Afghan–Sikh Wars


The Afghan–Sikh wars were a series of wars between the Islamic Durrani Empire, and the Sikh Empire. 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 dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader Shah's death in 1747, the Durrani Empire declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.

First Phase

Second Phase

In 1766, Ahmad Shah Durrani, again invaded India, taking Lahore without a fight. The Sikhs withdrew, resorting to guerilla warfare against the Afghans. Ahmad marched on to Amritsar, massacring the populous and destroying the city, however his campaign was short-lived. Faced with unpaid troops and internal strife in Kandahar, Ahmad was forced to march home. By 1799, Sikhs were back in possession of Lahore.

Third Phase

Battle of Attock

Siege of Multan

Battle of Shopian

Battle of Nowshera

Battle of Jamrud