The Battle of Mudki took place on December 18, 1845, during the First Anglo-Sikh War. It was fought between the forces of the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire near the village of Mudki in present-day Punjab, India. The battle marked the beginning of the conflict, as the British aimed to expand their influence in the region. In this encounter, the British troops, led by General Sir Hugh Gough, faced a well-prepared Sikh army commanded by Ranjit Singh's successors. Despite being outnumbered, the British forces managed to secure a victory, which set the stage for further military engagements in the war.