Cite
MLA
“Battle of Mardanpur.” Hindu History, 2026, https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-mardanpur-1794/. Accessed .
APA
Hindu History. (2026). Battle of Mardanpur. Retrieved , from https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-mardanpur-1794/
After a first reverse, the Sikhs rallied, attacked again by night and before dawn, and the Marathas withdrew to Karnal.
01The Marathas cross the Yamuna
In 1794 a Maratha force under Lakshmi Rao, Anta Rao and Lachhman Rao crossed the Yamuna and marched on Patiala to press the Cis-Sutlej chiefs for tribute. Patiala’s affairs were then in the hands of Sahib Kaur, sister of Raja Sahib Singh. She called on her neighbours. Raja Bhag Singh of Jind, Jodh Singh of Kalsia, the Thanesar sardars Bhanga Singh and Mehtab Singh and the Bhadaur chiefs joined her, and Tara Singh Ghaiba sent a detachment. They met the Marathas at Mardanpur.
02Sahib Kaur rallies the Sikhs
The first day went badly, and the Sikh contingents fell back towards Rajpura. Sahib Kaur, the Sikh chroniclers say, rode among them and shamed and urged them back into line. Next day they struck the Maratha advance guard, and the fighting drew in both armies. That night the Sikhs raided the Maratha camp while its commander was performing the last rites of his dead, and were held off. A further attack before dawn decided it. The Marathas broke off and went back to Karnal.
One of the few times Maratha power in Hindustan was turned back by the Phulkian states, and the deed for which Sahib Kaur is remembered.
