Battle of Saidu
# Battle of Saidu

The Battle of Saidu, also known as the Battle of Pirpai, was fought in March 1827 between the Sikh forces led by Hari Singh Nalwa and the Yusufzai tribesmen troops led by Syed Ahmad Barelvi. The Sikhs were victorious.

## Background

Budh Singh Sandhawalia accompanied by 4,000 horsemen was sent towards Attock to assist in putting down the Yusufzai Rebellion. When Budh Singh arrived at Hazro, he was challenged by Ashraf Khan of Zaidah, Fateh Khan of Panjtar and Khadi Khan of Hund along with some Ghazis. The Ghazis fell back. Following this, a battle was fought at Saidu.

## Battle

On the eve of the battle, the Syed was poisoned by the servants of Yar Muhammad. However, he still reauested his men to take him to the battlefield. The action commenced at about ten in the morning. The Muslim war cry "Allahu Akbar" was answered by the Sikhs with their war cry of "Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal". The entire village of Pirpai was surrounded by Afghans. Budh Singh was joined by Gulab Singh, Suchait Singh and Atariwala Sardars. According to an eyewitness Alexander Burnes, “8,000 Sikhs were defending themselves against an enraged population of 150,000 troops”. Around 6,000 troops were killed or wounded on the side of the Afghans. Yar Muhammad along with his men deserted the Muslim ranks.

## Aftermath

Following this battle, several skirmishes occurred between tribes in one of which Yar Muhammad was killed.

