1 38 A Short History of the Sikhs.
2 designs, Bhim Chand had attempted to get possession
3 of a valuable elephant belonging to Govind Singh,
4 but without success. Unable to steal the animal, he
5 offered to buy it, and when his offer was refused he
6 professed friendship for the guru and tried to borrow
7 it ; but his protestations and his requests were treated
8 with equal contempt. Enraged at his failure and at
9 the haughty and threatening attitude of the guru, he
10 prepared for hostilities, and persuaded a number of
11 other chiefs to join him in a combined attack on the
12 forces of the Khalsa. Govind Singh was at this
13 time engaged in fortifying the village of Paunta,
14 some miles to the north of Anandpiir ; and on news
15 being brought to him of the enemy's approach, he
16 decided to march out and fight in the open. The
17 battle which ensued, the first that the Sikhs had ever
18 fought, was fierce and bloody, and many fell on both
19 sides. But the forces of the chiefs lacked the devo-
20 tion and resolution with which the guru was able
21 to animate his followers, and they were defeated
22 and driven from the field.
23 Having completed the fortifications of Paunta,
24 Govind Singh returned to Anandpiir, which he like-
25 wise surrounded with defence works, and then pro-
26 ceeded to Chamkaur, a village lower down the Sutlej,
27 where he erected a third fortress. While he was
28 thus engaged, he received a visit from his late
29 enemy, Bhim Chand of Bilaspiir. Bhim Chand had
30 incurred the wrath of Mian Khan, the Muhammadan
31 viceroy of Jammu, by refusing the tribute demanded
32 of him ; and pointing out that submission on his part
33 would undoubtedly result in a similar payment being