Standoff at the Khyber Pass (1835)

On 6 May 1835, Ranjit Singh reached the suburbs of Peshawar. Sultan Mohammad Khan, the brother of Dost Mohammad. Sultan Mohammad met the Maharaja and gave him gifts, and Ranjt Singh gave him a letter for Dost Mohammad Khan to make peace. On 7 May, the Ranjit Singh viewed Dost Mohammad's camp from a distance with a telescope. The camp was at the mouth of the Khyber Pass. According to Hari Ram Gupta, "The strength he possessed was 40 to 50,000 of his own and 60 to 80,000 Ghazis." Ranjit Singh created a camp at Kaikuon and stationed his troops about 6 km from the Khan's camp.[1] Ranjit Singh ordered them to not engage with the enemies in any circumstance until his arrival..[2]

The French division under Jean-François Allard, Paolo Avitabile, Claude Auguste Court and Jean-Baptiste Ventura commanded 20 to 22,000 men who marched very slowly and suitably towards the left flank of Dost Mohammad Khan's army. The main Sikh army led by Hari Singh Nalwa, Gulab Singh, Misr Sukh Raj, Tej Singh, Attar Singh Sandhanwalia, Khushal Singh, Dhian Singh, Jawala Singh, Lehna Singh Majithia and Maharaja Ranjit Singh numbered 60–80,000 and attacked Dost Mohammad Khan's center and right side.[1][3] When the Ghazi's appeared in sight, Hari Singh Nalwa ordered firing of his guns. The Maharaja however prohibited him and attempted to negotiate with the amir.[2]

Dost Mohammad Khan rejected a truce with the Sikhs. He fled at night with his troops and Ghazis, believing that he was surrounded and having faced a bad omen. The Afghans took all their ammunition and guns with them. [1][4][5][6]

After this encounter, Maharaja Ranjit Singh returned to Lahore.[1]

• Nihang
• Martyrdom and Sikhism