Afghan–Sikh Wars: Difference between revisions

Afghan-Sikh Wars
Date	First Phase: November 1751 – May 1765; Second Phase: December 1766 – 1799; Third Phase: 1800 – 1837
Location	Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Pakistan and Afghanistan
Result	Sikh territorial changes
Belligerents
Durrani Empire (1751-1826); Emirate of Afghanistan (1823-1837); Afghan tribesmen (1751-1837)	Khalsa (1751-1837); Dal Khalsa (1748-1765); Misldar Army (1765-1800); Sikh Empire (1800-1837); Sikh Khalsa Army (1799-1837)
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Shah Durrani; Timur Shah Durrani; Mir Mannu; Shah Zaman; Fateh Khan; Dost Muhammad Khan; Nawab Muzaffar Khan †; Azim Khan; Syed Akbar Shah †; Sultan Mohammad Shah; Akbar Khan	Akali Baba Deep Singh †; Nawab Kapur Singh; Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba & Badesha Sardars; Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia; Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgharia; Sardar Hari Singh Bhangi; Sardar Charat Singh; Sardar Maha Singh; Baba Ala Singh; Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab; Misr Diwan Chand; Jarnail Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa †; Sher Singh Sandhanwalia; Kanwar Nau Nihal Singh; Sardar Sham Singh; Sardar Chattar Singh; Sardar Sher Singh; Kharak Singh; Mahan Singh Mirpuri; Akali Phula Singh †; Akali Sadhu Singh †; Akali Naina Singh; Sardar Lehna Singh; Sardar Ranjodh Singh; Jean-Francois Allard; Jean-Baptiste Ventura; Claude Auguste Court

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The Afghan–Sikh wars were a series of wars between the Islamic Durrani Empire (centred in present-day Afghanistan), and the Sikh Empire (located in the Punjab region). The conflict had its origins stemming from the days of the Dal Khalsa.

Background

The Sikh Confederacy had effectively achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the Sikh holocaust of 1746. The Afsharid Persian emperor Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader's death in 1747, the Durrani Empire (roughly covering modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.

Battle of Attock

This battle started with the Battle of Attock, also known as the Battle of Chuch or the Battle of Haidru. This was the significant victory of the Sikhs over the Afghans. In the battle's aftermath, Sikhs seized control of Attock District. After his defeat at Attock, Fatteh Khan Barakzai, the vizier of Kabul, fought off an attempt by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the ruler of Persia, and his son Ali Mirza to capture the Durrani province of Herat.

Battle of Multan

The Battle of Multan was the second battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars. It lasted from March 1818 to 2 June 1818.^[2] This battle ended the Durrani influence in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and led to the Sikhs holding the city of Peshawar.

Battle of Shopian

The Battle of Shopian was different from the first two battles, due to it taking place in the Kashmir region, more specifically Shopian. This was the third battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and the third Sikh victory. This battle included the 1819 Kashmir expedition, which led to Kashmir being annexed to the Sikh Empire.^[3] After taking Srinagar, the Sikh army faced no major opposition in conquering Kashmir. The Sikh Empire had controlled all of Kashmir.^[4]

Battle of Nowshera

The Battle of Nowshera wasn't fought by the Durranis, but by a Pashtun force with support of the Durranis. This was the 4th battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and 4th Sikh victory.^[5] After this, the Sikhs again came in possession of Peshawar, along with the whole Khyber Pass.

Battle of Jamrud

The Battle of Jamrud was the 5th and foremost battle within the Afghan–Sikh wars. The Afghans had been losing their territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to conflicts against Persia, and had seen their territory shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The loss of Peshawar was the most important as the inhabitants of the region included fellow Pashtuns and the city was the considered the second capital of Afghans, so they set to reclaim it.^[6]

Hari Singh was fatally injured and later died of injuries. Afghans couldn't occupy the fort nor were able to gain possession of Peshawar.^[7]^[8]The result of the battle is disputed amongst historians. Some contend the failure of the Afghans to take the fort as a victory for the Sikhs.^[9] Whereas, some state an Afghan victory,^[10] James Norris, Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University, states that the battle's outcome was inconclusive.^[11]

