Before Third battle

Guru Hargobind Ji went to Daroli on the invitation of his sister-in-law Bibi Ramo and her husband Bhai Sain Dass. Devotees on hearing of Guru Ji’s visit to Malwa started coming in large numbers, once Sikhs from Kabul came to see Guru Ji, the Sangat numbered around 1,000 to 1,200. Bhai Bakhat Mall, Bhai Tara Chand, Bhai Dyal Chand were leading the congregation with other masands. One Sikh Karori Mal brought with him two horses of good bread named Gulbagh and Dilbagh to present to Guru Ji. One the way to see Guru Ji, many wealthy men had tried to convince Karori Mal to part with the horses by offering him a princely sum. However, Karori Mall always replied that these were not his horses but that the horses belonged to the Guru.

Before reaching Lahore, rumours of their beauty had reached the Mughal governor's ears. An avid collector of horses he too offered the young Sikh a small fortune for each horse, only to be turned down. So before the Sangat left Lahore, the Subedar's henchmen forcibly snatched the magnificent horses and took them to the governor's stable area, in the upper courtyard of Lahore Fort.

Karori Mal became very sad and with his sad face, he and the Sangat reached the place where Guru Ji was staying. When the Sangat meet Guru Ji they presented the gifts they had brought, Karori Mal said the following to Guru Ji “My Lord, I had brought two horses of good bread named Gulbagh and Dilbagh to present to you, but they were snatched from me. Now I am very unfortunate that I cannot offer you any gift.” Guru Ji said “Karori Mal, don’t worry, we will receive your houses, they will not remain long with the Subedar. I am pleased that you have brought such a valuable gift. One day you will find the horses in our stable.”

Guru Ji sent Bhai Bidhi Chand to Lahore to bring back the horses, Bhai Sahib stayed at Bhai Jiwan’s house in Lahore. Bhai sahib thought of a plan which would not involve any bloodshed. First he disguised himself has a grass cutter went to the fields and cut a bundle of fine grass. He then bought it to the gate of the fort at Lahore. Said Khan the horse keeper came out side and was pleased to see such fine grass. Bhai Bidhi Chand was then asked by Said Khan to distribute the grass to the horses, Bhai sahib taking the bundle of grass on his head inside the fort and gave it to the horses, when he did this he patted the horses on their back. He offered his services at the stable, Said Khan accepted. Bhai Bidhi Chand then came daily with grass and with the permission of Said Khan would give the grass to the horses and pat them while doing this. Said Khan saw the love Bidhi Chand had for the horses, when he would come to give them grass they would neigh at the very sight of Bidhi Chand, Said Khan then gave Bhai Sahib responsibility for arranging the delivery of grass for the horses without seeking permission from him (Said Khan). The river Ravi was touching the wall of the fort on one side. Bhai Bidhi Chand would throw one big stone in the river at night, when the watchmen heard the sound of the stone they were alarmed but when they looked towards the river they did not see anything. They thought that some animal was striking the wall and after this they did not care for that sound again. Bhai Bidhi Chand gained the trust of the whole staff , he offered them wine which made them unconscious or drunk. Bhai sahib searched and found the keys and untied Gulbagh and riding him, they jumped off the wall of the fort and landed in the river. After crossing the river Bhai Bidhi Chand reached Amritsar, the next day he reached Guru Ji and presented Gulbagh to Guru Ji, who was very pleased.



Dilbagh the remaining horse soon grew despondent and refused to eat. He obviously missed his companion. Soon the officials sought the help of a fortune teller who might be able to recover the 'stolen' horse. So disguising himself as a fortune teller, Bhai Bidhi Chand once again offered his services. He convinced the authorities that he had to re-enact a similar scenario, in order to give them the whereabouts of the missing steed. The baffled officials created a similar situation allowing Bhai Bidhi Chand to mount the remaining horse. He then yelled out that he was the former grass cutter, as he and the horse leaped over the low wall of the court yard to the Ravi River. Riding to Amritsar, then to Guru Ji’s stable the two horses were reunited.

