The Battle of Ferozeshah 1845 - First Anglo Sikh War

[@harryshriver6223]

This must be the origin of the military expression of "fustercluck " and "fubar". This battle was an exercise in absurdity, you are absolutely right my friend. The Sikh Army managed to find a way to lose a battle to the British by retreating from certain victory. I will have to admit it took a lot of chutzpah for General Hough to parade in front of the enemy guns in a white overcoat. Well done my friend, I'm looking forward to the next video about this unique conflict in the history of the British Empire. Gracias, amigo y nos vemos pronto.

[@jatinderaujla1576]

One of the Sikh armies Generals had been offered the regency of Kashmir if he betrayed his side. A heavy price was paid by some of the Sikh armies most skilled soldiers and the decision planted the seeds for the current conflict in Kashmir - the Venice of the East.

[@MichaelCampin]

Back to that old chestnut, "Sir, what is the date of your gazetted rank"

[@davidcoleman757]

Fabulous delivery, as always. A truly bonkers battle.

[@adt70hk33]

Excellent as always on one of those more obscure topics of British history..... And I've now caught up with all your videos. Great work.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for watching my videos.

[@adt70hk33]

No problem at all. Credit where credit is due. I find them fascinating.

[@BrendenParker-o5v]

Fascinating, the British could have lost India that day, if not for a traitor. Brave men, all of them.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Not the first (or last) time in the history of the world.

[@ekamjk]

this isn't the first treachery of tej Singh, when the lal Singh and tej Singh crossed the river into British territory , they had combined force around 43000 soliders, which they divided into two parts. lal singh marched and set camp at farozashah whereas tej singh remained at ferozpore doing nothing. There were no. of british positions like ferozpore fort garrisoned with 10000 british soliders, british supply depot , outposts, he did nothing , kept his army free, when his men asked why are they not attacking he simply said that it would not be fair to attack the force that is half their size, giving chance to 7000 of that garrison soliders to join ser hugh gough. Another fact is that when the commander of garrison took his army out of town to face sikh army , the sikh commander still didn't gave any order to attack. Another reason why ser hugh gough was so edger to attack was that losing from sikh army means losing india, as the rulers of other indian states were not very happly of british either, any weakness from british would strike revolts in whole india.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Good points. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@Reme873]

These traitors helped defeat Sikh army and allowed India to suffer for many years to come under British Rule.

[@oc2phish07]

Wow! This was right up there with your most enthralling stories, Chris. Can't wait for the next.

[@chaudhry6769]

Thanks Brother ❤ I am a Punjabi, and am from the community which made up the backbone of Punjab's army, and our people are extremely simple and extremely brave, that's exactly what played against us and we lost our land to the traitors & invaders who were also men of spirit

[@paulchignell8341]

I am a great admirer of the Sikhs. I hope that we may never again find ourselves fighting each other but, instead, fighting together against our common enemy.

[@jon9021]

Hear, hear!

[@Sandhuforever]

Sikhs will never trust European again they already have broken the trust multiple times recently was helping india in operation blue star and sikh genocide

[@DanetteScheel]

That was well said!

[@Khalsafauj96]

Likewise. The British and Sikhs are natural allied peoples. Both could recognize the similar values of the two.

[@mattfawkner4526]

I agree with all comments. The Sikhs are wonderful people.

[@jlmfoy365]

Reminds me of the saying " its better to be lucky than good"

[@Pringlelover]

Just as the first I found this, the second video about the Anglo Sikh wars very interesting. Also it’s nice to see that your channel is continuing to gain more & more subscribers.

[@HTM95]

Love the pace of videos coming out lately Chris. You must be working quite hard. I'm enjoying it!

[@ekamjk]

you missed another detail, when the british force retreated first day from ferozashah, they could't sleep the whole night, they were waiting for a sikh cavelry counter attack, but they were lucky as lal singh didn't gave any order to cavelary, instead left all the baggage, guns at ferozashah, when british returned again on second day , they found camp emptly accept sikh supplies and guns, plus mined and sabotaged wells. it is when they had a proper meal.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@johnhudghton3535]

Thank you for this clear account of courage and complexity.

