battle of Sobraon

Sobraon, battle of (1846), the final and decisive battle of the first Sikh war, fought on 10 February between British and Sikh forces on the eastern bank of the river Sutlej in north-west India. The Sikhs were in entrenched positions with their backs to the river. After a heavy exchange of artillery fire, the British infantry breached the Sikh left. The bridge of boats securing the Sikh retreat collapsed, turning defeat into rout. Losses on both sides were severe, the Sikhs suffering between 8, 000 and 10, 000 dead. As a result of the defeat the threat from the Sikhs was contained, but not yet eliminated.

— John M. Bourne