Sobraon
The Battle of Sobraon was the fourth, last, and decisive battle of the First Sikh War (1845–46). The Sikhs were entrenched on the eastern British-held bank of the Sutlej River, their retreat secured by a bridge of boats. After an intense artillery duel, the Sikh entrenchments were stormed.
The Honour is borne on the Guidon of the 3rd Hussars.
Detail
The 3rd showed great discipline and control in this final battle of the 1st Sikh War.
The Sikh Army had occupied a position straddling the River Sutlej, with their heavy artillery and reserves on the northern bank and their main force holding a fortified bridgehead on the southern bank around the village of Chota Sobraon.
The infantry attacked and managed to push the enemy back far enough to allow our sappers to blow a gap in their redoubt on the left flank. The cavalry was then led through the breach in single file, were formed up in a perfect line and then charged through the massed defenders, putting them to flight.
The Sikhs were forced to flee back over the river and when there were about twenty thousand on the bridge it collapsed, allowing the British to fire at will into the struggling mass.
