Page 70 - Lohgarh

70 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

Sadhaura Falls to the Sikhs

Sadhaura, in the feet of Shivalik hills, is one of the ancient towns of the
Punjab. In those days it had a big Fort, and Banda Singh decided to take
control of this city too. This city was being ruled by Usman Khan. He
was on the Sikhs’ hit list because he had tortured and killed Pir Budhu
Shah due to latter’s cordial and friendly relations with Guru Gobind
Singh.
Like Kadam-ud-Din, Usman Khan too was notorious for his sex
crimes, and, he too had forcibly carried away and raped several Hindu
girls. The local Hindus had been living like slaves and even less than
third-rate citizens. So, after capturing Kapuri, Banda Singh marched
towards Sadhaura. Then, Sadhaura was a powerful stronghold and its
Fort had very tall walls and strong gates, and, it was almost impossible
to break into this Fort except after very heavy gun-shelling.
By this time, 35 to 40 thousand Sikhs had joined Banda Singh and it
had become a big force. On the other hand Usman Khan too had a
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powerful army and several cannons. It seemed that the Sikhs wouldn’t
be able to capture this city easily.
When the Sikh army reached the outskirts of Sadhaura, Usman
Khan’s cannons began showering shells on them, killing several Sikhs.
But, in spite of this, the Sikh forces continued their march. Very soon
they were able to break open one of the gates of the city. A fierce battle
was fought in the streets of Sadhaura between the Sikhs and the
Sadhaura army. During this expedition, the relatives of the martyr Pir
Budhu Shah extended their full support to the Sikhs so the Sikhs did
not face much difficulty in capturing the city. Now only the Fort remained
in the possession of Usman Khan, who had shut himself therein.
When the Sikhs were in the control of the town, several Nawabs,
ministers and umraa, with a flag of surrender in their hands and leaves
of grass in their mouths (symbolizing that they were poor cows), came
to the Sikh generals and begged for their (Sikhs’) mercy. Banda Singh
forgave them and told them, ‘Should you remain loyal, nothing will
happen to you.’