Battle of Mulbe
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| Battle of Mulbe | |||||||
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| Part of Dogra invasion of Ladakh | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dogra dynasty | Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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General Zorawar Singh Mehta Basti Ram |
Tsehpal Namgyal Banka Kahlon Dorje Namgyal Gapaju Chovang Nabdan Rahmi Khan | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 5000 | 20,000 | ||||||
The Battle of Mulbe was a battle fought between the Dogra Army, led by General Zorawar Singh, and the Ladakhi army commanded by Banka Kahlon. Initially, the Ladakhis expressed a desire for peace, proposing negotiations with the Dogras. However, this offer of peace turned out to be a deceptive tactic. While Zorawar Singh’s forces were led to believe that negotiations were underway, the Ladakhis launched a surprise attack. Caught off-guard, the Dogra army was defeated by the Ladakhi forces.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]Following the Siege of Sod, political negotiations between the Dogra army, led by General Zorawar Singh, and the Ladakhi forces dragged on for three months, with the onset of winter further complicating the situation. By mid-November, the harsh cold was affecting the Dogra camp, and Zorawar Singh and his men were eager to negotiate peace and return to Kishtwar for the winter. In an attempt to exert pressure, Zorawar levied taxes on the peasants of Pushkam district and initiated talks with the Ladakhi leadership.[1][3][4][5] However, one month passed with little progress, as the local Zamindars refused to agree to the terms proposed by Zorawar Singh. Despite the deadlock, the Ladakhi commanders were keen on reaching a peaceful settlement and were willing to pay the Rs. 15,000 demanded by Zorawar Singh. They presented this recommendation to the King of Ladakh, who had arrived at Mulbeh with a substantial army and was accompanied by several key chiefs, including Bankha Kahlon, Gapaju, Dorje Namgyal, Chovang Nabdan, and Rahim Khan of Chachot. The king and his ministers were inclined to accept Zorawar’s terms, and even ordered the sum to be taken from the royal treasury. However, one of the king’s queens, Zi-zi, intervened and opposed the payment. She criticized the Minister of Stog, declaring him ineffective, and issued a bold directive Moru Tadzi, known in Dogra accounts as (Dnos-grub bstan-hdzin), was to retrieve the minister's head or lose their own.[1][3][6][4][7][5]
Battle
[edit]The stiff opposition from Queen Zi-zi to paying Zorawar Singh's demanded sum led to a resurgence of military activity between the Dogras and Ladakhis. Fearing for their own lives due to the queen's harsh ultimatum, the Ladakhi ministers resorted to treachery. Under the guise of seeking peace, they initiated deceptive negotiations with the Dogra General, pretending to be willing to settle on honorable terms. The Ladakhi envoys suggested that important men from the Dogra side accompany them to discuss the conditions directly with their chiefs.[1][2][3][6][4][5]Zorawar Singh sent five men, including two respectable Zamindars named Gola and Nanda, as representatives to the Ladakhi camp. However, upon their arrival, these men were immediately captured and brutally executed, thrown from the Darkyed bridge into the river below. Simultaneously, Bankha Kahlon, one of the Ladakhi commanders, launched a surprise attack on the Dogras from the rear. Adding to the treachery, several Dogra prisoners, bound hand and foot, were also mercilessly thrown into the river.[1][2][3][6][4][5]
Aftermath
[edit]Realizing the danger and the treacherous attack by the Ladakhi forces, General Zorawar Singh strategically retreated to Lang Kartse. He and his Dogra army took shelter in the fort of Thai Sultans, a secure location that provided them with safety during the harsh winter months. For four months, the Dogras remained protected within the fort.[1][2][3][6][4][5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Charak, Sukh Dev Singh (1983). General Zorawar Singh. Public Resource. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 36-37.
- ^ a b c d Palit (1972). Jammu and Kashmir Arms--History of the J&K Rifles. p. 39.
- ^ a b c d e f Datta (1973). Ladakh and Western Himalayan Politics 1819-1848. p. 109-110.
- ^ a b c d e CHARAK, SUKHDEV SINGH (1978). INDIAN CONQUEST OF THE HIMALAYAN TERRITORIES. AJAYA PRAKASHAN, JAMMU. p. 78-79.
- ^ a b c d e Franck, a h (1970). A History Of Ladakh. p. 144-145.
- ^ a b c d Ladakh – Alexander Cunningham. p. 333-334.
- ^ Petech (1977). Kingdom of Ladakh c 950-1842 AD. p. 140.