Sikh Intervention in Gilgit
The Sikh Intervention in Gilgit (1842-1844) was a military expedition by the Sikh Empire to secure control of the region following the death of its ruler, Sikander Shah, who was killed by Gohar Aman of Yasin. The Kashmir Governor of the Sikh Empire, Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, dispatched a Sikh force led by Colonel Nathu Shah. The Sikh forces defeated Gohar Aman, established a garrison, and reinstated Karim Khan, the brother of the late Sikander Shah, as a vassal. BackgroundThe northwestern part of Kashmir, consisting of Gilgit, Hunza, and Chitral, is surrounded by the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges.[1] Historically, this region was bordered by Afghanistan, China, and the Russian Empire, therefore being high of strategic importance.[1][2] The region was once ruled by a Muslim Dardic clan closely related to the Chaks of Kashmir, who ruled the Kashmir area until their fall in 1586.[1] The Muslim Dardic tribes of the region were often hostile to one another and resisted foreign rule.[2] Among them, the most powerful was the Kushwaqt family, which held a fragile dominance over the other tribes.[3][4] Gohar Aman's Invasion of GilgitThe Gilgit region was marked by tribal warfare and blood feuds, especially after the death of Raja Tahir Shah of Nagir, who succumbed to an illness. Gohar Aman, the eldest son of Mulk Imam, became the ruler of Yasin and sought to expand his influence.[5] Taking advantage of Raja Tahir Shah's illness, Gohar Aman invaded Gilgit but was repelled by Raja Najam of Punial.[6] Later, Gohar Aman launched a second invasion but was once again repulsed by Raja Najam.[6] In 1836, Sikander Shah rose to power in Gilgit while Gohar Aman was consolidating his strength. To counter him, Sikander Shah sent assassins to eliminate Gohar Aman, but the plan failed.[7] Gohar Aman had successfully taken control of Chitral and, with a thousand men, launched his Third invasion of Gilgit.[7][8] Sikander Shah was unable to engage Gohar Aman in a pitched battle and was besieged in Sankar by the Yasin forces. After nine months of resistance, the provisions ran out, forcing Sikander Shah to surrender to Gohar Aman. However, he was executed ten days later.[8] Request for Sikh Intervention Karim Khan, the younger brother of the late Sikander Shah, was in Gor when he learned of his elder brother's death. He began mobilizing his forces for an invasion, but on the advice of his ministers, he decided to go to Kashmir, which was governed by Sheikh Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din on behalf of the Sikh Empire.[7][9] Keeping in mind that the Sikh Governor, being Muslim, was unlikely to cause any trouble in the future, Karim Khan proceeded to Srinagar and sought assistance from the Governor.[5] The latter accepted the request and assembled a Sikh force of 1,000 soldiers, appointing Colonel Nathu Shah of Gujranwala and Mathura Das of Jammu in Charge of the expedition.[5][10] ExpeditionWhile on his way to Gilgit, Nathu Shah captured Astore and later Chilas.[2][5] Seeing this expedition, Gohar Aman felt loose and decided to withdraw from Gilgit, retreating to Basin where he set up camp. Nathu Shah pursued Gohar Aman and defeated him at Basin, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.[2][11] Nathu Shah chose not to follow Gohar Aman into the mountains, as he wished to avoid leading his army into a trap.[11] Karim Khan was reinstated as the ruler of Gilgit but faced heavy restrictions and was vassalized.[9][11] Additionally, a Sikh contingent was stationed as a garrison in Gilgit, while Nathu Shah was recalled to Lahore.[2] Mathura Das, a Hindu officer from Jammu who was part of the expedition, grew envious of Nathu Shah's success and sought to establish his own reputation.[11] He led his portion of the army to the mountainous region of Sharot, where he was ambushed and defeated by Gohar Aman.[2][11] Following this defeat, Mathura Das fled back to Srinagar. Upon learning of this setback, Nathu Shah once again marched towards Gilgit, successfully pacified the region, and strengthened alliances by marrying the daughter of Gohar Aman as well as daughters of tribal leaders from Hunza and Nagir.[2][5][11] The Sikh occupation of Gilgit became permanent.[12] AftermathKarim Khan was killed in 1844, and his son Muhammad Khan II succeeded him.[10] However, the Sikh occupation continued until the first Anglo-Sikh War. After their defeat, the Sikhs were forced to cede Kashmir to the East India Company, which later sold it to Gulab Singh, making him the Paramount of Kashmir. The Sikh soldiers stationed in Gilgit were subsequently replaced by Dogra soldiers.[9] In 1851, Muhammad Khan II was defeated by Gohar Aman, and the Dogra garrison was annihilated. The Dogras were unable to reclaim Gilgit until 1856, following the death of Gohar Aman.[9] References
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