Battle of Mudki: British get a taste of Sikh Prowess
The Anglo Sikh wars (1846-49) were the most ferocious battles faced by the British in India. These battles deeply affected the British psyche, with the result they started an association that lasted more than a 100 years. The Sikhs later became the lynchpin of the British Indian army and at any given moment they numbered 33% of the British Indian army, though they constituted just 2% of the population of India. Sikh soldiers were also given one additional promotion compared to other soldiers.
This close association with the Sikhs was a result of the Anglo- Sikh wars, starting with the Battle of Mudki. This battle fought on 18 December 1846 was a pyrrhic victory for the British who suffered heavy causalities. The Sikhs claimed victory, but independent observers generally consider this battle a draw. Incidentally the Anglo- Sikh wars are studied by students of military history all over the world, in particular the USA and UK.
At the start of the Anglo-Sikh war, the situation in Punjab ( The Sikh empire) was bordering on anarchy. The Lahore durbar was riven by factionalism and murder and killings were common. All the descendents of Ranjit Singh were assassinated , leaving a fledgling Prince Duleep Singh as ruler. His mother Rani Jindan became regent. The biggest culprit who was part of the anarchy was the prime minister himself, who was in secret correspondence with Lord Harding the Governor General. He had offered to betray Sikh interests in return for him to be declared maharajah of Kashmir. He thus selected 2 traitorous generals Labh Singh and Lal Singh as Sikh commanders. These generals had a clear brief not to allow the Khalsa fauj a victory.
There is an interesting eye witness account written by Cunningham in his "History of the Sikhs". He describes the battle of Mudki in detail as well as the machinations of the prime minster and other court officials.
Lord Harding was keen to expand British influence. He was also encouraged by the goings on in the Lahore court. He himself proceeded to Ambala to be with the British troops. He appointed General Lord Hugh Gough as commander and asked him to get ready to fight the Sikhs. The British anticipating a clash moved native and British troops on the border of Punjab.
Due to the near anarchy like situation in Lahore, the Sikh army had not been paid and a decision was taken to keep the army away from lahore by attacking the English. The prime minister himself supported war with the English. At the same time he assured in a secret letter to Lord harding , all help in case of a conflict. Orders to march against the British were issued by the Lahore durbar and the two Sikh generals camped at Ferozepur with their force. They took no initiative as they allowed a British Buildup.
Finally on the evening of 18 December the Sikh army moved to Mudki a small village close to Ferozepur. The British anticipating an attack, took the offensive and attacked, but suffered heavy causalities. They retreated , but as the Sikh generals did not want a Sikh victory no effort was made to follow the English.. The Sikh army became restive , suspecting treachery and Labh Singh the Sikh general fled from the battle field..
Night was falling and as it was winter, the sun set early. An interesting anecdote is related by Metcalfe in his History of the Sikhs. The encounter with the Sikhs had so nonplussed the English that Lord Gough passed an order which stated" Light not a match or smoke a cigarette, so that the Khalsa Fauj does not come to know our location".
The Sikh army was now leaderless and when the next round began they fought tenaciously, but the advantage was with the English. The British especially the officers suffered heavy casualties, but held the Sikhs at bay. Finally exhausted, both armies disengaged.
The battle of Mudki was over, but Lord Harding was not happy. He was surprised at the tenacity of the Sikh army and he mentioned that the British had never faced so ferocious a foe in India. The First Sikh war was followed by the Second Sikh war and despite a glorious victory over the English at Chillianwala, the Punjab was annexed. Raja Dhian Singh was given the kingdom of Kashmir as promised and Duleep Singh became a ward of queen Victoria. Despite the result, the British appreciated the fighting qualities of the Sikhs and a officer called captain Rattray soon began to recruit Sikhs for the British Indian army. Just for the record the initial soldiers who joined the british army were known as Rattray's Sikhs.
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