5th Battle of Anandpur (May, 1704)

Opposing forces.

Allied armies of Subedhars of Lahore, Kashmire, Sirhand, delhi, and the treacherous Hill rajas numbered approximately 200,000 advanced upon a Khalsa army numbering 10,000. (20:1) The enemy forces having learnt lessons from their previous encounters were extra cautious during their advance. Avoiding pitched battles with the Khalsa army enroute the completely encircled the Anandpur defences with adequate depth earlier than anticipated. Guru Sahib Ji’s forces holding the Anandpur defences were now completely cut off from the outside. The course of a stream, the only source of water to the troops inside the Anandpur defences was altered with a view to force the defenders to surrender out of sheer thirst and starvation.

Having achieved practically no results on a seven month long siege the enemy adopted a psycho-diplomatic method, making promises and taking oaths on the Quran that they never intended to keep, but succeeded in driving out the defenders from their defences on hard standing ground.

Meanwhile the Khalsa army carried out attrition on the advancing but cautious enemy before finally occupying the main defences.

Organised commando raids in strength on the enemies administrative areas and collecting sizable amounts of food stock to supplement the cereal stores of Anandpur which were initially just enough to last a month or so. The raids were organised and carried simultaneously by a number of jathas to cause confusion. Nahar Singh and Sher Singh with a band of brave Khalsa entered deep into the main camp of general Zabardast Khan and Ajmer Chands forces in which they gave a lightening blow. Also before leaving they untethered the enemy horses and injured their elephants causing chaos as the animals trampled underfoot.
By organising effective patrols by night and observations by day, any enemy efforts to drive a wedge into the main defences were thwarted.
Under pressure and compulsion from within Guru Sahib Ji decided finally to abandon the defences through a safe passage promised by the allied forces despite knowing the hollowness of such promises and religious oaths given by the allied commanders. To ensure maximum security Guru Sahib Ji organised his Khalsa, numbering approximately 1,000; out of which only 500 were mounted, in vanguard, read guard and flank guard for the protection of the main body, which primarily consisted of chariots and carts carrying women and children clad in men’s clothing.
When the enemy, unmindful of their promises, encircled the small force of Guru Ji on the open flat ground, the flank and rear guards heroic fight held the enemy at bay and did not allow them to get to the main body. Finding a opportunity Guru Ji and the main body headed to cross the river Sarsa. The turbulent river swollen due to recent torrential downpour posed a major obstacle.
In order to negotiate the river a strong contingent took positions on vantage points to ensure a clean break from the chasing army. Bulk of the force meanwhile, in various groups waded across the river on horseback. The chasing armies follow up was very speedy. Although they could not engage the wading force due to delaying elements of the Khalsa, they overcame then due to sheer numbers and waded across the river in order to regain momentum of the attack.
Since, time was of a premium and a storm in full rage , Guru Sahib Ji could not reorganise his troops after crossing the river and with only 150 horsemen, including Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jhujar Singh Ji entered Roper state. The forces of Roper engaged Guru Sahib Ji’s contingent, after a quick encounter and disengagement, Guru Ji with his remaining 40 men reached an old havaili at a place called Chamkaur.
Analysis.
Well planned and daringly executed commando raids by trained troops on enemies logistics administrative dumps, even when the enemy has the upper hand, can unnerve them and have far reaching effects. The allied force commander, having lost a sizeable amount of his food stocks due to the Khalsa raids, moved his their supplies approximately 35kms away from Anandpur and deputed a large force for their protection. Carriage of food over such a large distance and storing escorts burdened the enemy.
Efficient, proactive and well coordinated patrols by night ensure security of the defences.
The security of the main body during advance operations depended on :

   
Mobility and balance characteristics of the force constituting front, rear and exposed flank guards.
   
   
Correct spacing of groups, keeping the terrain and threat in mind.
   
   
Determination of troops.
   
   
Deception and surprise.
   
   

The basic elents of one foot on the ground and the other on the move inherent in various drills, when exploited in letter and spirit can ensure safety from even pursuing forces. The element of file and move tactics in the drills practiced by Guru Ji’s Khalsa while clearing the river Sarsa avoided the enemies chase turning into a pursuit.

 
Leadership.
Commanders who share equally the adversities and hardship of their troops and face them boldly and cheerfully invigorate the morale of those under their command. The Khalsa army was on starvation rations for two months in which even the edible leaves of trees and bark were consumed. Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family did not have an privileged items and took the same rations as were given to the troops.
Mental perception to see through the battle trickery of the enemy commanders can avoid disasters and capture enmasse. Guru Gobind Singh Ji mental discernment of impending danger in the allowance of safe passage by the allied force commanders on religious oaths and promises and consequently his organisation for the protection of the main body to ensure its safety even when a force of a few hundred were encircled on flat terrain by an army thousands strong meant that they main body crossed the river in relative safety.
Local women, children and unarmed citizens must be given adequate protection by the evacuating force and not left to the mercy of the enemy. Guru Sahib Ji’s main body consisted of chariots and carts carrying local women and children which could not be sent out of the fort earlier.
 
 
Sentiments have no place in battle. Guru Sahib Ji had correctly appreciated that the enemy was very badly demoralised and on the verge of breaking point seeing no results of their seven month long siege and that within a few for days the enemy commanders would have lifted the siege unconditionally, but those within the Gurus command had insisted that they take up the offer of the enemy and evacuate Anandpur sahib.
 

 
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