Hindustani Fanatics
| Hindustani Fanatics | |
|---|---|
| 1857 | |
| Chronological list of Wars and Campaigns | |
| [[Image:|250px| ]] | |
| Location: Sittana, Nowshera District, NWF | |
| Combatants: | |
| British & Indians | Hindustani Fanatics & Rebel Sepoys |
| Result: British victory | |
| Medals: India General Service Medal 1854 Clasp: North West Frontier | |
| Links: | |
| Category: Hindustani Fanatics | |
|
See our interactive map of Hindustani fanatics 1857-58 locations and routes on Google Maps | |
|---|---|---|
The Hindustani Fanatics campaign of 1857-58.
Summary
Saiyid Ahmad Shah was a Wahabi preacher who came into the Yusafzai territory in 1824 when it was part of the Sikh Empire. He stirred the Pathan tribes into rebellion but was defeated by the Sikh army. He then increased his support and by 1829 gained control of Yusufzai and occupied Peshawar. His Hindustani zealots were once again defeated by the Sikhs and Saiyid Ahmad was killed. His disciples retreated to Sittana under the leadership of Saiyid Akbar.
The Hindustanis came into conflict with the British after the 1st Sikh War when they supported the Hassanzai tribesmen in the 1st Black Mountain Expedition. They were driven from the fort at Kotla in January 1853. In 1857 they were joined by rebel sepoys from the 55th Regiment of Bengal Infantry and a punitive expedition was mounted against them. They were defeated in a series of engagements and finally destroyed at the Battle of Sittana.
A further confrontation with the Hindudtani Fanatics took place in 1863. See the Ambela Campaign.
Campaign Force 1858
Commanded by Lt Col Sydney J Cotton
First Column
- Peshawar Light Field Battery (4 guns)
- Peshawar Mountain Train Battery (2 guns)
- 98th Regiment of Foot (260 men)
- 7th Irregular Cavalry (100 men)
- Guides Cavalry (200 men)
- Peshawar Light Horse (30 men)
- Sappers & Miners (100 men)
- 9th Punjab Infantry (400 men)
- 18th Punjab Infantry (400 men)
- 21st Native Infantry (300 men)
- Guides Infantry (300 men)
Second Column
Lieut Col H.Renny, 81st Foot
- 81st Regiment of Foot (200 men)
- 18th Irregular Cavalry (100 men)
- Sappers & Miners (47 men)
- Kelat-i-Ghilzai Regt (200 men)
- 38th Dogras
- 8th Punjab Infantry (450 men)
Third Column
Maj A.T.Allen, 81st Foot
- 81st Foot (105 men)
- 98th Foot (100 men)
- 7th Irregular Cavalry (25 men)
- 18th Irregular Cavalry (25 men)
- Guides Cavalry (600 men)
- 8th Punjab Infantry (54 men)
- 9th Punjab Infantry(137 men)
- 18th Punjab Infantry (185 men)
- 21st Native Infantry (155 men)
- Kelat-i-Ghilzai Regt (254 men)
- Guides Infantry (76 men)
Maj J.R.Becher's Column
- Peshawar Mountain Train Battery (2 guns)
- Hazara Mountain Train Battery (3 guns)
- 2nd Sikh Infantry (300 men)
- 6th Punjab Infantry (450 men)
- 12th Punjab Infantry (300 men)
Campaign actions
- Battle of Shekh Jana 2 July 1857
- Battle of Narinji 21 July & 3 August 1857
- Battle of Chinglee 26 April 1858
- Battle of Panjtar 28 April 1858
- Battle of Mangal Thana 29 April 1858
- Battle of Sittana 4 May 1858
External Links
Historical Books on-line
Frontier and Overseas Expeditions from India Vol I - Hindustani fanatics archive.org