Lehal Library

108 The Agrarian Uprising The Third Round: Banda's Final Stand at Gurdaspur Nangal, His Capture and Execution The battle for succession was eventually won byJahandar Shah. As soon as he had disposed of his brothers, he turned his attention to the rebellion in the Punjab. Mughal armies again closed in on Sadhaura and Mukhlisgarh. The siege dragged on for eight long months. He had some relief towards the end of 1712, when the attention of the besieging force was diverted by the rebellion of Jahandar's nephew, Farrukh Siyar. But Banda was unable to come down into the plains and as soon as Famtkh Siyar became Emperor, he sent two very energetic officers, Abdus Samad Khan, and his son Zakarya Khan, with specific instructions to destroy Banda. Abdus Samad Khan's troops drove Banda out ofSadhaura and Mukhlisgarh and compelled him to retreat further into the Himalayan fastnesses. The peasant uprising was considered over. Abdus Samad Khan and bis son were recalled to Delhi, where they were loaded with honours. They were ordered to direct their energies to the reconquest of Rajasthan. Banda disappeared from the Punjab scene for over a year. He found a haven of peace in a small village a few miles above Jammu (since named after him Dera Baba Banda), and lived there with his two wives and children. Peasant leaders were, however, active in the plains and Farrukh Siyar had to send Abdus Samad Khan and his son back to the Punjab to chastise ' that sect of mean and detestable Sikhs.' 1ll An army of seven thousand peasants attacked Ropar and, though I.be attack was repelled, it was apparent that the people were restive again. In February 1715 Banda came down from his mountain retreat to measure his sword again with the Mughals. Abdus Samad Khan assembled an army of Mughals, Pathans, Bundela Rajputs, and Rajputs ofKatoch andJasrota and moved northwards to face Banda. 19 Mohammed Hadi Kamwar Khan, Tazkira-us-Salalin Chughliya, 176-B.