerful enemies sought to eliminate Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his followers.
The First Battle of Anandpur (1700)
Causes and Alliances
The increasing power of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his establishment of the Khalsa alarmed Raja Bhim Chand of Kahlur (Bilaspur) and other Hill Rajas. After failed attempts to check the Guru's growing influence, these local rulers appealed to Emperor Aurangzeb for assistance.
Emperor Aurangzeb dispatched his generals Din Beg and Painda Khan, each commanding an army of 5,000 men, to subdue Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These Mughal forces joined the armies of the Hill chiefs at Rupar, creating a formidable coalition against the Sikhs.
The Battle Unfolds
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, adhering to his principle of never striking except in self-defense, appointed the Panj Piare (his five beloved Sikhs) as generals of his army. Despite being outnumbered, with approximately 7,000 Sikhs facing 10,000 Mughal troops plus the Hill Rajas' forces, the Sikhs prepared for the impending attack.
The battle began with fierce fighting near Anandpur. During the conflict, Painda Khan challenged Guru Gobind Singh Ji to single combat. The Guru initially refused to strike first, claiming he had vowed never to attack except in self-defense. After Painda Khan discharged two arrows that missed their mark, the Guru engaged him in combat and ultimately killed him.
Following Painda Khan's death, Din Beg assumed command of the Mughal forces but failed to overpower the Guru's army. The Hill Rajas, seeing the tide of battle turning against them, fled the battlefield. Din Beg was wounded and forced to retreat, pursued by the Sikh forces as far as Rupar.
The Second Siege of Anandpur (1704)
Escalation and Imperial Involvement
After the failure of the first battle, the Hill Rajas sent a petition to Emperor Aurangzeb, who was furious upon learning of their defeats. In May 1704, Aurangzeb ordered a massive assault on Anandpur Sahib. He dispatched the governors of Sirhind (Wazir Khan), Lahore (Zaberdast Khan), and Kashmir (Dilwaar Khan) to eliminate Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his followers.
The imperial forces were joined by the armies of 22 Hill Rajas, including those from Kahlur, Kangra, Jaswan, Mandi, Kullu, Nalagarh, Kaithal, Nurpur, Chamba, Jammu, Busaher, and others. This created an overwhelming force against the Guru's much smaller army.
Strategic Defense
Guru Gobind Singh Ji divided his forces strategically among five forts surrounding Anandpur Sahib:
Anandgarh: Under his direct command
Fatehgarh: Led by Bhai Udai Singh
Holgarh: Commanded by Bhai Mohkam Singh
Kesgarh: Under Sahibzada Ajit Singh
Lohgarh: Held by Bhai Jujhar Singh, Nahar Singh, and Sher Singh
The Guru also positioned two cannons in Anandgarh, named "the tigress" and "victory-declaration," which caused significant damage to the attacking forces when used.
The Siege
The allied forces "fell on Anandpur like locusts". Seeing this, Guru Gobind Singh Ji ordered his artillery men to discharge their cannons into the thickest spots of the hostile army. The enemy attempted to seize the artillery but were quickly restrained by the fatal accuracy with which the Sikhs served their guns.
The city of Anandpur was on a slightly higher elevation, while the allied forces were in the open with no protection, resulting in heavy casualties among the attackers. The battle raged fiercely for several days. The Mughal gunners were promised large rewards if they killed the Guru, but their gunfire was either too high or too low and failed to hit the target.
Finding their direct assaults unsuccessful, the allied army implemented a complete siege of Anandpur Sahib, cutting off all entrances and exits for both goods and people. This siege lasted for eight months, from May to December 1704.
Heroic Resistance
Despite being vastly outnumbered, with approximately 10,000 Sikhs facing an estimated one million soldiers of the Mughal Imperial Army and the Hill Rajas, the Sikhs displayed extraordinary courage and resilience. Guru Gobind Singh Ji's spiritual and military leadership was crucial during this challenging period. He composed powerful hymns that served not only as spiritual guidance but also as rallying cries for his followers, bolstering their morale during the harshest moments of the siege.
