Hari Singh Nalwa And Afghanistan.

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

- What makes Hari Singh's conquest of Afghanistan so different from prior conquests lead by the Macedonians and the Marathas?

- What political, social and religious factors assisted Nalwa in consolidating his prowess in Afghanistan?

- What military factors contributed towards Nalwa's victory in Afghanistan?

- How does NATO'S campaign differ from Nalwa's?

-What elements are similar in both historic and modern campaigns?

-If anything what lesson can we derive from both Hari Singh Nalwa's and NATO'S campaigns?

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

Edited April 21, 2014 by Amarjeet Singh_1737

[Genie Singh]

"Most of Afghanistan's history prior to the modern state of Afghanistan took place within the context of the various Persian Empires.[14] The political history of the modern state of Afghanistan begins in 1709 with the rise of the Pashtuns - historically known as "Afghans" - when the Hotaki dynasty was established in Kandahar followed by the rise of the Durrani Empire in 1747....

[14] http://www.afghan-web.com/history/chron/index.html" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan


http://www.ancientl.com/greek/why-did-alexander-the-great-invade-persia/

"WHY DID ALEXANDER THE GREAT INVADE PERSIA?

Upon arriving on the shores of Persian held territory, Alexander the Great hurled his spear in Homeric fashion to show ‘that he received Asia from the gods as a spear-won prize’.

This prize had been made accessible by the inheritance of his father, Philip II of Macedon, whom left behind a professional standing army, an ideological pretext and an expeditionary force already in the field.

As Captain-General of the league of Corinth, imbued with the romantic conceptions of a second Achilles, Alexander would lead the Greeks against the barbarians in a war of vengeance.

However, the reality is far less glamorous, Alexander and his companions set out to invade Persian territory for territorial expansion and profit.

For Alexander himself, the invasion had held further promise, a chance to outshine the achievements of his mythical ancestors and his greatest competitor, his father......."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Alexander_the_Great
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Seleucid_Empire

Sicques, Tigers or Thieves - Eyewitness accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1809)-Chapter 11, page 119 "A Statesmans Note from the Afghan Frontier, 1809

-Chapter 26, pg 275 Sikhs Gather to Oppose Afghan Rule, 1800

-Chapter 33 pg 327 Afghan Retreat Signals Sikh Prosperity, 1790


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Frontier_Province_(1901%E2%80%931955)
"History[edit]

Most of the territory of this province was originally a part of the Afghan Durrani Kingdom from the 18th century to around the 1820s, when the Sikh ruler or Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the former mayor of the Punjabi city of Lahore, taking advantage of the internal chaos of the Afghan ruling family, declared independence and annexed it to his own empire based out of the Punjab. Later on, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848–49, when the Punjab came under British rule, this region along with the 'Frontier Tribal Areas' acting as a 'buffer' zone with Afghanistan."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Peshawar_history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Peshawar#Sikh_era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MOBIJ4wuak#t=3007

"

48:12

At the time Hari Singh Nalwa conquered the Kyber Pass (Afghanistan)

48:16

From their the pathan (afghan) women in fear

48:20

From their the pathan (afghan) men in fear

48:23

All hid away in fear in the smallest of enclosures within the mountains

48:28

A 19 year old pathan girl who is named Bano (Bibi Bano)

48:32

With her fiance Gulfan

48:36

Was hiding away in a very small enclosure within a mountain

48:41

And asks her fiance Gulfan who are these people who have conquered our region?

48:49

He answers these are the followers and believers of Guru Nanak who call themselves Sikhs

48:55

The pathan girl says I want to go and see who their general is

"

"

49:52

Hari Singh Nalwa says I am a believer of Guru Nanak and Guru Nanak's Sikh

49:58

She said if you believers of Guru Nanak why have you attacked our home(s)

50:07

Hari Singh Nalwa said we haven't conquered (taken) anyones home, we have only protected our own home(s)"

So the difference we find is Sikander/Alexandera invaded for "profit" and Nalwa invaded for survival to avoid further attacks coming in from Afghanistan.

Difficult to compare NATO to Nalwa, different time, different technology, different conflict with a similar denominator of taking over the world under the army of Muhammad. The dhimmi rules are different for Christians as they are for polytheists or dare said followers of an anti christ. Akhmeeeed Durrani/Abdali defined sikhs to be followers of an antichrist according to Sikh history from Persian sources and let's just say mercy for being a demonic army doesn't work as well as followers of Jesus who from koranic evidence may have a glimmer of hope of salvation and might be the good guys it's not as clear cut as it is for demonic anti christ men. However a culture is shared between those Sikhs and afghans, both may have seen the other as a barbarian back then. Sikhs comfort level with our women cohabiting with afghan men is probably much lower then Nato's which can be used a mental game probably around Nalwas time aswell. The technological factor is quite a huge difference.

