The First Anglo-Sikh War: The Battle of Sobraon (with Amarpal Singh)

This is the final installment of my interview with Sikh Historian Amarpal Singh. He talks us through the final moves of the First Anglo-Sikh War which culminated in the Battle of Sobraon fought on the 10th of February 1846.
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[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Another great eye opening episode, heartbreaking for the brave Sikh soldiers who were betrayed by their own leaders. I have bought and thoroughly enjoyed the book on the first Anglo Sikh War and have ordered the second, greatly recommended.

[@redcoathistory]

Great stuff, glad you liked it!

[@navmoon]

I heard during this battle, a man named Sham Singh Atariwala showed up. He was a veteran leader in the Sikh Empire. Him and his troops chose to fight to the death against the British. He’s a hero in Sikh history. I think he was around age 50. At the 8:00 minute mark, he is the man dressed in white clothing, on a white horse, raising a sword in the air. The painting is showing his last stand.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Nav. It really is a fascinating battle. I will try and research Sham Singh for any future coverage. Appreciate your input.

[@pablo19136]

The Sikh regiments on the Western Front I WW1 must get a mention. Amazing soldiers.

[@howardgoy9568]

And again in WW2

[@Jammil2477]

Ferozashah was one of my regiments battle honours, the 1st battalion Worcestershire and sherwood foresters, I’m guessing from the Worcesters? Really interesting conversation. Oddly enough, my grandad was a sergeant/sergeant major who served in India early 20th century, he had a company of Sikh soldiers under his command/instruction. Had the Sikh first barefoot football team in India and said they were the bravest soldiers he ever served with. Could speak Punjabi and where he lived on Churchill avenue in Coventry, he used to talk in Punjabi to an old Sikh gentleman often at the gate. This was before I was born, I never met him only recall what my mother used to say about him. ( apparently, British soldiers sent to India had to be able to speak the language).

[@tommiatkins3443]

It's very hard to impartiality as a historian to relate a defeat of your own nation. I find the same as a Briton with Singapore and the Somme. Respect to the Sikhs. Outfought on this occasion but dying with honor.

[@lesdodoclips3915]

The Somme wasn’t a defeat at all, losses were horrific but it was a victory for the entente

[@themanwithnoname3636]

Honestly I find it harder when the shoe is on the other foot. I find it hard and awkward and just constantly try not to be offensive or untactful.

[@nigel6351]

Really interesting video. My x3 Great Grandfather Patrick Sloan who was from Clough county Down was a sergeant in the 9th East Norfolk and my x2 Great Grandfather John Mitchell and his brother William were in the 62nd Wiltshire and fought in these battles. The painting of 62nd at the battle of Ferozeshah is on the wall in my dinning room. Im glad the Sikh people are our goods friends now they were and are brave warriors.

[@Rohilla313]

Fascinating. I look forward to reading Amarpal Singh’s books. My knowledge of this conflict is rudimentary. I’ve skimmed over some contemporaneous British accounts second hand including the biography of Captain William Hodson of Mutiny fame who had participated in these wars.

[@gurparkashsingh-gi9lk]

This comments making it totally true that video has been done on purpose and the guy amritpal is kind of guy which British used as spy and sikhs lost battle . Otherwise even as a leaderless army sikhy was not going to easy to defend. Big shame on you guys like amarpal. Puppets of british

[@troydodson9641]

Alright, I'm well convinced. I'll see to getting these books. Many thanks for good recommendations and big thumbs up for getting an interview with such a learned man. Spectacular work

[@peterwilson6509]

Once again good vid explained brilliantly by amarpal Singh 🙂

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Peter. Yes, Amarpal is a lovely man and really knows his stuff.

[@gurparkashsingh-gi9lk]

This comments making it totally true that video has been done on purpose and the guy amritpal is kind of guy which British used as spy and sikhs lost battle . Otherwise even as a leaderless army sikhy was not going to easy to defend. Big shame on you guys like amarpal. Puppets of british

[@gurparkashsingh-gi9lk]

This comments making it totally true that video has been done on purpose and the guy amritpal is kind of guy which British used as spy and sikhs lost battle . Otherwise even as a leaderless army sikhy was not going to easy to defend. Big shame on you guys like amarpal. Puppets of british

[@rsingh6090]

Tragic and poignant, a great insight thank you both.