References

^ Nalwa, V. (2009), Hari Singh Nalwa – Champion of the Khalsaji, New Delhi: Manohar, p. 198, ISBN 81-7304-785-5.
^ Jaques 2006, p. 81
^ Chopra 1928, p. 26
^ Chopra 1928, p. 26
^ Ganda Singh (1986) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Nirmal Publishers
^ The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, by Byron Farwell Published by W.W. Norton, 2001. ISBN 0-393-04770-9, ISBN 978-0-393-04770-7.
^ Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. p. 43. Inspite of all their efforts, however, the Afghans could neither occupy the fort of Jamrud nor dislodge the Sikhs from their position and gain possession of Peshawar.
^ Tom Lansford (2017). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. p. 21,22. In 1837, Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan gathered an army to push the Sikhs back from the Khyber pass. They laid siege to the Sikh fort at Jamrud. A Sikh army advanced to relieve the siege, and the two forces met at the Battle of Jamrud. The Sikhs defeated the Afghans. The battle marked the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars.
^
Several scholars consider Sikhs to have been victorious:
- Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."
- Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1
- Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."
^
Other scholars consider the Afghans to have been victorious:
- Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."
- Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."
^ John, Norris; Norris, J. A. (1967), The First Afghan War 1838-1842, Cambridge University Press, p. 109, ISBN 978-0-521-05838-4: "The resulting Battle of Jamrud on 30 April 1837 was a bloody Sikh-Afghan encounter where both sides suffered severe losses. The outcome was largely inconclusive but served to further inflame the continued cross-border feuding and induced the Afghans to seek assistance from the Russian-influenced Persians."

Background

The Sikh Confederacy had effectively achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the Sikh holocaust of 1746. The Afsharid Persian emperor Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader's death in 1747, the Durrani Empire (roughly covering modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.

Battle of Attock

This battle started with the Battle of Attock, also known as the Battle of Chuch or the Battle of Haidru. This was the significant victory of the Sikhs over the Afghans. In the battle's aftermath, Sikhs seized control of Attock District. After his defeat at Attock, Fatteh Khan Barakzai, the vizier of Kabul, fought off an attempt by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the ruler of Persia, and his son Ali Mirza to capture the Durrani province of Herat.

Battle of Multan

The Battle of Multan was the second battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars. It lasted from March 1818 to 2 June 1818.^[1] This battle ended the Durrani influence in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and led to the Sikhs holding the city of Peshawar.

Battle of Shopian

The Battle of Shopian was different from the first two battles, due to it taking place in the Kashmir region, more specifically Shopian. This was the third battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and the third Sikh victory. This battle included the 1819 Kashmir expedition, which led to Kashmir being annexed to the Sikh Empire.^[2] After taking Srinagar, the Sikh army faced no major opposition in conquering Kashmir. The Sikh Empire had controlled all of Kashmir.^[3]

Battle of Nowshera

The Battle of Nowshera wasn't fought by the Durranis, but by a Pashtun force with support of the Durranis. This was the 4th battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and 4th Sikh victory.^[4] After this, the Sikhs again came in possession of Peshawar, along with the whole Khyber Pass.

Battle of Jamrud

The Battle of Jamrud was the 5th and foremost battle within the Afghan–Sikh wars. The Afghans had been losing their territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to conflicts against Persia, and had seen their territory shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The loss of Peshawar was the most important as the inhabitants of the region included fellow Pashtuns and the city was the considered the second capital of Afghans, so they set to reclaim it.^[5]

Hari Singh was fatally injured and later died of injuries. Afghans couldn't occupy the fort nor were able to gain possession of Peshawar.^[6]^[7]The result of the battle is disputed amongst historians. Some contend the failure of the Afghans to take the fort as a victory for the Sikhs.^[8] Whereas, some state an Afghan victory,^[9] James Norris, Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University, states that the battle's outcome was inconclusive.^[10]

