page_title: Second Battle of Anandpur
section_title: The battle
hierarchical_section_title: Second Battle of Anandpur / The battle
caption_attribution_description: Shot by me in a museum
context_page_description: The Second Battle of Anandpur was fought at Anandpur, between Sikhs and Rajas of the Sivalik Hills.
context_section_description: Lohgarh and Fatehgarh were the two main forts under Guru Gobind Singh's control. Sher Singh and Nahar Singh were asked to guard Lohgarh, and Ude Singh was appointed as chief to guard Fatehgarh.
  The hill Rajas attacked the Guru's forces, but had to retreat. They held a brief council, and decided to launch a three-sided attack. Raja Kesari Chand of Jaswal launched an attack from the right flank, Jagatullah attacked from the left flank, and Ajmer Chand led his troops to make a front attack on Anandpur.
  In the ensuing battle, Jagatullah was killed by Bhai Sahib Singh. Raja Ghumand Chand of Kangra rallied his troops but failed to defeat the Guru's forces. The Rajas again held a council, in which Ajmer Chand proposed reconciliation with the Guru. Many Rajas agreed, but Raja Kesari Chand of Jaswal opposed the proposal, and suggested a more determined fight next day, to oust the Guru from Anandpur.
  Next day, the Rajas' forces launched another attack and besieged the city. The Guru's men defended themselves successfully for weeks. Raja Kesari Chand then decided to send an intoxicated elephant to break the gate of Lohgarh fort. The body of the elephant was encased in steel, and a spear was projected from its forehead to break the gate. Guru's disciple, Vicihitar Singh (or Bachittar Singh) successfully chased away the elephant with his spear Nagni barchha. Bhai Mohkam Singh cut its trunk with his sword. The wounded elephant went back in the Rajas' camp, trampling several men under its feet. Meanwhile, Kesari Chand was killed by Ude Singh, and the Raja of Handur was severely wounded in a conflict with Bhai Sahib Singh. The Rajas' army had to retreat.
  On the following day, the troops of Ghumand Chand of Kangra attacked Anandpur. The battle lasted till evening, and resulted in death of Ghumand Chand at the hands of Bhai Himmat Singh.
caption: A depiction of Bhai Bachitter Singh killing the drunk elephant set by Mughal forces on the Sikh forces in the battlefield with Nagni Barcha (snake spear) given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This photo was taken by outside the Sikh History museum on way from Mohali to Sirhind
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