Edited April 23, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

"Most of Afghanistan's history prior to the modern state of Afghanistan took place within the context of the various Persian Empires.[14] The political history of the modern state of Afghanistan begins in 1709 with the rise of the Pashtuns - historically known as "Afghans" - when the Hotaki dynasty was established in Kandahar followed by the rise of the Durrani Empire in 1747....

[14] http://www.afghan-web.com/history/chron/index.html" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan

http://www.ancientl.com/greek/why-did-alexander-the-great-invade-persia/

"WHY DID ALEXANDER THE GREAT INVADE PERSIA?

Upon arriving on the shores of Persian held territory, Alexander the Great hurled his spear in Homeric fashion to show ‘that he received Asia from the gods as a spear-won prize’.

This prize had been made accessible by the inheritance of his father, Philip II of Macedon, whom left behind a professional standing army, an ideological pretext and an expeditionary force already in the field.

As Captain-General of the league of Corinth, imbued with the romantic conceptions of a second Achilles, Alexander would lead the Greeks against the barbarians in a war of vengeance.

However, the reality is far less glamorous, Alexander and his companions set out to invade Persian territory for territorial expansion and profit.

For Alexander himself, the invasion had held further promise, a chance to outshine the achievements of his mythical ancestors and his greatest competitor, his father......."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Alexander_the_Great

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Seleucid_Empire

Sicques, Tigers or Thieves - Eyewitness accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1809)-Chapter 11, page 119 "A Statesmans Note from the Afghan Frontier, 1809

-Chapter 26, pg 275 Sikhs Gather to Oppose Afghan Rule, 1800

-Chapter 33 pg 327 Afghan Retreat Signals Sikh Prosperity, 1790

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Frontier_Province_(1901%E2%80%931955)

"History[edit]

Most of the territory of this province was originally a part of the Afghan Durrani Kingdom from the 18th century to around the 1820s, when the Sikh ruler or Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the former mayor of the Punjabi city of Lahore, taking advantage of the internal chaos of the Afghan ruling family, declared independence and annexed it to his own empire based out of the Punjab. Later on, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848–49, when the Punjab came under British rule, this region along with the 'Frontier Tribal Areas' acting as a 'buffer' zone with Afghanistan."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Peshawar_history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Peshawar#Sikh_era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MOBIJ4wuak#t=3007

"

48:12

At the time Hari Singh Nalwa conquered the Kyber Pass (Afghanistan)

48:16

From their the pathan (afghan) women in fear

48:20

From their the pathan (afghan) men in fear

48:23

All hid away in fear in the smallest of enclosures within the mountains

48:28

A 19 year old pathan girl who is named Bano (Bibi Bano)

48:32

With her fiance Gulfan

48:36

Was hiding away in a very small enclosure within a mountain

48:41

And asks her fiance Gulfan who are these people who have conquered our region?

48:49

He answers these are the followers and believers of Guru Nanak who call themselves Sikhs

48:55

The pathan girl says I want to go and see who their general is

"

"

49:52

Hari Singh Nalwa says I am a believer of Guru Nanak and Guru Nanak's Sikh

49:58

She said if you believers of Guru Nanak why have you attacked our home(s)

50:07

Hari Singh Nalwa said we haven't conquered (taken) anyones home, we have only protected our own home(s)"

So the difference we find is Sikander/Alexandera invaded for "profit" and Nalwa invaded for survival to avoid further attacks coming in from Afghanistan.

Difficult to compare NATO to Nalwa, different time, different technology, different conflict with a similar denominator of taking over the world under the army of Muhammad. The dhimmi rules are different for Christians as they are for polytheists or dare said followers of an anti christ. Akhmeeeed Durrani/Abdali defined sikhs to be followers of an antichrist according to Sikh history from Persian sources and let's just say mercy for being a demonic army doesn't work as well as followers of Jesus who from koranic evidence may have a glimmer of hope of salvation and might be the good guys it's not as clear cut as it is for demonic anti christ men. However a culture is shared between those Sikhs and afghans, both may have seen the other as a barbarian back then. Sikhs comfort level with our women cohabiting with afghan men is probably much lower then Nato's which can be used a mental game probably around Nalwas time aswell. The technological factor is quite a huge difference.

Interesting, interesting.

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

"Most of Afghanistan's history prior to the modern state of Afghanistan took place within the context of the various Persian Empires.[14] The political history of the modern state of Afghanistan begins in 1709 with the rise of the Pashtuns - historically known as "Afghans" - when the Hotaki dynasty was established in Kandahar followed by the rise of the Durrani Empire in 1747....

