Draft:Battle of Ladakh (1842)

The Battle of Ladakh (1842) was one of the major engagements between the Dogra dynasty under the Sikh Empire against the Tibetans under the Qing dynasty. The battle was fought on September 6, 1842 and ended as a Sikh victory, resulting in the Sikh Empire taking control of Ladakh.

Background
The Dogras had invaded Tibet in the Dogra–Tibetan war under the suizerenity of the Sikh Empire, however lost their general, Zorawar Singh in a battle. Encouraged by the victory, the Tibetans would go on to invade Ladakh. The leader of the Dogra dynasty, Gulab Singh immediately sent relief forces and reinforcements, which included Sikh and Dogra troops.

Battle
The Battle took place on September 6, 1842. The Tibetans would invade Ladakh under the command of General Ragasha. The Tibetans decided upon a night attack, however were found out and could not do any major damage, instead they were pushed back. The Tibetans took shelter in a fortification, which was later attacked by the Dogras but had to withdraw. After four days, there was no clear victor. The Dogras decided to flood the Tibetan camp which was situated in a low level valley, after three days, the Tibetan camps were successfully flooded and had to be abandoned. When the Tibetans fled, the Dogras led several attacks and Wazir Mustaddi were sent to negotiate a truce, the Tibetan men came to the Dogra camped but were made prisoners. Among the seized, Tibetan General Ragasha was killed as an act of vengeance for Zorawar Singh. Another battle took place where the Khalsa (Dogras) repulsed the Tibetans, many of the Tibetans being killed.

Aftermath
Upon hearing of this struggle, Raja Gulab Singh had sent 4,000 reinforcements, however, upon hearing of the victory at Ladakh, they had halted their march. Raja Gulab Singh himself arrived in Leh shortly after, building a new fort in Leh, replacing the old one. Gulab Singh also sent Vakils (agents) to negotiate peace treaties with the Tibetan chiefs.