004. The Battle Of Gujrat

It took the British almost one hundred years to conquer the whole of India. This process began in the 1740s with wars against the French and their local allies in the Carnatic region (not Karnataka, but a region in present-day Tamil Nadu) in the southernmost part of India, and ended at Gujrat in 1849.

After their defeat at Chillianwala, the Khalsa army—by then just a shadow of its former glory—camped outside Gujrat city. However, the British, unwilling to give the Sikh army under General Sher Singh any respite, quickly pursued them and took positions around the city. 

Sher Singh tried to make a final stand here but was defeated on 21st February 1849. The Sikh army fled toward Rawalpindi but eventually surrendered near Rawat—probably at Humak—on 12th March 1849. The British formally annexed Punjab on 2nd April. 

A ravine where the Sikh Army took defensive positions. (26.03.2009.)

Beneath this tomb lie 

The REMAINS OF

CAPTAIN JOHN NICHOLSON

OF THE 

BENGAL ARTILLERY

KILLED IN ACTION 

The British Cemetery, Gujrat. (26.03.2009.)

It is a small cemetery and contains the remains of fewer than ten British soldiers. Their condition is not good, the boundary wall is falling apart, the graves are in a dilapidated condition, and the whole yard is covered with overgrown vegetation. 

 Another view of the graves. (26.03.2009.)

The location of these graves is at 32° 34' 49.00" N, 74° 05' 53.55" E. The heart of the battlefield was probably a few hundred meters in the northeast. There is nothing else to commemorate this battle. These graves, as you can see, are in a very bad condition. I visited this place on 26th March, 2009. I wish we could not only preserve these graves, but also erect a monument in memory of the fallen soldiers of Sikh army. After all they were defending Punjab against a colonial power. You are right, I am asking for the moon. (But perhaps I could get a little support, if I tell you that there were many Muslim soldiers in Khalsa army, especially in the artillery).

I shall appreciate your comments on the above post. Similarly I most welcome your suggestions to improve it or any more information on this subject, which  I shall use with all due credit. 

Tariq Amir

May 12, 2014.

Doha - Qatar 

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