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Thank you for this post, it seems that even the bloody conflict there is now respect and peace. Try telling this to the others creating war these days.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.

[@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd]

Great video.... what an absolute shambles of a battle. Gough is a selfless hero.

[@stigg333]

Great explanation of a truly bloody battle in which so many brave people died, thanks and stay well.

[@wuffothewonderdog]

George MacDonald Fraser gives a very accurate account of the whys and wherefors of this battle in his novel Flashman and the Mountain of Light. Fraser, having been both a soldier and a journalist, could tell if those incharge were incompetant, drunk or unlucky.

[@backchat8086]

Hello mate, you beat me to it. I was just going to post something very similar lol G. M. F is one of my favourite writers (rip) and I agree, his account of this battle is excellent. It's a great book as is the whole Flashman papers series. Definitely a must for British Victorian history lovers. Cheers

[@vladvostok1723]

THX CHAPPY

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Chris, another cracking telling of a piece of history I knew naught about. Cheers

[@nigelhamilton815]

A lucky general indeed. Good episode. Thank you.

[@QALibrary]

When did a war, battle or campaign not get affected by someone's ego, superego or Id getting in the way?

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Fascinating Twists and Turns!!!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed my video.

[@parasf2984]

What a great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@shanemossmoss]

Another brilliant video thank you

[@parasf2984]

Great explanation

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your comment.

[@simonnoble7589]

Hi Chris , whot luck they had at the end of the battle , super story ... Thank you

[@kevinm3586]

Fighting Paddy Gough as imagined by George Macdonald Fraser: "Oi nivver wuz bate, an' Oi nivver will be bate!".

[@Lassisvulgaris]

Ah, the good, old Oirish Proide.....

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

Sir Harry Paget Flashman (1822-1915) had a very hard-going remarkable adventure at Ferozeshah back in '45. Astonishingly, he was intimately familiar with most names mentioned by Mark. He was only 23 years old at the time !

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@Fred-px5xu]

Kudos Sir once again you produce, pardon the pun, a winner. Thanks to the narrative I was on edge of my seat. Thank you for another brilliant video lecture on the battle. Oh may I have more pleases!

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

Dear Chris, I took all of your lessons as I wrote before and left many with just a thumbs up without a word because of the daily labor. Met Sean Bean in a plane to New Zealand, he was very pleased by my compliment for Sharp in the tv series... I never met an impolite Sikh. Wish you the best and thanks a lot for the history of the English colonial policy! From Northern Germany Ludwig.

[@harveybrant3352]

An ancestor of mine was in the 9th Foot and was wounded in this battle. He had part of his cheek shot away and received a bullet in the thigh. He had recovered sufficiently to be able to play a role in the Battle of Sobraon though.

[@davidwoods7720]

Many many thanks for this Chris

[@oliver5482]

Amazing. Just thought I’d should check for new uploads.

[@TheHistoryChap]

been working like a trooper to get it out today. Thanks for your support.

[@oliver5482]

And it was glorious good sir; felt as though I was there. What a story. My thanks absolutely

[@solohoh]

Most wonderful story teller

[@jacquelinejohnson9447]

Thank you for the video. I have learned a lot. You are greatly appreciated. Thank you again for doing these. 😊

[@barrywebber100]

Another incredible story, thanks again.