[14] http://www.afghan-web.com/history/chron/index.html" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan

http://www.ancientl.com/greek/why-did-alexander-the-great-invade-persia/

"WHY DID ALEXANDER THE GREAT INVADE PERSIA?

Upon arriving on the shores of Persian held territory, Alexander the Great hurled his spear in Homeric fashion to show ‘that he received Asia from the gods as a spear-won prize’.

This prize had been made accessible by the inheritance of his father, Philip II of Macedon, whom left behind a professional standing army, an ideological pretext and an expeditionary force already in the field.

As Captain-General of the league of Corinth, imbued with the romantic conceptions of a second Achilles, Alexander would lead the Greeks against the barbarians in a war of vengeance.

However, the reality is far less glamorous, Alexander and his companions set out to invade Persian territory for territorial expansion and profit.

For Alexander himself, the invasion had held further promise, a chance to outshine the achievements of his mythical ancestors and his greatest competitor, his father......."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Alexander_the_Great

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bactria#Seleucid_Empire

Sicques, Tigers or Thieves - Eyewitness accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1809)-Chapter 11, page 119 "A Statesmans Note from the Afghan Frontier, 1809

-Chapter 26, pg 275 Sikhs Gather to Oppose Afghan Rule, 1800

-Chapter 33 pg 327 Afghan Retreat Signals Sikh Prosperity, 1790

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Frontier_Province_(1901%E2%80%931955)

"History[edit]

Most of the territory of this province was originally a part of the Afghan Durrani Kingdom from the 18th century to around the 1820s, when the Sikh ruler or Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the former mayor of the Punjabi city of Lahore, taking advantage of the internal chaos of the Afghan ruling family, declared independence and annexed it to his own empire based out of the Punjab. Later on, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848–49, when the Punjab came under British rule, this region along with the 'Frontier Tribal Areas' acting as a 'buffer' zone with Afghanistan."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Peshawar_history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Peshawar#Sikh_era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MOBIJ4wuak#t=3007

"

48:12

At the time Hari Singh Nalwa conquered the Kyber Pass (Afghanistan)

48:16

From their the pathan (afghan) women in fear

48:20

From their the pathan (afghan) men in fear

48:23

All hid away in fear in the smallest of enclosures within the mountains

48:28

A 19 year old pathan girl who is named Bano (Bibi Bano)

48:32

With her fiance Gulfan

48:36

Was hiding away in a very small enclosure within a mountain

48:41

And asks her fiance Gulfan who are these people who have conquered our region?

48:49

He answers these are the followers and believers of Guru Nanak who call themselves Sikhs

48:55

The pathan girl says I want to go and see who their general is

"

"

49:52

Hari Singh Nalwa says I am a believer of Guru Nanak and Guru Nanak's Sikh

49:58

She said if you believers of Guru Nanak why have you attacked our home(s)

50:07

Hari Singh Nalwa said we haven't conquered (taken) anyones home, we have only protected our own home(s)"

So the difference we find is Sikander/Alexandera invaded for "profit" and Nalwa invaded for survival to avoid further attacks coming in from Afghanistan.

Difficult to compare NATO to Nalwa, different time, different technology, different conflict with a similar denominator of taking over the world under the army of Muhammad. The dhimmi rules are different for Christians as they are for polytheists or dare said followers of an anti christ. Akhmeeeed Durrani/Abdali defined sikhs to be followers of an antichrist according to Sikh history from Persian sources and let's just say mercy for being a demonic army doesn't work as well as followers of Jesus who from koranic evidence may have a glimmer of hope of salvation and might be the good guys it's not as clear cut as it is for demonic anti christ men. However a culture is shared between those Sikhs and afghans, both may have seen the other as a barbarian back then. Sikhs comfort level with our women cohabiting with afghan men is probably much lower then Nato's which can be used a mental game probably around Nalwas time aswell. The technological factor is quite a huge difference.

Are there any traces of any Afghani culture in present day Pakistan? I do not mean any cross-cultural evolution due to close proximity but anything carried over from some military campaign or conquest etc.?

[Genie Singh]

Are there any traces of any Afghani culture in present day Pakistan? I do not mean any cross-cultural evolution due to close proximity but anything carried over from some military campaign or conquest etc.?

How about people in Peshawar Pakistan still speaking pashtun and some farsi? How about people maintaining an Afghan identity from their ancestry as pathan from the pakhtun region as oppossed to a Jinnah based Pakistani one? Or the basic salwar, kameez and hat fashion with styles more like over the border? Or preference in Afghan borders. Some even fooled immigration when western countries were handing over asylum. Food groups aswell which are more popular in afghanistan also arise in afghanistan, there is that irritating broken urdu spoken by peshawaris aswell. This is something detrimental by actually interacting with some in person.

