Battle of Mardanpur: Courage and Strategy Unite
Clash of Two Rising Forces
In 1794, near the village of Mardanpur in Ambala, armies from two emerging powers met in a historic battle. The Marathas, fierce warriors from the Deccan, led by General Apa Khande Rao Scindia, confronted a united front of Sikh chiefs from East Punjab, rallied by Ala Singh, the founder of Patiala.
Shifting Tides
The Maratha army, with 15,000 soldiers, outnumbered the Patiala alliance. As the battle intensified, the Sikh chiefs grew anxious, and their morale faltered. Seeing defeat on the horizon, they began to withdraw, deserting their posts.
Bibi Sahib Kaur’s Call to Arms
As the Sikh soldiers retreated, a rath (bullock-drawn chariot) appeared among them. Bibi Sahib Kaur, Patiala’s female chief minister, emerged from the rath, brandishing a gleaming sword. She admonished the fleeing soldiers, reminding them of their duty and honor.
- “Brave soldiers of Patiala! If you abandon your positions now, shame will haunt you forever.”
- “Before leaving, I vowed never to abandon the battlefield, no matter the cost.”
- “And if you desert the battlefield, leaving a woman behind, how will you return home with your pride intact?”
A Night of Unrest and Resolve
That night, the Patiala camp was filled with unease. The chiefs debated their decision to enter the war, but their pride was at stake. Bibi Sahib, who refused to pay tribute to the Marathas, was determined to protect Patiala’s independence.
Aftermath of the Battle
Bibi Sahib saw the countless funeral pyres and fresh graves of her loyal soldiers. The women, now widows and grieving mothers, faced a life of hardship and poverty, as widow remarriage was nearly forbidden.
A Bold Strategy
Later that night, Bibi Sahib gathered the allied chiefs and revealed a daring plan: attack the Maratha camp while their soldiers slept. The plan was risky, but the lady’s suggestion soon became a firm command.
The Unexpected Assault
The Punjabi soldiers launched their surprise attack on the half-asleep Marathas, who were disoriented and terrified. By dawn, the Maratha army had abandoned their positions at Mardanpur and retreated towards Delhi.
