Banda Singh Bahadur now went to Chamba from Mandi via Kullu. During his stay in Chamba, Banda Bahadur married a Chamba girl. Later in the year 1711a son named Ajit Singh was born to them at Riasi where he was camping. In the beginning of February/March 1711Banda Bahadur visited Raipur and Bahrampur. He began extending his influence in Gurdaspur. Bayzid Khan, the faujdar of Jammu and his nephew Shamas Khan was then in Raipur. When they received the news of the Sikh army marching towards Raipur they hastily gathered 1,500 horses and army men for protection. Shamas Khan went out to attack the Sikhs but was easily tricked by them. The Sikhs pretended to flee at the sight of Shamas Khan, who, in spite of the warning of his uncle Bayzid Khan pursued them at close quarters. All of a sudden the Sikhs turned their heels and leapt upon their pursuers. A fierce battle ensued and the Mohammedans were driven back. Several soldiers were killed and wounded. When Bayzid Khan and Shamas Khan saw that they were losing the war they rushed to attack the advancing Sikhs under Baj Singh and others. Baj Singh and Fateh Singh came out to meet them. Shamas Khan was eventually killed by Pahar Singh who cut his head with his sword. Bayzid Khan was also wounded and died a few days later. With the fall of their leaders, the Muslim soldiers took to their heels. The complete camp of faujdar of Jammu and Shamas Khan was captured by the Sikhs who overran the town of Raipur and Bahrampur. Later they advanced on the parganas of Kalanaur and Batala. Banda Bahadur next arrived at the Tank of Achal, 2 kms to the east of Batala with his force. The inhabitants shut the gates and made arrangements for its defence. Shaikh Ul Hind with his followers went out of Hathi Gate to meet Banda Bahadur. A fierce battle took place but he was overpowered and killed. The Sikh forces broke open the gates and entered the city. Banda Bahadur wished to advance towards Lahore, but upon receiving the news that he was being followed by the Mughal army, he sacked Aurangabad and Pasrur. Muhammed Amin Khan and Rustam Dil Khan along with their forces tried to stop the Sikhs but they efficiently extricated themselves without any loss. Banda Bahadur kept moving on their outskirts. When he had given them a slip, he suddenly emerged from the opposite direction near Parol and Kathua, and fell upon the troops of Rustam Dil Khan. Rustam Dil Khan and his army strived hard but could not stop the Sikhs who easily escaped unhurt massacring the imperial troops and destroying everything that came their way. Rustam Dil Khan could not take his defeat. An imperial order was issued for the indiscriminate massacre of the Sikhs. The oppression was carried out most randomly. Several people were murdered and persecuted on charges of being Sikhs or their supporters and sympathizers. The Hindus were ordered to shave off their beards. The beard was considered to be the only visible distinction between the Sikhs and Hindus as the Sikhs would under no circumstances, even under pain of death, cut or shave off their beards. Bahadur Shah reached Lahore on 23 June 1711 and set up his camp at Anvvala near the bank of Ravi River. He had developed some mental ailment and his health started failing. On 28 February 1712 he expired. The Bahadur Shah's death was followed by the usual struggle for the throne amongst his sons. Ultimately Jahandar Shah after killing his brothers Jahan Shah and Rafi-us-Shan in a battle fought on 27 March 1712 ascended the Mughal throne on 29 March 1712. The period of struggle for the imperial throne and the disturbed state of affairs at Lahore and Delhi from February 1712 till 1713 was extremely favourable for the re-establishment of the power of the Khalsa. Banda Bahadur also occupied Sadhaura and repaired and renovated the fort of Lohgarh for further use. |