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{{Short description|19th century Mujahideen-Sikh battle}}
{{Disputed|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Akora
| conflict = Battle of Akora
| partof = the [[Afghan-Sikh Wars]]
| partof = [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi#Jihad movement and Islamic State|Jihad movement]] of Ahmad Barelvi
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| date = 21 December 1826
| date = 21 December 1826{{sfn|Altaf Qadir|2014|p=13}}
| place = [[Akora Khattak|Akora]]
| place = [[Akora Khattak|Akora]]
| map_type =
| map_type =
Line 17: Line 19:
| territory =
| territory =
| status =
| status =
| combatant1 = [[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]][[Sikh Empire]]
| combatant1 = [[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|25px]] [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi#Jihad movement and Islamic State|Mujahideen]]
| combatant2 = [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi]]
| combatant2 = [[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]][[Sikh Empire]]
| commander1 = [[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]]Budh Singh Sandhanwalia<br>[[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]]Atar Singh Sandhanwalia<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jGIBAAAAMAAJ&q=Budh+Singh+Sandhanwalia+akora | title=Sir Jadunath Sarkar Commemoration Volumes: Essays presented to Sir Jadunath Sarkar | year=1958 | publisher=Department of History, Panjab University }}</ref>
| commander1 = {{Nowrap|[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|25px]] [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi]]}}{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}}<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ioDQ5q3-osC&dq=Battle+of+akora+1826&pg=PA83 | isbn=9789004249226 | title=Politics of Worship in the Contemporary Middle East: Sainthood in Fragile States | date=15 April 2013 | publisher=BRILL }}</ref><br>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|25px]] Khadi Khan<br>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|25px]] Baqar Ali{{KIA}}<br>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|25px]] Allahbakhsh Khan{{KIA}}
| commander2 = [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh/page/n173/mode/2up?view=theater&q=Akora | title=History of the Sikhs Vol. V the Sikh Lion of Lahore (Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839) }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ioDQ5q3-osC&dq=Battle+of+akora+1826&pg=PA83 | isbn=9789004249226 | title=Politics of Worship in the Contemporary Middle East: Sainthood in Fragile States | date=15 April 2013 | publisher=BRILL }}</ref><br>Khadi Khan
| commander2 = [[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]]Budh Singh Sandhanwalia<br>[[File:Sikh Empire flag.jpg|24px]]Atar Singh Sandhanwalia<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jGIBAAAAMAAJ&q=Budh+Singh+Sandhanwalia+akora | title=Sir Jadunath Sarkar Commemoration Volumes: Essays presented to Sir Jadunath Sarkar | year=1958 | publisher=Department of History, Panjab University }}</ref>
| units1 =
| units1 =
| units2 =
| units2 =
| strength1 = 1500{{sfn|Altaf Qadir|2014|p=62}}
| strength1 = 4000+<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mRpuAAAAMAAJ&q=Budh+Singh+Sandhanwalia+akora | isbn=9780969596424 | title=The Sikh Reference Book | year=1997 | publisher=Sikh Educational Trust for Sikh University Centre, Denmark }}</ref>
| strength2 = unknown
| strength2 = 4000{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}}
| casualties1 = 82{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}}
| casualties1 = 500-700<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZGYTAAAAIAAJ&q=Battle%20of%20akora | title=The Voice of Islam | year=1952 | publisher=Jamiyat-ul-Falah. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9vAkAQAAIAAJ&q=Battle%20of%20akora%20700 | isbn=9788174889430 | title=Muslim Political Thought in India | year=1998 | publisher=Anmol Publications }}</ref>
| casualties2 = 500–700{{sfn|Altaf Qadir|2014|p=62}}{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}}{{sfn|Mohamed Taher|1998|p=196}}
| casualties2 = 36 Hindustanis and 46 Pashtuns <ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh/page/n173/mode/2up?view=theater&q=161 | title=History of the Sikhs Vol. V the Sikh Lion of Lahore (Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839) }}</ref>
| notes =
| notes =
| result = [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi#Jihad movement and Islamic State|Mujahideen]] Victory{{sfn|Altaf Qadir|2014|p=62}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Metcalf |first=Barbara D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BdH_AwAAQBAJ&dq=sayyid+ahmed+1826&pg=PA50 |title=Islamic Revival in British India: Deoband, 1860-1900 |date=2014-07-14 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-5610-7 |language=en|page=62|quote=his followers having won the allegiance of some of the local tribes, he attacked and defeated the Sikhs at Akora Khattak.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ziad |first=Waleed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W-ZFEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA176 |title=Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints Beyond the Oxus and Indus |date=2021-11-16 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-24881-6 |language=en|page=182|quote=Sayyid Ahmad's Mujahidin managed to defeat the Sikh armies}}</ref>
| result = Afghan Victory<ref>https://www.google.com.pk/books/edition/Hundred_Great_Muslims/gBJXAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=battle%20of%20akora%20khattak</ref>{{Failed verification}}
}}
}}


