Bhag Singh Ahluwalia

Bhag Singh Ahluwalia (1747-1801) was a prominent Sikh leader and the successor of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.

Early life

Jassa Singh Ahluwalia had a son born in 1747, but unfortunately, the child passed away. He had two daughters, one of whom was married to Mohar Singh from Fatahabad, and the other to Murar Singh from Sultanwind. Since Jassa Singh Ahluwalia did not have a brother, his second cousin Bhag Singh, who was the son of Ladha Singh and born in 1747, succeeded him.

Military Campaign

There was a long-standing feud between the Ahluwalias and the Ramgarhias. Bhag Singh formed a friendly alliance with Jai Singh Kanhiya, who was an enemy of the Ramgarhias. Jai Singh Kanhiya also had differences with Mahan Singh Sukerchakia. Jai Singh planned to attack Mahan Singh's allies, Wazir Singh and Bhagwan Singh of the Nakai Misl, to annoy him. Bhag Singh joined forces with Jai Singh in this endeavor.

Chamkaur, a place where Guru Gobind Singh had lost his two elder sons fighting against the Mughals, was occupied by Nahar Singh Sodhi, a relative of the Guru. Hari Singh Dallewalia, who lived nearby in Rupar and Sialba, expelled the Sodhis from Chamkaur. Bhag Singh helped the Sodhis and forced Hari Singh to vacate Chamkaur, restoring the Sodhis possession.

In 1785, a battle took place between the Bhangis and Mahan Singh Sukarchakia in the city of Amritsar. Mahan Singh found himself in a precarious situation, desperate to escape, but all exits had been blocked by the Bhangis. Bhag Singh, in a remarkable display of kindness, offered Mahan Singh passage through his own Katra, allowing him to escape safely. However, the Bhangis pursued Mahan Singh up to Majitha, a distance of 20 kilometers. Bhag Singh responded by sending his own troops to chase the Bhangis, ultimately saving Mahan Singh.

The same year, Bhag Singh demonstrated his generosity once again by allowing Jassa Singh Ramgarhia to pass through his territory, enabling him to recover his lost country. In 1789, Bhag Singh allied with the Kanhaiya's to help them recover Hatala from the Ramgarhias. During this conflict, Man Chand, the youngest brother of Raja Samar Chand Katoch of Kangra, arrived to assist Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Bhag Singh intercepted Man Chand and forced him to flee.

In 1792, Bhag Singh embarked on a pilgrimage to Jawalamukhi, where he met Raja Sansar Chand Katoch. The two chiefs exchanged turbans as a symbol of their newfound brotherhood. To further solidify their friendship, their sons, Fatah Singh Ahluwalia and Anurodh Chand, also exchanged turbans.

Following the death of Jai Singh Kanhiya in 1793, his widow, Sada Kaur, took control of the Kanhiya misl. Seeking revenge against Jassa Singh Ramgarhia for her husband's death, Sada Kaur joined forces with her son-in-law, Ranjit Singh, and Bhag Singh Ahluwalia. The combined forces of the three misls laid siege to Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in the fort of Mianil, located on the banks of the River Beas. However, their efforts were thwarted by a sudden flood in the river.

Death

In 1798, Bhag Singh dispatched his general, Hamir Singh, to attack Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, but Hamir Singh was repelled and forced to retreat. Three years later, in 1801, Bhag Singh launched an attack on Jassa Singh Ramgarhia's son, Jodh Singh Ramgarhia, at Phagwara. During the battle, Bhag Singh fell from his horse and lost his life.