Battle of Nadaun

Date	1691
Location	Nadaun
Result	Raja Bhim Chand's victory.

Belligerents

Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur, aided by:
•

Guru Gobind Singh's disciples (Sikhs) • Prithi Chand of Dadhwal,
• Command Chiefs(Mughal Haters)

Aurangzeb
Wazir Khan
Raja of Kangra
Raja Dayal of Bijarwal

Commanders and leaders

Bhim Chand
• Sri Guru Gobind Singh
• Other Rajas & Command Chiefs

Alif Khan
Kirpal Chand
Raja Dayal of Bijarwal

The Battle of Nadaun was fought at Nadaun, between Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) and the Mughals under Alif Khan. Raja Bhim Chand was supported by Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) and other hill chieftains, who had refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor. The Mughals were supported by Raja of Kangra and Raja Dayal of Bijarwal. The battle resulted in the victory of Bhim Chand and his aides.

Different authors give the date of the battle variously as 1687, 1689, 1690, 20 March 1691, and 4 April 1691.

Bichitra Natak, considered to be the autobiography of Guru Gobind Singh, is one of the major sources of information about the battle. However, its authorship is disputed by some scholars.

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns against Bijapur and Golconda had put considerable strain on the Mughal exchequer. To meet these expenses, Aurangazeb ordered the Governor of Punjab, Azim Khan, to recover annual tributes from the rulers of hill states, who had been defaulting on the payment for three consecutive years.

Azim Khan assigned the duty of collecting tributes to Mian Khan, the viceroy of Jammu. The duty of collecting tributes from Kangra and adjoining principalities was assigned to Alif Khan (or Alaf Khan).

Alif Khan first approached Raja Kirpal Chand (or Bhim Chand Katoch) of Kangra. The Raja told him that Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) was the most powerful king in the region; if he pays tribute, the others will follow. Raja Dayal of Bijarwal (or Bijharwal) was persuaded by Kirpal to meet Alif Khan's demands. At Raja Kirpal's suggestion, Alif Khan proceeded towards Bhim Chand's capital. He halted at Nadaun and sent his envoy to Bhim Chand of Bilaspur with his demands. However, Bhim Chand refused to pay the tribute.

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Wikipedia