Battle of Baddowal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Baddowal
Part of the First Anglo-Sikh War
Siege of the fort at Baduwal (Baddowal Fort) in Ludhiana. Lithograph after an original sketch by Prince Waldemar of Prussia and published in 'In Memory of the Travels of Prince Waldemar of Prussia to India 1844-1846' (Vol.II)
Date 21 January 1846 Location Dharmkot, Ludhiana Result Sikh victory
Belligerents
Sikh Empire	East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Ranjodh Singh Majithia Akali Hanuman Singh	Harry Smith
Strength
15,000	12,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	598

The Battle of Baddowal was an important fight during the First Anglo-Sikh War. It happened on January 21, 1846. This battle was an attack by the Sikh Empire army on soldiers from the British East India Company. It took place near Ludhiana in what is now Punjab, India. Locals sometimes call it Angauli Jetu Jang, which means "unsung war which was won." The Sikhs won this battle.

What Happened at the Battle of Baddowal?

The Battle of Baddowal was a key event in the First Anglo-Sikh War. This war was fought between the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company. The British wanted to expand their control in India.

British Army's March

After losing two earlier battles, the Sikh army was trying to regroup. Meanwhile, the British army, led by General Sir Harry Smith, was marching to help the city of Ludhiana. They needed to get supplies and more soldiers there.

The Sikh Attack

As General Smith's army marched, Sikh troops attacked them. The Sikh forces were led by Ranjodh Singh Majithia. They attacked the back of the British column near Baddowal. A column is a long line of soldiers.

The Sikhs were very quick and clever. They managed to capture many British supplies and baggage. This was a big loss for the British army. General Harry Smith later said the Sikh move was "very able and well-executed."

Key Leaders in the Battle

• Ranjodh Singh Majithia: He was a skilled commander for the Sikh Empire. His father, Desa Singh Majithia, was an important minister. Ranjodh Singh led a large Sikh army. It had about 10,000 foot soldiers and cavalry (soldiers on horseback). They also had 60 cannons. He joined forces with Ajit Singh of Ladwa. Together, they marched towards Ludhiana. They even burned part of the British army camp there.

• Sir Harry Smith: He was a British general. He later became the Governor of Cape Colony. Smith was sent to help Ludhiana. He marched his troops from Ferozepur, keeping a few miles away from the Sutlej River.

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  Ranjodh Singh Majithia was a brave Sikh commander.

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  Raja Ajit Singh of Ladwa also fought alongside the Sikhs.

After the Battle

Even though the British lost supplies at Baddowal, they fought back. Just one week later, General Smith's army defeated the Sikhs. This happened at the Battle of Aliwal.

Remembering the Battle Today

The Battle of Baddowal is still remembered. The old Baddowal Fort was taken down. However, some of its bricks were used again in other buildings. There was a banyan tree where local people were harmed after the battle. That tree was cut down in the 1980s, but a new one was planted in its place.

In 1997, a memorial was built at the site. It helps keep the memory of this important battle alive. Local village councils, called panchayats, from Baddowal, Hassanpur, Bhanohar, and Pamal villages celebrate the battle's anniversary every year. They do this together to honor the history of the event.