The '''Battle of Akora''' '''Khattak''' was fought between the [[Sikh Empire]] and [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi#Jihad movement and Islamic State|Mujahideen]], mainly [[Pashtuns]], under [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi]][[Yusufzai|. Yusufzai]] and [[Khattak]] Pashtuns, led by Khadi Khan, supported Sayyid, and the attack was successful, resulting in significant casualties for the opposition.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rashid |first=Haroon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOFtAAAAMAAJ |title=History of the Pathans: The Sarabani Pathans |date=2002 |publisher=Haroon Rashid |pages=267 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=SOP>{{cite web|url=http://storyofpakistan.com/sayyid-ahmad-brelvi/|url-status=dead|title=Syed Ahmad Barelvi profile|website=Story of Pakistan website|archive-date=27 June 2014|access-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627140624/http://storyofpakistan.com/sayyid-ahmad-brelvi/}}</ref>
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}

The '''Battle of Akora''' '''Khattak''' was fought between the [[Sikh Empire]] and [[Afghans]] under [[Syed Ahmad Barelvi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Qadir |first=Altaf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRlBDwAAQBAJ |title=Sayyid Ahmad Barailvi: His Movement and Legacy from the Pukhtun Perspective |date=2014-12-31 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5150-486-3 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Rishi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EPCICwAAQBAJ&dq=Battle+of+akora+1826&pg=PT111 |title=State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony: Post-Mughal 19th-century Punjab |date=2014-12-31 |publisher=SAGE Publications India |isbn=978-93-5150-504-4 |language=en}}</ref> Local [[Yusufzai]] and [[Khattak]] Pashtuns, led by Khadi Khan, supported Sayyid, and the attack was successful, resulting in significant casualties for the opposition.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2-0IAQAAIAAJ |title=Perspective |date=1970 |publisher=Pakistan Publications. |pages=6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rashid |first=Haroon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOFtAAAAMAAJ |title=History of the Pathans: The Sarabani Pathans |date=2002 |publisher=Haroon Rashid |pages=267 |language=en}}</ref>


