The British Civil servant Charles Metcalfe met with Ranjit Singh at Kasur and then in February 1809 arrived in Amritsar to go to Ranjit Singh's court for the signing of the Treaty of Amritsar.
Metcalfe was interested in the creation of the pastili boundary and establishing an English treaty made by suffledge where boundaries will be respected between British and Sikh empires.
Metcalfe came with his platoon who were composed of entirely Shia Muslims.
It was the Shia Muslims commemoration of Muharram and they took it upon themselves to enact this ritual in the streets of Amritsar.
The army of about 100 Muslim soldiers began beating their breasts to the chants of "Hassan, Hussein, Ali" and making a lot of noise as they came near the Harmindar Sahib complex where Akali Phula Singh and his jatha was staying.

Akali Phula Singh who was participating in the Kirtan when he heard the noise he sent three Akali Nihangs  to inquire what is going on.
When The Nihangs approached the Shia group and explained that they are disturbing the sacred hymns and atmosphere of the Gurdwara they were insulted by the Shia Muslims and a confrontation took place in which one of the turbans of the Nihangs fell to the ground.
Akali Phula Singh on hearing this news came to the Muslims.
With a few Nihangs he confronted and attacked the Muslims and shots were fired at their procession.
Maharajah Ranjit Singh heard of the battle going on and arrived however he could not stop the rowdy Nihangs and it was after some time that the violence quelled.
Akali Phula Singh killed and wounded a large amount of the Muslims and made them apologize and agree to not make noise near the Gurdwara again.
It was likely the entire platoon would have been killed if it weren't for Mahajah Ranjit Singh conveying to the Akalis to stop the fighting.
Maharajah sent the Muslims back to their camp and went to meet Metcalfe where he was staying.
He explained the situation and how most of Metcalfe's army was killed because of the Akali's perceived disrespect to the turban.
This entire complication was settled that day and the treaty was written the next day.
The British Civil servant Charles Metcalfe met with Ranjit Singh at Kasur and then in February 1809 arrived in Amritsar to go to Ranjit Singh's court for the signing of the Treaty of Amritsar. Metcalfe was interested in the creation of the pastili boundary and establishing an English treaty made by suffledge where boundaries will be respected between British and Sikh empires. Metcalfe came with his platoon who were composed of entirely Shia Muslims. It was the Shia Muslims commemoration of Muharram and they took it upon themselves to enact this ritual in the streets of Amritsar. The army of about 100 Muslim soldiers began beating their breasts to the chants of "Hassan, Hussein, Ali" and making a lot of noise as they came near the Harmindar Sahib complex where Akali Phula Singh and his jatha was staying.
Akali Phula Singh who was participating in the Kirtan when he heard the noise he sent three Akali Nihangs  to inquire what is going on. When The Nihangs approached the Shia group and explained that they are disturbing the sacred hymns and atmosphere of the Gurdwara they were insulted by the Shia Muslims and a confrontation took place in which one of the turbans of the Nihangs fell to the ground. Akali Phula Singh on hearing this news came to the Muslims. With a few Nihangs he confronted and attacked the Muslims and shots were fired at their procession. Maharajah Ranjit Singh heard of the battle going on and arrived however he could not stop the rowdy Nihangs and it was after some time that the violence quelled. Akali Phula Singh killed and wounded a large amount of the Muslims and made them apologize and agree to not make noise near the Gurdwara again. It was likely the entire platoon would have been killed if it weren't for Mahajah Ranjit Singh conveying to the Akalis to stop the fighting. Maharajah sent the Muslims back to their camp and went to meet Metcalfe where he was staying. He explained the situation and how most of Metcalfe's army was killed because of the Akali's perceived disrespect to the turban. This entire complication was settled that day and the treaty was written the next day.
Akali Phula Singh