Warrior of the World – Praful Shah
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Mohammad Azim Khan Barakzai, the Sultan of Kabul, was in such trouble that he was ready to fight a decisive battle against Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh discussed with Sardar Harisinh Nalwa, a trusted leader. But Harisinh Jazi, who loved war like a religion and a battlefield like a sweetheart, instead of debating whether we should wait for his invasion, instead of making preparations, gave a direct blast.
This was to prove to be a very different kind of battle. Here Nalawa felt that a change in traditional tactics, weapons and tactics was necessary. After a detailed discussion with the Maharaja, Harisinha got down to business. Accordingly, some part of the army was to be allowed to remain in Hazara. When the time came, even a Kabul commander like Phulasingh Akali was asked to be ready. After making full preparations to meet any trouble in Hazara, Nalwa took a large number of troops to go to Stak. Atka River could play a very crucial role in this war. He on the one hand undertook the repair of the bridge over the river Atka on a war footing. On the other hand, the exercise of collecting as many boats as possible was carried out. He instructed the moneylenders of Hazara, Haripur and surrounding areas to fill up the grain stores as soon as possible so that not only war, but also food shortage for the people.
It is obvious that while the camp of Maharaja Ranjit Singh made such preparations, the enemy could not sit idly by. Mohammad Azim Khan Barakzai, who had ambitions to conquer Atka, Mundher, Hazara and Multan, was no less affectionate.
He adopted the strategy of moving from Kabul to Peshawar. Azim Khan’s younger brother Yar Mohammad Khan Barakjai ruled Peshawar but he had to pay taxes to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In simple language we can say that he was a Khandio king under Ranjit Singh. Azim Khan Barakzai went to Peshawar via Khyber and, contrary to expectations, gained access easily. That day was AD. 12th February 1823.
Easy access to Peshawar made Azim Khan proud. He felt that his conquest began by getting Peshawar under the Khalsa Raj. As part of the strategy he came to Bhai Yar Mohammad Khan in pride and wrote a long letter and delivered it to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was said that it was difficult for us to face Azim Khan’s raging army. So had to leave Peshawar without escape.
It is obvious that he was still pretending to be loyal to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His brother Azim Khan inherited an old and well-known title. He resumed the agitation by sending ghazis and clerics to all Muslim areas. By poisoning the Hindu army of Ranjit Singh by inciting hatred and resentment, he had the evil intention of sending one Muslim as a soldier to the battlefield.
The size of the Ghazi army of jihad continued to grow. This figure reached 45 thousand. Now the question came that where to keep these herds before the war? For this, Naushahara region was selected. The only reason for this was that there was plenty of potable water available in the Kabul River. There was also a large living space. During the war, the oath of the mountain was to be found.
Seeing this, Mohammad Azim Khan Barakzai’s courage increased greatly. He sent his two nephews Khabas Khan and Mohammad Jamal Khan with a large force of Ghazis and ordered them to stop Ranjit Singh’s army near Atka. This order was given in such a way that the task of spreading gram-mamra has been assigned!
From the point of view of general circumstances, logic and statistics, Mohammad Azim Khan Barakzai’s plan was almost perfect. The arrangements for its implementation were adequate. But the biggest obstacle in front was the name of Sardar Harisingh Nalwa. Against the enemy’s military force, armed force, he had tremendous self-reliance, morale and unwavering loyalty, bravery, intelligence, courage and able soldiers and soldiers.
Seeing that hordes of so-called warriors of Mohammad Zaman Khan and Khabas Khan had turned up, the Nalwa, unconcerned, became quite active. He assigned the mission to the Khalsa army to start threatening the Ghazis. He knew that the number of Muslims in front was four times that of his army, but the faith was 400 times more. It was not easy to drive back the Ghazis but the Nalwa loved a challenge, loved it very much.
When he got information that the Khalsa army was advancing towards him, he started advancing with his army. But not to fight. He had different ideas in his mind, so that Nalwa’s plan could be completely foiled. (Sequentially)