[@asimnawaz9256]

Maharaja Ranjeet Singh had signed a peace treaty with EIC. As a result, Sikh kingdom enjoyed peace as far as invasions from Southern Frontier (Sutlej River) were concerned. He fully utilised that period to build his kingdom's military strength. He hired Europeans to modernise his army. Although he remained busy in conquering northern kingdoms or territories but he was well aware of British threat from the Southern side. That's why he would often murmur these words in his darbar ' Sab laal ho jaye ga, Sab laal ho jaye ga' means ' everything will be red ( there will be red colour everywhere referring to redcoats of British Army). It didn’t happen in his lifetime. But tensions broke out after his death. Court intrigues had created a chaos or power vacuum in Punjab. Nevertheless, Sikh army's strength was intact. Sikhs were already a martial community. They had a history of armed struggle against Mughals and Durranis. They must have fought gallantly but we can't say that victory in one or two battles would have sealed the fate of British Raj. By 1945, British had consolidated their position in Central, Eastern, and Southern parts of India. Besides, they didn’t have any potential rival in other parts of the world. French had already been defeated and China wasn't much powerful. So in these circumstances, Sikh army could only give tough time to Redcoats. It wasn't in a position to drive them out.

[@MikeR-i7m]

Another great video and presentation! Interestingly enough, despite losing 17 of its officers and 250 of its men in the charge, the 62nd Wiltshires were accused of not attacking the Sikh guns vigorously enough and an inquiry was held. The regiment was completely exonerated. During the battle, the sergeants took over the duties of the fallen officers and, thereafter, “Ferozeshah Day” was celebrated by the regiment and, on that day, the sergeants were especially celebrated. Reminds one of that great war movie “Paths of Glory” starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.

[@petersmithm9]

Also The DERR regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments) commemorated this Battle Honour by having the Regt Colour transferred from the Officers Mess to the Sergeants Mess for the day after a parade on the square.

[@HarryWHill-GA]

Bravo Zulu (Well Done) Chris. Another fine video.

[@lionheart3916]

Great video Chris, looking forward to next one 👍

[@janrobertbos]

...well-told history lesson!!!😀

[@hellomoto2084]

Simmerson on thumbnail. Well sir well played . Greetings from an indian fan of Sharpe.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@StuartNicholson-j3r]

Very interesting. I look forward to hearing your stories. Have you thought about one of the sinking of the Jervis Bay in the Second World War and the award of a VC to the Captain?

[@edwardmond5523]

Interesting...👍👍👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@JoeRitchie-e5l]

Fascinating history. It's interesting that battles often turn on bizarre occurrences

[@manjitkaur7943]

Certainly not bizarre, when you discover that Lal Singh and Tej Singh were the treacherous traitors heavily bought by the British by promises of money and land. This was completely planned, that was why they did not send their men into battle but left their fellow soldiers to be slaughtered unaware that they would not get backup. Still those loyal soldiers Hindu, Sikh and Muslim continued fighting bravely.

[@syedghaznavi848]

One thing common in all battles between the British East India Company & any side representing Indians is TRAITORS on the Indian side. Which is a tragedy.

[@TheHistoryChap]

You make a good point. But also, maybe they thought that the EIC were a useful ally in their own power-struggles. Rather like having a pet cobra - it kills the rats but it can also kill you.

[@anirbanbhattacharya2146]

I am Indian. During those days especially the North and North Western regions of the subcontinent were ruled by multiple Hindu kings encircling a weak Mughal sovereign based in Delhi. It was chaos. Nobody trusted anybody and everyone was defending their own kingdoms. Basically in many instances the British offered powerful military support to warring kings in exchange of payments or vast land grants. Also many of the defeated kingdoms were annexed by the EIC.

[@syedghaznavi848]

@@TheHistoryChap thats exactly what they thought. They were doing the usual Indian backstabbing so prevalent after 1712 when the Mughal Empire started to lose control not seeing the bigger picture that the British EIC was there with a mega plan.

