The First Anglo-Sikh War by Amarpal Sidhu

Author:Amarpal Sidhu [Sidhu, Amarpal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781848689831
Publisher: Amberley Publishing
Published: 2013-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Despite this the river was shallow at various points, the nearest being the Harike ford immediately to the east of the Sikh position. Here a large area of high ground in the path of the river cut the flow into two streams shallow enough to allow cavalry at least to cross, the high ground effectively forming a large island midstream. The area near Attaree twenty-five kilometres south-west of the battlefield was the other fordable point close to Sabraon. Near to Ferozepore was another ford at Khoonda ghat or Gunda Singh Walla. There were known to be other fordable points in addition to these. The ferrymen at Harike were known to be quite secretive about the shallow areas of the Sutlej, greater public awareness of these crossing points being against their interests. These were known to the Sikh army, however, and Sikh horsemen would cross the river in the days before the battle at locations both above and below the Sikh army camp for skirmishing with the British. Upstream from Harike ford was located Harike village, the main crossing point for general and commercial traffic. Ferry boats from Harike transported travellers and goods across to the other side of the river north of Makhu on the south bank.

The British Positions

Gough organised the British position along a long string of villages running from Makhu village, opposite Harike on the north bank, to Kamalwalla, eleven kilometres south-west of Makhu, with an additional element at Attaree ford. The line faced the Sikh camp north of the river in a north-westerly direction. The right wing of the British army stationed near Harike ford was the closest to the Sikh camp at around four kilometres’ distance. The position rested behind a dry nullah running just north of the string of villages, part of a substantial dry riverbed further to the south. The British forces bivouacked in much the same formation that would take the field on the day of the battle. Brigadier Cureton was stationed north of Nizamuddin to guard the Harike ford. From Nizamuddin to the north of the villages of Pudree (Puttee) and nearby Wuttoo was located Sir Harry Smith’s force. From the village of Barwali and onto Nihalkee were stationed Major-General Walter Gilbert’s troops. Nihalkee village was also used as headquarters by the Governor-General. Two kilometres due south of Nihalkee lay the village of Bootewalla, used by Gough as his headquarters. Sir Robert Dick held the British line from Nihalkee through Killee to Jileewala (Tilleewala). From Jileewala to Kumalwala were spread the forces of Scott and Campbell’s cavalry brigades. A force was also held at Kumalwala protecting the British left. A cannon park was organised between the villages of Nihalkee and Bootewalla for the British artillery. Twenty five kilometres south-west of the main camp was stationed Sir John Grey at the Attaree ford with the 8th Light Cavalry and the 41st, 45th and the 68th Native Infantry to watch for an attack that would never come. Further south-west still sat Littler’s force at Ferozepore.

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