== Battle ==
== Battle ==
[[Akora Khattak|Akora]], located 18 miles from [[Attock]] across the [[Indus River|Indus]], held strategic importance. The area was inhabited by Khatak Afghans led by Najaf Khan, who retreated into the hills when the [[Sikhs]] conquered [[Peshawar]]. At this time, Budh Singh Sandhanwalia was stationed in Akora with 4,000 troops.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1huAAAAMAAJ |title=History of the Sikhs: The Sikh Lion of Lahore, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839 |date=1978 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal |isbn=978-81-215-0515-4 |pages=161 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=www.DiscoverSikhism.com |url=http://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh |title=History Of The Sikhs Vol. V The Sikh Lion of Lahore (Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839) |pages=161 |language=English}}</ref> Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi gathered his Pashtun soldiers for a nocturnal assault. His forces comprised Kandharis, Yusafzais, and Khataks. In the early morning of December 21, 1826, when the Sikhs were sleeping in the bitter cold, Allahbakhsh Khan led the Ghazis in their attack. The Sikhs suffered heavy casualties in the initial assault. Budh Singh quickly organized his men and counterattacked the Ghazis, who retreated into the hills. However, Budh Singh failed to capitalize on his victory. Sayyid's forces lost 46 Pashtuns, including [[Patna|Patna's]] Maulvi Baqar Ali and their leader Allahbakhsh Khan, while the Sikhs lost between 500 and 700 well-equipped soldiers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taher |first=Mohamed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9vAkAQAAIAAJ |title=Muslim Political Thought in India |date=1998 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7488-943-0 |pages=196 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=58oXAAAAIAAJ |title=Islamic Studies |date=1968 |publisher=Islamic Research Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McQueen |first=Sir John W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z2VuAAAAMAAJ |title=Unseen Faces and Untold Cases, Heroes and Villains of Sikh Rule |date=1994 |publisher=Bahri Publications |pages=96 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Akora Khattak|Akora]], located 18 miles from [[Attock]] across the [[Indus River|Indus]], held strategic importance. The area was inhabited by [[Khattak|Khattak Afghans]] led by Najaf Khan, who retreated into the hills when the [[Sikhs]] conquered [[Peshawar]]. At this time, Budh Singh Sandhanwalia was stationed in Akora with 4,000 troops.{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}} Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi gathered his Pashtun soldiers for a nocturnal assault. His forces comprised Kandharis, Yusafzais, and Khattaks. In the early morning of December 21, 1826, when the Sikhs were sleeping in the bitter cold, Allahbakhsh Khan led the Ghazis in their attack and repulsed the Sikhs. Sayyid's forces lost 36 Hindustanis and 46 Kandahari Pashtuns, including [[Patna|Patna's]] Maulvi Baqar Ali and their leader Allahbakhsh Khan, while the Sikhs lost between 500 and 700 well-equipped soldiers.{{sfn|Mohamed Taher|1998|p=196}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=McQueen |first=Sir John W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z2VuAAAAMAAJ |title=Unseen Faces and Untold Cases, Heroes and Villains of Sikh Rule |date=1994 |publisher=Bahri Publications |pages=96 |language=en}}</ref>


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
Following the successful [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla attack]], the Yusufzai and Khattak tribesmen, having suffered very few casualties, returned to the hills. Subsequently, these tribesmen launched numerous guerrilla attacks against the Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=www.DiscoverSikhism.com |url=http://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh |title=History Of The Sikhs Vol. V The Sikh Lion of Lahore (Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839) |language=English}}</ref> The Sayyid's army attacked the Sikhs at [[Saidu Sharif]], which ultimately led to the [[Battle of Saidu]].
Following the successful [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla attack]], the Yusufzai and Khattak tribesmen, having suffered very few casualties, returned to the hills. Subsequently, these tribesmen launched numerous guerrilla attacks against the Sikhs.{{sfn|Hari Ram Gupta|1978|p=161}} The Sayyid's army again attacked the Sikhs which ultimately led to the [[Battle of Shaidu]].

==See also==
* [[Battle of Shaidu]]
* [[Battle of Haidru (1828)]]
* [[Battle of Balakot]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
{{Campaignbox Afghan-Sikh Wars}}
{{Campaignbox Afghan-Sikh Wars}}
{{ref begin}}
<references />
* {{Cite book |author=Altaf Qadir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRlBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT62 |title=Sayyid Ahmad Barailvi: His Movement and Legacy from the Pukhtun Perspective |date=2014 |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-5150-486-3 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |author=Mohamed Taher|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9vAkAQAAIAAJ |title=Muslim Political Thought in India |date=1998 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7488-943-0 |pages= |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |author=Hari Ram Gupta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1huAAAAMAAJ |title=History of the Sikhs: The Sikh Lion of Lahore, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 1799-1839 |date=1978 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal |isbn=978-81-215-0515-4 |pages= |language=en}}[https://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh/page/n173/mode/2up?view=theater&q=Akora]
{{ref end}}