As you can see below that is Pakistan, Peshawar and they are speaking Pashto. If you interact with some who come through diaspora, some can speak pashto but can't speak Urdu. I have read some that the whole wearing of Pajama was forced in practice by Hari Singh Nalwa he forced Afghans to wear pajama like women so that to teach them a lesson of trying to take the virtue of women and from that onwards it caught on as a fashion. It's possible the story may be unture. http://defence.pk/threads/how-fear-of-sardar-hari-singh-nalwa-forced-pashtuns-to-start-wearing-salwar.177048/

Edited April 25, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Genie Singh]

Hari Singh Nalwa ― Champion of the Khalsaji, How Pashtuns came to wear the Pathani suite a feminine apparel of the Punjabi women folk

Hari Singh Nalwa was the Commander-in-chief at the most turbulent North West Frontier of Ranjit Singh's kingdom. He took the frontier of the Sarkar Khalsaji to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass. For the past eight centuries, marauders, who had indulged in looting, plunder, rape, and forcible conversions to Islam had used this route into the subcontinent. In his lifetime, Hari Singh became a terror to the ferocious tribes inhabiting these regions. He successfully thwarted the last foreign invasion into the subcontinent through the Khyber Pass at Jamrud, permanently blocking this route of the invaders. Even in his death, Hari Singh Nalwa's formidable reputation ensured victory for the Sikhs against an Afghan force five times as numerous.

In accordance with the teaching of their Guru, the Sikhs did not attack the defenceless or the weak. This included children, women, mendicants and the elderly. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa advised the Pathans that one way they could escape the wrath of an infuriated Sikh was to dress as a woman. In the Punjab, the shalwar kameez is feminine apparel.

The shalwar was a loose trouser with a stiff border at the ankle, while the kameez was a loose shirt falling to the knees. This dress came to popularly be known as the ‘Punjabi suit’ in India. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, men still wear its variant — the ‘Pathan suit’.

Milkha Singh of Gurdwara Darshani Deohri Amritsar, first narrated this story to the author. Many others corroborated it since.

(Source: Nalwa, V. 2009. Hari Singh Nalwa - The Champion of Khalsaji New Delhi: Manohar, p. 264)

The twenty-first century, the Wali of Swat confirmed that the above was indeed a fact:

The following is the gist of an open letter written by Miangul Aurangzeb, the present Wali of Swat, to the Taliban when the Taliban were preaching and enforcing strict dress and conduct codes for the women in the areas that fell under their control.

"At the outset I want to record that you all must love me very much as you have decided not to take over my property in Swat unlike those you have taken over of other landed families. I am therefore emboldened to believe that I have the privilege of sharing some historical facts for you to know about and I urge you to absorb the same before you continue your campaign of moral policing, especially when it comes to the manner of dressing and code of conduct for women.

The Sikh army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, under the leadership of Hari Singh Nalwa came to the Frontier in the 1820's and swiftly conquered our ancestors. It is the only time in recorded history that our people were ruled over by foreigners. The locals were so utterly terrified of the Sikh army that they used to hide every time the Sikhs came into view. Those that decided to resist were met with ruthlessness. During this time, the word was spread around that the Sikhs did not harm elderly people, women and children and that the local men who did not wish to earn wrath of the Sikhs should wear the garb of Punjabi women, which was the Salwar-Kameez. At that time in our history both men and women alike, wore only a single-robe garment (similar to that worn by the Arabs) and the Sikhs would not harm any man either when wearing the Salwar-Kameez.

So you see, our men happily adopted the garb of Punjabi women since they were too terrified to stand up and they have adopted the garb as being theirs' ever since. I am very intrigued to see that you are following in the footsteps of your ancestors by wearing the adopted Punjabi women's garb as your own, but now go around preaching and coercing our women as to how they should be living their lives! I suggest that take a deep look inside yourselves, given this historical perspective."

Sincerely,

Miangul Aurangzeb, Wali of Swat

(Source: Nishaan, Swat: Sanctuary for the Sikhs, III/2009, New Delhi: Nagaara Trust, p. 45)

-------------------------------

Ouch ! This will really hurt if you are a Pashtun but sorry - this is how it is !

Source http://defence.pk/threads/how-fear-of-sardar-hari-singh-nalwa-forced-pashtuns-to-start-wearing-salwar.177048/

Edited April 25, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Genie Singh]

Hari.Singh.Nalwa.by.Gurbachan.Singh.Nayyar.

"FOREWORD

This present work brings out the unique military genius of Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837), the

celebrated General of the Sikh army. I warmly recommend the book to our readers. Hari Singh Nalwa was a

leader of outstanding qualities. He fought in almost all the important battles of the Lahore armies. The

campaigns of Multan, Kashmir, Hazara and Peshawar were of classical proportions. The sealing of Indian

border against invasions from across the western frontier was a unique contribution to history of India. I

hope this study will benefit not only professional historians but also lay readers.

