Bahadur Shah I , the last of the Mughal ruler received the news of the Sikh outbreak under the leadership of Banda Singh Bahadur on 30 May 1710 while he was in Ajmer. Bahadur Shah then had come to Rajputana for reducing unruly chiefs Raja Jai Singh Kachhwaha and Raja Ajit Singh Rathore but the news of the outbreak in Punjab changed the state of affairs. The outcries of the Muslims of Sirhind, Peerzadas of Samana and Sadhaura who had waited on him at Ajmer on 22 June 1710 pressurized him to attack the Sikhs. Bahadur Shah thought of subduing the Sikhs who has settled near the capital first and then to meet out the pending quarrel with the Rajput Clans.

Banda Bahadur soon received the news of the Mughal Emperor advancing to Punjab with his huge force to crush the Sikh army. He was well aware that the strong Mughal army could not be fought with his meager resources of men, materials and weapons. Banda Bahabur sought help from the Rajputs, who were located closer to Punjab. He had maintained a cordial relation with them. He contacted Raja Jai Singh of Amber and Raja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur and the ruler of Jawalapur seeking their help. However, none of the Rajputs, wished to fight for Banda Bahadur though they had grouses against the Mughals.

Bahadur Shah had sent orders to Asad Khan, the governor of Delhi, to organize an army to fight against the Sikhs. He ordered Khan Dauran of Oudh, Amin Khan, faujdar of Moradabad, Khan Jehan, Nazim of Allahabad and Abdullah Khan of Barha to join him in the expedition. The emperor also ordered that an imperial army of 60,000 horsemen be kept ready for action against the Sikhs. The emperor then left Ajmer and moved towards Punjab. On 7th August the imperial army arrived under the command of Feroz Khan Mewati for the battle.

During that time the Sikh forces were distributed all over the country for duties at Sirhind, Samana, Thanesar, Sadhaura, etc. Many were busy in their own areas in Majha, Rearki and Jullundur Doab. Few days before the battle Banda Bahadur and his leading officers had moved against Shamas Khan of Sultanpur. Thus, Binod Singh and Ram Singh were had to lead the force against the imperial forces. During the battle the Sikh forces were greatly outnumbered by the imperial forces commanded by Feroz Khan Mewati. They were thus defeated. The Mughal forces treated the dead and dying Sikhs with indignity. They cut the heads of the Sikhs and carts loaded with 300 heads of Sikhs were sent to the emperor. The Sikhs retired from Thanesar and retreated towards Sadhaura to fall back on Lohgarh if necessary. In Sirhind Bayzid Khan with Shamas Khan and Umar Khan fought against the Sikhs. The Sikhs being greatly outnumbered retired to the fort of Sirhind. Bahadur Shah sent another force for the siege of the fort. The fort then fell into the hands of Shamas Khan and he dispatched the heads of 300 Sikhs who were killed in the battle to the emperor. These were received at Sadhaura.