[@themanwithnoname3636]

Really enjoy your video's mate. I could listen to you both all day.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@paulspaintshed3511]

Another great video. Definitely want to learn more and the book is next on the purchase list. Such a shame that Sikh sources are so difficult to access. We're there many skirmishes or smaller actions taking place between the larger battles? If so what information is available on them? Cheers both for the inspiration to seek out more on both the wars.

[@jaideeptung9001]

Thank you for sharing

[@HypocriticYT]

Glad to find a video with Amarpal the author 😊 My personal interest began with a British officer sword of Capt Longworth who led the 31st Foot at the Battle of Sobraon.

[@gurparkashsingh-gi9lk]

This comments making it totally true that video has been done on purpose and the guy amritpal is kind of guy which British used as spy and sikhs lost battle . Otherwise even as a leaderless army sikhy was not going to easy to defend. Big shame on you guys like amarpal. Puppets of british

[@stevekirby5046]

Very interesting. I recently discovered that my 3 x Great Grandfather fought at the battle of Sobraon with the 9th Lancers. He was awarded the Sutlej medal which has long since disappeared.

[@paulstone3590]

My compliments on your four part series. Unfortunate for those men who went to Sobraon they were duped and lost their lives. Essentially slaughtered. It would be very helpful to see how the common Sikh foot solider saw the war unfolding and their view of their commanders. What astounds me is not one of those soldiers killed Tej or Lal Singh. This army had been mutinous for five years and now they obeyed their leaders without question. That really blows my mind. Considering what those two had done in the first two battles. I also wanted to note that at the battle of Aliwal the Sikh force was completely defeated and lost all of their guns to the British. 67 in total. There was no treachery here for the Sikhs. They were flat out beaten and their men panicked and ran away. I think the Sikhs bit of more than they could chew and were defeated by treachery and their own stupidity. Even if they had beat the British in the first battles they would have eventually lost in a long campaign. The British East India Company had two other large armies and a vast amount of manpower to replenish their armies. In addition to the Imperial British armies that could have intervened as occurred in the Mutiny of 1857. The British were a global superpower that had conquered the world and this Sikh state was just 40 years in the making. They put up a hell of a fight with one hand tied down and a knife in their back but they were woefully over matched by the British. If they had kept Ranjit SIngh's peace deal the state may have survived. But their own King set in motion his Empires destruction by installing a drug addicted imbecile as the new sovereign and the sinister Dogra brothers in very powerful positions in the Lahore court.

[@ikballalli5539]

Aliwal was greatly exaggerated to make up for the British reversal at the battle of baddowal. Both really were minor skirmishes that had no impact on the war.

[@paulstone3590]

@@ikballalli5539 From what I read it was a decisive British victory. The Sikhs ran and left there guns behind. And the account is verified by a Muslim Punjabi artilleryman that fought with the Sikhs. He wrote a ballad of sorts accounting the first war. He is one of the few accounts from the Sikh soldiery. I forgot his name. But you may run across his work in time. Can try Internet archives website.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Paul. I really love it when people watch the films and then take the time to write detailed responses like this. I think you make a lot of valid points...I can't comment specifically on Aliwal as I haven't researched it in any detail.

[@ikballalli5539]

@@paulstone3590 Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India wrote of Sir Harry Smith: "His entire suppression of the facts of the affair of Buddiwal just before Aliwal, where he was shamefully surprised - lost all his baggage, may of his sick and followers, and was saved from utter rout only by the cavalry under Cureton, who personally extricated him - is regarded with great contempt". Capt. J.D. Cunnigham who was present at the battle wrote: "the ground was more thickly strewn of victorious horseman than of beaten infantry". Sikh casualties were in the order of no more than a few hundreds, similar to the British losses. This is corroborated by intelligence reports received later by the British which put the strength of Ranjodh Singh's army not much lower than prior to the battle. Majority of the Sikh losses in man and guns were from the crossing the river. Sir Harry Smith was by every account a brave and daring soldier, however due to the flack he received from the battle of Buddiwal, the battle of Aliwal was greatly exaggerated by his accounts. Thus a Sikh retreat was portrayed as a compete rout. Though the battle of Aliwal was of no real significance, a British victory there was a morale booster. Background: There is no evidence Ranjodh Singh engaged in any treachery against his troops. He was not given any direction or commands by Lal and Tej singh, in fact, in he was prohibited to join the Sikh forces at the battles of Mudki and Ferozshah - another plot to divide the Sikh forces. He was however a woefully inept General who had no military talent.