The Sikhs utilized guerrilla tactics and night attacks to effectively resist the enemy forces. They would sally forth from their defensive positions and attack the enemy unawares, inflicting significant casualties. Despite harsh conditions and severe shortages of supplies as the siege dragged on, the Sikhs remained united and steadfast in their faith and loyalty to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The Evacuation and Betrayal
After months of siege, as supplies within Anandpur began to dwindle, the Mughals and Hill Rajas offered safe passage to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his followers if they would evacuate Anandpur. To ensure the sincerity of this offer, solemn oaths were taken—the Mughals swore on the Quran, while the Hill Rajas swore by the cow, considered sacred in Hinduism.
Despite his misgivings, Guru Gobind Singh Ji agreed to evacuate on the night of December 5-6, 1705 . However, as the Sikhs made their way through the narrow mountain passes, the allied forces launched a treacherous attack, breaking their sworn oaths.
This betrayal led to a devastating massacre, with many Sikhs, including women and children, losing their lives. In the chaos of the attack and the crossing of the flooded Sirsa river, Guru Gobind Singh Ji became separated from his family.
The Aftermath
As soon as the enemy learned that Guru Gobind Singh Ji had left Anandpur Sahib, they captured the city. They pursued the retreating Sikhs, leading to further conflicts. The Guru ordered his Sikh Uday Singh to resist the enemy. Uday Singh, along with 50 companions, made a stand against a huge enemy army at Shahi Tibbi. Although all these Sikhs were martyred, they killed hundreds of enemies in the process.
In the aftermath of the retreat, Guru Gobind Singh Ji's elderly mother, Mata Gujri Ji, and his two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (aged 9 and 7), were captured by the Mughals. The young boys were given a stark choice: embrace Islam or face death. Refusing to abandon their Sikh faith, they chose martyrdom over conversion. The Mughals executed them in a cruel manner, and their sacrifice became an enduring symbol of Sikh devotion and courage.
The Aftermath & Major Battles Following the Evacuation
After withstanding months of siege at Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his Sikhs were offered safe passage by the Mughals and Hill Rajas. To assure sincerity, the Mughals swore on the Quran, while the Hill Rajas swore on the sacred cow, promising that no harm would come to the Sikhs if they evacuated the city. Despite his doubts about their honesty, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, seeing the dire condition of his people, agreed to leave Anandpur Sahib .
On the night of December 20-21 [ 6–7 Poh ], 1705 Guru ji along with others left Anandpur.
As the Sikhs began their retreat through the narrow mountain passes, the Mughals and Hill Rajas broke their oaths and launched a brutal attack. This betrayal led to a massacre, where countless Sikhs, including women and children, were slaughtered. Amidst the chaos, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s family was separated. His mother, Mata Gujri Ji, and younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji separated from the family and went with Gangu Brahmin which were captured by the Mughals and later martyred in Sirhind.
Despite the overwhelming loss, Guru Gobind Singh Ji remained steadfast, continuing his fight for justice and truth. This act of betrayal only strengthened the Sikh spirit, leading to heroic battles like Chamkaur and Muktsar, where the Sikhs proved their unbreakable resolve against tyranny.
Legacy and Historical Significance
The Battles of Anandpur Sahib have had profound and enduring consequences on Sikh history, shaping the community's identity and future. These conflicts exemplify the Sikh concept of dharamyudh—a righteous war fought in defense of faith and justice when all peaceful means have been exhausted.
The sacrifices made during these battles, especially those of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's four sons and his mother, are remembered as supreme examples of devotion to faith. These events played a crucial role in shaping Sikh identity, reinforcing the community's commitment to standing against injustice and tyranny regardless of the consequences.
The battles also laid the foundation for the Sikh martial tradition, which would later play a significant role in Indian history. The courage and sacrifice displayed at Anandpur Sahib are commemorated in Sikh literature, art, and annual observances, ensuring their place in the community's collective memory.
Today, Anandpur Sahib stands not only as a place of pilgrimage but serves as an example to the undefeated spirit of the Sikh faith. The city's gurdwaras and historical sites serve as constant reminders of the sacrifices made and the lessons learned during those pivotal battles, ensuring that their significance continues to resonate with future generations.
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