After the death of Zakariya Khan in 1745 A.D., Punjab entered a turbulent phase marked by a war of succession for the Governorship of Lahore. His two sons, Yahiya Khan and Shah Nawaz Khan, became bitter rivals for power. With the crucial backing of Qamar‑ud‑Din, Wazir of Delhi, Yahiya Khan secured the governorship in January 1746 A.D.
Far from being a reformer, Yahiya Khan proved to be a continuation of tyranny. In his treatment of the Sikhs, he did not lag behind his father Zakariya Khan or his grandfather Abdus Samad Khan. His rule was marked by severe oppression, religious intolerance, and attempts to crush Sikh identity, setting the stage for some of the darkest chapters in Sikh history, including the First Ghallughara (Small Holocaust) of 1746.
This succession struggle and Yahiya Khan’s rise to power highlight the Mughal Empire’s internal instability and its relentless persecution of the Sikhs — a community that, despite repeated massacres, refused to surrender its spirit of resistance.
Activities of the Sikhs
After the death of Zakariya Khan in 1745 A.D., Punjab was plunged into lawlessness and anarchy. The Mughal administration was weakened by the succession struggle between his sons, and this instability created an opening for the Sikhs to reorganize their strength.
When Yahiya Khan assumed charge as Governor of Lahore in January 1746 A.D., the Sikhs had already begun consolidating their forces. They formed jathas (armed bands) and launched bold actions against those who had collaborated with the Mughal government.
- Targeting Oppressors: The Sikhs attacked villages and punished Chaudharis and Muqaddams who had sided with the authorities in persecuting Sikh families.
- Expanding Activities: Their operations spread across key regions such as Jalandhar, Phagwara, Batala, and Bajwara, where they struck fear into local officials and reasserted their presence.
- Symbol of Resistance: These actions were not mere raids; they represented the revival of Sikh power and a determination to avenge decades of oppression under Zakariya Khan and his predecessors.
Thus, the early months of Yahiya Khan’s rule were marked by intensified Sikh resistance, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontations of 1746, including the death of Jaspat Rai and the First Ghallughara.
Death of Jaspat Rai
In March 1746 A.D., a Sikh jatha (band of warriors) was traveling on pilgrimage to Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in Eminabad. On their way, they took a few goats and sheep from the nearby village of Gondlawala. The villagers lodged a complaint, which reached Jaspat Rai, the Faujdar of Eminabad and brother of Diwan Lakhpat Rai.
- Demand for Return: Jaspat Rai ordered the Sikhs to return the animals. The Sikhs, unwilling to submit to Mughal authority, refused.
- Armed Clash: Enraged, Jaspat Rai gathered soldiers and attacked the Sikh jatha.
- Turning Point: During the skirmish, a Rangreta Sikh (from the community of low‑caste Sikhs who played a vital role in battles) struck decisively and beheaded Jaspat Rai.
- Immediate Aftermath: With their leader slain, Jaspat Rai’s soldiers panicked and fled the battlefield.
This incident was more than a local quarrel — it became a flashpoint in Sikh‑Mughal relations. Jaspat Rai’s death deeply angered his brother, Diwan Lakhpat Rai, who vowed revenge. It directly triggered the large‑scale persecution of Sikhs in Lahore and set the stage for the First Ghallughara (Small Holocaust) later that year.
Actions of Lakhpat Rai Against Sikhs
The death of Jaspat Rai in March 1746 A.D. enraged his brother, Diwan Lakhpat Rai. Determined to avenge this loss, he rushed to Lahore and sought the support of Yahiya Khan, the Governor of Lahore. Yahiya Khan, already inclined to crush Sikh power, gave Lakhpat Rai full authority to destroy the Sikhs root and branch.
- Mass Arrests and Killings: On 10 March 1746 A.D., many Sikhs residing in Lahore were arrested and mercilessly executed.
- Religious Restrictions: Lakhpat Rai imposed harsh measures aimed at erasing Sikh identity:
- The sacred word “Guru” was banned.
- The word “Gud” (jaggery) was replaced with “Rori”, simply because “Gud” sounded like “Guru.”
- The holy Granth Sahib was ordered to be called “Pothi.”
- Punishment for Defiance: Anyone who dared to use the original words or defy these orders was sentenced to death.
These actions were not just administrative measures; they were deliberate attempts to humiliate and suppress Sikh faith and culture. Lakhpat Rai’s policies reflected the Mughal determination to obliterate Sikh identity, but instead they deepened Sikh resolve and resistance.
First Ghallughara (Small Holocaust)
In May 1746 A.D., the Mughal authorities under Yahiya Khan and Diwan Lakhpat Rai decided to completely destroy the Sikhs. To achieve this, they raised a very large army and launched a sudden attack. Their plan was to wipe out Sikh power once and for all.
At first, the Mughal army surrounded about 15,000 Sikhs at Kahnuwan. The Sikhs, however, managed to escape from the siege and moved towards the Basoli hills to find shelter. But this escape soon turned into a trap. The Sikhs were caught in a very difficult situation. Behind them, the Mughal soldiers were chasing them. In front of them, the Hill Chiefs and local enemies blocked their way. On one side, the Ravi River was overflowing with water, and on the other side, there were steep hills. This meant the Sikhs had no safe path to move forward.
The situation became worse because the Sikhs had no food supplies. Their warriors were starving, and their horses had no fodder, which made them weak and unable to fight properly. Surrounded from all sides and suffering from hunger, the Sikhs faced a terrible massacre.
In this attack, about 7,000 Sikhs were killed (martyred) on the spot. Another 3,000 Sikhs were captured alive and later executed in Lahore. This was the first time in Sikh history that such a huge number of Sikhs were killed in a single event. Because of this, the tragedy is remembered as the First Ghallughara, also called the Small Holocaust.
This event is very important in Sikh history. It shows the cruelty of Mughal rulers but also the immense sacrifice of the Sikhs. Even after losing thousands of lives, the Sikhs did not give up their struggle. The First Ghallughara became a symbol of their courage and determination to continue resisting oppression.
Fall of Yahiya Khan
The oppressive policies of Yahiya Khan and Diwan Lakhpat Rai eventually collided with the internal rivalries of the Mughal elite. In November 1746 A.D., Yahiya Khan’s younger brother, Shah Nawaz Khan, raised the banner of revolt against him.
- Civil War: The struggle between the two brothers escalated into a civil war that lasted until March 1747 A.D.
- Outcome: Shah Nawaz Khan ultimately triumphed. On 17 March 1747, he ordered the imprisonment of Yahiya Khan and Diwan Lakhpat Rai.
- End of Cruelty: Their downfall brought an end to the systematic persecution and restrictions they had imposed on the Sikhs.
- Sikh Resilience: However, this political change did not mean the end of Sikh resistance. Despite suffering the First Ghallughara (1746), the Sikhs remained unbroken and continued to rise against Mughal authority.
The fall of Yahiya Khan illustrates how Mughal infighting weakened their governance, while the Sikhs, though heavily persecuted, grew stronger in spirit and determination. It was a turning point that showed the limits of Mughal power and the indestructible resolve of the Sikh community.