Punjabi University, Joginder Singh Puar

Patiala Vice-Chancellor

....

"

http://www.gurmatveechar.com/books/English_Books/Hari.Singh.Nalwa.by.Gurbachan.Singh.Nayyar.(GurmatVeechar.com).pdf

Edited April 25, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

Hari.Singh.Nalwa.by.Gurbachan.Singh.Nayyar.

"FOREWORD

This present work brings out the unique military genius of Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837), the

celebrated General of the Sikh army. I warmly recommend the book to our readers. Hari Singh Nalwa was a

leader of outstanding qualities. He fought in almost all the important battles of the Lahore armies. The

campaigns of Multan, Kashmir, Hazara and Peshawar were of classical proportions. The sealing of Indian

border against invasions from across the western frontier was a unique contribution to history of India. I

hope this study will benefit not only professional historians but also lay readers.

Punjabi University, Joginder Singh Puar

Patiala Vice-Chancellor

....

"

http://www.gurmatveechar.com/books/English_Books/Hari.Singh.Nalwa.by.Gurbachan.Singh.Nayyar.(GurmatVeechar.com).pdf

Vanit Nalwa, one of Hari Singh's descendants, used the family observer/genealogist's account of Nalwa (written while he was still alive) which resides in Haridwar. I will make enquiries if a transliterated volume of the said account is available. It's author is a certain Pandit Sitarama.

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

Source http://defence.pk/threads/how-fear-of-sardar-hari-singh-nalwa-forced-pashtuns-to-start-wearing-salwar.177048/

Wonder what the Wali based his letter on. There is bound to be some sort of folklore regarding Nalwa in Afghanistan. Amrinder Singh in his 'The Last Sunset' mentions that Akali-Nihung Phula SIngh has entered the regional folklore based in and around the area where he fell. Young mothers are encouraged to light a lamp in his memory to protect their children. Bound to be something similar for Nalwa. I will dig further but this can be a good field to look into.

[Genie Singh]

Vanit Nalwa, one of Hari Singh's descendants, used the family observer/genealogist's account of Nalwa (written while he was still alive) which resides in Haridwar. I will make enquiries if a transliterated volume of the said account is available. It's author is a certain Pandit Sitarama.

http://www.harisinghnalwa.com/aboutus.html

Vanit Nalwa heads EmPower-Consulting Psychologists. She conducts personal enrichment programmes for individuals and companies. Vanit taught psychology for over a decade at the University of Delhi (India) and at Assumption University (Thailand).

Vanit received a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology (1984) from the University of Delhi, India. She was a recipient of the Commonwealth Scholarship to do post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford, UK (1986). Vanit won a Fulbright Scholarship to train at the National Institutes of Health, Maryland, Bethesda, USA (1991). Her research work has been published in Indian and International scientific journals. She has authored two books, besides numerous articles in the popular press.

Vanit's training and experience as a psychologist and researcher encouraged her to foray into history. 'Hari Singh Nalwa — Champion of the Khalsaji' is the result of eight years of intense research. The book is based on archival records, Persian and Gurmukhi manuscripts, besides first-hand reports of nineteenth century travellers.

Vanit is a Trustee of the Hari Singh Nalwa Foundation Trust, a registered charity.

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ULhgNexD92QC&printsec=frontcover&dq=vanit+nalwa&source=bl&ots=L36TIZFABn&sig=PE9LjhFNZCaayQvjXKmJDiz4GUw&hl=en&ei=8e3PS-2YMoy5rAfizZnSCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAUQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.amazon.com/Singh-Nalwa-Champion-Khalsaji-1791-1837/dp/8173047855

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Singh-Nalwa-Champion-Khalsa-1791-1837/dp/8173047855/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398505753&sr=1-1&keywords=Hari+Singh+Nalwa+Champion+of+the+Khalsa

Same book in Punjabi:http://jsks.biz/hari-singh-nalwa-khalsa-ji-da-champion-vaneet-nalwa?filter_name=nalwa

From same distributor in English: http://jsks.biz/hari-singh-nalwa-champion-of-the-khalsa-vaneet-nalwa?filter_name=nalwa

Edited April 26, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Genie Singh]

http://jsks.biz/book-sikh-warrior-hari-singh-nalwa-by-surinder-singh-johar?filter_name=nalwa

Summary of 'Sikh Warrior Hari Singh Nalwa'

In the book is narrated the life stmy of the great Sikh wanior, Harl Singh Nalwa who was a pillar of the Khalsa Raj. Nalwa had a versatile brain, he took prompt decisions and never wavered. He always remembered God and the great Curu. He admired Guru Gobind Singh's war like qualities and worshipped the sword and the shield. He followed on the Guru's footsteps and faught against injustice and tyranny. Before going on any Campaign or jumping into a fray, he took Vak from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and performed ardasa. He firmly believed in the existence of one Supreme Being who is the Creator and the Destroyer. Ewn during the worst aisis, he never lost faith in God and always achieved his motive.