[@paulstone3590]

@@ikballalli5539 What i glean from your comment is that the Sikhs were not defeated in this battle? They were. Cunningham states that 50 plus guns were taken in this battle. He never said they sank in the river. And Runjor Singh and the Dogra hill men fled the battle. They fired off a volley and ran. (Orders from Gulab SIngh?). The only ones who remained behind were actual Sikhs. I don't know the qualifications of Runjor Singh or his religion. But he was a general in the Khalsa army. If he was incompetent that shows the weakness of the Sikh army in not having or promoting qualified men to senior positions of leadership. Lastly, losing 67 guns is significant. If they had those after Sobraon they could have put up more resistance. But the war was lost regardless and more men would have been killed on each side. The Sikh army was over confident in their fighting abilities. Why they were eager to engage the British. They did not realize till after the second Anglo Sikh War that the British are not Afghans. Both sides underestimated their opponent. But the British had a better military organizational structure and far more experience than they did. Why the Sikhs were going to lose with traitors or not.

[@awesomestevie27]

They say it’s worse to lead 1000 lions by a sheep than 1000 sheep by a lion

[@HypocriticYT]

Yes would be great to access the Indian archives to get a more rounded history and not just stories of the victor. I find it fascinating to read what they thought and believed.

[@5aab235]

There should be added Some extra For Sardar Shaam Singh Attariwala im this battle i think he fought greatly with courage

[@pfcsantiago8852]

With leaders like that they had no chance.

[@redcoathistory]

Yes, it seems they really were stabbed in the back by their own commanders.

[@ikballalli5539]

More a massacre than a battle, orchestrated by Lal and Tej Singh.

[@redcoathistory]

Yes, a shocking waste of Sikh manpower.

[@harmanhayer7082]

They secretly joined the British.

[@Zen-rw2fz]

Where exactly in lahore are these documents mentioned supposed to be?

[@anthonyrobinson5021]

these relatively unknown battles are hugely interesting to learn about and the history surrounding them. can someone please tell me how europeans came to fight on the sikh side?

[@redcoathistory]

The short answer is money, mate. The Sikhs paid well and were keen for European expertise.

[@anthonyrobinson5021]

thanks for your reply, i will read up on the anglo-sikh wars to find out more. there are many nepalese where i live so the wider conflicts in india and with the gurkhas would be interesting also.

[@redcoathistory]

@@anthonyrobinson5021 Yes the Gurkha war of 1815 is little known - though it does get a mention in my video on John Shipp - "THe real-life Richard Sharpe"

[@anthonyrobinson5021]

@@redcoathistory i will get round eventually to watching your john shipp video as i subscribed to your channel a couple of weeks ago because i have a huge interest in history in general. one of my favourite films as a youngster was zulu so was obviously very interested in your anglo-zulu war videos and the unknown battles in that conflict. during the 90s i watched the sharpe tv series and i again have a huge interest in the napoleonic era so im currently watching your videos on the peninsula war. i also listen to many audiobooks on different eras in history and currently listening to audiobooks on the eastern front during the 2nd world war. history is fascinating and has many links to things going on in todays world. i appreciate you taking the time to reply and look forward to watching many more of your videos and learning a great deal. thankyou, take care mate

[@bold810]

Dr. Thomperson? From Simpershire?

[@maroofgulrehman8754]

Please tells about battle of child 1603

[@HypocriticYT]

Sobraon was fought at the tip of the sword and bayonet, a very tough go until the British took the barricades that cannon could not damage

[@gytx5339]

I'm subscribed to your channel but I don't get your videos recommend. I have to visit it to check for new videos.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for letting me know...It kind of confirms my suspicion that KZbin don't help to push my content...Not sure if that is because I'm doing something wrong or because YT don't like the sort of videos I make...

