Punjab Under Mughal Rule: The First Decade After Banda Singh Bahadur’s Execution

The execution of Banda Singh Bahadur was a devastating blow to the Sikh community. It left them leaderless and vulnerable, especially since Emperor Farrukhsiyar was determined to eradicate Sikhism. He commanded Abdal Samad Khan, the Subedar of Lahore, to execute all Sikhs who refused to convert to Islam.

Faced with relentless persecution, many Sikhs succumbed to fear and began cutting their hair, becoming known as Sahaj-Dhari (literally, “slow adopters”). However, the more resolute Sikhs remained steadfast but found themselves divided into two factions:

1. Tat Khalsa: This group revered the Adi Granth as their Guru, followed the practices introduced by Guru Gobind Singh, such as wearing blue attire and greeting each other with “Wah Guruji ka Khalsa, Wah Guruji ki Fateh.” They also consumed meat as part of their diet.
2. Bandai Khalsa: This sect regarded Banda Bahadur as the rightful successor of Guru Gobind Singh and greeted each other with “Fateh Darshan,” Banda Bahadur’s war cry. They wore red attire and abstained from meat.

This internal division weakened the Sikhs, making them more susceptible to Mughal atrocities. To survive, they sought refuge in hills and forests. However, the situation gradually improved after Farrukhsiyar’s death in 1719 and as Abdal Samad Khan aged, his enforcement of anti-Sikh policies waned. Seizing this opportunity, the Sikhs re-emerged from their hideouts and reclaimed Amritsar, demonstrating their resilience despite internal discord.

Recognizing the urgency of unity, Mata Sundri, widow of Guru Gobind Singh, sought to reconcile the differences between Tat Khalsa and Bandai Khalsa. She entrusted Bhai Mani Singh with this task. A devoted disciple of the Guru since childhood and a respected figure among Sikhs, he was appointed as the high priest of Harmandir Sahib. Under his leadership, a resolution was achieved through cleromancy, resulting in the Tat Khalsa prevailing and the Bandai Khalsa merging into it.

With unity restored, the Sikhs became a formidable force once again. They institutionalized biennial gatherings in Amritsar during Baisakhi and Diwali, known as Sarbat Khalsa, where they strategized and appointed Jathedars (leaders of armed groups) to oversee various regions. Emboldened by their renewed strength, they launched attacks on Mughal territories. Unable to suppress these insurgencies, Abdal Samad Khan was replaced by his son, Zakariya Khan, as the governor of Lahore.

Zakariya Khan’s Rule (1726-1745)

Determined to eliminate the Sikhs, Zakariya Khan initiated brutal crackdowns. Sikhs were hunted down, executed in public, and their heads displayed in Lahore’s marketplaces. To commemorate these martyrs, Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj was later constructed at the site. Facing renewed oppression, the Sikhs once again retreated to remote areas but remained undeterred.

An incident that rekindled Sikh resistance occurred when Bhai Tara Singh of Wan clashed with Sahib Rai, a Hindu official. Seeking vengeance, Sahib Rai enlisted Mughal forces, prompting Zakariya Khan to dispatch 2,000 troops against Tara Singh and his 22 companions. The Sikhs fought valiantly through the night, and despite being vastly outnumbered, they inflicted heavy losses before being slain. Their bravery inspired the Sikh community, igniting a renewed resolve to challenge Mughal dominance.

In response, Sikh bands began launching guerrilla attacks against Mughal forces, creating chaos and panic. Realizing that repression was ineffective, Zakariya Khan sought to pacify them. In 1733, he offered the Sikhs a truce, granting them a jagir worth one lakh rupees and bestowing the title of “Nawab” upon their leader, Kapur Singh Faizulpuria. This temporary settlement allowed the Sikhs to regroup.

Formation of Budha Dal and Taruna Dal

Contrary to Zakariya Khan’s expectations, the Sikhs did not cease their military activities. Instead, they reorganized into two factions:

1. Budha Dal: Comprising senior warriors from Guru Gobind Singh’s era, this group focused on religious and administrative duties.
2. Taruna Dal: Made up of younger soldiers, it was further divided into five Jathas—Ramsar, Bibeksar, Lachhmansar, Kaulsar, and Santokhsar—each with independent leadership, a flag, and a Nagara (war drum).

Both groups operated under the overarching command of Nawab Kapur Singh. The well-trained and highly disciplined Sikh forces soon became a formidable challenge for the Mughals.

Recognizing the growing threat, Zakariya Khan expelled Nawab Kapur Singh from his jagir in 1735 and placed Amritsar under military control to prevent Sikh gatherings. Bhai Mani Singh, striving to maintain Sikh traditions, negotiated with the governor for permission to celebrate Diwali in exchange for a payment of 10,000 rupees. However, he could not gather the funds in time, leading to his execution in 1737. This intensified Sikh resentment against the Mughals, and an opportunity for retribution arose when Nadir Shah invaded India.

Nadir Shah’s Invasion (1738-1747)

Nadir Shah, the Persian ruler, invaded India in 1738, capturing Kabul and Lahore. In the Battle of Karnal, he defeated Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangeela and plundered Delhi, seizing vast wealth, including the Peacock Throne, the Kohinoor diamond, and countless treasures. Before departing, he annexed four districts of Punjab (Char Mahalas) and territories west of the Indus into the Persian Empire.

On his return, Sikh warriors ambushed his retreating forces, looting supplies and depleting his resources. Before leaving, Nadir Shah warned Zakariya Khan, “Take care, for the day is not far when these rebels will rule this land.”

Alarmed, Zakariya Khan intensified his efforts to crush the Sikhs. He destroyed their fort at Dallewal and placed bounties on Sikh heads, leading to mass killings. Despite relentless persecution, Sikh morale remained unshaken, with figures like Mehtab Singh, Boota Singh, Taru Singh, and Haqiqat Rai demonstrating unwavering resistance.

Yahiya Khan’s Rule and the Chhota Ghallughara (1746)

Following Zakariya Khan’s death in 1745, his son Yahiya Khan ascended to power, intensifying Sikh persecution. His Diwan, Lakhpat Rai, vowed to exterminate the Khalsa after his brother, Jaspat Rai, was killed in a Sikh raid. With Yahiya’s approval, Lakhpat launched a brutal campaign against the Sikhs, prohibiting them from uttering words like “Guru” or “Granth,” desecrating religious scriptures, and filling the sacred Sarovar of Harmandir Sahib with filth.

In 1746, Lakhpat Rai led an assault on Sikh hideouts in Kahnuwan Chamb, resulting in a devastating massacre known as the Chhota Ghallughara (Smaller Holocaust). Outnumbered and poorly equipped, the Sikhs suffered immense losses, with around 7,000 killed and 3,000 captured. The prisoners were publicly executed in Lahore’s marketplaces at Shaheed Ganj.

Despite these atrocities, the Sikh spirit remained indomitable. Their resilience and strategic warfare would eventually lead to their resurgence, setting the stage for future victories against Mughal rule.

Sharing is caring!