Page 112 - Lohgarh

112 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

15 October, but, the report wrongly mentioned the venue of battle as
Machhiwara and the figures of the Sikh casualties as two thousand. 31

Battle of Travadi
Although the occupation of Rahon was the first Mughal victory over
the Sikhs, but, the first action by the army sent by Bahadur Shah himself,
took place on 16-17 October 1710 at Amingarh (Khera Amin), about 24
km from Karnal. The Sikhs, under the command of Binod Singh, were
not many in number, and, had a small quantity of ammunition, but,
still, they gave a tough fight to the 60 thousand soldiers’ strong royal
army. At first Mahabat Khan began retreating, but then Firoz Khan
Mewati came forward and inspired the soldiers, who made a massive
attack on the Sikhs, putting them into the defensive. Now, the Sikhs
began fleeing, as a couple of thousand of Sikhs were no match to such
a huge and fully armed royal army; hence it was an unequal battle.
Even while fleeing, several Sikhs lost their lives; Firoz Khan Mewati
severed the heads of three hundred Sikhs killed in this battle and
dispatched them to Bahadur Shah to earn his favour. The Sikhs had
erected a huge Minar (Satun-I-Jung) near the city of Thanesar, marking
undisputed right of ownership and the implication of their claim. The
Sikhs erected Minar to demarcate their territories which was a practice
among the warriors. 32
After this victory, Firoz Khan Mewati attacked the Sikhs at Taravari
th
and Thanesar on the 19 of October. The Sikhs had to abandon these
two stations too. Shahbad was next to fall to the Mughal forces. From
all these four places the Sikhs fled to Sadhaura and then moved to
Lohgarh. When the Emperor got this news on 20 October, he bestowed
th
precious gifts on Firoz Khan Mewati. It included one hundred thousand
rupees and the Governorship of Sarhind (Zain-ud-Din Ahmad Khan was
removed from governorship). 33

Emperor Reaches Near First Fortress of Lohgarh (Ugala, Tehsil Barara)

th
th
Passing through Karnal (20 Ramzan, 11 November 1710), Alamgirpur
(2 Ramzan, 13 November 1710), Thanesar (28 Ramzan 19 November)
th
nd