Nalwa was a terror for the Afghans. Even to this day, mothers of children tell them to behave otherwise Nalwa would come and take them away. The life story of such a great man will surely inspire the younger generations who are unaware of the deeds of Sikh Generals who laid down their lives for the establishment of the Khalsa Raj.

About The Author of 'Sikh Warrior Hari Singh Nalwa'

Surinder Singh Johar, is a Prolific writer. A post-paduate from Punjabi University, Johar is a well, known scholar, historian met a novaist. He has written several books in English and Punjabi. His contribution to the growth of Punjabi literature is outstanding.

johar's books on Sikh History and Religion in English, notably his biographies of Guru Nanak, Guru Cobind Singh and Hand Book on Sikhism were very well received and highly commmded by both the critics and literateurs.

Johar had a long stint in the Indian Information Service and after his retirement he has joined the journalistic profession but devotes most of his time in writing books on Sikh History and Religion.

[Genie Singh]

A few pages of this book have Hari Singh Nalwa mentioned according to the browseable index pages in the preview

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-King-Afghanistan-William-Dalrymple/dp/1408831597/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398505753&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=Hari+Singh+Nalwa+Champion+of+the+Khalsa

Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan

Book Description

Release Date: 30 Jan 2014

In the spring of 1839, the British invaded Afghanistan for the first time. Led by lancers in scarlet cloaks and plumed shakos, nearly 20,000 British and East India Company troops poured through the high mountain passes and re-established on the throne Shah Shuja ul-Mulk.

On the way in, the British faced little resistance. But after two years of occupation, the Afghan people rose in answer to the call for jihad and the country exploded into violent rebellion. The First Anglo-Afghan War ended in Britain's greatest military humiliation of the nineteenth century: an entire army of the then most powerful nation in the world ambushed in retreat and utterly routed by poorly equipped tribesmen.

Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2013, Return of a King is the definitive analysis of the First Afghan War, told through the lives of unforgettable characters on all sides and using for the first time contemporary Afghan accounts of the conflict. Prize-winning and bestselling historian William Dalrymple's masterful retelling of Britain's greatest imperial disaster is a powerful and important parable of colonial ambition and cultural collision, folly and hubris, for our times.

[Genie Singh]

There was a lengthy discussion between some pakistanis, indians and Sikhs on Nalwa one comment said Sikhs never had an empire, others take a narrative more alike to Sher or Doaba Sher etc.

http://defence.pk/threads/hari-singh-nalwa-one-of-the-best-commanders-ever.303904/

here is one Pakistani's view on Nalwa

This sounds like a Sikh wet fantasy.


Fact is, Sikhs were defeated by the British and then became British slaves.
Sikhs enlisted as soldiers in the British Army and fought for their British conquerors.

Sikhs invaded Afghanistan under the British flag and were slaughtered by Pashtuns in three wars.

The Sikhs never won a single Afghan war for the British.

Sikh soldiers were canon fodder for their British masters.


British Officer to Sikhs soldier : "Jump!!!"

Sikh Soldier: "How high Sir???"

Edited April 26, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[Genie Singh]

Nalwa was a terror for the Afghans. Even to this day, mothers of children tell them to behave otherwise Nalwa would come and take them away."

I have few pathan/hazara acquaintances and they have never heard of Nalwa's name. not sure whether they are feigning ignorance or it is another feelgood fable

I agree I have rarely known of Afghans who have known of nalwa and if they did that was from their own readings and not of folklore legends

[Genie Singh]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/124161219/The-Maratha-Sikh-Treaty-of-1785-By-Dr-Ganda-Singh

[Genie Singh]

[dalsingh101]

- What makes Hari Singh's conquest of Afghanistan so different from prior conquests lead by the Macedonians and the Marathas?

I don't know why this idea of a conquest of Afghanistan persists?

- What political, social and religious factors assisted Nalwa in consolidating his prowess in Afghanistan?

He consolidated his power at a time when Sikh confidence and resources were at their peak. In addition to this, Sikh victory and dominance had caused non-Sikhs to join their standard too. I'd say M. Ranjit Singh's liberal policies towards Muslims in his kingdom and Sikh strength took the wind out of the endeavours of Panjab based jihadists. I'm sure the Muslim experiences in Panjab with an emerging and proficient Khalsa deterred them from being too enthusiastic about challenging Sikhs. Basically he had a relatively stable base to operate from.

