Before the creation of the Khalsa in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji faced many challenges from the Hill Chiefs and the Mughal rulers. These battles were not just fights for land or power, but struggles to protect faith, dignity, and justice. From Bhangani to Nadaun, every clash revealed the courage of the Sikhs and the leadership of Guru Ji. These victories boosted the morale of the Sikh community and spread Guru Ji’s fame far and wide. Understanding these battles helps us see how the foundation of the Khalsa was built step by step.
Battle of Bhangani (1688 A.D.)
The Battle of Bhangani was the first major conflict fought between the Hill Chiefs and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in September 1688 A.D. This historic battle took place near Paonta Sahib, about 10 kilometres away, and marked the beginning of Guru Ji’s military leadership.
Several causes led to this confrontation. The growing military preparations of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were unbearable for Bhim Chand, the ruler of Kahlur. Guru Ji’s teachings against idol‑worship and the caste system were also seen as interference in the religious practices of the Hill Chiefs. Tensions increased further when the chiefs began robbing Sikhs of gifts meant for Guru Ji. The Mughal government added fuel to the fire by instigating the Hill Chiefs to take action against him. Above all, Bhim Chand’s jealousy of Guru Ji’s rising influence pushed him to unite other Hill Chiefs against the Sikhs.
On 22nd September 1688, a confederation of Hill Chiefs, prominently led by Bhim Chand of Kahlur and Fateh Shah of Sri Nagar, attacked Guru Ji’s forces at Bhangani. Despite being heavily challenged, Guru Ji and his Sikhs fought with extraordinary courage and determination. The Hill Chiefs suffered severe losses, and many of their brave warriors were killed. Seeing their army in disarray, Bhim Chand and Fateh Shah fled from the battlefield.
This decisive victory brought immense pride and confidence to the Sikh community. Guru Ji’s fame spread far and wide, and the Hill Chiefs, shaken by their defeat, were forced to compromise with him. As historians rightly observe, “The battle of Bhangani proved immensely useful for the Guru because it increased his influence far and wide.”
Battle of Nadaun (1690 A.D.)
After the victory at Bhangani, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji left Paonta Sahib and returned to Sri Anandpur Sahib. Around this time, Emperor Aurangzeb was occupied with campaigns in the Deccan. Taking advantage of his absence, the Hill Chiefs stopped paying their annual revenue to the Mughal Empire. When Aurangzeb learned of this defiance, he ordered Mian Khan, the Governor of Jammu, to punish the chiefs. Mian Khan dispatched a large Mughal force under his general Alif Khan to enforce imperial authority.
At this critical moment, Bhim Chand of Kahlur sought Guru Ji’s assistance. Guru Ji agreed and joined him with a band of selected Sikhs. On 20th March 1690, the battle took place at Nadaun, about 30 kilometres from Kangra. In this clash, Kirpal Chand, the ruler of Kangra, sided with Alif Khan and fought against the Hill Chiefs. Despite the odds, Guru Ji and his Sikhs displayed remarkable bravery and skill. Their courage forced Alif Khan and his Mughal soldiers to retreat from the battlefield.
With Guru Ji’s support, Bhim Chand and the Hill Chiefs secured victory. However, the alliance proved short‑lived. Soon after the battle, the Hill Chiefs betrayed Guru Ji and once again compromised with the Mughals, showing their lack of loyalty and consistency.
Expedition of Khanzada (1694 A.D.)
By the mid‑1690s, the growing influence of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had become a serious concern for the Mughal Empire. Determined to crush his rising power, Emperor Aurangzeb ordered Dilawar Khan, the Governor of Lahore, to take action in November–December 1694 A.D. Dilawar Khan sent an army under the command of his son, Khanzada Rustam Khan, with the plan of launching a sudden night attack on the Sikhs at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Khanzada’s strategy relied on surprise and darkness, but it failed completely. The Sikhs, under Guru Ji’s leadership, resisted with courage and discipline, forcing the Mughal expedition to retreat without success. This defeat highlighted the growing strength of the Sikh community and the inability of the Mughal forces to overpower them.
The following year, in 1695 A.D., another expedition was attempted by Hussain Khan and Jujhar Singh. However, this too ended in failure, further proving that Guru Ji’s position at Anandpur Sahib remained secure despite repeated Mughal efforts.
Expedition of Prince Muazzam (1696 A.D.)
After repeated defeats of Mughal forces against the Sikhs, Emperor Aurangzeb decided to send a much larger army under the command of his son, Prince Muazzam, in 1696 A.D. The target was Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Hill Chiefs who had resisted Mughal authority.
When Prince Muazzam reached Lahore, he dispatched his general Mirza Beg to punish the Hill Chiefs. The Mughal army carried out widespread plundering and looting in the hilly regions, creating fear and destruction among the local population. However, despite the aggressive campaign, no direct action was taken against Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
This restraint was largely due to the intervention of Bhai Nand Lal Ji, a respected Sikh scholar and poet, who played a crucial role in preventing conflict between Guru Ji and Prince Muazzam. As a result, Guru Ji’s position remained secure, and his power continued to grow despite repeated Mughal attempts to weaken him.
The battles of the Pre‑Khalsa period (1688–1696) reveal the extraordinary courage of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the resilience of the Sikh community. From Bhangani to Nadaun, and through the failed Mughal expeditions of Khanzada and Prince Muazzam, Guru Ji consistently defended faith and justice against overwhelming odds. These victories not only boosted Sikh morale but also spread Guru Ji’s influence far and wide. Most importantly, they laid the foundation for the creation of the Khalsa in 1699, transforming the Sikhs into a disciplined warrior community ready to resist tyranny and uphold righteousness.
