Page 150 - Lohgarh
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150 w Lohgarh : The Worlds Largest Fort
open the gate of the city and entered it. The Sikh army plundered the
treasury, the government offices, the houses of the government officials
and other affluent pro-government men. The Sikh soldiers also
plundered the house of the corrupt and unjust Qazi Abdul Haq and
later burnt the whole street to ashes. Banda Singh established a Sikh
post in the city and appointed new officials to the government positions.
After capturing Batala, the Sikh army marched to Kalanaur. When
the Sikhs reached near the town, Kalanaur’s chief Sohrab Khan and
Kanungo Santokh Rai realized that they would not be able to face them
and fled from the town without fighting. Ankh Rai, the brother of
Santokh Rai, fought for a short while and he too fled from the battlefield.
After the occupation of the town by the Sikhs, most of the Muslim elite
too fled to Lahore.
After capturing the town, Banda Singh appointed Sikhs as officials.
He did not disturb any ordinary resident of the town and declared: ‘My
war is against injustice and cruelty. No innocent or common person shall
have any problem.’ This declaration gave a sigh of relief to the people
and they began sympathizing and co-operating with the Sikhs. Banda
Singh also offered the Muslims jobs in his army. He assured them that
they would have full freedom to practise their religion (Namaz and
Azaan) during their duties. Within a few days about five thousand
Muslims joined the army of Banda Singh.
On the other hand, on the 25 th of April 1711, Bahadur Shah
appointed Ashraf Khan as army-chief of Hariana (now a part of district
Hoshiarpur) and ordered him to chase Banda Singh. The same day, he
also appointed Aatish Khan as the in charge of cannons, and, sent him
to cis-Satluj area, on an expedition against the Sikhs. 8
On the 28 th of April 1711, Bahadur Shah reached Rupar and he
stopped here for some time before crossing Satluj river. There, he
received a report about the condition of Kalanaur from Bhagwati Das
news reporter. It said:
On the 19th (of Islamic month, i.e. 26.4.1711), the Nanak-worshipper
(Banda Singh) is encamping in Kalanaur town. He (Banda Singh) has given
a word that he wont create any problem for the Muslims. As a result,
