Battle of Ferozeshah
The Battle of Ferozeshah, occurring from December 11 to December 22, 1845, was a significant conflict during the First Anglo-Sikh War. The battle began when five divisions of Sikh forces crossed the River Sutlej, posing a threat to British troops under Major General Sir John Littler. In response, Littler retreated to join reinforcements commanded by General Sir Hugh Gough. The battle was marked by intense fighting, particularly on December 21, when Gough launched an attack on Sikh commander Lal Singh's camp. Despite being outnumbered, Gough's forces managed to take control of the camp amid heavy casualties on both sides. Notably, Sikh commander Tej Singh, who had a larger force available, chose not to engage fully, which contributed to the Sikh retreat. The British suffered approximately 3,300 casualties while the Sikhs faced losses exceeding 5,000. The outcome of the battle was pivotal, as it enabled British forces to capture significant artillery and set the stage for a decisive victory at Sobrāon in February 1846. This battle underscores the complexities and tactical decisions that shaped the dynamics of the conflict between the British and Sikh forces.
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Battle of Ferozeshah
Type of action: Ground battle in the First Anglo-Sikh War
Date: December 21-22, 1845
Location: 10 miles southeast of Ferozepore (Firozpur), India
Combatants: 22,000 British vs. 35,000-50,000 Sikhs
Principal commanders:British, General Sir Hugh Gough (1779–1869); Sikh, Lal Singh, Tej Singh
Result: Complete British victory
The Battle of Ferozeshah was the second battle in the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846). Beginning on December 11, 1845, five divisions of Sikhs crossed the River Sutlej and threatened Major General Sir John Littler’s division of 7,000 at Ferozepore. Littler withdrew southeast to join forces with the divisions of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Hardinge, Major General Sir Harry George Wakelyn Smith, and Major General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert, all under General Sir Hugh Gough’s command.
The two Sikh commanders, Lal Singh and Tej Singh, did not trust each other and kept their forces separate. Lal bivouacked at Ferozeshah, but Tej kept back near Ferozepore. Outnumbered in both men and artillery, Gough attacked Lal’s camp the afternoon of December 21 from the south and west. Fierce fighting continued through the night, with both sides sustaining heavy losses. Gough overran Lal’s camp and established defensive positions in it and to its north.
When Tej’s 30,000 fresh troops arrived from the northwest the afternoon of December 22, they easily could have wiped out the exhausted British forces. However, inexplicably, Tej only supported Lal with artillery and refused to attack. Lal, with casualties in excess of 5,000, retreated toward the Sutlej. British casualties were about 3,300.
Significance
General Gough’s tactics and initiative captured seventy-three guns, routed the Sikh army, and set the stage for the decisive British victory at Sobrāon (February 10, 1846).
Bibliography
Bruce, George. Six Battles for India: The Anglo-Sikh Wars, 1845–1846, 1848–1849. London: Arthur Barker, 1969.
Cook, Hugh C. B. The Sikh Wars: The British Army in the Punjab, 1845–1849. London: Cooper, 1975.
Featherstone, Donald F. All for a Shilling a Day. London: New English Library, 1973.
‗‗‗‗‗‗‗. At Them with the Bayonet! The First Sikh War. London: Jarrolds, 1968.
Guy, Alan J., R. N. W. Thomas, and Gerard Degroot, eds. Military Miscellany 1: Manuscripts from the Seven Years War, the First and Second Sikh Wars, and the First World War. Stroud, England: Sutton, 1997.
Innes, Arthur D., and Charles Gough. Annexation of Punjab. Delhi: National Book Shop, 1984.