Battle of Sobraon
Sobraon, on the Sutlej River, Punjab, India
What happened
The army of the British East India Company under Sir Hugh Gough fought the Sikh Khalsa army, whose leaders included Tej Singh, Lal Singh and Sham Singh Attariwala. In the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikh army held a fortified position on the bank of the Sutlej River. After a heavy bombardment, British troops attacked and broke through at several points. The bridge of boats behind the Sikh lines broke, trapping many Sikh soldiers on the river bank.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the decisive battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War. The Treaty of Lahore that followed took land from the Sikh Empire and placed a British Resident at Lahore.
What came next
The Treaty of Lahore was signed on 9 March 1846. A week later the British sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar.
Did you know?
Two British regiments that met in the captured trenches became so friendly that for years their officers addressed each other as 'My Dear Cousin' in official letters.
Timeline
- 10 February 1846The British win at Sobraon.
- 9 March 1846The Treaty of Lahore is signed.
- 16 March 1846Kashmir is sold to Gulab Singh under the Treaty of Amritsar.
- 1868A monument is put up at the battle site.