- What military factors contributed towards Nalwa's victory in Afghanistan?

An army trained by Napoleonic generals and Sikh valour and experience.

- How does NATO'S campaign differ from Nalwa's?

Logistically, carrying out a war so far from home. A dubious ally in Pakistan. Completely different mindsets between whites and Afghans - less so between Panjabis and Afghans. There was also a religious dimension in Nalwa's time between both parties whereas Nato can NEVER be considered to be a 'Christian' organisation.

-What elements are similar in both historic and modern campaigns?

Very little in my opinion. Sikhs were genuinely defending themselves, Nato is sticking its nose in to contain a monster it helped create to fight Ruskies.

-If anything what lesson can we derive from both Hari Singh Nalwa's and NATO'S campaigns?

Military prowess can be lost and gained at an surprisingly sudden pace. Sikhs are a shadow of their former selves. NATO is opportunist but cowardly, look how they dither in facing Russia over the Ukraine.

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

I don't know why this idea of a conquest of Afghanistan persists?

He consolidated his power at a time when Sikh confidence and resources were at their peak. In addition to this, Sikh victory and dominance had caused non-Sikhs to join their standard too. I'd say M. Ranjit Singh's liberal policies towards Muslims in his kingdom and Sikh strength took the wind out of the endeavours of Panjab based jihadists. I'm sure the Muslim experiences in Panjab with an emerging and proficient Khalsa deterred them from being too enthusiastic about challenging Sikhs. Basically he had a relatively stable base to operate from. Finally someone who actually got to the point.

An army trained by Napoleonic generals and Sikh valour and experience.

Logistically, carrying out a war so far from home. A dubious ally in Pakistan. Completely different mindsets between whites and Afghans - less so between Panjabis and Afghans. There was also a religious dimension in Nalwa's time between both parties whereas Nato can NEVER be considered to be a 'Christian' organisation.

Very little in my opinion. Sikhs were genuinely defending themselves, Nato is sticking its nose in to contain a monster it helped create to fight Ruskies.

Military prowess can be lost and gained at an surprisingly sudden pace. Sikhs are a shadow of their former selves. NATO is opportunist but cowardly, look how they dither in facing Russia over the Ukraine.

[Amarjeet Singh_1737]

Thanks for that dal singh. Finally someone who got to the point. Thanks also to jathedar, looked up your sources they answered my questions proficiently.

Edited May 1, 2014 by Amarjeet Singh_1737

[dalsingh101]

People should also factor in that frankly speaking, people like Nalwa and especially Avitabile (who was the governor of Peshawar) were not constrained in the actions they took against people who challenged them.

In the current conflict NATO/The west have turned it into some theo-politico battle along the lines of 'fundamentalism versus civilisation' (essential trying to portray the conflict as simple 'good versus bad'). In Nalwa's time, things weren't so full of spin like today. So the old battles were straight contests of strength whilst these modern ones have all manner of undertones that relate to some image the west is trying to portray.

Avitabile (on the other hand) was ruthless as an administrator - bordering on psychotic. I remember reading a contemporary source which said he'd have a dozen people hanged every morning before breakfast. He even had someone executed for killing a cow; where M. Ranjit Singh said he should have been more lenient.

People were less full of shit then unlike today.

[Genie Singh]

Nato can NEVER be considered to be a 'Christian' organisation.

While Nato may not be a Christian body and it can be argued maybe Afghans or who ever the extremist faction being fought in Afghanistan are not "true" muslims and can be discounted as such we have to take into account certain perceptions. Such as this one over here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1636782.stm

The word "crusade" doesn't seem to be applied in a metaphorical way to imply persecution but reference to a repetition in the original crusades which took place to regain Christiandom from Muhammden invaders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades

The perception of that from the Muhammden perspective was one of invasion and in a barbaric way.

Have a read of this brainwashed rant https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111103004200AAUb1dW

A perception has to be present especially from the vast rustics of Afghans who have a lower level of academic scholarship than Punjabis do, to appreciate who the enemy actually presented before them is, while an infidel can be anyone who doesn't profess to muhammden doctrine he may have different rights hence a perception of them changes on their particular belief system. Although this perspective might not be a universal perception it can't be easily dismissed as not existing.

