13. Battle of Sirhind, May 12, 1710
The
battle was fought at Chhappar Chiri, 20 kms from Sarhind. On the Mughal side
Sher Muhammad Khan, Nawab of Malerkotla was the leader of the right wing.
Wazir Khan was in command of the center. Suchanand, chief secretary of nawab
was put on the left. On the Sikh side, Baj singh Bal a jutt of village
Mirpur in Patti distt. of Amritsar, headed right wing. Binod Singh
(descendent of Guru Angad Dev ji) headed the left wing while Banda commanded
the center facing the Wazir Khan's army. Shouts of Sachcha Patishah, Fateh
Darshan (Sat Sri Akal was changed to Fateh Darshan by Banda), Sat Sri Akal,
Akal, Akal, and ya ali, rent the sky.
Suchanand
could not withstand the ferocity of Baj singh and soon vanquished and fled
away. The artillery fire of the Mughals told heavily on the plunderers in
Banda's camp. They were equally divided between Baj singh and Binod singh's
forces. Sher Mohammed Khan was about to overpower Binod singh's wing when he
was suddenly struck by a bullet and was instantly killed.
His
men immediately dispersed. Wazir Khan was rushing upon Banda who stuck fast
to his ground and discharged arrows relentlessly. There a bloody battle was
going on. Baj singh and Binod singh now joined Banda. Banda and the Sikh
leaders now converged on Wazir Khan and he was killed.
Wazir
Khan's death is variously described. Khafi Khan says that he was struck by a
Musket ball. Mir Mohammed Ahsan Ijad says that Baj singh rushed upon Wazir
Khan. Wazir Khan threw his spear at Baj singh. Baj singh caught hold of it.
He flung the same spear upon Wazir Khan. It struck the forehead of his
horse. Wazir Khan discharged an arrow which hit Baj singh's arm. He then
rushed upon him with his sword. At this juncture Fatah singh came to the
rescue of Baj singh. His sword cut the Khan from shoulder to the waist.