Battle of Wanko Pass

Battle of Wanko Pass
Part of Dogra invasion of Baltistan
Date 13th February, 1840 Location Baltistan, Pakistan Result Dogra Victory
Belligerents
Dogra dynasty Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh	Maqpon Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
General Zorawar Singh Mehta Basti Ram	Wazir Ghulam Hassan † Wazir Ghulam Hussain † Sultan Beg †
Strength
15,000	20,000
Casualties and losses
25 killed 500 wounded because of frost bite	200 killed in battle 2000 Killed while retreating 100 wounded

The Battle of Wanko Pass was a battle between the Dogra army, led by General Zorawar Singh, and the Balti forces commanded by Wazir Ghulam Hasan and Wazir Ghulam Hussain. During the battle, the Baltis faced a crushing defeat as the Dogras, aided by dardas and the construction of an ice bridge across the Indus, caught them by surprise. Wazir Ghulam Hasan was killed, while Wazir Ghulam Hussain and Sultan Beg of Rondu attempted to escape but were killed during the pursuit.

Background

In early 1835, while halting at Sum during his first expedition to Leh, General Zorawar Singh was approached by Muhammad Shah, the eldest son of the ruler of Skardu, seeking protection. Internal strife had arisen within the ruling Balti family, as the ruler planned to bypass Muhammad Shah’s claim to the throne in favor of his younger son, Muhammad Ali. Seeking refuge from this political dispute, Muhammad Shah fled to Zorawar Singh's camp in Suru. Although Zorawar offered him protection, he was not inclined to intervene in the affairs of Baltistan at the time, as his primary focus remained on the campaign in Ladakh. Zorawar arranged for the prince's safe stay in Suru for nearly two years before sending him to Leh. A brief reconciliation occurred between Muhammad Shah and his father, resulting in the prince’s return to Skardu, but this peace was short-lived. By early 1840, Muhammad Shah once again fled, seeking shelter with the Gyalpo of Ladakh, Moru Tadzi.

However, real power in Ladakh lay not with the Gyalpo but with two key ministers, the Kahlon of Bankha and the Kahlon of Bazgo, who were secretly plotting a rebellion against Dogra rule. Eager to gain the support of the Balti ruler, Ahmad Shah, in their rebellion, they suggested that he send a party to seize his son. Ahmad Shah agreed, and a small group of 50 men easily captured Muhammad Shah from Leh without resistance.

General Zorawar Singh, who was stationed in Zanskar at the time, learned of this and swiftly decided to conquer Baltistan as retribution for the capture of the prince, intending to annex the region to the Dogra principality. Before launching his campaign, Zorawar sent a letter to Ahmad Shah, demanding the immediate return of Muhammad Shah, who had sought protection under the Maharaja’s authority. Zorawar warned that Dogra forces would invade Baltistan if the prince was not released. Ahmad Shah, however, chose to ignore the letter, forcing Zorawar Singh to march towards Baltistan.

Order of Battle

By this time, Zorawar Singh had firmly established his control over Ladakh and Zanskar, suppressing rebellions and annexing Ladakh to Gulab Singh’s kingdom. With his attention turning toward Baltistan, he devised a strategy that included enlisting the Ladakhis, who had suffered past wrongs at the hands of the Baltis, into his invading force. He raised an army of approximately 15,000 Dogras and 8,000 Ladakhis, largely consisting of camp followers, under the command of their old general, Kahlon Bankhapa, and sent them, along with the old Gyalpo, through the Hanu and Chorbat passes. However, the true command of the Ladakhi contingent was given to the Dogra officer, Madina Shah. This part of the army marched to Skardu without encountering any resistance or engaging in combat.

Zorawar himself led the Dogra portion of the army, marching through the route of Marol and Kharmang. He crossed the Indus near Gar Gono, routed the rebels at Pasrikhar in the Saut district, and annexed the Purig territory, appointing Dogra thanadars at Dras and Sum. Securing his rear, Zorawar advanced along the right bank of the Indus, seeking a path through the precarious gorges. Ahmad Shah of Skardu, learning of the Dogra invasion, raised an army of 20,000 men from Kurrus, Khapalu, Rondu, and Kharmang under the command of Ghulam Hassan and Ghulam Hussain to block Zorawar's routes. The Baltis set up camp on a high plateau near Marol, preparing to defend their territory.

Battle

Facing the cold, hunger, and the challenges of crossing the Indus in December, Zorawar's men grew desperate. After days of searching for a ford, he dispatched Mian Nidhan Singh with 5,000 men toward Shigar to find a route, but the Baltis ambushed them, killing Nidhan Singh and decimating the force. The Dogras, trapped on the right bank of the river, were exposed to the harsh winter, with their morale and discipline deteriorating as provisions ran low.

In a last-ditch effort, Colonel Mehta Basti Ram led a small party along the Indus, where, with the help of local Darads, they constructed an ice bridge under the cover of night. This bold move allowed a small force to cross the river and secure the opposite bank, despite the Baltis' attempts to counterattack. Zorawar's main army followed, launching an attack that left 200 Baltis dead and the Dogras lost 25 soilders and forced the rest of the Baltis to retreat. Although the Dogras suffered heavy casualties due to the cold, losing many men to frostbite, their victory was decisive. They chased the retreating Baltis for 15 kilometers, ultimately establishing their camp at Marwan.The battle was fought in 13th February, 1840.

Hashmatullah's Description About The Battle

According to Hashmatullah, Raja Sher Ali Khan of Kartaksha played a pivotal role in aiding General Zorawar Singh during the Baltistan campaign through secret correspondence and strategic betrayal of the Balti forces. Although Sher Ali Khan had initially sent troops to join the Balti army, he had secretly assured Zorawar of his support and promised that his men would betray the Baltis at a crucial moment. This treachery, combined with the assistance of the Darads on one bank of the Indus and Sher Ali Khan's men on the other, enabled the Dogras to construct an ice-bridge across the river without being detected by Wazir Ghulam Hasan of Skardu. As a result, the Dogras, led by Basti Ram's forces, successfully took the Baltis by surprise, compelling them to abandon their strategic positions in haste. The Dogras swiftly gained control of the Wanko Pass, facilitating an easy crossing of the river. In the fierce battle that followed, Wazir Ghulam Hasan was killed along with 2,000 of his men. Wazirs Ghulam Hussain and Sultan Beg of Rondu attempted to escape but were overtaken and killed by the pursuing Dogras before they could reach Marol. In recognition of Raja Sher Ali Khan's loyalty and crucial assistance, Zorawar Singh allowed him to retain his principality, confirming his status as its Raja.

Aftermath

After the battle at Wanko Pass, General Zorawar Singh decided to halt his army for a few days to reorganize and recuperate. Recognizing the bravery and dedication of his soldiers during the recent action, he took this opportunity to reward those who had distinguished themselves in battle. Zorawar made sure to honor the efforts of Colonel Mehta Basti Ram, whose daring leadership during the construction of the ice bridge and subsequent engagement had been crucial to the Dogra victory. As a token of appreciation, Zorawar presented Basti Ram with Rs. 500 and a pair of gold bangles, a significant reward for his valor. Additionally, 32 members of Basti Ram's party were similarly acknowledged for their bravery. Depending on their contributions, some received Rs. 100, others Rs. 50, and a few Rs. 40.

see also

• Dogra dynasty
• General Zorawar Singh
• Maqpon Dynasty