References

^ Jaques 2006, p. 81
^ Chopra 1928, p. 26
^ Chopra 1928, p. 26
^ Ganda Singh (1986) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Nirmal Publishers
^ The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, by Byron Farwell Published by W.W. Norton, 2001. ISBN 0-393-04770-9, ISBN 978-0-393-04770-7.
^ Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. p. 43. Inspite of all their efforts, however, the Afghans could neither occupy the fort of Jamrud nor dislodge the Sikhs from their position and gain possession of Peshawar.
^ Tom Lansford (2017). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. p. 21,22. In 1837, Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan gathered an army to push the Sikhs back from the Khyber pass. They laid siege to the Sikh fort at Jamrud. A Sikh army advanced to relieve the siege, and the two forces met at the Battle of Jamrud. The Sikhs defeated the Afghans. The battle marked the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars.
^
Several scholars consider Sikhs to have been victorious:
- Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."
- Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1
- Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."
^
Other scholars consider the Afghans to have been victorious:
- Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."
- Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."
^ John, Norris; Norris, J. A. (1967), The First Afghan War 1838-1842, Cambridge University Press, p. 109, ISBN 978-0-521-05838-4: "The resulting Battle of Jamrud on 30 April 1837 was a bloody Sikh-Afghan encounter where both sides suffered severe losses. The outcome was largely inconclusive but served to further inflame the continued cross-border feuding and induced the Afghans to seek assistance from the Russian-influenced Persians."

[1] Nalwa, V. (2009), Hari Singh Nalwa – Champion of the Khalsaji, New Delhi: Manohar, p. 198, ISBN 81-7304-785-5.

[2] Jaques 2006, p. 81

[3] Chopra 1928, p. 26

[4] Chopra 1928, p. 26

[5] Ganda Singh (1986) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Nirmal Publishers

[6] The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, by Byron Farwell Published by W.W. Norton, 2001. ISBN 0-393-04770-9, ISBN 978-0-393-04770-7.

[Lafont-7] Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. p. 43. Inspite of all their efforts, however, the Afghans could neither occupy the fort of Jamrud nor dislodge the Sikhs from their position and gain possession of Peshawar.

[LansfordTom-8] Tom Lansford (2017). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. p. 21,22. In 1837, Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan gathered an army to push the Sikhs back from the Khyber pass. They laid siege to the Sikh fort at Jamrud. A Sikh army advanced to relieve the siege, and the two forces met at the Battle of Jamrud. The Sikhs defeated the Afghans. The battle marked the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars.

[9] Several scholars consider Sikhs to have been victorious:
Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."

Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1

Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."

[10] Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."

[11] Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1

[12] Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."

[10] Other scholars consider the Afghans to have been victorious:
Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."

Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."

[14] Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."

[15] Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."

[11] John, Norris; Norris, J. A. (1967), The First Afghan War 1838-1842, Cambridge University Press, p. 109, ISBN 978-0-521-05838-4: "The resulting Battle of Jamrud on 30 April 1837 was a bloody Sikh-Afghan encounter where both sides suffered severe losses. The outcome was largely inconclusive but served to further inflame the continued cross-border feuding and induced the Afghans to seek assistance from the Russian-influenced Persians."

[12] Jaques 2006, p. 81

[13] Chopra 1928, p. 26

[14] Chopra 1928, p. 26

[15] Ganda Singh (1986) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Nirmal Publishers

[16] The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, by Byron Farwell Published by W.W. Norton, 2001. ISBN 0-393-04770-9, ISBN 978-0-393-04770-7.

[Lafont-17] Jean Marie Lafont (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. p. 43. Inspite of all their efforts, however, the Afghans could neither occupy the fort of Jamrud nor dislodge the Sikhs from their position and gain possession of Peshawar.

[LansfordTom-18] Tom Lansford (2017). Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century. p. 21,22. In 1837, Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan gathered an army to push the Sikhs back from the Khyber pass. They laid siege to the Sikh fort at Jamrud. A Sikh army advanced to relieve the siege, and the two forces met at the Battle of Jamrud. The Sikhs defeated the Afghans. The battle marked the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars.

[19] Several scholars consider Sikhs to have been victorious:
Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."

Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1

Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."

[25] Hasrat, Bikrama Jit (1977), Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism, V.V. Research Institute Book Agency, p. 137: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."

[26] Paddy, Docherty (31 July 2010), Khyber pass, Il Saggiatore, pp. 186–187, ISBN 978-88-6576-029-1

[27] Ingram, Edward (1993), "India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War", in A. Hamish Ion; Elizabeth Jane Errington (eds.), Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 44, ISBN 978-0-275-93965-6: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."

[20] Other scholars consider the Afghans to have been victorious:
Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."

Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."

[29] Roberts, Jeffery J. (2003), The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 4, ISBN 978-0-275-97878-5: "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."

[30] Clements, Frank; Adamec, Ludwig W. (2003), Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia, ABC-CLIO, p. 74, ISBN 978-1-85109-402-8: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."

