A banker by profession, Salim Ansar has a passion for history and historic books. His personal library already boasts a treasure trove of over 7,000 rare and unique books.
Every week, we shall take a leaf from one such book and treat you to a little taste of history.
BOOK NAME: Chillianwala
AUTHOR: Major Moin
PUBLISHER: National Publishing House, Lahore
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1967
The following excerpt has been taken from Pages: 9-11 & 19-21
“In the past while there were many who fell a victim to temptations and betrayed their own at the time of crisis, there were always some who remained faithful to the last. They carried out struggle against the invaders heroically, even at times knowing the outcome to be utter ruin and defeat for them. Their short lived victories, triumphs and acts of valour against a superior and well-organised enemy could not be made known to their countrymen, because of the policy of foreign masters, but the great deeds of patriots cannot remain hidden for long.
“During the national uprising of Sikhs in Punjab in 1849, the commendable part played by Raja Chutter Singh, Raja Sher Sing, Outar Singh, Jawahir Singh Nalwa, Diwan Mulraj, the Sikh governor of Multan and their comrades in organizing and leading the Sikh nation against the British in those adverse conditions, evokes the admiration of all those who have patriotic feelings and have in their hearts national cause above all causes. This is the only battle of the two Sikh wars, where Sikh could fight under their honest and capable leaders. During the first Sikh army in field had suffered from constant palace intrigues and was betrayed by its own commanders.
“There were in the Sikh Army a few Muslim officers and a number of Muslim soldiers. The Sikh Artillery which played vital role in this battle was commanded by Ilahi Bukhsh. This was not a new thing. The relations of Sikhs and Muslims had become very cordial in the days of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The friendly relations between these two communities of the Punjab had to go a long way.
“Jawahir Singh Nalwa was the cavalry commander, whose cavalry maneuvers in this battle make a fascinating study. Jawahir’s father was Hari Singh Nalwa, a renowned General of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His adversary was General Thackwell, a competent British Cavalry General. Brigadier Pope, a cavalry commander was known for courage and acts of valour. Though sick, he refused to be hospitalized, led the cavalry charge and fell alongwith his many riders.
“Brigadier Pennyculck led the charge on foot through an un-reconnoitered jungle. His men silenced the Sikh guns but he fell mortally wounded along with his son, a young subaltern. Both were buried in one grave.
“Pennycuick’s action at Chillianwala can be compared with that of General Lord Cardigan wo was ordered to lead the charge of Light Brigade in the battle of Balaclava. Though such actions resulted in disaster, yet they showed the standard of discipline, the sense of honour and sacrifice on the part of British soldiers.
“Raja Sher Singh Atariwala, a Sikh chief of Punjab waged war against the British at a time when the Sikh nation seemed to have lost their Empire, because of the treachery of certain chiefs and their rulers. He fought against General Gough, an experienced and seasoned British General and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India. With the handicaps and meagre resources he had during the 2nd Sikh war, many a time he outmanoeuvred and outwitted the British General. While General Gough was mostly on the offensive, Raja Sher Singh fought a defensive war displaying offensive posture. In the battle of Chillianwala General Gough and some of his commanders ignored some principles of war because of the results of the battle remained indecisive. Raja Sher Singh who had successfully outmaneuvered and outwitted the British General did not pursue his gains. The violation of this rule of war made him suffer in the long run.
“There are some other lessons of war brought out so vividly in this battle. For instance the consequences of under valuing the enemy strength and capabilities; making frontal attack on a strongly fortified enemy position without reconnaissance and topographical information; sending infantry in attack without artillery support; making flank march in the presence of an enemy in position, fighting in jungle without observing the rules of jungle warfare, abandoning the battle positions and withdrawing at a time when the battle had gone in favour and the lack of effort on the part of the commander in exploiting his success and launching counter-offensive in time. Both sides suffered the consequences of the fault which they had committed and the penalty was heavy.
“This is the battle, which in fact had shaken the edifices of the British Empire in India. There was commotion in the British Parliament ‘when the news arrived that at Cillianwala, a British Army had fought to a draw by a wild Indian people.’ Duke of Wellington, then eighty, known for his cool and calm demeanour, on hearing what had happened at Cillianwala, got so much perturbed, that he told the unwilling Napier, ‘if you do not go (to India), I must.’
“There is no dearth of commendable deeds and display of valour and courage on the part of commanders and troops on both sides in this battle. Their praiseworthy deeds are recorded in books of history and the inscribed words on the British war memorial at Chillianwala show how close and terrible was this combat.
