Page 126 - Lohgarh

126 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

royal army and the armies of the famous umraa attacked them from all
sides and surpassed the acts (of bravery) of Rustam and Isfandyaar. 50
About two and a half thousand persons of that unprincipled cult (Sikhs),
along with their leaders became the good of the swords of the brave
men (Muslims). Among the victorious forces nephew of Firoz Shah
51
Mewati was killed and his (Mewati’s) son was wounded...” (The non-
Italic text is mine- Author).
Khafi Khan says, “It is difficult to narrate this battle. Faqir-like
dressing Sikhs have created awe in the royal army. So many people of
the royal army were killed that it seemed that we shall all die. In this
Sikh attack, Firoz Khan Mewati’s nephew and son were also killed.” 52

Lohgarh Fort falls (?) and Banda Singh escapes
Kamvar says: “When the sun has just arisen, Khan Khanan, with a force
of five thousand companions, attacked the Sikh positions at the top of
the hill. A fierce battle of guns and arrows was fought on both the sides.
Khan Khanan reached near the trench of the Fort. Both sides fought a
full-fledged battle. Trade of life-taking was at its full extreme.” 53
Irvine writes, “The Mughal and Pathan soldiers were very much
scared due to the rumours about Banda Singh. They had heard that Banda
Singh had magical power with which he could make the spears and
swords of the enemy ineffective. They had learnt that Banda Singh had
given a ‘blessing’ to the Sikhs that if anyone of them died in the battle
he would be reborn and would get a higher office in life. Due to such
rumours the Emperor and the senior generals of the Mughal army had
become perplexed and disheartened”. 54
When Khan Khanan reached near the trench, there were small
skirmishes. A couple of Sikhs would come out of the Fort, fight against
the royal soldiers and get killed after a good deal of fighting; a large
number of royal soldiers too were getting killed. 55
Finding Khan Khanan resolute, prince Rafi-ud-Shah and Rustam Dil
Khan too made an assault at Lohgarh Fort. They acted so with an
intention of stopping Khan Khanan getting the credit/laurels of victory.
The action of Khan Khanan, and others following him, was in violation