Afghan-Sikh Capture of Kashmir (1812-1813)
# Afghan-Sikh Capture of Kashmir (1812-1813)

The Afghan-Sikh Capture of Kashmir was a expedition in 1812-1813 led by Wazir Fateh Khan against the rebellious governor of Kashmir, Ata Muhammad Khan.

## Event

In 1809, Ata Muhammad Khan declared independance of Kashmir and became its governer. Wazir Fateh Khan desired to expel Ata Muhammad Khan from Kashmir for many reasons, mainly being that he had captured Shah Shujah Durrani. He was afraid that Maharaja Ranjit Singh would capture Attock and Peshawar while the Wazir was busy with Kashmir. Therefore, he striked a deal with the Maharaja and was given a chosen force of 12,000 Sikhs led by Dewan Mokham Chand. Both the armies joined at the Jhelum and marched alongside each other until they reached the Pir Panjal Range, where Fateh Khan left the Sikh soldiers during heavy snowfall. Learning about this, Mokham Chand promised the raja of Rajouri a jagir of 25,000 rupees if he tells the Sikhs a faster path towards Kashmir. With the help of the Sikhs, the Afghans successfully captured Kashmir but broke their promise with the Sikhs and gave them none of the plunder. However, the Sikhs managed to get Shah Shujah Durrani as he feared of being a prisoner when he goes to Kabul. When he reached Lahore, he was forced to give up the Koh-i-noor to the Maharaja. As for Kashmir, the new governer was Fateh Khan's brother Azim Khan.

