[4][5][6] The hill Rajas were concerned about Guru Gobind Singh's rising power and influence in their region.

Raja Bhup Chand of Hundar opposed seeking the aid of the emperor.

The Rajas of hill states, Jammu, Nurpur, Mandi, Bhutan, Kullu, Keonthal, Guler, Chamba, Garhwal, Dadhwal, Hindur, Jaswan, Bilaspur, Kangra, Bijarwal, Darauli, and Sirmur, met in council under Ajmer Chand.

Ajmer Chand recruited the Gujjars and Ranghars, both of whom had previous hostilities with the Gurus.

[citation needed] They sent a letter to the Guru, asking him to pay the arrears of rent for Anandpur (which lay in Ajmer Chand's territory) or leave the city.

[9][10] Duni Chand led five hundred men from Majha region to assist the Guru.

[11] In the early morning of day two, the Sikhs fired cannons and musket at the camps of the Rajas which forced them to move back.

[12] Next day, Ajmer Chand launched a fierce attack on Fatehgarh with a do-or-die mentality.

Following this, the alliance of the Rajas, Gujars, and Ranghars decided to wait out the Sikh.

The Rajas had planned to send one intoxicated Prasadi elephant to Lohgarh in hopes it would break the gates of the fort.

Next Udai Singh took the blessings of the Guru and was given a sword to kill Kesari Chand.

He put the head on a spear and raised it up high as he made his way back to the gates of the fort.

[citation needed] On the following day, the troops of Raja Ghumand Chand of Kangra attacked Anandpur.

[19] Guru Gobind Singh was hesitant to accept the Rajas demands, but the Sikhs insisted on it.