Bagh Singh Hallowalia
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Bagh Singh Hallowalia | |
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| Other names | Bagh Singh Hallovalla, Bagh Singh Ahluwalia or Bagh Singh Hallowal |
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| Successor | Jassa Singh Ahluwalia |
| Relatives | Mata Jeevan Kaur (sister) Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (nephew) |
Bagh Singh Hallowalia was a Sikh leader, military commander and one of the senior chiefs of Buddha Dal. He was also a chief of Bhangi Misl and known for co-founding an organised Sikh military under Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal which later unified as Dal Khalsa.[1][2][3]
Early life
He was the brother of Mata Jeevan Kaur and maternal uncle of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. Scholars have noted that he specially doted on his nephew Jassa Singh Ahluwalia who established Ahluwalia misl and became supreme commander of Sikh forces as his successor.[4][5][6]
Sardar Bagh Singh Kalal of Hallo-Sadho who established Hallowal is also seen as Ahluwalia misl's founder. He was initiated with pahaul by Bhai Mani Singh in Sambat 1771 (1714 A.D.). After that, he became leader of a considerable number of troops. The surname Ahluwalia was first taken by his nephew Jassa Singh who further solidified it. After Hallowalia died during fighting, his nephew Jassa Singh became the misaldar and commanded 7000 horses and occupied territory worth Rs. 40,00,000 a year.[7]
Delhi account
Bagh Singh left his sister and young Jassa Singh under the care of Mata Sundari, widow of Guru Gobind Singh in Delhi as he went to join other Sikh leaders in their fight. After a while, he went to Delhi along with his friend Nawab Kapur Singh and other leaders. They disguised themselves as Muslims to pay homage to Mata Sundari at her residence where she continued to guide Sikhs to follow Guru's teachings as incharge of the Sikh affairs.[6][8]
Upon seeing his nephew, who grew up under her care, he and Nawab Kapur asked for Mata Sundari's permission to take him back to Punjab.[9] Initially, Mata Sundari did not agree with the request as she was raising him along with his mother and had a lot of love for them. Later, Bagh Singh and Nawab Kapur were able to convince Mata Sundari and she gave her blessings to Jassa Singh.[5]
Mata Sundari also bestowed Guru Gobind Singh's sword, mace, dress of honour and chest guard upon him by asking Nawab Kapur Singh to give it to him predicting when he (Jassa Singh) becomes a prominent warrior/leader. After hearing Jassa Singh's recital, Nawab Kapur Singh asked for him to be his religious-son and to be taught under him which was instructed by Mata Sundari as well.[5] Bagh Singh Hallowalia agreed to it after taking permission from his sister and Jassa Singh's mother Mata Jeevan Kaur.[10][4][11]
Sikh military
Sardar Bagh Singh Hallowalia is credited with the idea of establishing a Sikh military organisation along with Nawab Kapur Singh.[2] Based on that idea, he along with Nawab Kapur Singh and other leaders, co-founded Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal collectively known as Dal Khalsa.[12][2][13] He was one of the prominent chiefs of Buddha Dal and Sikh military leader who fought against mughal and other enemy forces.[14][15][16][17] Sikh leaders like Lehna Singh Bhangi, Sobha Singh, Tara Singh Ghaiba and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia were associated together as Sardar Bagh Singh was their common leader.[3]
Military commander
Attack on Mir Jaffar
Sikhs were engaging in surprise attacks throughout the regions in 1726. Sardar Bagh Singh along with Sardar Budha Singh Sukherchakia made an attack on the 700 caravan of Mir Jaffar. Jaffar was an imperial officer who was going from Peshawar to Delhi. They dispossessed him of precious materials like gold and silver and others. They attacked the caravan on the banks of river Beas near Goindwal. It was a part of collective Sikh attacks which were not for the sake of plunder but as a part of their programme to paralyse the government machinery and to improve their own financial position.[18][19]
Control of Doabs
As part of collective Sikh warfare, Hallowalia teamed up with his nephew Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. They brought most of the Jullundar Doab (Doaba) under their rule.[18] The Sikhs continued these attacks. According to Munshi Sohan Lal who says, “in the Bari Doab under the leadership of Bagh Singh Ahluwalia" (Hallowalia) they established themselves as rulers. They plundered nearby villages under enemy control and collected tributes from landlords/zamindars.[1][20]
During the time of continuous invasions, according to scholars like G. S. Chhabra, "the Sikhs were fortunate in having the leaders like Kapur Singh, Bagh Singh and Jussa Singh Ahluwalia. Taking an advantage of the situation, the Sikhs spread whole over the north-east of the Punjab, and carried their exploits."[21][22]
Later years
He was also a chief of the Bhangi misl with being incharge of Bhangi Jatha, he worked closely with other leaders. He remained an elder leader of the Buddha Dal and a chief of the Bhangi misl until his death. He was succeeded by his nephew Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.[23][24][25][18][26]
Death
Bagh Singh was fighting against badshahi fauj (Mughal empire) along with his troops in Hariana (Haryana). He died in action while fighting with the mughals at village Huria.[27][28]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 S. S. Johar (2002). The Sikh Sword To Power (S. S. Johar).