Edited May 2, 2014 by JatherdarSahib

[paapiman]

A Comparison between Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa and the Mughals:

 

 

Reference: Hari Singh Nalwa Champion of the Khalsa Ji

 

Bhul chuk maaf

[JungChamkaur]

The last comment is citing a reference that is not accurate or factual. There have been many alliances between pashtuns and indians over the centuries and here is an important quote from an afridi pathan (might be another tribe but a sardar nevertheless) to maharaja of jaipur:

“My tribe has been connected with your august family from olden times. My ancestors, through the patronage and mediation of the late Maharajah Maan Singh, became mansabdars of the Emperor. I wish to present myself before you, enter your service and thus manifest our old devotion.” – Bhai Khan Maral

The Mughal nobles in his army advised Maan Singh against pitched battles with the Pashtuns but the Raja did just that and dealt them a brutal defeat at which point the tribals retreated into the hills; Kunwar Jagat Singh, eldest son of the Raja, led the van in this egagement. 

 

In 1580 CE, some prominent Muslim officers of Akbar, displeased with his liberal religious policies, started to conspire against him. Qazi Muhammad Yazdi declared it the duty of every Muslim to rebel against Akbar. In Bihar and Bengal they declared Mirza Hakim, Akbar's stepbrother and Governor of Kabul, to be the emperor. Akbar sent armies to Bihar and Bengal to crush this rebellion, while he himself started towards Kabul; Man Singh with him. On March 8, 1581, Akbar reached Machhiwara and soon arrived on the banks of River Indus, he then sent an advance force led by Man Singh to Kabul. Although, Akbar's army was hesitating to cross the swelling Indus River, Man Singh was able to cross it first followed by troops. Hearing the news Mirza Hakim fled to Gurband. Following the army, Akbar himself arrived at Kabul on August 10, 1581. Hakim was pardoned by Akbar, but his sister "Bakhtunissa Begum" was appointed Governor of Kabul. After Akbar returned to Fatehpur Sikri; Bakhtunissa remained as the nominal head of state, while Hakim acted as the Governor (Hakim died in July, 1582). Kabul was annexed by the Mughal Empire and Man Singh was appointed Governor. He remained in Kabul for some years and built a fortress, used by succeeding Mughal Governors. Man Singh brought many talented men with him when he returned from Kabul. Some of their descendants still live in Jaipur.

Again in 1585 CE, some Afghan tribes rose against the Mughal empire. The Yusufzai and "Mandar" tribes were the main ones among them. Akbar sent an army under Zain Khan, Hakim Abul Fateh and Raja Birbal to control these revolting tribes. However, they failed to control the revolting Afghans and Raja Birbal, friend of Akbar and one of his Navratnas was also killed in the battle with Afghans. Akbar then sent Raja Todar Mal to crush the revolt and called Raja Man Singh to help Todar Mal. Todarmal had some success in controlling the rebellious Afghan tribes, but the real source of the revolt was behind the Khyber Pass. It was hard to cross this pass which was dominated by Afghan "Kabailies". Man Singh was accompanied by "Rao Gopaldas" of Nindar in this expedition, who bravely made way for Mughal army in the pass. After crossing the pass Man Singh decisively defeated five major tribes of Afghans including Yusufzai and "Mandar" tribes. The flag of Amber was changed from "Katchanar" (green climber in white base) to "Pachranga" (five colored) to commemorate this victory. This flag continued in use until accession of Jaipur state in India. This permanently crushed the revolt and the area remained peaceful thereafter.

In 1586 CE, Akbar sent another army under Raja Bhagwant Das, father of Kunwar Man Singh to win Kashmir. Kashmir was included in the Mughal Empire and made a Sarkar (district) of Kabul province. Man Singh and his father Raja Bhagwant Das are reputed to have brought the technology of cannon production to Amber.

 

Kachwahas and Bhattis have been known to attack afghans and defeating them past khyber as retaliation for invading Punjab. 

Raja Jagat Singh Pathania led successful expeditions up to badakhshan and bukhara. 

[JungChamkaur]

Towards the end of 1586, the Mohmand and Ghoria tribes in Peshawar rose in rebellion under one Jalaluddin 'Jalalah' Taraki. The Brahman, Birbal, could not suppress it nor could the Khatri Vaishya, Todarmal, and Taraki continued to create trouble; but the operations of Raja Maan Singh Kachawaha aided by Rawat Gopal Das of Nindar against the Taraki tribe induced even the Orakzais and Afridis into submission. Rawat Gopal Das severed the head of one Katloo Khan during a pitched battle which took place in the Kunar Valley. 

Raja Jagat Singh Pathania would later be sent to chastise Jalalah's younger son, Kareem Dadh Khan. When the Raja reached Naghaz, all the pashtun tribes, except Lakan and two others with whom Kareem Dadh was allied, submitted. When, however, they saw that their safety lay in surrendering to the Rajputs, they seized the culprit along with his family and handed them over to the troops. A formidable soldier, Jagat Singh Pathania was mainly responsible for driving out the Persians from Kabul as well as conquering Zameen-e-Dawar, a district located northwest of Qandahar and inhabited by the Alizai, Barakzai and Durrani tribes.