The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire: Part 1 – The Rise and Fall of Banda Bahadur

“After Guru Gobind Singh’s death, Sikh peasantry rose in arms under Banda Bahadur. Then Jats in the Sikh Misl fought all through the 18th century to establish Khalsa Raj. Out of the 12 Sikh misls, 9 were headed by Jat chiefs. In this struggle, they made tremendous sacrifices.”

History of Sikhs Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
Khushwant Singh

Emerging in the fertile lands of 15th-century Punjab, the Sikh community has carved its path through history with resilience and valor. From the martyrdom of their Gurus to their resistance against oppressive empires, the Sikhs have demonstrated that their commitment to compassion and equality does not equate to submission.

This series covers the era following the establishment of the Khalsa, a period marked by relentless struggle, resistance against mighty conquerors, and the eventual rise of a grand Sikh Empire that embraced all Punjabi communities, regardless of faith.

The Emergence of a Leader
In the autumn of 1708, a pivotal moment in Sikh history occurred with the passing of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final Guru of the Sikh tradition. His death was not a natural one—he succumbed to wounds inflicted by assassins sent by the Mughal Empire, which had long sought to suppress the growing power and influence of the Sikhs. With his departure, Guru Gobind Singh left behind not just a religious community but a martial brotherhood, the Khalsa, which he had founded to embody the ideals of righteousness, resistance, and sovereignty. The leadership of the Sikh community did not pass to another individual Guru, as Guru Gobind Singh had decreed that the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, would be their eternal guide. However, in matters of governance and warfare, the responsibility now fell upon the shoulders of a capable and determined warrior: Banda Singh Bahadur.

Born Lachman Das, Banda Singh Bahadur was originally a Hindu ascetic who had renounced worldly life to seek spiritual enlightenment. However, his destiny changed dramatically when he encountered Guru Gobind Singh, who transformed him from a hermit into a warrior. Banda Singh became one of the Guru’s most fervent followers, imbibing his teachings of justice and defiance against tyranny. With the Guru’s assassination, Banda Singh took it upon himself to rally the Sikhs, vowing to avenge their fallen leader and continue the struggle for autonomy against the oppressive Mughal rule.

A Campaign of Conquest and Rebellion
Banda Singh Bahadur’s military campaign began in 1709, as he led the Khalsa forces into battle against the Mughals in Punjab, a region that had long been subjected to persecution and imperial subjugation. His first major victory came with the capture of Samana, a significant Mughal administrative center, where he exacted retribution against officials who had participated in the brutal execution of Sikh martyrs. This conquest marked the beginning of a larger rebellion, as Banda Singh and his forces stormed through Punjab, toppling Mughal strongholds and redistributing land to the oppressed peasantry, thus laying the foundation of the first Sikh state.

At the height of his power, Banda Singh controlled vast territories spanning from the Shivalik Hills in the north to the Sutlej River in the south. Within these lands, he established a new administrative structure rooted in Sikh principles. He issued new coins and official seals in the name of the Sikh community, symbolizing a break from Mughal rule and the assertion of Sikh sovereignty. This was an unprecedented moment in Sikh history—the first time they had exercised direct political control over a significant portion of Punjab.

However, his rule was not without controversy. Banda Singh’s military campaigns were often marked by violence and retribution, particularly against those who had aligned with the Mughal administration. Some historical accounts suggest that his forces committed massacres against local Muslim populations, fueling further animosity and resistance. These actions, while aimed at dismantling Mughal influence, also alienated key segments of Punjab’s population, making it harder to consolidate long-term support.

Internal Struggles and Division
Despite his military prowess and administrative reforms, Banda Singh Bahadur’s leadership was never universally accepted within the Sikh community. The widow of Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Sundari, was among his strongest critics. A highly revered figure in Sikh society, Mata Sundari opposed many of Banda Singh’s policies, particularly his reliance on vengeance and excessive militarism. She believed that his rule deviated from the spiritual and ethical foundations of Sikhism and feared that his tactics could ultimately harm the Sikh cause.

When the Mughal court in Delhi, recognizing the growing strength of the Sikhs, extended an offer for reconciliation—suggesting that the Sikh state could be reintegrated into the Mughal Empire under favorable terms—Mata Sundari urged Banda Singh to accept the peace proposal. She reasoned that by doing so, the bloodshed could be minimized, and the Sikh community could continue to grow without further devastation. However, Banda Singh staunchly refused, viewing any compromise with the Mughals as a betrayal of Guru Gobind Singh’s vision.

This refusal to negotiate led to a deep rift within the Sikh ranks. Mata Sundari’s disavowal of Banda Singh weakened his support, resulting in the defection of over 15,000 of his followers. With his forces significantly diminished, Banda Singh was left vulnerable to the impending Mughal counteroffensive.

The Final Stand: The Siege of Gurdas Nangal
By 1715, the Mughals had amassed a massive army under the command of Abd us-Samad Khan, the Mughal governor of Punjab. Their objective was clear: to eliminate Banda Singh Bahadur and eradicate Sikh resistance once and for all. Facing overwhelming odds, Banda Singh and his remaining followers retreated to the fortress of Gurdas Nangal, where they prepared for a final stand against the Imperial forces.

The Siege of Gurdas Nangal lasted for eight months, during which Banda Singh and his men endured severe shortages of food, water, and supplies. Despite their dire circumstances, they fought with unwavering determination, inflicting significant casualties upon the Mughal forces. However, the relentless siege ultimately took its toll. Starvation and exhaustion weakened the defenders, and in December 1715, the fortress fell. Banda Singh Bahadur and his surviving soldiers were captured and taken to Delhi in chains.

Execution and Legacy
Banda Singh Bahadur was paraded through the streets of Delhi along with hundreds of his followers, as the Mughal authorities sought to make an example of him. After months of captivity, he was subjected to gruesome torture before being publicly executed in 1716. His death was meant to serve as a warning to any who dared to challenge the authority of the Mughal Empire.

Yet, rather than extinguishing Sikh resistance, his martyrdom fueled the flames of defiance. The brutal repression that followed only deepened Sikh resolve, leading to the emergence of the Sikh Misls in the later 18th century, who would eventually overthrow Mughal rule in Punjab altogether. Banda Singh Bahadur’s legacy remains profound—while his rule was short-lived, he demonstrated that the Sikhs could challenge imperial authority and govern independently. His bold actions paved the way for the eventual rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Empire in the early 19th century.

The rise and fall of Banda Singh Bahadur is a powerful chapter in Sikh history, symbolizing both the triumphs and tribulations of a people determined to assert their sovereignty. His leadership saw the creation of the first Sikh state, a significant achievement that set a precedent for the future. Despite internal divisions and the ultimate collapse of his rule, Banda Singh’s defiance against oppression ensured that Sikh resilience remained unbroken. His name endures in history as a fearless warrior who, against all odds, dared to carve out a new destiny for his people.

Link to blogs in this series:

1. The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire: Part 1 – The Rise and Fall of Banda Bahadur
2. The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire: Part 2 – Sikh Persecution
3. The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire: Part 3 – Persian & Afghan Invasions

Books & References:

1. The Sikhs by Khushwant Singh
2. A History of the Sikhs: Volume 1: 1469 to 1838 by Khushwant Singh
3. A History of the Sikhs: Volume 2: 1839 to 2004 by Khushwant Singh
4. The Sikhs of the Punjab by J.S. Grewal
5. The Sikh Gurus by Dhillon Harish
6. The Sikh World by Pashaura Singh & Arvind Pal Singh Mandair

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