Context
Hari Singh Nalwa, a legendary Sikh commander, tamed the turbulent forces at play in Afghanistan and earned the reputation of the most feared Sikh warrior there.
Who was Hari Singh Nalwa?
- Hari Singh Nalwa was one of the main and most trustworthy commanders of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s
- He remained Governor of Kashmir, Hazara and Peshawar.
- He defeated various Afghans and established control over various regions along the boundary of Afghanistan and prevented Afghans from entering Punjab through Khyber Pass.
- Khyber Pass was the main route to enter India by the foreign invaders from 1000 AD till early 19th century.
- Hari Singh Nalwa was the biggest strength of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Legacy
- The government of India released a stamp on the name of Nalwa in 2013, for his bravery and ferocity.
How did Afghans start fearing him?
- Most of the important battles were fought under the command of Hari Singh Nalwa.
- Hari Singh Nalwa participated in various battles against Afghans because of which Afghans lost their control over various Afghan-held territories.
- Battle of Kasur: In 1807, at the age of 16, he participated in the Battle of Kasur (now in Pakistan) and defeated Afghani ruler Kutab-ud-din Khan.
- Battle of Peshawar: In 1818, Sikh army under Nalwa won the Battle of Peshawar and Nalwa asked to be stationed there.
- Nalwa took control over Jamrud in 1837, a fort at the entryway to Afghanistan through Khyber Pass.
- The Battle of Multan, Hazara, Manekera, Kashmir also expanded Sikh empire by defeating Afghans.
- Such victories over Afghans created huge fear of Nalwa among the Afghans because of which his name is used to take in front of unruly children by their mothers.
- Nalwa remained stationed at Peshawar to keep an eye on the Afghan-Punjab border.
What happened in his final battle?
- Hari Singh Nalwa died in the Battle of Jamrud.
- Hari Singh Nalwa was stationed at Peshawar at that time.
- He marched towards Jamrud to save Sikh army which was surrounded by Dost Mohammad’s
- When the Afghan army came to know about Nalwa’s sudden arrival, the Afghans were taken aback and started leaving the battleground in haste during which Nalwa got seriously injured and later died.