The Sikhs continued committing highway robberies and were practically the masters of upper Bari Doab. They established themselves, says Munshi Sohan Lal, "in the Bari Doab under the leadership of Bagh Singh Ahluwalia....Bagh Singh, a petty Zamindar of Lahore district....Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, the son of Bagh Singh's sister, a handsome and courageous youth was his uncle's deputy and exercised full authority over matters concerning Bagh Singh....
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lafont, Jean Marie (2002). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Atlantic Publishers & Distri.
Amongst thes may be mentioned Nawab Kapur Singh, Buddha Singh Sukker-chakkia and Bagh Singh Hallowalia who are credited with having conceived the idea ef establishing sort of military organization. The small groups of tone and twenties into which the Sikhs were divided were all merged (1734 A.D.) into two larger groups called the Buddha Dal and the Taruna Dal, i.e. groups of the older and the younger folks each having a recognised leader of its own.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Journal of Regional History. Department of History, Guru Nanak Dev University. 1994.
...Lehna Singh, Sobha Singh, Tara Singh Ghaiba etc. and, of course, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. The association and position, of these Sikh Sardars with their common leader Bagh Singh seems to be voluntary and timely. On the death of Bagh Singh around 1740s, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia a relative of Bagh Singh succeeded him...
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kaur, Rubaljot. "THE CONTRIBUTION OF SARDAR JASSA SINGH AHLUWALIA IN THE SIKH HISTORY" (PDF). Jetir.org. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
His mother (Sister's Bhag singh Hallowalia) envisioning the unpleasant conditions of that time, took him to the custody Mata Sundari (Guru Gobind's wife in Delhi). Jassa Singh spent his early childhood there. When he reached the twelve years of his age, his maternal Uncle Bhag Singh brought Jassa Singh and his mother back to Punjab... Ensuring his sister's approval, Bagh Singh handed Jassa Singh's arm to Nawab Kapur Singh who baptised him by consecrated water (by making him drink it)... was twelve years old, his maternal uncleBagh Singh, one day, came to Delhi to take them back to.....
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "The rise and fall of Ahluwalia Misl" (PDF). GurmatVeechar.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
Bhag Singh Hallowalia also had no children. Due to this, he had a lot of love for his nephew Jassa Singh and Bhag Singh Hallowalia went to visit his sister (mother of Jassa Singh) in Delhi to persuade them to come and live with them in Punjab. But on the other hand, Mata Sundari had a lot of love for them and hence swayed them to stay in Delhi. In the Samvat 1786 Bikarmi, year 1729. Bhag Singh Hallowalia went to Delhi again to respectfully ask for permission from Mata Sundari to take his sister along with her son to Punjab. However, Mata Sundari this time also did not want to part with them... She also gave him a golden (Sunehri) pushak (Dress) to wear. Mata Sundari blessed Jassa Singh by saying that he would grow and receive great honors. The whole Khalsa Panth would be proudful on him and would look up to him. She also added on saying that servants or sewadar (ashia wale) would travel alongside with him and his children.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ahluwalia, M. L. (1996). Land Marks in Sikh History: A Fully Researched and Documented History, 1699-1947. Ashoka International Publishers.
Bagh Singh was anxious to meet his sister and nephew. With a few more companions disguised. as Muslims they reached Delhi. At that time Jassa Singh was seven years old, his maternal uncle Bagh Singh, who was issueless, requested Mata Sundari to...
- ↑ Singh Khazan (1970). History Of The Sikh Religion (1970). Department Of Language, Punjab.
The real founder of the misl was Sardar Bagh Singh, Kalal^ of Hallo-Sadho. He was initiated with pahaul by Bhai Mani Singh in Sambat in 1771 (1714 A D ) and soon after that became leader of a considerable body of troops.....He was killed in an action at Hariana in Sambat 1788 (1731 A. D.i and as he was childless, Sardar Jassa Singh, his nephew (sister's son) who was then about 13 years of age.... Sardar Bagh Singh went to Dehli and urged his sister and Jassa Singh's return to the Panjab....
