During the First British-Sikh War the British under Sir Hugh Gough attacked 50,000 Sikhs with 108 guns led by Lal Singh. 18,000 British and Indian troops fought a pitched battle and forced the Sikhs to retreat. However, at nightfall the British withdrew and the Sikhs re-entered the camp and shelled the exposed British position. Treason in the Sikh army spared the British from defeat and led to the sudden retirement of a fresh Sikh army under Tej Singh.