[2][4] The Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah's army moved towards Lohgarh, Bilaspur[4] where they engaged with the Sikhs to capture the fort on 16 December 1710.

[citation needed] The incursion led to heavy imperial losses including Firoz Khan Mewati's nephew killed and son wounded, whereas the Sikhs lost 1,500 men.

[citation needed] The Sikhs with the disadvantages of being outnumbered and having no source of food; many dying of starvation, decided to take a chance by cutting through the enemy lines.

The following day, during dawn, in the midst of the confusion resulting from simultaneous firings on both sides, Banda Singh and the surviving Sikhs escaped from the fort.

[citation needed] Hari Ram Gupta notes that Gulab Singh and 30 of his men were eventually captured and the civilians from the neighboring village taking refuge in the Sikh fort were taken as prisoners.