Sham Singh Atariwala (1790-1846) is among the worst victim of wretched conspiracy by left historians to be left out of History book and curriculum.

The administrative establishment in Post-Independent India commemorated the bravery of Sham Singh Attariwala with naming the check post between Indian and Pakistan as Attari Check Post. But a gang of fake academicians and sold journalists promoted Wagah instead of Attari as check post name.  And this small story has huge hidden meaning underneath. Sham Singh Attariwala is a feared name in land of Pathan and Afghans. Such was his valor and military expedition in trouncing his nemesis that merely recounting name Attari established the martial supremacy of the Sikhs.

Sham Singh Attariwala was a Sikh General born in 1790 in a farmer family in village of Attari along the border down of Amritsar in Majha Punjab. The farmer in the region of Majha Punjab were invincible on every occasion when the Islamic invaders challenged from across the north western boundary.  Attariwala had his elementary education in Gurumukhi and Persian and in no time he rose into a role of outstanding martial warrior.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh identified his talent and in his early 20`s and appointed him Jathedar of 5000 horsemen. He led active military expeditions into the northern frontier where outstanding martial skill and indomitable character were needed to wage battle.

Indian academic historical books hardly mention about his military adventures and how Indian horseman went galloping and trouncing the Pathan and Afghans, but the truth has numerous opposite instances. Among the series of successful martial forays, Attariwala led some heart wrenching battles. The Sikh-Afghan wars were a series of Sikh forays into Afganistan where one after another Generals of Maharaj Ranjit Singh led successful expeditions and rules for nearly 100 years in the region. Peshawar which was supposed to be an impregnable base of Afghans were ruled for over 50 years with an iron hand and in total subjugation by Sikhs.

To his credit Attariwala pierced through Lahore, Multan and up to Peshawar. Kashmir and Swat Valley of North-Western frontiers were the other north spot where some daring and amazing military raid were carried out and Attariwala became a feared household name.

1813 Battle of Attock1826 battle of Bareilly
1818 Battle of Multan1834 Battle of Peshawar,
1819 Kashmir expedition1846 Battle of Sobraon.

Battle of Attock was fought in 1813 and could be termed as first decisive victory against Durrani of Afghanistan while Sikhs started expanding beyond Lahore northern wards. Sikh army fought a ferocious battle and Sham Singh Attariwala led from the front in decimating the Afghan and subjugating this province.

1818 – Battle of Multan Following the victory of Attock, Sikh expanded northwards and attacked the province of Multan – another province of Durrani Afghans then led by Muzaffar Khan. It is said that the fort of Multan was quite formidable, and so Sham Singh Attariwala led the battle tactically. In the ensuing battle the Muzaffar Khan with his son were killed and Multan was annexed under the King Ship of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

1819- Battle in Kashmir: Another province led by Afghans was Kashmir where Afghans sneaked through northern corridors of Gilgit and was administered by one Jabbar Khan. Sham Singh Attariwala led a gallant fight and was defeated summarily. This Battle was fought in Sophia in 1819 which completed the final annexation of Kashmir under Ranjit Singh. 

1834 – The Battle in Peshawar between Sikh and Afghans finally eliminated Durrani. Sikh had previously been to Peshwar and had sporadic control. But this battle under the Sikh Commander Hari Singh Nalwa who was ably assisted by Sham Singh Attariwala brought summarily control of Peshwar under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  Sikh commander forced Sultan Mohammad Khan to fled away and evacuate the city.

1826-31- Over running of Trans Yamuna :- Back from North western frontier Sham Singh Attariwala travelled to Trans Yamuna and led a successful expedition against the Islamic preacher Sayyid Ahmad Bareilvi. Syed Ahmed was a fanatic and was mobilizing religious persecution of Hindus and Sikhs in his areas. In his long sporadic battle the entire territory was subjugated and Sayyid Ahmad along with his lieutenant, Muhammad Ismail was killed.

1844 –Kashmir- When Raja Gulab Singh, a Dogra of Jammu who was an important Vassal, refused to pay the revenue, Sham Singh Attariwala in quick swoop led a punitive expedition to ensure him to amend his mistakes.

1846- Battle of Sobraon.

The battle was fought between Sikh and British. The British to their advantage had bigger numbers and huge fire power and deceit. By now British had control huge land and resource in India. Sikh were fighting for their Pride in the most insurmountable condition.  60-year-old Sham Singh Attariwala in legendary look of white long flowing beard despite being outnumbered led a heroic battle. In the end, the gallant warrior was martyred and set for his heavenly abode in the year 1846.

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