History of Afghan–Sikh Wars

The Afghan–Sikh wars were a series of wars between the Islamic Durrani Empire (centred in present-day Afghanistan), and the Sikh Empire (located in the Punjab region). The conflict had its origins stemming from the days of the Dal Khalsa.

Background
The Sikh Confederacy had effectively achieved independence from the Mughal Empire in 1716, and expanded at its expense in the following decades, despite the Sikh holocaust of 1746. The Afsharid Persian emperor Nader Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire (1738–40) dealt a heavy blow to the Mughals, but after Nader's death in 1747, the Durrani Empire (roughly covering modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) declared its independence from Persia. Four years later, this new Afghan state came into conflict with the Sikh alliance.

Battle of Attock
This battle started with the Battle of Attock, also known as the Battle of Chuch or the Battle of Haidru. In the battle's aftermath, Sikhs seized control of Attock District. After his defeat at Attock, Fatteh Khan Barakzai, the vizier of Kabul, fought off an attempt by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the ruler of Persia, and his son Ali Mirza to capture the Durrani province of Herat.

Battle of Multan
The Battle of Multan was the second battle in the Afghan–Sikh wars. It lasted from March 1818 to 2 June 1818. This battle ended the Durrani influence in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, and led to the Sikhs holding the city of Peshawar.

Battle of Shopian
The Battle of Shopian was different from the first two battles, due to it taking place in the Kashmir region, more specifically Shopian. This battle included the 1819 Kashmir expedition, which led to Kashmir being annexed to the Sikh Empire. After taking Srinagar, the Sikh army faced no major opposition in conquering Kashmir. The Sikh Empire had controlled all of Kashmir.

Battle of Nowshera
The Battle of Nowshera wasn't fought by the Durranis, but by a Pashtun force with support of the Durranis. The Sikhs again came in possession of Peshawar, along with the whole Khyber Pass.

Battle of Jamrud
The Battle of Jamrud was the 5th and foremost battle within the Afghan–Sikh wars. The Afghans had been losing their territories to Sikhs over the preceding years due to conflicts against Persia, and had seen their territory shrink with the loss of the Punjab region, Multan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The loss of Peshawar was the most important as the inhabitants of the region included fellow Pashtuns and the city was the considered the second capital of Afghans, so they set to reclaim it.

Hari Singh was fatally injured and later died of injuries. Afghans couldn't occupy the fort nor were able to gain possession of Peshawar.The result of the battle is disputed amongst historians. Some contend the failure of the Afghans to take the fort as a victory for the Sikhs. Whereas, some state an Afghan victory, James Norris, Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M International University, states that the battle's outcome was inconclusive.