[@GrandAdmThrawn]

Careful now, Simmerson has a cousin at Horse Guards and friends at Court. 🤣

[@jon9021]

😂

[@marknewman2187]

55.48 "dead corpses' ..opposed to what ? Zombies ? Lol nice one Chris , great video , never heard of it ,madness

[@chrisgatehouse6842]

It occurs to me that nothing much changed even up to WW1 in the British fighting tactics - just me or am I wrong? Brilliant story well told and educated on a period I knew very little about. Thanks Chris

[@vincentlavery2568]

Great description chap. The PBI in the middle of the fog of war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@hasanmatloob3788]

As soon as i saw Sikhs advancing, i told my horse artillery and cavalry to abandon the battle. That's my style sir.

[@TheHistoryChap]

ha ha, you've made me chuckle this afternoon. Have a great weekend.

[@hasanmatloob3788]

@@TheHistoryChap you too.

[@cwilh6044]

Is that lamp behind you made of repurposed military equipment of some sort? Just a unique looking piece that draws one's attention.

[@jlvfr]

Monty Python wrote the script for the battle...

[@Lassisvulgaris]

NEE!

[@hamanu666]

Tis but a scratch!

[@g_rec_attempt6782]

Genuine question: Do you upload your episode anywhere else, other than KZbin? I would listen to you all day and night, but can't always be on KZbin.

[@janlindtner305]

So good maid 👍👍👍

[@prdocumentaries7553]

Hello Chris Green. I found recently that there is a battle that was fought in Somalia, 1903. It was a Dervish Uprising, and the British had been involved. The Battle of Agaarweyne is, as far as I know, a defeat worse than Isandlwana. The British numbered around 4,000 men, and they fought around 14,000 Dervish warriors. The British lost. If you could dig into this war and battle it would be amazing. Thanks.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your interesting comment.

[@prdocumentaries7553]

@@TheHistoryChap You're welcome

[@humanitypeace1080]

Whatever happened and happening is under the command of god almighty.

[@formwiz7096]

The seesaw of the second day sounds a lot like Molino del Rey in the Mexican War and Gough like Mark Clark at Salerno. PS Any way you can give the lineage of some of the British regiments? There's seems to be little rhyme or reason to the designations, particularly since they introduced a certain standardization during the Napoleonic Wars (90th Regiment of Foot, etc.).

[@Corky341]

Most of the lineages can be viewed on Wiki. (I also find Regimental heritage interesting).

[@TheHistoryChap]

It would make for a good series.

[@roberto-z5k]

Certainly a fool battle. Probably general Gough was one of these men able in commanding a brigate or a divisio but not a whole army. Courage is necessary but not sufficient in a commander and " Tipperary rush " was a dangerous tactic in face of a determinate and well armed foe. Governor Hardinge was uncertain but his doubfuls are comprensible, at least in my opinion: it 's difficoult to dismiss a commander in chief during a campaign. However against a competent Sikh leadership a British defeat was very probable whit the conseguences that you well underlines. But Sikh commanders were " strange ".... In short, thanks for the video and compliments for your wery usefull work, Chris!

[@bandit6272]

I don't want to over indulge in stereotypes, but I've met some very impressive sihks over the years. No wonder the Brits turned around and recruited them at every opportunity. Kinda like the Gurkhas. "Hey, now that the war's over, would you blokes like a job? "

[@RafterPigeon]

Quite a few here in Aus. Haven’t met one I didn’t like

[@jagnoorgill5715]

The downfall of Sikh empire was heavily caused by the backstabbing done by some of most trusted council members and generals like the dogras. From the death of hari singh nalwa to dilip singh the youngest son of maharaja ranjit singh being taken to england at the age of a 15 to stop his succesion to the throne. Its very nice to hear some acknowledgment of the brave war effort of sikh warriors from someone not of the religion

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your feedback.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video 📹 Indian subcontinent has a lot of treachery.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and your feedback.

[@morgan97475]

Why isn't the British Raj a TV series? Such incredible battles & actions, whether actual fighting or just fascinating activities, like recces through India & Persia into Afghanistan. Thanks for this.

Doesn't fit the prevailing narrative.