[21] John, Norris; Norris, J. A. (1967), The First Afghan War 1838-1842, Cambridge University Press, p. 109, ISBN 978-0-521-05838-4: "The resulting Battle of Jamrud on 30 April 1837 was a bloody Sikh-Afghan encounter where both sides suffered severe losses. The outcome was largely inconclusive but served to further inflame the continued cross-border feuding and induced the Afghans to seek assistance from the Russian-influenced Persians."

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@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 __TOC__
+== Background ==
+The [[Sikh Confederacy]] had effectively achieved independence from the [[Mughal Empire]] in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the [[Sikh holocaust of 1746]]. The Afsharid Persian emperor [[Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire]] (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader's death in 1747, the [[Durrani Empire]] (roughly covering modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.
+==Battle of Attock==
+This battle started with the [[Battle of Attock]], also known as the Battle of Chuch or the Battle of Haidru. This was the significant victory of the Sikhs over the Afghans. In the battle's aftermath, Sikhs seized control of [[Attock District]]. After his defeat at Attock, Fatteh Khan Barakzai, the vizier of Kabul, fought off an attempt by [[Fath-Ali Shah Qajar]], the ruler of Persia, and his son Ali Mirza to capture the Durrani province of Herat.
+==Battle of Multan==
+The [[Battle of Multan]] was the second battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars. It lasted from March 1818 to 2 June 1818.<ref>Jaques 2006, p. 81</ref> This battle ended the Durrani influence in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and led to the Sikhs holding the city of Peshawar.
+==Battle of Shopian==
+The [[Battle of Shopian]] was different from the first two battles, due to it taking place in the [[Kashmir]] region, more specifically [[Shopian]]. This was the third battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and the third Sikh victory. This battle included the 1819 Kashmir expedition, which led to Kashmir being annexed to the Sikh Empire.<ref>Chopra 1928, p. 26</ref> After taking Srinagar, the Sikh army faced no major opposition in conquering Kashmir. The Sikh Empire had controlled all of Kashmir.<ref>Chopra 1928, p. 26</ref>
+==Battle of Nowshera==
+The [[Battle of Nowshera]] wasn't fought by the Durranis, but by a Pashtun force with support of the Durranis. This was the 4th battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars and 4th Sikh victory.<ref>Ganda Singh (1986) Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Nirmal Publishers</ref> After this, the Sikhs again came in possession of Peshawar, along with the whole [[Khyber Pass]].
+==Battle of Jamrud==
+{{main|Battle of Jamrud}}
+The [[Battle of Jamrud]] was the 5th and foremost battle within the Afghan–Sikh wars. The Afghans had been losing their territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to conflicts against [[Persia]], and had seen their territory shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The loss of Peshawar was the most important as the inhabitants of the region included fellow Pashtuns and the city was the considered the second capital of Afghans, so they set to reclaim it.<ref>The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, by Byron Farwell Published by W.W. Norton, 2001. {{ISBN|0-393-04770-9}}, {{ISBN|978-0-393-04770-7}}.</ref>
+Hari Singh was fatally injured and later died of injuries. Afghans couldn't occupy the fort nor were able to gain possession of Peshawar.<ref name="Lafont">{{cite book |author=Jean Marie Lafont |title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YrG_aJTgnw0C&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=battle+of+jamrud&source=bl&ots=Ix79SzKjGb&sig=ACfU3U2HWP7GZlNDwFn3GNQqT7d_7M2L3g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6iM_Us9HnAhVGZc0KHej3ABE4ChDoATAQegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=battle%20of%20jamrud&f=false |year=2002 |page=43 |quote=Inspite of all their efforts, however, the Afghans could neither occupy the fort of Jamrud nor dislodge the Sikhs from their position and gain possession of Peshawar.