|
Ranjit Singh was yet eleven years old, when he had to participate in a battle. The territory of Gujrat was under the reign of Maha Singh. He had appointed Sahib Singh Bhangi as the administrator of this area.
In year 1791 when Maha Singh sent his officers to collect the revenue from Sahib Singh, he plainly refused to pay the revenue.
Maha Singh was forced to attack Sahib Singh in order to collect the revenue.
Maha Singh took Ranjit Singh with him and marched his army towards Gujarat.
When Sahib Singh heard that Maha Singh was reaching there with a large army, then he hide himself in the fort of Saudara.
The army of Maha Singh encircled the fort from all sides. The siege continued for many days, but the victory was far away. Supply of Ration was poor and unhealthy. Many soldiers were afflicted with the disease of bowls.
Maha Singh himself fell ill. He was suffering from dysentery and the disease increased from bad to worse.
Unfortunately the situation so developed that Maha Singh lost all hopes of survival. He appointed Ranjit Singh as the commander of his army and himself returned back to Gujranwala.
Ranjit Singh was very brave, he did not feel nervous. He ordered his soldiers to tighten the siege more forcefully. After some days he got a news that to disperse and disorganize the siege a big force was approaching there under the commands of S. Karam Singh and S. Jodh Singh.
Ranjit Singh took a quick decision. He ordered his army to march towards that side from which the forces of S. Karam Singh and S. Jodh Singh are coming.
He planned to attack those forces on their way. He encircled the forces of the enemy in the dense jungle.
The enemy forces fled away leaving behind their heavy guns and other fire arms. Maharaja was pleased to see those captured armaments. He attacked the fort with those heavy guns.
It became very difficult for Sahib Singh to remain in the fort.
Sahib Singh surrendered and accepted his defeat. He also agreed to pay the revenue. Ranjit Singh pardoned him and appointed him again the ruler of Gujarat.
Ranjit Singh despatched captured heavy guns and other armaments to Gujranwala and himself with his army marched towards Gujrat. He camped his army outside Gujarat and asked Sahib Singh to make arrangements for the ration of his army.
Sahib Singh served the army cordially and paid the due revenue.
But Ranjit Singh refused to take the revenue only. He ordered him to pay rupees two thousand as war penalty.
Sahib Singh was already alarmed and frightened due to critical defeat of his army. he had also lost his heavy guns. He paid the penalty also.
This was the first battle that Ranjit Singh fought and won honourably. After this he moved towards Gujranwala along with his victorious army.
|
Back to home page