The Fall of Sirhind
A once powerful Mughal stronghold; the city Sirhind. Weakened in 1710. Fell in 1764. The city had long been a symbol of oppression for the Punjabis - especially the Sikhs. The tyrannous Governor, Wazir Khan had oppressed the people. An act that would never be forgotten, and so Sirhind would not suffer once, but twice - each time losing more of its power and fading further into history.
Sirhind: A mainstay of Mughal Power
For many years of the Mughal era, Sirhind was a key administrative and military centre, having control over significant trade routes between Delhi and Lahore - two of the many Mughal capitals. Sirhind was heavily fortified, strategically located, and wealthy from trade and taxation; in relation to Punjab, the city was second to Lahore in terms of ranking. Therefore, it was naturally home to the powerful elite of the Mughal Empire, many of whom upheld the imperial rule and policies in Punjab. Sirhind’s governors and leaders had access to some of the largest armies, war elephants, and artillery, making the city extremely difficult to conquer.
Wazir Khan - The infamous Governor:
Wazir Khan was the Governor of Sirhind in the early 1700s, he was characterised by his cunning and ruthless administration. His rise to power was through his loyalty to the Mughal imperial authority, and his efficiency in collecting revenue. Originally named Mirza Askari, his governance of Sirhind was blackened by corruption, brutality, and oppression - particularly towards the Sikh of Punjab. Additionally, he imposed exorbitant taxes on all peasants, ruthlessly punished dissent, and was known to exploit his position for personal gain. His administration was known for land seizures, unjust imprisonments, and unnecessary cruel treatment.
Alongside constant corruption, and oppression, the governor’s most infamous act was the execution of Guru Gobind Singh’s young sons in December of 1705. This would lead to his demise as it made him one of the most hated figures in Sikh history. His governance further exaggerated tensions between the Mughal elite, and Punjabi- Sikh resistance.
The First strike: Banda Singh Bahadur’s Victory (1710)
In 1710, after years of suffering at the hands of corrupt Mughal officials, Banda Singh Bahadur led the Punjabis/ Sikhs against their oppressors. This revolt had multiple driving factors - the Sikhs sought vengeance for their martyrs, the Punjabis sought to abolish the Mughal land ownership system and farm freely, and all parties sought independent control over the Punjab region. They marched towards Sirhind. The Wazir prepared his forces too, but having heard of the destruction of previous battles, had his forces meet Banda Singh’s army at Chappar Chiri - a battlefield outside Sirhind, to save the city from the impending damage.
The battle was fierce. The stakes were high. Wazir Khan was destroyed.
Wazir Khan met his demise, and Sirhind began to collapse from the Mughal perspective, as for the Punjabis, they had made a significant blow to Mughal authority and were closer to their goal.
Banda Singh Bahadur destroyed the Mughal outposts, and redistributed land to the oppressed farmers. However, the victory was short-lived. The Mughals regrouped and launched a fierce counteroffensive. By 1716, Banda Singh Bahadur was captured and executed in Delhi. Sirhind, though weakened, was restored to Mughal control - but its power was never the same again.
Between the Two blows: The Rise of Sikh Power
Though Sirhind was reclaimed by the Mughals, its downfall had begun. Over the next few decades, the Sikh misls - Punjabi confederacy emerged as dominant forces in Punjab. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia of the Ahluwalia Misl, Baba Ala Singh of the Phulkian Misl, and other leaders of Punjab continued resisting Mughal rule.
The Punjabis, now operating in loosely coordinated bands, raided Mughal supply lines and disrupted administration. Baba Ala Singh gradually expanded his territory, while Jassa Singh Ahluwalia led the Dal Khalsa - a Sikh army in major campaigns against imperial rule. Sirhind was once a centre of Mughal strength, but now found itself under constant siege - it was only a matter of time before it fell. Again.
The Second Fall: The Battle of Sirhind (1764)
By 1764, the Mughals were weakened beyond recovery. The combined Sikh forces launched a final offensive against Sirhind. This time, the battle was decisive. The remnants of Mughal authority were swept away, and Sirhind was sacked once more - this time, permanently.
The victors divided the land amongst themselves. Baba Ala Singh took control of Patiala, setting the foundation for what would become one of the most powerful Sikh princely states - The Princely State of Patiala. The other Sikh misls distributed the remaining land, ensuring that the Mughals would never rule Punjab again.
What Happened to Sirhind?
After its second fall, Sirhind never regained its former status. It was largely abandoned and faded into insignificance. Much of its infrastructure was destroyed, and many of its grand buildings were left in ruins. The city that had once been a jewel in the Mughal crown had faded away.
Over time, smaller settlements developed around the area, but Sirhind never became a major centre of power again. Today, it is a quiet town in Punjab.
The fall of Sirhind marked the end of Mughal dominance in Punjab and paved the way for the rise of the Sikh Empire. It was also an act of justice - retribution for the Sikh martyrs, and the suffering farmers.
A depiction of the ruins of Sirhind.
To the ruins of Sirhind, who whisper the weight of history. To the battles that ended oppression, may you still echo across Punjab. With veneration - TrishSaab.