The Battle of Chillianwallah took place on January 13, 1849, during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, fought between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire in present-day Pakistan.
The British forces, were led by General Hugh Gough, whilst the Sikh army was led by Sher Singh Attariwalla, near the village of Chillianwallah. The battle occurred after the British and the Sikhs had fought two battles at Ram Nagar and Sadullapur. Whilst the other theatre of war known as the Siege of Multan was still raging on.
The British forces, numbering around 12,000, were heavily entrenched and initially confident. However, they were caught by surprise when the Sikh army, which was numerically similar and perhaps slightly larger, launched a fierce attack from the dense jungle. The British suffered significant casualties due to their lack of proper reconnaissance and the ambush tactics of the Sikh forces.
While the British were eventually able to rally and retreat, the battle was considered a costly stalemate, with heavy losses on both sides. The British suffered over 2,000 casualties, while the Sikhs had around 1,000 killed or wounded. The result was inconclusive, but the Sikhs’ resistance was strong enough to delay British control.
The battle had significant consequences for both sides: the British learned the importance of better reconnaissance, while the Sikhs, despite their losses, continued their resistance until they were ultimately defeated in the final phase of the war (Battle of Gujarat) which concluded with the annexation of the Punjab region into British India.
Heritage panels at the Chillianwallah
I have recently learned that there are descriptions of the battle at the Chillianwallah memorial. This includes quotes from my book The British and the Sikhs and The Rise of the Sikh Soldier both published by Helion Books. Humbled to see my words on the location of the shaheeds (martyrs) who fought against British control of Panjab. Books available at Helion and Company.
Thanks to Inderpal Chawla and the Sikhlens team for informing me of the panel.