}}</ref><ref name="LansfordTom">{{cite book |author=Tom Lansford |title=Afghanistan at War: From the 18th-Century Durrani Dynasty to the 21st Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XxwIDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA408&lpg=PA408&dq=600+killed+saragarhi&source=bl&ots=-3QStqxh3a&sig=ACfU3U2z65FIc2c1n4pDl8fVjLhWA089wQ&hl=en&ppis=_e&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE_7T1_aPnAhXfAZ0JHX4HBEs4HhDoATAAegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=600%20killed%20saragarhi&f=false |year=2017 |page=21,22 |quote=In 1837, Afghan ruler Dost Mohammed Khan gathered an army to push the Sikhs back from the Khyber pass. They laid siege to the Sikh fort at Jamrud. A Sikh army advanced to relieve the siege, and the two forces met at the Battle of Jamrud. The Sikhs defeated the Afghans. The battle marked the end of the Afghan-Sikh wars.}}</ref>The result of the battle is disputed amongst historians. Some contend the failure of the Afghans to take the fort as a victory for the Sikhs.<ref>Several scholars consider Sikhs to have been victorious:
+* {{citation |last=Hasrat |first=Bikrama Jit |title=Life and Times of Ranjit Singh: A Saga of Benevolent Despotism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPgdAAAAMAAJ |year=1977 |publisher=V.V. Research Institute Book Agency |p=137}}: "The doubtful Sikh victory at Jamrud in 1837 had made it clear to Ranjit Singh that policy of hatred and repression in the northwestern frontier so far pursued had failed in its objective."
+* {{citation |last=Paddy |first=Docherty |title=Khyber pass |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ih1BwwkutnEC |date=31 July 2010 |publisher=Il Saggiatore |isbn=978-88-6576-029-1 |pp=186–187}}
+* {{citation |last=Ingram |first=Edward |chapter=India and the North-West Frontier: The First Afghan War |editor1=A. Hamish Ion |editor2=Elizabeth Jane Errington |title=Great Powers and Little Wars: The Limits of Power |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B8WEDx_eX5EC&pg=PA44 |year=1993 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-93965-6 |pages=44}}: "The second was Peshawar, which controlled the entry to the Khyber Pass and had been seized in 1834 by Ranjit Singh from Dost Mohammed, Who tried in 1837 to get it back but lost his chance at the Battle of Jamrud."</ref> Whereas, some state an Afghan victory,<ref>Other scholars consider the Afghans to have been victorious:
+* {{citation |last=Roberts |first=Jeffery J. |title=The Origins of Conflict in Afghanistan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pj8DIT_bva0C&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=Jeffery+J.+Roberts+The+Origins+of+Conflict+in+Afghanistan+jamrud&source=bl&ots=-D9Zg7OQxH&sig=ACfU3U0WWJo1wCW2Iqj0unFAbmiziwhccg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizwqSynNLnAhXkmOAKHZI4B5AQ6AEwCnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Jeffery%20J.%20Roberts%20The%20Origins%20of%20Conflict%20in%20Afghanistan%20jamrud&f=false |year=2003 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-97878-5 |p=4}}:  "In 1837 Dost's son, Akbar Khan, led an Afghan army to victory at Jamrud. Akbar, however, did not follow up his success with an advance to Peshawar, and the city remained in Sikh hands."
+* {{citation |last1=Clements |first1=Frank |last2=Adamec |first2=Ludwig W. |title=Conflict in Afghanistan: A Historical Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bv4hzxpo424C&pg=PR16&dq=frank+clements+Conflict+in+Afghanistan:+A+Historical+Encyclopedia+jamrud&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgw4qWo9LnAhVHCM0KHYmxDTsQ6AEwAHoECAAQAg#v=onepage&q=frank%20clements%20Conflict%20in%20Afghanistan%3A%20A%20Historical%20Encyclopedia%20jamrud&f=false |year=2003 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-85109-402-8 |p=74}}: "Dost Mohammed Khan defeated the Sikhs at the Battle of Jamrud in 1837."</ref> James Norris, Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University, states that the battle's outcome was inconclusive.<ref>{{citation |last1=John |first1=Norris |last2=Norris |first2=J. A. |title=The First Afghan War 1838-1842 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GuHlEZPBn5EC |year=1967 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-05838-4 |p=109}}: "The resulting Battle of Jamrud on 30  April 1837 was a bloody Sikh-Afghan encounter where both sides suffered severe losses. The outcome was largely inconclusive but served to further inflame the continued cross-border feuding and induced the Afghans to seek assistance from the Russian-influenced Persians."</ref>
+==See also==
+* [[Battles fought by Sikhs]]
+==References==
+{{reflist}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Afghan-Sikh wars}}
+[[Category:Wars involving Afghanistan]]
+[[Category:Wars involving India]]
+[[Category:History of the Durrani Empire]]
+[[Category:Sikh Empire]]
+[[Category:Battles involving the Sikhs]]
 == Background ==