Rise of Banda Bahadur :

Guru Gobind Singh ji, before his death, had ordered his Sikhs to accept Guru Granth Sahib as their religious Guru. During the last days of his life, Guruji visited the south. At Nanded Sahib, he met Bairagi Madho Das. Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised him as a Sikh and renamed him Gurbax Singh.But Madho Das became popular by the name of 'Banda Bahadur'.

When Banda Bahadur heard from Guruji about the atrocities committed on the Sikhs by the Mughal Government, he was greatly distressed.He was enraged when he came to know about the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Mata Gujari and the Sahibzadas. He requested Guruji to visit Punjab. He wanted to punish the treacherous Mughal officials for their crimes. Guruji accepted the request of Banda Bahadur. Guru Sahib gave him five arrows from his bow, a khanda and Niagara as a symbol of his power. He ordered Bhai Vinod Singh, Bhai Kahan Singh, Bhai Baz Singh, Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Ran Singh to accompany and assist Banda Bahadur in Punjab. At the time of departure, Guru Sahib gave the Hukamnamas to Banda Bahadur for the Sikhs of Punjab. In these Hukamnamas, Guruji wrote to the Sikhs that Banda Bahadur would be their political leader. They should assist Banda Bahadur in the religious wars against the Mughals.

After reaching Delhi, Banda Bahadur sent the Hukamnamas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the Sikhs of Malwa, Doaba and Majha. Quickly, thousands of Sikhs gathered in Delhi under the leadership of Banda Bahadur. After organising the army, Banda Bahadur and his followers advanced towards Punjab with great zeal to take military action against the cruel Mughals.

Attack on Sonepat : While advancing from Delhi to Punjab, Banda Bahadur attacked Sonepat though at that time, he had only five hundred Sikhs in his army yet fauzdar of that place could not dare to resist them on hearing the bravery of Sikhs. The fauzdar and his army fled from the city.

Seizure of Royal Treasury of Bhoona : When Banda Bahadur reached near Kaithal from Sonepat, he came to know that some Mughal soldiers were camping in village Bhoona with a large amount of collected land revenue in their custody. Banda Bahadur attacked Bhoona keeping in view the requirements of his soldiers, The fauzdar of Kaithal tried to resist Banda Bahadur but he was defeated. Banda Bahadur snatched the entire amount from the Mughal soldiers.

Conquest of Samana : After conquering Bhoona, Banda Bahadur advanced towards Samana. The executioner (Jalad) Sayyid Jalal-ud-Din of Guru Tegh Bahadur was a resident of that place. Shashal Bag, and Bashal Bag, the executioners of the younger Sahibzadas (Jorawar Singh and Fateh Singh) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, also belonged to Samana. Banda Bahadur attacked Samana on November 26,1709. The battle continued in the streets of the city for many hours. The Sikhs destroyed the beautiful palaces of Samana. About 10,000 Muslims were killed. The families of Sayyid Jala-ud-Din, Shashal Bag and Bashal Bag were killed. Banda Bahadur became victorious. He got lots of money.Fateh Singh was appointed as the ruler of Samana.

Conquest of Ghuram : After saying for one week in Samana, Banda Bahadur attacked Ghuram. The Pathans of that place tried to resist the Sikhs but they had to flee from that place to save their lives. Banda Bahadur and his Sikh soldiers also got money from Ghuram.

Attack on Kapuri: After Ghuram, Banda Bahadur reached Kapuri via Thaska, Shahbad and Mustafabad. The ruler of Kapuri, Qadam-ud-Din was very corrupt and committed atrocities on the Hindus. Banda Bahadur defeated and killed him. His haveli was also set on fire.

Conquest of Sadhaura : The ruler of Sadhaura Usman Khan also committed atrocities on on the Hindus. He got Pir Budhu Shah killed because he had helped Guruji in the battle of Bhangani. Banda Bahadur attacked Sadhaura. Soon the Sikhs defeated Usman Khan. They looted the city. Many Hindus and Sikhs farmers who were illtreated by Usman Khan also joined the army of Banda Bahadur. The Muslims who had fled to take shelter in the haveli of Pir Budhu Shah were also not spared by the Sikhs. Now a days this haveli is known as Oatal garhi.

Conquest of Mukhlispur :After Sadhaura, Banda Bahadur attacked Mukhlispur. He conquered and captured it easily. The fort was renamed Lohgarh. Later on Banda Bahadur chose this city as capital.

Battle of Chappar-Chiri and Conquest of Sirhind :The real target of Banda Bahadur was to conquer Sirhind. The subedar of Sirhind, Wazir Khan had troubled greatly Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He sent forces against Guruji during the battles of Anandpur Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib. The two younger Sahibzadas of Guruji were bricked up alive in a wall. Wazir Khan killed thousands of innocent Sikhs and Hindus.These incidents made Banda Bahadur and the Sikhs very angry with Wazir Khan. As the news of advancement of Banda Bahadur towards Sirhind reached Punjab, thousands of people gathered to fight under the command of Banda Bahadur. The nephew of Such Nand, an official of Sirhind also joined the army of Banda Bahadur. On the other side, there were 20,000 soldiers in Wazir Khan’s army. The regiment consisted of gunmen and soldiers from Infantry, artillery and cavalry.

A fierce battle took place between the two armies on May 22, 1710 A.D. at Chappar Chiri, 16 kms, to the east Of Sirhind. To demoralise the Sikh soldiers, the nephew of Sucha Nand along with his soldiers also fled fom the battlefield. Banda Bahadur himself came forward to encourage his soldiers. The Sikhs attacked the enemy with great courage. Fateh Singh killed Wazir Khan. Confusion prevailed amongst the soldiers of the enemy. A large number of soldiers of the enemy were killed by the Sikh soldiers.

After the victory of Chappar-Chiri on May 24, 1710 A.D. Banda Bahadur attacked the fort of Sirhind. As a result, 500 Sikhs were killed in the war. But the Sikhs became successful in capturing Sirhind. The Sikhs, got about 2 crore rupees from the treasury of Wazir Khan. Banda Bahadur acquired lots of money from Such Nand and the houses of other officials.
The dead body of Wazir Khan was hung on a tree. Sucha Nand who had committed atrocities on the Sikhs was arrested and taken in a procession. The Sikh soldiers looted and plundered the city.

Conclusion :

After the victory of Sirhind, Banda Bahadur appointed Baz Singh as ruler of Sirhind. Aali Singh was appointed as his Naib. Fateh Singh had already been appointed the ruler of Samana. Ram Singh and Vinod Singh was given the responsibility of administration of Thanesar. Banda Bahadur made the hilly area of Mukhlispur his capital. The fort of Mukhlispur was repaired as per the needs and was renamed Lohgarh. Banda Bahadur became the king but he never considered himself to be the king. Banda Bahadur abolished the Zamindari system in the areas conquered by him. He did commendable works by changing the status of the peasants to land owners.