Battle of Muktsar
The Battle of Muktsar, also known as the Battle of Khidrāne Dee Dhāb, took place on 29 December 1705 near the pool of Khidrānā, the place later named Muktsar and today Sri Muktsar Sahib. It ended in a Sikh victory.
Belligerents: Mughal Empire vs. Khalsa (Sikhs). The Mughal side was led by Nawab Wazir Khan. The Sikh side was led by Guru Gobind Singh; Mata Bhag Kaur participated (wounded in action). Sikh leaders in the field included Maha Singh and Kapura Singh Brar.
Background: After Anandpur Sahib endured a long siege in 1704 by Mughal forces and hill rulers, 40 Sikhs deserted and sent letters of bedava (abandonment) to Guru Gobind Singh. These deserters were moved to Jhabal, where Mata Bhag Kaur, a courageous Sikh woman, encouraged them to return to their Guru.
The 40 deserters, inspired by Mata Bhag Kaur, returned to Guru Gobind Singh and joined him near Khidrāne Dee Dhāb to prepare for battle.
In the battle, many Sikhs fought bravely and died; Mata Bhag Kaur was wounded but survived. Guru Gobind Singh forgave the deserters, tore up their letters of bedava, and blessed them for their service. The pool area was renamed Muktsar, meaning The Pool of Liberation, in memory of the martyrs.
Aftermath: Mata Bhag Kaur remained with Guru Gobind Singh as one of his bodyguards. Each year, the Mela Maghi festival is held in Sri Muktsar Sahib to honor the forty Sikh martyrs.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:19 (CET).