[@Playerone1287]

Because no one kinda likes us, we have negative image in the west, and no one would believe that even indians could fight a war except you history lovers This is fact, internet has done a negative PR for India lol

[@Playerone1287]

Who were better in close hand to hand combats, Sikhs or British??

[@Playerone1287]

Subbed

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@scottessery100]

0:16 they sound like their great great grandchildren became politicians

[@johnquach8821]

Ah yes. There was a theory that one of the Sikh commanders was ordered to lose this battle on purpose.

[@Sandhuforever]

He was not sikh he was a dogra whose descendants later on got Jammu Kashmir as a gift from British

[@SafavidAfsharid3197]

Please cover the 2 sieges of Bharatpur also.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Which one, 1805 or 1826?

[@SafavidAfsharid3197]

​@@TheHistoryChapplease if possible cover both. 🙏

[@Hilts931]

I love how Chris says war like, ‘whoar’ 😅🤣

[@TheHistoryChap]

I aim to please -:)

[@neilpk70]

Sir Harry Flashman distinguished himself in that campaign, if my memory isn't failing me.

[@davidfromkyushu6870]

Gogh knew, "They don't like it up them."

[@normtrooper4392]

This is a pretty wacky battle. Sometimes war is unpredictable

[@christopher-ke9nj]

Insane, nuts what the bloody hell

[@MotoG22-dd5rh]

From what i read from historical books of the time... few years ago. After the death of maharajah ranjit singh the generals were looking to take power under confederate military council like they had prior to formation of the empire but Ranjits family wanted their dynasty rule to be still in place so they were looking for a pretext and a way to divert attention of the powerful Sikh army generals from taking power. So the Sikh lahore darbar govt under Hindu dogra prime minister rallied the troops and got the imperial Sikh army to cross the sutlej river and attack the British east india company troops. The pretext was that the British had allied with rival Princely Sikh state kingdom rulers and were attacking Sikh villages (that had already pledged allegiance to lahore darbar government). So when those villages were attacked it angered the Sikh lahore govt and army thus making them determined to help liberate those villages. So they crossed the river to wage war under provocation and goading from those foreign invaders and their allied rival regional rulers.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.

[@pippohispano]

What a stupid battle! 😆 Charging bayonets against entrenched guns is like a charge of the Light Brigade, but on foot. Lal Singh was just a traitor, pure and simple.

"The result was inevitable, or at least so you might think".

[@harjotsinghbrar5372]

We always lost due to treachery of Punjabi and Indian Hindus , tej Singh was tej ram and lal Singh was also hindu

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your comment.

[@stevewixom9311]

Some days it's just better to be lucky then good.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@philvanderlaan5942]

It’s too bad that that old Indian veteran Richard Sharpe would be too old , if not killed by old wounds to participate. I would love to read that novel. And no one out Simmersons Simmerson.

[@manjitkaur7943]

Lal Singh was a trusted commander in charge of many thousands of men and artillery in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's vast and modern army. He was a traitor of the worst kind, bought by the British with promises of wealth and land. (Those traitors families still enjoy this wealth.) He actually led his men onto the battle field against the EIC. and suddenly ordered his men to turn and attack the other battalions of their own side!! This is why there was chaos and confusion on the battlefeild !!! the loyal Sikh army continued to fight but they did not know who they were fighting against !!!. In the confusion many thousands were killed. This was how the conniving British gained control of many parts of India and our own people's greed and betrayal led to our downfall. But look at the way the story is portrayed.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Seeing as the British had defeated every other Indian army, why weren't they capable of beating the Sikhs too?

[@mickofmorden]

What a story. Generals using old tactics!

[@darveshzamindar]

Therefore famous Indian saying , JO JEETA WOH SIKANDER JO HARA WOH BANDER which means ONE WHO WINS IS ALEXANDER (SIKANDER) ONE WHO LOSES IS MONKEY ( BANDER)

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TheKhurramshah]

The 2/3 indian sepoys, do we have a breakdown of Muslims of hindus?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Not without doing some more research.