- ↑ Singh, Khazan (1914). History and Philosophy of the Sikh Religion. Printed at the "Newal Kishore" Press, ld.
- ↑ Sandhu, Jaspreet Kaur (2000). Sikh Ethos: Eighteenth Century Perspective. Vision & Venture. ISBN 978-81-86769-12-6.
At that time the leadership of the Sikhs was in the hands of Mata Sundri. Bagh Singh took his sister and her young son Jassa Singh to Mata Sundri who finding the child a talented lad...
- ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Jalandhar Plus". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
When Jassa Singh was 12 years old, his maternal uncle Bhag Singh, who was issueless, requested Mata Sundri to spare the young boy to succeed him. At his departure, Mata Sundri blessed him, predicted his future greatness and gave him a silver mace (gurj), saying that he and his descendents would have macebearer to attend them. Since that time, Bagh Singh took the special interest in his nephew....
- ↑ The Sikh Review. Sikh Cultural Centre. 1998.
- ↑ Gandhi, Surjit Singh (1980). Struggle of the Sikhs for Sovereignty. Gur Das Kapur.
- ↑ Rao, Ram Sukh (1980). Ram Sukh Rao's Sri Fateh Singh Partap Prabhakar (in ਪੰਜਾਬੀ). J. Kaur.
- ↑ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. Rise Growth And Fall Of The Bhangi Misal.
One of them was named Budha Dal, the army of the old veterans, led by Nawab Kapur Singh Faizullapuria, with Bagh Singh Hallowalia (later joined with the Bhangi Misal), Bhima Singh Bhangi, Sham Singh Narroke and Gurbakhsh Singh Roranawala, (both later as the members of Bhangi Misal) as prominent members. The other was Taruna Dal, the army of the young Sikh soldiers which
- ↑ Kharak Singh (1996). Sikh History & Its Concepts.
The Budha Dal, with Nawab Kapur Singh in overall charge had the following Chiefs under its wing : Gurbaksh Singh, Sham Singh Naroke, Bagh Singh Ahluwalia, Bhoomia Singh and Kubher Singh. This group occupied the territory around the Akal Takht....
- ↑ Seetal, Sohan Singh (1971). Rise of the Sikh Power and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Dhanpat Rai.
- ↑ Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial. Languages Department, Punjab. 1970.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 www.DiscoverSikhism.com. Sikhs In The Eighteenth Century.
After some time, Sardar Budh Singh Sukarchakia and Bagh Singh Hallowalia made an attack on the caravan of Mir Jaffar, an imperial officer who was going from Peshawar to Delhi and dispossessed him of a considerable quantity of gold and silver and other precious..... Nawab Kapur Singh was himself in charge of this section, other important leaders being Sham Singh of Naroke, Gurbaksh Singh Roranwalia, Bagh Singh Hallowalia and.... Bagh Singh Hatlowalia, with his nephew Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia took possession of a large part of the Jullundur Doab....
- ↑ Ganda Singh (1990). Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (Ganda Singh).
- ↑ Gupta, Hari Ram (1978). History of the Sikhs: The Sikh commonwealth or Rise and fall of Sikh misls (1st ed. 1982). Munshiram Manoharlal.
- ↑ Chhabra, G. S. (1960). Advanced study in History of the Punjab vol.1.
the Sikhs were fortunate in hav¬ ing the leaders like Kapur Singh, Bagh Singh and Jussa Singh Ahluwalia.... Soon after this, Bhag Singh died fighting against the im¬ perial forces at Hariana, and he having left no son of his own, his wealth and power devolved as an inheritance on his nephew, Jussa Singh.
- ↑ Society, Sikhi Sewa. Grandi Generali e Valorosi Combattenti (in italiano). Sikhi Sewa Society.
- ↑ www.DiscoverSikhism.com. The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism - Volume I A-D.
- ↑ Singh, Ranjit (2013). Golden Crystal. Unistar Books. ISBN 978-93-5113-048-2.
- ↑ Siṅgha, Bhagata (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University.
- ↑ Singh, Patwant (2000). The Sikhs. Internet Archive. New York : Knopf. ISBN 978-0-375-40728-4.
- ↑ ""Distribution of Jagirs under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia As Depicted By"" (PDF). socialresearchfoundation.org. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ↑ Proceedings - Punjab History Conference. Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University. 2007. ISBN 978-81-302-0146-7.
After Bagh Singh's death, who died in skirmish with the badshahi fauj at village Huria, Jassa Singh...
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