At Kahnuwan, Gurdaspur, Punjab

17th May , Bloody action during the campaign of persecution launched by the Mughal governor of Lahore against the Sikhs (1746).

In early 1746, Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluvalia moved northwards and entered Eminabad (55 km north of Lahore) in Gujranwala district (now in Pakistan).

He was confronted by the jagirdar (landlord) of that area, Jaspat Rai.

Jaspat Rai was killed in this encounter.

This led to relentless campaign against the Sikhs by Lakhpat Rai (Jaspat Rai’s brother), diwan of Yahiya Khan (Governor of Lahore).

Lakhpat Rai vowed to eliminate all Sikhs. This event led to martyrdom of Sikhs.

Martyr Bhai Taru Singh, his skul was choped for refusing to get his hair cut

Bhai Mani Singh sacrifising his life by getting his body cut into small pieces at each joint of the body

Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh bringing back the decapitated head of Massa Ranghar.Governor of Lahore issued the order that

no one to give any help or shelter to Sikhs.

Mughal armies started killing the Sikhs found anywhere within their jurisdiction.

Lakhpat Rai roused the general population for jihad against the Sikhs. Group of Hindu nobles headed by Diwan Kaura Mall approached Lakhpat Rai. They tried to dissuade him from spilling innocent blood. This request was ignored by Lakhpat Rai. He also ignored the advice of his guru, Sant Jagat Bhagat Gosairi, who advised him not to carry out execution of innocent Sikhs on the appointed day of amavasya.

Execution took place as ordered on that very day (March 10, 1746). All the Sikhs of Lahore were murdered in cold blood.

The Gurdwara Chhota Ghallughara Sahib marks the place were nearly 10,000 Sikh men, women and children were wiped out in 1746

It is situated about 10 Km south of Gurdaspur. Nearby cities: Gurdaspur ; Kalanaur; Pathankot

Sikhs rode towards Lahore. Reaching the river Ravi, they crossed it on rafts made of reeds and grass and returned to Majha.

When the Sikhs crossed the river Beas at Sri Hargobindpur, they had to face the forces of Adina Beg.

After giving him a taste of battle, Sikhs crossed the river Sutlej from the ferry bank at Aliwal and heaved a sigh of relief after entering Malwa in June, 1746.

Lakhpat Rai ordered Sikh places of worship to be destroyed and their holy books burnt.

During those two and a half months, about seven thousand Sikhs attained martyrdom while fighting. Another three thousand were tortured to martyrdom at Lahore.

Lakhpat Rai’s boast of a total annihilation of the Sikhs was soon falsified. In about six months’ time, Sikhs started converged at Amritsar in small groups.