Mir Mannu, also called Muin‑ul‑Mulk, was the son of Qamar‑ud‑Din, the Wazir of Mughal emperor Mohammad Shah Rangila. He was known for his bravery, strict discipline, and sharp diplomacy.
On 11 March 1748, Mir Mannu proved his military skill by defeating Ahmad Shah Abdali in the Battle of Mannupur. Impressed by his courage, the Mughal emperor appointed him as the Governor of Punjab.
- He ruled Punjab from 1748 to 1752 on behalf of the Mughals.
- After Abdali’s conquest in 1752, Mir Mannu continued as governor under Abdali until 1753.
This period marked the beginning of his harsh campaigns against the Sikhs, which shaped Punjab’s history in a decisive way.
Difficulties of Mir Mannu
Running the administration of Punjab was extremely challenging for Mir Mannu. He faced several serious problems:
- Power struggle: After Zakariya Khan’s death, his sons Yahiya Khan and Shah Nawaz Khan fought for control, spreading lawlessness across Punjab.
- Abdali’s invasions: Repeated attacks by Ahmad Shah Abdali further destabilized the region.
- Sikh raids: Taking advantage of the chaos, Sikhs increased their looting activities, making governance harder.
- Empty treasury: The state’s finances were nearly exhausted, leaving little money to run administration or pay soldiers.
To restore order, Mir Mannu appointed Kaura Mal as Diwan of Lahore and Adina Beg as Faujdar of Jalandhar Doab. These officials became his key allies in stabilizing Punjab.
Action Against the Sikhs
Soon after becoming Governor, Mir Mannu turned his attention to the Sikhs, who were active across Punjab and challenging Mughal authority. His measures included:
- Military campaigns: He sent troops to different regions to crush Sikh resistance.
- Strict orders: Adina Beg, the Faujdar of Jalandhar Doab, and the Hill Chiefs were commanded to take severe action against Sikhs.
- Daily executions: In Lahore, Sikhs were arrested and martyred regularly.
- Major battle (June 1748): Adina Beg fought the Sikhs, resulting in the martyrdom of about 600 Sikhs.
- Sikh strategy: To defend themselves, Sikhs hid in forests and hills. They used guerrilla tactics — striking Mughal forces suddenly, looting supplies, and retreating back to their hideouts.
Siege of Ram Rauni Fort (1748)
Despite Mir Mannu’s harsh policies, the Sikhs gathered at Amritsar during Diwali in October 1748. When Mannu learned of this, he ordered Adina Beg to march with troops to Amritsar.
- Shelter in fort: About 500 Sikhs took refuge in the Ram Rauni Fort, while others escaped to forests and hills.
- Four‑month siege: Mannu surrounded the fort for nearly four months. Around 200 Sikhs were killed in clashes.
- Appeal for help: The besieged Sikhs sought aid from Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, who secretly supported them despite serving under Adina Beg. His arrival boosted Sikh morale.
- Abdali’s threat: News of Ahmad Shah Abdali’s invasion forced Mannu to end the siege early.
- Compromise: On Diwan Kaura Mal’s advice, Mannu lifted the siege and granted the estate of Patti to the Sikhs, hoping they would abandon looting and live peacefully.
Second Invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali (1748)
To understand the second invasion, it’s important to recall the first invasion:
- First Invasion (March 1748): Ahmad Shah Abdali entered Punjab but was defeated by Mir Mannu at the Battle of Mannupur (11 March 1748). This victory made Mir Mannu famous and led to his appointment as Governor of Punjab.
In December 1748, Ahmad Shah Abdali attacked Punjab again to take revenge for his earlier defeat.
- Mir Mannu’s weak position: He had no military support from Delhi, so defeat was almost certain.
- Smart move: Instead of fighting, Mir Mannu chose diplomacy.
- The agreement: He promised Abdali the annual revenue of four districts (mahals) —
- Sialkot
- Gujarat
- Pasrur
- Aurangabad
- Revenue amount: Together, these districts produced about Rs. 14 lakhs per year.
This pact allowed Mir Mannu to remain Governor of Punjab, but it also showed how Abdali’s power was increasing in the region.
Persecution of the Sikhs (After Second Invasion)
After the second invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali, Punjab was left unstable. This gave the Sikhs a chance to strike back. While Mir Mannu was away from Lahore, the Sikhs under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia boldly attacked and looted the city. It was one of their most daring moves, showing how fearless they had become despite constant persecution.
When Mir Mannu heard about the looting, he was furious. He swore that he would wipe out the Sikhs completely. To prove his anger, he took away the estate he had earlier granted them as part of a compromise. He then announced rewards for anyone who captured or killed Sikhs, turning persecution into a daily reality across Punjab.
This marked the beginning of another wave of oppression. Sikhs were hunted, arrested, and executed with full force. Yet, history shows that instead of breaking their spirit, these harsh measures only made the Sikhs more determined. Their courage in the face of cruelty became one of the defining features of this period.
Third Invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali (1751–52)
After the second invasion, Mir Mannu had promised Ahmad Shah Abdali the annual revenue of four districts. But he failed to send the payment. This broke the agreement and gave Abdali a reason to attack Punjab again.
Towards the end of 1751, Abdali launched his third invasion of Punjab. A fierce battle took place near Lahore on 6 March 1752 between Abdali’s forces and Mir Mannu’s army. The fighting was intense, and many lives were lost. In this battle, Kaura Mal, one of Mir Mannu’s trusted officials, was killed. Mir Mannu himself was captured by Abdali.
With this victory, Abdali took full possession of Punjab in 1752 A.D. and annexed it to his Afghan kingdom. However, instead of removing Mir Mannu, Abdali re‑appointed him as the Governor of Punjab. This showed Abdali’s clever strategy: he wanted to control Punjab but also use Mir Mannu’s local authority to keep order.
Abdali gave Mir Mannu a clear command — to take strict action against the Sikhs. This marked the beginning of another harsh phase of Sikh persecution under Mir Mannu’s rule, now carried out directly under Abdali’s orders.
Renewal of Sikh Persecution (1753)
After recovering from his earlier setbacks, Mir Mannu launched fresh efforts to destroy the Sikhs completely. He introduced brutal measures across Punjab:
- Bounties on Sikh lives: Rewards were fixed for anyone who brought the head of a Sikh.
- Punishment for supporters: Severe penalties were given to those who sheltered or helped Sikhs.
- Campaigns in Lakhi Jungle: Armies were sent to drive Sikhs out of their hideouts.
In March 1753, during the festival of Hola Mohalla, Sikhs gathered at Makhowal (Sri Anandpur Sahib). Adina Beg suddenly attacked them, killing many. Soon after, Mir Mannu himself marched to Batala, while his commander Jamaluddin led forces to Amritsar, where nearly 900 Sikhs were massacred.
When Mughal troops failed to capture Sikh fighters, they turned their cruelty towards women and children. Large numbers were arrested and taken to Lahore, where they suffered unimaginable atrocities.
Death of Mir Mannu (1753)
By late 1753, Mir Mannu’s persecution of the Sikhs had reached its peak. He was determined to crush them completely. On 3 November 1753, he received news that a group of Sikhs were hiding in a sugarcane field. Without hesitation, he rode out on horseback to punish them.
During the clash, Sikh gunfire frightened his horse. The animal went out of control, throwing Mir Mannu off balance. One of his feet got trapped in the stirrup, and the horse dragged him violently across the ground. This accident led to his death.
Many saw this as “nature’s revenge” for his cruelty against the Sikhs. Despite his relentless campaigns, Mir Mannu failed to destroy Sikh power. In fact, his harsh policies only strengthened their unity and resilience.
