Battle of Ropar (1710)

The Battle of Ropar was fought in May 1710 by the Sikh forces led by Banda Singh Bahadur and the Mughal forces led by Sher Mohammad Khan of Malerkotla.

Background
Wazir Khan, the governor of Sirhind found out that the Sikhs from Majha had assembled at Kiratpur Sahib. Therefore, when the Sikhs reached Ropar, Sher Mohammad Khan along with Khizar Khan, Nashtar Khan and Wali Mohammad Khan were there to block the Sikhs passage and offer them a battle. The Mughals had weapons and a superior number of horses while the Sikhs had a small army with insufficient weapons.

Battle
Both sides are said to show great signs of bravery and courage. As they were fighting, there came a bad dust storm which forced both parties to withdraw for the night. On the next day, a fresh contingent of Sikhs arrived to reinforce the remaining Sikhs. Immediately a bullet struck Khizar Khan in the head which caused confusion. Nashtar and Wali Mohammad Khan tried to retrieve the dead body of Khizar Khan but were killed while doing so. Sher Mohammad Khan fled away due to being seriously wounded. With most of their leaders killed, the remaining force retreated back to Sirhind.

Aftermath
After this battle, this force merged with Banda Singh Bahadur's force and crushed the Mughals in the Battle of Chappar Chiri.