Page 145 - Lohgarh

Chapter 8

Banda Singh After

Leaving Lohgarh

Banda Singh Subjugates Hill States

After leaving Lohgarh Banda Singh did not take rest. Having discussed
the situation with the senior leaders, Banda Singh decided that for the
time being they should not launch any action in the Punjab; so, they
decided to move towards the hills. Their first action was an attack on
Bilaspur, the capital of the Kehlur State. Ajmer Chand, the ruler of that
State had attacked Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib and
Nirmohgarh several times between 1700 and 1705; he had also
instigated and even paid to the Mughal army to attack the Guru. It was
he who was responsible for Guru’s exit from Anandpur Sahib in
December 1705. In fact, most of the calamity of the Sikhs was as a
result of Ajmer Chand’s actions. So, like Wazir Khan, he too deserved
severe punishment.
Before attacking Bilaspur, Banda Singh sent a message to Ajmer
Chand to accept subordination of the Sikhs; but Ajmer Chand was too
haughty to bother about this; instead, he contacted the Governors of
Kangra and Jammu. They sent some soldiers and ammunition to help
him. Further, Ajmer Chand Fortified his capital. When Banda Singh came
to know about the Ajmer Chand’s preparations he (Banda Singh) decided
to teach him a lesson. The Bilaspur city, then , was surrounded by a
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lake on one side and high hills on the other sides; but, still, it was not
stronger than Sadhaura, Sarhind, and Samana etc., which had fallen to
the Sikhs; secondly, the Sikhs were not mercenaries; they had been
fighting for the sake of their Guru and righteousness.