NIZAM UDDIN (d. 1802), the Pathan chief of Kasur and a tributary of the Bhangi sardars, overthrew his allegiance to the Sikhs and submitted to Shah Zaman, the king of Afghanistan, when the latter invaded India in January 1797. Nizam udDin took possession of the forts evacuated by the Sikhs. During Shah Zaman`s next invasion in November 1798, he presented a nazar to him and entreated that he be appointed governor of the Punjab for a tribute of 5, 00, 000 rupees annually which proposition was not acceptable to the Shah. On the retirement of Shah Zaman in 1799, Nizam udDin tried in vain to persuade the Muslim citizens of Lahore to accept him as their ruler, but they rejected the proposal and invited Ranjit Singh instead to take possession of the city.
In 1800 Nizam uddin joined hands with the Bhangis. They jointly challenged Ranjit Singh at Bhasin, near Lahore, but were repulsed. Soon thereafter Ranjit Singh sent an expedition against Nizam udDin under Fateh Singh Kalianvala, who laid siege to the town of Kasur. In the florid Persian of the court diarist Sohan Lal Suri: “Like a moth, Nizam udDin fell upon the lamp of the glory of the armies, burnt his wings and having failed to carry on the open battle, became besieged.” Nizam udDin sued for peace, paid a heavy indemnity and agreed to become a tributary of Ranjit Singh. In 1802, he was assassinated by his own brother in law.
References :
1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Umdat ut-Twarikh. Lahore, 1885-89
2. Griffin, Lepel and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1940
3. Latif, Syad Muhammad, History of the Panjab. Lahore, 1891
4. Bhagat Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and His Times. Delhi, 1990
5. Khushwant Singh, Ranjit Singh, Maharajah of the Punjab. Bombay, 1973
6. Harbans Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Delhi, 1980
MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH & CONQUEST OF KASUR – 1807
In the last two decades of the 18th century Kasur (south of Lahore) was under Nizamuddin Hasanzai Kandhari Afghan. He had submitted to the Bhangi Sardars on payment of a tribute. On the retirement of Shah Zaman (of Kabul) in 1799, Nizamuddin tried to persuade the Muslim citizens of Lahore to accept him as their chief. They rejected his proposal and invited Ranjit Singh to take possession of Lahore. In 1800 Nizamuddin joined Gulab Singh Bhangi in expelling Ranjit Singh from Lahore, but their plans failed.
In 1801 Ranjit Singh sent Fatah Singh against him. The Afghan force opposed the Sikhs a few kilometres from Kasur. On being defeated they took shelter in a fort inside the town. Fatah Singh besieged the town. One gate of the fort was blown off. Nizamuddin sued for peace. He paid a large indemnity, accepted Ranjit Singh as his overlord, and agreed to pay tribute. Next year same thing happened, Nizamuddin rebelled and Fatah Singh & Ranjit Singh subdued him, and he made peace.
Nizamuddin was assassinated in 1802 by his brothers-in-law, Haji Khan, Wasal Khan and Najib Khan, whose jagirs he had resumed. Nizamuddin was succeeded by his brother Qutbuddin Khan who approached Muslim states of Kabul, Bahawalpur and Multan to overthrow Ranjit Singh. Qutbuddin began to fortify Kasur. He strengthened the forts, collected arms, ammunition and provisions and recruited fresh troops. Ranjit Singh deputed Faqir Azizuddin to warn Qutbuddin against such measures, but he continued his activities.
Accompanied by Jodh Singh Ramgarhia, Ranjit Singh led an expedition against Kasur in 1807. Akali Phula Singh at the head of his Nihangs was in the forefront. The battle was fought on 10 February 1807. The Afghans were forced to take shelter in the fort. It was besieged. Occasional bombardment and skirmishes continued for a month without producing any effect on the garrison. Then Phula Singh and his Nihangs made a sudden dash into a breach made in the fort wall. Sharfuddin and others fled away. Qutbuddin was captured. Kasur was annexed in March 1807. Qutbuddin was allowed to retain Mamdot territory about 400 square miles in area on the left bank of River Satluj.
Reference: Hari Ram Gupta – History of the Sikhs Vol. V The Sikh Lion of Lahore (Maharaja Ranjit Singh,1799-1839)