[@harrydemontechristo8425]

When on campaign, the Zum Zuma cannon, the biggest on the battlefield, it lost a wheel & couldn’t carry on, so the commander asked Sikhs to volunteer to hold up the cannon on they back, when fired, as the cannon fired, the man died, his body was moved & the next Sikh came, there was a long line, that’s who the Sikhs were

[@redcoathistory]

Please send a source for that as its very interesting but I suspect could be apocraphyl.

[@navee7571]

This incedent happened during the Siege of Multan​ in 1818 as part of Sikh-Afghan wars. @@redcoathistory

[@julianmhall]

@Redcoat: British Military history I wonder if turnabout was fair play and Wellington saw the Sikh tactic of defending well worked, so copied it, and that's where his ill-earned nickname of the Sepoy General originated, or if it was just Napoleon who called him that because he honed his trade in India. Curiously if you look up the 31st Foot Regiment their Wikipedia entry makes no mention of Sobraon. Typically a Western perspective on military history. I sympathise regarding paucity of sources. My MA Dissertation was on the aerial bombardment of Italy during the SWW, and there are very few sources in English. I don't speak Italian so that was 'fun' to say the least..

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Julian. Nice to hear your input but the timing doesn't really work for Wellington have learned his tactics from the Sikhs though. I'll look the Wikipedia post up that you mention. Thanks and keep in touch.

[@stephenmcdonald7908]

Look up the East Surrey regiment or the Princess of Wales Royal Regt. They still celebrate Sobaron day.

[@rickybell2190]

Ten thousand sikhs and 2 and a half thousand british casualties. .... so you know, not too bad. Isn't history terrifying and marvellous at the same time.

[@Rohilla313]

By all accounts the British troops fought magnificently, as they normally did. The sepoys in the East India Company’s service were less impressive. The bravery of the Sikhs goes without saying.

[@navmoon]

In my opinion, if different Indian groups worked together, they could’ve freed India

[@kirishima2370]

Certainly a unified India would have kicked the British out of most of the country, but the fact was many Indian 'tribes' and princes saw the British presence as beneficial. 1857 showed that there was no sense of common Indian identity or purpose at that time.

[@richardschoenmakers3704]

Yeah but they didn’t

[@gursimarsingh5505]

Sikhs were professionally trained and had a high number of troops who could lead several victories and crushing defeated on British. But when the commanders became their enemy how can you expect to win any war?

[@Krypt0n1an1]

No shit! To this day we barely get along no one can let go of that separate identity and just be Indian

[@stevenson68478]

@@Krypt0n1an1 Cause India isn't a nation. Current India is a colonial concept, and there can be no peace until all the nation-states are respected within the Indian boundary or India disintegrates

[@HypocriticYT]

Sikh and British wouldn’t surrender to Afghans. Kipling” roll on your rifle and blow out your brains”😮 because the woman would come for the wounded with their knives 😮

[@JaspalSingh-vh8qu]

SIKHS won the battle but lost the war,❤Shah mohammad ek sarkar bajo khalsa fauja jit ke har nay?

[@barracuda008l4]

Excellent topic, but strong doubts about treason arguments that are usually the excuse use to justify incompetence

[@abhi739]

If britain had one more of us gurkha regiment, there wont be need for second anglo sikh war

[@hardeepsingh-sg2kz]

ever heard of Ranjit Singh trashing your nepali thapa back in the early 1800s? never underestimate the sikhs, khukhri boy! gurkhas are just mercenaries. Sikhs are professional soldiers

[@garylynch9206]

I don't like the Gurkha fetish. Mercenenaries is all.

[@abhi739]

​@@garylynch9206 learn from churchil who trained under us

[@garylynch9206]

Hi Abhi. I am Irish so am a VERY conditional admirer of Churchill. And I believe him to be poor at strategy and tactics. Tombs in the Dardanlles and 2 capital ships upside down at the bottom of the West Pacific suggest so.

[@abhi739]

@@garylynch9206 churchil strategy was ok just ruthless, used sikh treachery against us then after we cut the hairy Sikhs like carrot and onion in aliwal sobraon, he packed the punjabi and pashtuns into imperial colors, cunning yes but successful