[[Category:Conflicts in 1826]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1826]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Sikhs|Akora]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Sikh Empire|Akora]]
[[Category:1810s battles|Akora]]
[[Category:1810s battles|Akora]]
[[Category:Pashtun people]]
[[Category:Pashtun society]]

Latest revision as of 09:35, 11 August 2024

Battle of Akora
Part of Jihad movement of Ahmad Barelvi
Date21 December 1826[1]
Location
Result Mujahideen Victory[2][3][4]
Belligerents
Mujahideen Sikh Empire
Commanders and leaders
Syed Ahmad Barelvi[5][6]
Khadi Khan
Baqar Ali 
Allahbakhsh Khan 
Budh Singh Sandhanwalia
Atar Singh Sandhanwalia[7]
Strength
1500[2] 4000[5]
Casualties and losses
82[5] 500–700[2][5][8]

The Battle of Akora Khattak was fought between the Sikh Empire and Mujahideen, mainly Pashtuns, under Syed Ahmad Barelvi. Yusufzai and Khattak Pashtuns, led by Khadi Khan, supported Sayyid, and the attack was successful, resulting in significant casualties for the opposition.[9][10]

Battle

[edit]

Akora, located 18 miles from Attock across the Indus, held strategic importance. The area was inhabited by Khattak Afghans led by Najaf Khan, who retreated into the hills when the Sikhs conquered Peshawar. At this time, Budh Singh Sandhanwalia was stationed in Akora with 4,000 troops.[5] Sayyid Ahmad Barelvi gathered his Pashtun soldiers for a nocturnal assault. His forces comprised Kandharis, Yusafzais, and Khattaks. In the early morning of December 21, 1826, when the Sikhs were sleeping in the bitter cold, Allahbakhsh Khan led the Ghazis in their attack and repulsed the Sikhs. Sayyid's forces lost 36 Hindustanis and 46 Kandahari Pashtuns, including Patna's Maulvi Baqar Ali and their leader Allahbakhsh Khan, while the Sikhs lost between 500 and 700 well-equipped soldiers.[8][11]

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the successful guerrilla attack, the Yusufzai and Khattak tribesmen, having suffered very few casualties, returned to the hills. Subsequently, these tribesmen launched numerous guerrilla attacks against the Sikhs.[5] The Sayyid's army again attacked the Sikhs which ultimately led to the Battle of Shaidu.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Altaf Qadir 2014, p. 13.
  2. ^ a b c Altaf Qadir 2014, p. 62.
  3. ^ Metcalf, Barbara D. (14 July 2014). Islamic Revival in British India: Deoband, 1860-1900. Princeton University Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-4008-5610-7. his followers having won the allegiance of some of the local tribes, he attacked and defeated the Sikhs at Akora Khattak.
  4. ^ Ziad, Waleed (16 November 2021). Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints Beyond the Oxus and Indus. Harvard University Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-674-24881-6. Sayyid Ahmad's Mujahidin managed to defeat the Sikh armies
  5. ^ a b c d e f Hari Ram Gupta 1978, p. 161.
  6. ^ Politics of Worship in the Contemporary Middle East: Sainthood in Fragile States. BRILL. 15 April 2013. ISBN 9789004249226.
  7. ^ Sir Jadunath Sarkar Commemoration Volumes: Essays presented to Sir Jadunath Sarkar. Department of History, Panjab University. 1958.
  8. ^ a b Mohamed Taher 1998, p. 196.
  9. ^ Rashid, Haroon (2002). History of the Pathans: The Sarabani Pathans. Haroon Rashid. p. 267.
  10. ^ "Syed Ahmad Barelvi profile". Story of Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  11. ^ McQueen, Sir John W. (1994). Unseen Faces and Untold Cases, Heroes and Villains of Sikh Rule. Bahri Publications. p. 96.

Sources

[edit]