Third battle


When Guru Ji received both horses (Gulbagh and Dilbagh) he knew the Subedar would not bear it and would try to attack him. Guru Ji with his Sikhs moved to the nearby village Kangar in Malwa, the Muslim landlord Rai Jodh and his wife were supporters of Guru Ji. Guru Ji prepared himself and his Sikhs for the battle and asked Rai Jodh “you have a great knowledge of this area, please teel us which is the most suitable place were our amry can defeat the royal army.” Rai Jodh suggested that their best chance would be to mount their defence at his fort, but Guru Ji said he wanted to operate in a battlefield. Then Bhai Rai Jodh suggested a site, "5 km from here theirs is the village of Nathana and about 3km from Nathana is the village of Mehraj, the Dhaab (Water Tank) of Nathna is surrounded on three sides by mountains of sand and on the fourth side is the Dhaab”. Guru selected this place to fight as during battle water is very essential and there was no other source of water for about 20-30km's there it was the most strategic spot to camp.

Guru Ji had about 2400 soldiers who were joined by 500 soldiers of Salem Shah (who was also a devotee of the Guru like Rai Jodh), 500 soldiers of Rai Jodh and 500 soldiers from his uncle Chacha Ugarsein and about 100 people from the Sangat gave the total number of around 4000 soldiers. The Sangat of Malwa was supplying resources to the army including meals and supplies to help to keep them warm in the cool season. The Sikh forces under the command of Rai Jodh, Bhai Bidhi Chand and Bhai a Joti Mal camped the water reservoir.

From Lahore Bhai Bohru sent a message to Guru Ji that large army of minimum of 10,000 soldiers under the command of Lalla Beg and Qamar Beg. When the army was marching towards Malwa Kabli Beg joined them. So the strength of the army increased considerably, on top of this they were joined by the Rajputs of Raikot and the Rangarhs of Aandru and Halwara.

In search of the Guru , when the army reached near the Dhaab of Nathna, Lalla Beg sent Hassan Khan to spy on Guru Sahib and his army. Hassan Khan had dressed himself as a Sikh and entered in Guru's army. Recognizing Khan as an enemy spy, he was presented before Guru Sahib. Guru Ji recognized Hassan Khan as he was a old spy of Jahangir , he had spent most of this life in Amritsar. Instead of punishing him Guru Sahib sent him back telling him to let Lalla Beg know that they were ready for the Mughal attack and to inform him about all of the Sikh preparations and positions (the Sikhs had an advance in that they were in control of the water so telling the enemy may put them off if they had used military sense). Guru Sahib also blessed him, telling him that he would soon be the Subedar' of Kabul instead of Lalla Beg. Hassan Khan told Lalla Beg all the locations and preparations of guru's army and also said that Guru Sahib was a fearless warrior and he was ready to bear any attack.

When Lalla Beg found that the water was in possession of the Guru, he sent his men on all sides to search for water, the Sikhs finding an appropriate time attacked the army. The royal army was not prepared and began to retreat; they could not find water nearby. If they found a well its water was salty, drinking which many soldiers fell ill. The battle continued all night, when in the morning Lalla Beg saw his army he found dead bodies lying everywhere, seeing this Lalla Beg became very furious and took command of the army himself. Lalla Beg, Qamar Beg and Kabli Beg advanced fearlessly. Kabli Beg entered the army of the Sikhs and challenged Guru Ji, Guru Ji got down from his platform and riding his horse reached near Kabli Beg. Guru Ji asked him to attack first, with his attack Guru Ji was slightly injured, Guru Ji then shot an arrow with pierced the neck of Kabli Beg. Rai Jodh then came to Guru Ji and bandaged his wound.


(Kabli Beg killed by Guru Ji)

When Qamar Beg saw Kabli Beg lying dead, he advanced towards Guru Ji, but Rai Jodh intervend and killed him. Lalla Beg then advanced with great force; Joti Mal (one of the main commanders of Guru Ji’ army) tried to stop him but was killed. Guru Ji then advanced towards Lalla Beg, who shot many arrows when Guru Ji stopped on his shield. Guru Ji then shot an arrow which killed Lalla Beg’s horse, getting up he rushed towards Guru Ji. Guru Ji got off his horse and had a duel with Lalla Beg, who despite fighting bravely was killed by Guru Ji. Seeing their commanders dead the royal army ran away.

