Siege of Kotla Begum (1710)

The Siege of Kotla Begum was fought in September 1710 between the Sikh forces and Mughal forces led by Mir Mohammad.

Background
After Banda Singh Bahadur's return from the Battle of Saharanpur, the Muslims of the Lahore province started a jihad against the Sikhs. Thousands of Muslims gathered with a large green flag which was called the Haidri Jhanda (Flag of Haidar). First a Sikh contingent hid in a fort in the village of Bharath. The Sikhs after a long fight repulsed this party of Muslims and escaped. After this, the Muslims got news about a party of Sikhs numbering 700 at Kotla Begum Fort and planned to besiege them.

Siege
When the Mughals arrived at the fort, the Sikhs immediately attacked them and a fierce battle ensued. When the battle escalated into a sword fight, the Mughals began taking heavy losses and decided to retreat. Instead of pursuing the retreating Mughals, the Sikhs decided to plunder the remains of battle materials left behind by the Mughals and tend to their wounded.

Aftermath
The Mughals, disappointed by their defeat put up camp at night in village Bhilowal. The Sikhs attacked them and inflicted further heavy losses.