Page 76 - Lohgarh

Chapter 5

Banda Singh Bahadur’s Actions

from Lohgarh

Preparations for Attack on Sarhind

By April 1710, Banda Singh had freed most of the territory around
Sarhind from the Mughal rulers. The land between Yamuna and Satluj
rivers, including eight Forts was in the possession of Banda Singh. Though
Sarhind was not a province (it was under Delhi state), but it was a major
centre of power of the Mughal Empire; hence it was treated just like a
province. It had 28 Parganas and its income was 52 lakh rupees in 1710.
That is why it was known as Baawani Sarhind (Baawani means fifty-
two). The governorship of such a province could be given to a senior
person only. Mirza Askari (known more as Wazir Khan) had an Irani
background and was amongst the most loyal persons of Aurangzeb. He
had a mansab for two thousand horsemen, and, the land between Satluj
and Jamuna/Yamuna rivers was under his administration. The Chiefs of
Malerkotla, Rupar (now Ropar), Machhiwara etc. were under Wazir
Khan.
On May 1710, Banda Singh decided to attack this powerful enemy,
the ruler of Sarhind. Wazir Khan too had got the information about the
forthcoming attack by the Sikhs. He had in his mind that the Sikhs had
already captured eight Forts and major towns. He was also angry for
the Sikhs’ attack on his former village Kunjpura. Thus, he wanted to
crush them (the Sikhs). At that time, Banda Singh was in Chhat-Banur
forest.
Wazir Khan sent messages to his neighbours to be ready for a battle
against the Sikhs. He raised the flag of Jehad (holy war) and instigated