After Third battle

In those days King Shahjahan was staying at Lahore, Wazir Khan ex-governor (Subedar) of Lahore was accompanying the King. After the battle, in order to please Shahjahan, Hassan gathered the remaining army and reached Lahore. Wazir Khan who was a friend of Guru Ji was happy at his victory. When Wazir Khan met Shahjahan and in taunting language said “ Lalla Beg and Qamar Beg, who had gone to Malwa with a big army to snatch two horses have not come yet. I fear what has happened to them.” At that time Salabat Khan was guarding the entrance said, “Sir, Hassan Khan has returned from the battlefield he can tell you about the consequences of the battle.” Shahjahan summoned Hassan Khan. Hassan Khan entered the room of Shahjahan and bowed before him seven times. Then Shahjahan said “What news of Lalla Beg”, Hassan Khan replied “Sir, if you spare my life then I will narrate the whole episode.” Shahjahan replied “All right, we pardon all your faults, tell us the truth”.


(Hassan Khan bowing before Shahjahan with Wazir Khan sitting next to him)

Hassan Khan said “Lalla Beg and Qamar Beg reached the place where the Guru was staying within a few days. But the area was full of dense, water plays a very important part during wars, but Lalla Beg did not make arrangements for pure water before hand. If they were able to find water it was salty and after drinking it our soldiers and horses fell ill. All the local people who were staying there were savage. There was only one pound of water which the Guru had already taken into his possession. I requested Lalla Beg that we should wait for some days and after making full preparation, we should attack the Guru. But he paid no heed to our request. He pitched the royal army in the dense bushes. ”

“He did not wait, but the Guru’s army and the local people were familiar with that area. They fought so bravely that the royal army was forced to retreat. Then he gave the order to light the flambeaus (lights) and to fight at night. But at night such a cold breeze blew that all the flambeaus were extinguished and the clod breeze stunned our soldiers and they lost their senses. It became difficult for them to hold their weapons. All our army was laying on the ground as dead bodies. The Sikhs could have killed all the army during that night but it is the order of their Guru not to attack a bare handed or sick. During the night two thirds of the royal army died and only one third remained alive. In the morning when Lalla Beg and Qamar Beg saw the dead bodies, they wept but they did not change their policy. I again requested Lalla Beg that we should rest for a few days. But he abused me.”

“Then he served wine to his remaining soldiers and asked them to attack the Sikhs. But I was wonder struck to see such a big army of the Guru. A fierce battle was fought, the Guru killed Lalla Beg and Kabli Beg.”

“When the soldiers saw their commanders had been killed they ran away. The Sikhs did not chase them but the local wildmen attacked them and looted their weapons, horses and clothes. 2,000 healthy soldiers I have brought with me, the wounded have been taken by the Sikhs for treatment. They will also return back when their wounds are healed. 18,000 soldiers have been killed due to the foolishness of Lalla Beg. Now we say that we have been defeated due to our foolishness, but I know that more than ten times his army cannot defeat the Guru. The Guru is the light of Allah, if he wished he could have won the whole world, but he does not care about sovereignty and wealth. ”

Hearing the narration of Hassan Khan was liked by Shahjahan, he appreciated the intelligence and capability of Hassan Khan. At the recommendation of Wazir Khan he appointed Hassan Khan as the governor (Subedar) of Kabul. After becoming governor of Kabul Hassan Khan supplied Guru Ji very valuables gifts. (Hassan Khan had become the governor due to the blessing of Guru Ji).



After the battle Guru Ji and Rai Jodh got the proper treatment for their wounds and soon recovered.

For the martyred Sikhs a big pyre was made, Guru Ji himself light the pyre moreover they were cremated together, where they were cremated now stands the Gurdwara Shahid Ganj (shown below), the martyred Muslims who fought on Guru Ji side were taken by their commanders Salem Shah, Rai Jodh and Chacha Ugarsein for to be buried according to Muslim rites, Guru Ji bless these fallen soldiers. The Muslim soldiers from the royal army were also buried in a big trench according to Muslim rites. On this a platform was construed, Guru held Darbar and advised the Ragis to sing Gurbani at that palce for 15 days. The wounded enemy soldiers soon recovered and were given the expenditure to reach Lahore safely. When these soldiers met Shahjahan they informed him about the behaviour of the Guru, after hearing such stories of the soldiers Shahjahan was convined that the Guru was a great Pir. Shahjahan got frightened that it was not advisable to fight the Guru as he might curse his kingdom. So the royal army forces did not attack again.

Written by: Dr Ajit Singh Aulakh

Contributed by: A Gupt Singh