National Uprising
“After this 1st Sikh War, Punjab remained apparently quiet under the control of the British. But the Sikh nation had not reconciled to the idea of foreign subjugation. After the battle of Sabraon the soldiers and the people from whom they were enlisted had recognised that they had been betrayed, that they and their country had been sacrificed to the chiefs who were now reaping the reward. There was a danger of national uprising. The English were under the wrong impression that there would be no war in India for the next ten years. Lord Hardinge, the British Governor-General had ordered a reduction in the army and had generally accepted the idea that there would not be a single shot fired in India for another ten years. Seeing that the affairs in the Punjab were progressing in a satisfactory manner, Sir Henry Lawrence, the British resident at Lahore left for England with Lord Hardinge, Sir F. Currie succeeded him. The crisis which occurred soon after Sir Currie had assumed control at Lahore, was like this.
“Mulraj, the son of Sawan Mall succeeded his father in 1844 as Diwan (Governor) of Multan. On his succession Diwan Mulraj was expected to pay thirty lacs to Lahore Durbar. At that time the Government of Lahore was in a state of revolution and the payment could not be made. After the 1st Sikh War in 1846 when Lal Singh, the Premier of Maharani Jindah demanded payment, and sent troops for this purpose, the matter took a serious turn. By that time the treachery of Lal Singh and Tej Singh had been known to the people. Everyone had known it that these two persons were amongst those who destroyed the Sikh army and paved way for the British victory. Naturally a patriot like Diwan Mulraj would have felt hesitant to abide by the orders sent by Lal Sing. Mulraj refused compliance and routed the troops sent by Lal Singh near Jhang.
“The British intervened and persuaded Mulraj to accept the following terms:
1. Mulraj should give up the district of Jhang, north of Multan and also one-third of the territory held by him.
2. He should pay twenty lacs as the succession fee.
3. He should raise the revenues more than one-third from the districts held by him.
“For the time being Mulraj accepted the conditions put forward by the victors, but he was not satisfied. The regency under the influence of the British resident also passed on order giving his (Mulraj) people a right to appeal against his judicial decision. It specially weighed upon him.
“Diwan Mulraj came to Lahore and tendered his resignation. He was received by John Lawrence and after a good deal of efforts, he was made to agree on the following:
1. That his resignation should be accepted, but it should be kept secret from Lahore Durbar.
2. His resignation should take effect from the end of the following April, upto which time Mulraj was to account for the revenue.
3. British officers should proceed to Multan to be initiated by Mulraj into the administration of the country and ultimately to be installed by him in his place.
“Mulraj apparently accepted the above conditions and returned to Multan. The British made another effort that Mulraj should withdraw the resignation. But he refused. Then Sir F. Currie, the British resident with the consultation of Lahore Burbar resolved to carry out the 3rd clause of the agreement made between John Lawrence and Mulraj, and decided to send two English officers to Multan to be initiated in the affairs of the province. For this purpose Mr. Currie selected P A Vans Agnew of the civil services and Lieutenant W. A. Anderson.
“At that time the national feelings amongst the Sikhs were rising against the British. The revengeful spirit and the determinations to regain the lost honour and territories from the foreigners prevailed everywhere. Diwan Mulraj was amongst those who had not reconciled to the idea of foreign subjugation and he had planned to overthrow the invaders and punish the traitors. It appears that the plan he made along with the other nationalists was as follows:
1. To create general awakening amongst the Sikh nationalists by making them realize that they were betrayed and that the British did not vanquish them in a fair fight.
2. To wait till Sir Henry Lawrence would leave for England, and start hostilities at the hottest season of the year.
“The Sikh nationalists had succeeded in creating general awakening. A British historian writes, ‘Our two years sway had not proved popular, and the able-bodied flocked to the rebel standards of the chiefs, even from districts under our immediate supervision and control, without the slightest check and hindrance.’
“Such was the state of affairs when Mr. Curries despatched Agnew and Anderson to Multan for getting training and ultimately taking over the administration of the province from Diwan Mulraj. Fourteen hundred troops from the Sikh army were detailed to escort them. The contingent was commanded by a Sikh chief Sirdar Kahan Singh, who was to succeed Diwan Mulraj as governor of Multan. Sirdar Kahan Singh was loyal to the British cause and the Sikhs regency.
“The hot season had set in. The two British officers and Sirdar Kahan Singh travelled by water, while the troops marched by land route. The two parties met each other near Multan on 19th April. They encamped at the Idgah, a place near the fort and about a mile from Mulraj’s residence. Diwan Mulraj met them on 18th and it was decided that he would hand over the fort to Kahan Singh the following morning.”
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