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At that time the ruler of Jhang state was Ahmad Khan Siaal. He was very arrogant and cruel. At the same time Maharaja Ranjit Singh was expanding his territories and it was also in his mind to weaken the Muslim powers.
He sent his one messenger to meet Ahmad Khan. The messenger said to Ahmad Khan, “Accept the superiority of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, otherwise be ready to have a combat with him.”
Ahmad Khan spoke very arrogantly and refused to accept the subordination of the Maharaja.
When the messenger returned back to Lahore, informing the Maharaja he said, “Ahmad Khan is very proud and conceited and he is ready to pick a quarrel with you.”
Hearing this Maharaja decided to teach a lesson to haughty Ahmad Khan.
Leading a big army, he marched towards Jhang. Ahmad Khan had already perceived that fight with Maharaja was evitable. So he gathered a large number of Muslims under the name of holy war. He took his army and crusaders and came out of the city in order to face Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
When the army of Maharaja reached there, a fierce battle started. First they used their guns, but when they became bulletless, they unsheathed their swords.
The Khalsa army was very experienced in the art of swordsmanship. So they crushed the army of Ahmad Khan in such a way that they were forced to retreat.
Ahmad Khan directed his army to run towards the city. The crusaders also followed. Entering the city, Ahmad Khan closed the gates.
The Khalsa army encircled the city. Ahmad Khan fitted his guns on the wall of the fort and ordered his gunman to open the fire. One bomb fell near Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Seeing this Maharaja ordered his men to break open the gates. They broke the gates and entered the fort.
The crusaders and army of Nawab was so frightened that they ran out of the fort and city. Maharaja asked his soldiers not to loot the city.
After some days Nawab sent some respected persons to meet the Maharaja.
They met the Maharaja and said, “Nawab has done a great mistake, now he is ready to apologize. He is also prepared to pay war penalty. Please return his territory, he will pay you yearly taxes according to your wishes.”
Maharaja Ranjit Singh pardoned Nawab and agreed to take Rs 60,000/- yearly revenue.
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