page_title: Akali Phula Singh
section_title: Advancement to Attock
hierarchical_section_title: Akali Phula Singh / Biography / Advancement to Attock
caption_attribution_description: English: Attock Fort, 1849. from Sarhad Conservation Network - Picture Gallery - "A Walk Down Memory Lane" http://www.geocities.com/scn_pk/memorylane.html
context_page_description: Akali Phula Singh Nihang was an Akali Nihang Sikh leader. He was a saint soldier of the Khalsa Shaheedan Misl and head of the Budha Dal in the early 19th century. He was also a senior general in the Sikh Khalsa Army and commander of the irregular Nihang of the army. He played a role in uniting Sikh misls in Amritsar. He was not afraid of the British who at many times ordered for his arrest but were not successful. During his later years he served for the Sikh Empire as a direct adviser to Maharajah Ranjit Singh. He remained an army general in many famous Sikh battles up until his martyrdom in the battle of Naushera. He was admired by the local people and had a great influence over the land and his settlement was always open to help the poor and helpless. He was well known and was a humble unique leader and prestigious warrior with high character. He was also known for his effort to maintain the values of Gurmat and the Khalsa panth.
context_section_description: Upon the assassination of Fateh Khan and the civil disruption that evaded the Kabul region Maharajah Ranjit Singh took advantage of the situation and advanced his army to Attock in October 1818. The Maharajah himself led the expedition to bring the rebellious Pathans under control. A bridge made of boats was constructed across the river Attock and a small jatha was sent to assess the situation, but the jatha was attacked. This enraged the Maharaja. He sent Akali Phula Singh and general Hari Singh Nalwa to fight against the rebels. As soon as the Sikh army was within firing range, they were showered with a rain of bullets. Akali Phula Singh ordered a tactical retreat. This made the rebels come out of their bunkers to follow the retreating Sikhs and push them out of their area. When the enemy was in the open battlefield, Akali Phula Singh ordered a severe attack and then encircled them. Their commander Feroze Khan accepted his defeat and requested the Sikhs to end the battle. The rulers of Khatkha surrendered themselves to the Khalsa forces and thus were spared. Next day, the remaining Khalsa army and Maharajah Sahib came across the river and camped there. Placing small contingents in the forts of Khairabad and Jahangira. The Sikh army then proceeded towards Peshawar.
caption: The Attock Fort
exif: {}