The Revolt of Painda Khan or the Rebellion in the Hazara District was a insurrection against the Sikh authority in the Hazara region led by Painda Khan of Darband between 1843 and 1844. Hazara, situated east of the Indus and distant from Lahore, remained a difficult frontier region for the Sikh Empire despite Sikh possession of Attock and its surrounding territory since 1813.
After the death of Fateh Khan of Panjtar in 1840, Painda Khan succeeded to the leadership of the local opposition to Sikh rule. He was supported by several local chiefs. In 1844, Sikh forces defeated Painda Khan and recovered several forts. Later that year, General Dhaunkal Singh arranged for Painda Khan to be poisoned through his physician. Painda Khan's son then submitted and requested a jagir. Background The Hazara district lay east of the Indus and far from Lahore, making it a difficult region for the Sikh administration to control. Although Attock and nearby territory had been held by the Sikhs since 1813, the Yusafzai clan of Hazara did not accept Sikh authority. Fateh Khan of Panjtar was the earliest major organiser of resistance in the area and later supported Syed Ahmad's Holy War between 1827 and 1831.
Ranjit Singh attempted to conciliate Fateh Khan by offering him a jagir of three lakhs in return for nominal submission, represented by an annual tribute of a hawk and a horse. Fateh Khan did not accept the proposal. After his death in 1840, Painda Khan of Darband became the leading figure in the opposition to the Lahore government in Hazara.
Painda Khan belonged to Darband, located on the eastern bank of the Indus. He later established himself at Amb, on the western bank of the river, in a small tract protected by the Indus and nearby hills. He maintained around 1,000 paid soldiers and was followed by several thousand members of his tribe. His activities included raids into Pakhli, Dhamtaur, Chach, Hazara, and Naushahra, and it is noted that Sikh and Hindu captives were held for ransom. Hazarewal Revolt of 1843-1844 In September 1843, Diwan Mulraj Dilwalwala succeeded Arbel Singh as Governor of Hazara district. He was assisted by General Dhaunkal Singh.At this time, Painda Khan had become active with the support of the Sayyids of Kaghan, Sher Muhammad Khan of Gandgarh, Arsila Khan of Zaidah, Sultan Najaf Khan of Khatur, Ali Gauhar of Khanpur, Habibullah Khan of Pakhli, and the Chhibali tribes.
Mulraj and Dhaunkal Singh worked together in the administration of Hazara and succeeded in extending Sikh authority in the district.Their position, however, was weakened by Raja Gulab Singh, who was at odds with the Sikh Empire.
By 1843, Sikh authority in Hazara remained contested despite earlier attempts to secure the district. Painda Khan of Darband had emerged as the principal leader of opposition after the death of Fateh Khan of Panjtar in 1840. His resistance drew support from several local chiefs and groups, including the Sayyids of Kaghan, Sher Muhammad Khan of Gandgarh, Arsila Khan of Zaidah, Sultan Najaf Khan of Khatur, Ali Gauhar of Khanpur, Habibullah Khan of Pakhli, and the Chhibali tribes.
Fighting continued into 1844. Intelligence from February 1844 recorded petitions from Colonel Courtland reporting action against Painda Khan, including one engagement in which casualties occurred on both sides. A further skirmish was also reported, during which Painda Khan was said to be in communication with Wazir Akbar Khan. Later in 1844, Sikh forces defeated Painda Khan and captured several forts from him.
In September 1844, Painda Khan fell ill. General Dhaunkal Singh bribed the physician treating him, resulting in Painda Khan being poisoned to death. Aftermath After his death, Painda Khan's son submitted and requested a jagir. The submission did not fully settle the district, which remained disturbed due to the continuing intrigues of Raja Gulab Singh. Notes
References
Sources