[@TheKhurramshah]

@@TheHistoryChap i think its important to speak on this because i heave read somewhere that some of these Sepoys were that same ones that participated in the Mutiny

[@estebancastellino3284]

👍

[@Leigonyt10]

That’s why people traitors are more dangerous than any army traitors cost Sikh their empires

[@TheHistoryChap]

Treachery has played a part in so many battles throughout history.

[@maxreed2343]

YES, just when I was thinking you weren't gonna be posting this evening, Chris old bean, haha, you've delivered the next part of what you delivered during my final few days out in Kefalonia two weeks ago, the next big battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War following the earlier one at Mudki, JUST what we've been awaiting from ya. And HOLY MOLY, the two comical moments that happened after the initial and certainly EXTREMELY bloody battle which saw thousands of men from both sides slaughtered and decorating the battlefield with their dead forms and blood, and which presented British hero boy General Hugh Goth (thanks btw for correcting me on what I'd obviously guessed a bit mixed up in my review to the previous video two weeks back, that Hugh Goth WAS blood relation to the three Victoria Cross winning Goth men of Hugo and Charles and John) with a very unexpected and surprising win, certainly were EXACTLY that, quite the comical thing to hear, HA, and again Goth's skin was saved from possible firement shadowed though of course by the appalling losses as you say. And it's CERTAINLY still not over YET, is it, with the Battle of Aliwal, fought I believe on January 28th 1846, and was a big British victory, regarded as the turning point of the First Anglo-Sikh War itself, AND, Sir Harry Smith, leader of the British forces that day, said THESE words I believe... "I have gained one of the most glorious battles ever fought in India ... Never was victory more complete, and never was one fought under more happy circumstances, literally with the pomp of a field day; and right well did all behave", which commentators referred to said victory by Smith as the "Battle without a mistake", thanks to that few of Smith's army units that day sustained heavy casualties. So BRING IT ALL ON, Chris old bean, WE'RE READY FOR YA, bring on that video about the Battle of Aliwal, January 28th 1846

[@Pyjamarama11]

"permission to die, Sir !!"

[@johnwright9372]

Gough was undoubtedly brave, and half mad.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@Playerone1287]

Battle of buxar when british defeated combined army of Mughals and Nawab of Awadh

[@TheHistoryChap]

I will cover that in the future. Thanks for your sub.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

No plan survives contact - Murphy's Military Laws

[@Warhead-haggis]

!!!HERE COMES GENERAL GOFF!!! The most dreaded bedroom talk of Mrs Goff. 😅

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@manjitkaur7943]

Lal Singh and Tej Singh both were bought before thw battle took place and a plan was drawn up to betray their fellow soldiers on the battle field so that Punjab the greatest prize, be won.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Strange how so many Indians were easily bought by the British.

[@prabsingh4510]

Mudki to sabrao every battle sikhs fought leaderless yet did not surrender . They fought under traitors who did their best to help british.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video

[@fortunatusnine2012]

🤔👍👍

[@BernardoTorres-w5e]

The behavior of the Sikh commander was despicable and speaks very badly of the Indians as a whole , because no British commander even the one that under the effects of sunstroke and the stress of battle gave the crazy order that the narrator of this video tells about , would ever be a traitor .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@ottovonbismark5083]

@@TheHistoryChapthat nikka don’t know nothing yo video was good twin 💯

[@freebird2415]

So we had a world class army and third class leaders. Happens to the day.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching myn video.

[@PepeLepew-rm9ft]

The Seiks sought victory.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@prabsingh4510]

Purpose of anglo sikh wars to sabotage sikh army and pass out rule to british in punjab. Dogras brothers who had control of lahore durbar appointed their comrades lal singh and tej singh for the task. Both were rewarded with land and dogra brothers became king of kashmir for helping british

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.

[@edwardhyde4861]

"dead corpses"...ermmmm

[@TheHistoryChap]

Everyone likes a clever clogs.