Battle of Gujerat
The Battle of Gujerat, fought on February 21, 1849, was a significant conflict during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, which was precipitated by rising tensions following the Treaty of Lahore that ended the First Anglo-Sikh War. The battle took place after the British faced difficulties in re-engaging the Sikhs following the previous Battle of Chilianwala, where they had suffered heavy losses. Under the command of Sir Hugh Gough, the British Army strategically bombarded the Sikh positions, effectively crippling their artillery and subsequently launching a decisive infantry assault. The Sikh forces, led by Shere Singh, were unable to withstand this onslaught and were ultimately routed. The aftermath of the battle marked a turning point, leading to the dissolution of the Sikh army and the annexation of the Punjab by the British Empire. This battle symbolizes the decline of Sikh power in the region and reflects the broader context of British colonial expansion in India during the 19th century.
On this Page
Battle of Gujerat
Type of action: Ground battle in the Second Anglo-Sikh War
Date: February 21, 1849
Location: Punjab, India
Combatants: British Army of the Punjab vs. Sikh Khalsa
Principal commanders:British, Sir Hugh Gough (1779–1869); Sikh, Shere Singh
Result: British victory and annexation of the Punjab
The harsh conditions imposed by the British in the 1846 Treaty of Lahore after the Sikh defeat in the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846) led to rebellion by Mulraj, the Sikh governor of Multan, which led to the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849). It consisted of two sieges of Multan, the Battle of Chilianwala (January 13, 1849), and the Battle of Gujerat.
Three days of torrential rain followed the Battle of Chilianwala, and the British were unable to engage the Sikhs to avenge their near defeat. On February 21, 1849, however, the two armies faced each other at Gujerat. Sir Hugh Gough, the commander in chief of the British army, carefully reconnoitered the Sikh lines of battle before commencing an artillery barrage that destroyed most of the Sikh guns. After the bombardment had stopped, he ordered the infantry attack that put the Sikh army, led by Shere Singh, to flight. The relentless pursuit destroyed the Sikh army once and for all.
Significance
As a result of the Battle of Gujerat, Sikh power in the Punjab was destroyed, the Sikh army was disbanded, and the Punjab was annexed by the British.
Bibliography
Cook, Hugh. The Sikh Wars: The British Army in the Punjab, 1845–1849. London: Leo Cooper, 1975.
Madra, Amandeep Singh. Warrior Saints: Three Centuries of the Sikh Military Tradition. London: I. B. Tauris, 1999.
Singh, Khushwant. How the Sikhs Lost Their Kingdom. New Delhi: UBS, 1996.
Singha, Bhagata. A History of the Sikh Misals. Patiala, India: Punjab University, 1993.