In the Kangra district of Nadaun, Himachal Pradesh, lies the historic site where Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Sikh Guru, fought the Battle of Nadaun in 1691. This battle was fought against Mughal commander Alif Khan, who was sent by Niare Khan, the governor of Jammu, to collect taxes from the hill kings on behalf of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. These funds were crucial for Aurangzeb’s ongoing war against the Marathas and Shivaji, who had significantly drained the Mughal treasury.
Guru Ji supported King Bhim Chand of Kahlur and other hill kings in their resistance against the Mughal forces. The battle, which took place in March 1691, saw Adab Khan, a Mughal commander, facing defeat and fleeing across the river, abandoning his weapons, ammunition, and valuables. Guru Ji instructed his Sikhs to collect the abandoned arms and horses, marking a significant moment in their military training and preparedness.
After the battle, Guru Ji and his Sikhs camped on the banks of the Beas River in Nadaun for eight days. To commemorate this historic event, a Gurdwara was built at the site, known as Gurdwara Dasvin Patshahi. This sacred place stands as a reminder of Guru Ji’s leadership, the bravery of the Sikhs, and their resistance against Mughal oppression.
