Battle of Sobrāon
The Battle of Sobrāon was a significant engagement during the First Anglo-Sikh War, fought in 1846 along the Sutlej River in India. Following the earlier Battle of Aliwal, the Sikhs maintained a fortified position with heavy garrisons commanded by Tej Singh and Lal Singh. British forces, led by Sir Hugh Gough and several major generals, launched an assault on the Sikh entrenchments early in the morning. Despite a fierce exchange of artillery, the British were able to break through the Sikh defenses later in the morning. In the aftermath of the battle, the Sikhs attempted to retreat, but were hindered by high river levels and the collapse of a bridge, resulting in a tragic loss of life, with over 10,000 Sikh soldiers reportedly killed. The British sustained significantly fewer casualties, totaling 320 killed and over 2,000 wounded. The battle ultimately led to the British occupation of Lahore and a brief period of peace in the region. The outcome of the Battle of Sobrāon was pivotal in shaping the course of British-Sikh relations and the broader historical context of colonial expansion in India.
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Battle of Sobrāon
Type of action: Ground battle in the First Anglo-Sikh War
Date: February 10, 1846
Location: South shore of the Sutlej River, thirty miles south of Amritsar, India
Combatants: 30,000 British vs. 25,000-40,000 Sikhs
Principal commanders:British, General Sir Hugh Gough (1779–1869); Sikh, Lal Singh, Tej Singh
Result: Decisive British victory ended the war
After the Battle of Aliwal in the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846), the Sikhs abandoned all territory south of the Sutlej except a three-mile stretch of shoreline, which they fortified heavily. Tej Singh commanded the garrison of a nest of concentric entrenchments. On the north shore, Lal Singh commanded artillery. A bridge of boats spanned the river. To the east was a shallow ford. The British kept the construction of these fortifications under constant surveillance and ascertained that the earthworks were weakest on the west side.
Sir Hugh Gough closed in just after midnight with Major General Sir Robert Dick to the west, Major General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert to the south, and Major General Sir Harry George Wakelyn Smith to the east. Exchange of artillery fire began at dawn, with no advantage to either side. Dick advanced and broke through in midmorning. The Sikhs tried to flee, but the river was unusually high and the ford was unusable. The bridge collapsed under its human weight and thousands drowned. More than 10,000 Sikhs were killed. The British lost 320 killed and 2,063 wounded.
Significance
After the British occupied the Sikh capital, Lahore (February 20), and finalized terms of surrender (March 11), peace lasted for two years.
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.
Innes, Arthur D., and Charles Gough. Annexation of Punjab. Delhi: National Book Shop, 1984.