First Battle of Lahore (1759)

Ahmad Shah Durrani raided India for the fifth time in 1759, initiating a series of conflicts with the Marathas and Sikhs. The Pashtuns, preparing for armed struggle, quickly advanced into Punjab, capturing a Maratha garrison at Peshawar and later overrunning Attock. General Jahan Khan played a key role in the advance but was met with resistance from the Marathas and their Sikh allies, led by Sabaji Shinde and the armies of the Sukerchakia and Ahluwalia Misls. In a fierce battle, the combined forces of the Marathas and Sikhs defeated the Afghans, killing 2,000 and wounding Jahan Khan. Despite being outnumbered, Sabaji managed to defend Lahore and inflicted a severe defeat on Jahan Khan, who retreated to Peshawar. This defeat angered Ahmad Shah Durrani and prompted him to take action.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Shah's administrative setup in Punjab was unstable, with Sirhind governed by Zain Khan and Lahore overseen by Sarbuland Khan, who remained at Jalandhar. Ahmad Shah's focus on preparing for his confrontation with the Marathas meant Punjab descended into disorder. From October 1759 to March 1761, the Sikhs, led by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and other misldars, took advantage of the situation and succeeded in controlling Lahore's suburbs and surrounding areas. They built mud forts and fortalices in strategic locations, capturing Rustam Khan, governor of Chahar Mahals, and his assistant, Miskin. To avoid further conflict, the governor of Lahore paid the Sikhs Rs. 30,000, which they accepted and retreated.