Battle of Chach
| Battle of Chach | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Ghaznavid-Hindu Shahi Wars, Ghaznavid campaigns in India | |||||||||
Mahmud of Ghazni riding an elephant following his conquests in Afghanistan | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Ghaznavids | Hindu Shahis | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Mahmud of Ghazni | Anandapala | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 21,000- 27,000[1] | At least 30,000[2] | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 11,000[2] | 20,000[3] | ||||||||
The Battle of Chach or Battle of Chaach was fought in 1009[2] AD between the Ghaznavid army of Mahmud of Ghazni and the Hindu Shahi army of Anandapala, near Hazro, resulting in the latter's defeat.[4] This left the north Indian region vulnerable to further invasions.[2]
Background
After having invaded the Principality of Bhatiya (1004-5) and the neighbouring Emirate of Multan (1006),[5] Mahmud mounted an invasion of the Hindu Shahis circa December 1006, for reasons which are not clear.[6] Correspondence shows that Anandapala actually seems to have had favourable dispositions towards the Muslims.[6] Mahmud left Ghazni with his force on December 31, 1006, for a spring campaign into India.[6] This was his sixth expedition into India.[7]
A huge army, composed of the Hindu Shahis and allied Rajas was placed under the command of Anandapala's son (Trilochanapala) to meet the invasion.[6][8] Trilochanapala failed to prevent Mahmud's troops from crossing across the Indus, and Mahmud then set out for the plains of Chaach as the battleground.[6]
Battle
For 40 days both armies remained entrenched, until Mahmud tried to lure out the Shahis using a combat unit of 6,000 archers.[2] This failed, as the unit was destroyed by the Hindu Shahis.[2] Emboldened, about 30,000 troops of the Gakhar allies of the Shahis attacked Ghaznavid positions, killing about 5,000 Ghaznavid troops.[2]
The Ghaznavids were in a difficult position and Mahmud managed to regain the upper hand only by having his elite personal guards launch a rear-attack.[2] This caused the Shahi forces to become disorganized and eventually flee, losing about 20,000 men in the encounter.[3] The victorious army of Mahmud captured one of the sons of Anandapala, vast amounts of spoil and 30 combat elephants.[3]
Aftermath
Capture of Nagarkot
The battle was the last occasion on which Mahmud and Anandapala could confront their armies.[3] Mahmud pursued the fleeing Hindu Shahi troops as far as the Kangra valley, where they took refuge in the fort of Bhim or Nagarkot, but capitulated after three days.[9]
Mahmud installed Governors in the lands he had conquered, and returned to Ghazni by June of the next year.[10] Anandapala sent an embassy to Mahmud, with a proposal for peace, which was accepted.[10] The Hindu Shahis had accept tributary status, provide some level of military support, guarantee passage of troops, and remit an annual tribute.[10] Mahmud also sent his own agents to oversee the enforcement of the peace-treaty and within a year, normal trade relations had resumed.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Briggs, John (1829). History Of The Rise Of The Mahomedan Power In India Vol.i. Kolkata, India: Editions Indian (published 1966). p. 96. ISBN 9693515412.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h Rehman 1976, p. 151-152.
- ^ a b c d Rehman 1976, p. 152.
- ^ Hasan, Masudul (1998). History of Islam: Classical period, 571-1258 C.E. Islamic Publications.
- ^ Ahmad, Dr Aijaz (6 March 2022). New Dimensions of Indian Historiography : Historical Facts and Hindutva Interpretation. K.K. Publications. p. 145.
- ^ a b c d e Rehman 1976, p. 151.
- ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1979). Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. pp. 53–54. ISBN 978-81-207-0617-0.
- ^ Hasan, Prof M. (1995-01-01). History of Islam. Adam Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 9788174350190.
- ^ Rehman 1976, p. 152-153.
- ^ a b c d Rehman 1976, p. 155.
Sources
- Rahman, Abdul (August 2002a). "New Light on the Khingal, Turk and the Hindu Sahis" (PDF). Ancient Pakistan. XV: 37–42.
- Rehman, Abdur (January 1976). The Last Two Dynasties of the Sahis: An analysis of their history, archaeology, coinage and palaeography (Thesis). Australian National University.