Biography Akali Phula Singh

1 biography

1.1 childhood
1.2 stay in amritsar

1.2.1 jathedar of amritsar
1.2.2 meeting maharaja ranjit singh
1.2.3 battle of kasur
1.2.4 encounter charles metcalfe


1.3 stay @ shri damdama sahib

1.3.1 attacking british regiment


1.4 advice maharajah

1.4.1 disapproval of europeanisation of sikh army


1.5 stay @ anandpur sahib

1.5.1 protection of kanowar partap


1.6 battle of multan
1.7 advancement attock
1.8 takeover of kashmir suba

1.8.1 battle of shopian


1.9 seva @ amritsar
1.10 battles of peshawar

1.10.1 initial take on of peshawar
1.10.2 grandeur battle of peshawar
1.10.3 martyrdom

biography
childhood

akali baba naina singh taught akali phula singh around age of ten

akali phula singh born in 1761 in sikh family , father sardar ishar singh jhand.in village dehla (seha) district sangrur,a ਸਾਲਾਨਾ ਸਹੀਦੀ ਜੋੜ ਮੇਲਾ celebrated every year on 13 march. after father s death akali phula singh still young , elder brother, revered saint baba sant singh, taken care of mahant balram , under mothers advice later taken under apprentice of akali baba naina singh, leader of shaheedan misl, , nihang order @ anandpur sahib. baba naina singh receive initiation khalsa.

akali phula singh memorized entire nitnem (the writings of sikh gurus recited daily sikh) @ young age. child not eat until completed memorizing portion of sikh guru s writings , in way had akal ustat, 33 savaiye, , other sri mukhwak bani memorized. around age of fourteen akali phula singh s mother passes away leaving him dying wishes of being virtuous, upholding dharma, helping poor, serving panth, in heart being @ refuge of guru, being unaffected moh, being role model on battlefield, , following footsteps of ancestors. had great impact on akali phula singh gave away land , possessions poor start live life of nihang saint soldier. became close akali naina singh s jatha @ anandpur sahib completed martial arts training , fought many battles. began recite gurbani near perfect pronunciation , began display great dharmic strength made jathedar of shaheedan misl. did considerable seva @ anandpur sahib included protecting gurdwara thieves , preparation of langar until gurdwara reformed.

stay in amritsar
the jathedar of amritsar

the akal bunga (akal takht), amritsar became headquarters of akali jatha

upon hearing of news of lack of maintenance , other neglect sevadars of gurdwaras in amritsar akali phula singh came amritsar in 1800 @ time had under leadership band of 2,000 nihangs. stopped mismanagement , actively began reforming many gurdwaras within amritsar point became responsible , accepted being in charge of maintenance of gurdwaras in area. did kar seva @ holy sorawar @ harmindar sahib , overall cleaning of complex of 100,000 pilgrims lasted 2 months. later on in life did similar improvements sri muktsar sahib, anandpur sahib, , damdama sahib. seeing akali phula singh s high character , dedication sangat made him jathedar of akal takht initiated panj pyare.

meeting maharaja ranjit singh

akaki phula singh remained prominent member of court of maharajah ranjit singh

at beginning of nineteenth century amritsar war ruled bhangi misl under mai sukhan , other sikh sirdars. ranjit singh of sukerchakia misl had acquired capital of punjab, lahore. when approached amritsar wanting add empire created problem ruling families of city. in 1801 maharajah ranjeet singh brought army , bhangi misl fortified amritsar preparing battle. there brief shelling ranjit singh fired empty rounds sky in respect of holy city. akali phula singh saw , saddened event , right when battle imminent intervened between 2 sikh forces in middle of battlefield. said sin sikh kill sikh , sin fire cannons in amritsar , succeeded in persuading them stop fighting. 2 parties made peace under akali phula singh s advice. ranjit singh asked akali phula singh join forces , agreed, akali phula singh him added 2,000 3,000 nihangs join government army. many of ranjit singh s future victories due akali phula singh , army.

battle of kasur

kasur falls in close proximity lahore , there many pathan-sikh wars fought earlier between 2 neighbouring empires. emperor nizamuddin khan agreed after battle subdue sikh empire. nizamuddin broke vow , defeated again ranjit singh forgiving him once again allowing nizamuddin control kasur again. next nawab of kasur , nizamuddin son, qutbuddin khan, mistreating sikhs , hindus in state , charging tax on them called jihad on sikh kingdom. in february 1807 qutbuddin khan of multan nawab, musafar khan, gathered thousands of soldiers in kasur there big fort. akali phula singh , jatha called lahore maharaja ranjit singh fight in kasur, jodh singh ramgarhia , hari singh nalwa called in. akali phula singh , soldiers led attack on muslim ghazis on morning of febuaruy 10th 1807. 2 battles fought outside city , singhs won both. qutbuddin retreated fort had go.

for 1 full month sikh cannons fired @ walls of fort. sikh army broke hole through in section of wall putting gunpowder underneath fort doors. akali phula singh , nihangs first charge through breach , after hand-to-hand fighting sikhs gained victory. qutbuddin tried run away caught. after begging mercy maharaja ranjit singh forgave him , give nawab jagir of land @ mamdot, near sutlej river , lahore. kasur made part of ranjit singhs empire. after battle akali phula singh gained affection ranjit singh , akali phula singh became reliable military ally. nihang jatha large , got jagir langar. @ time akali phula singh , akalis used ask weapons , horses local leaders , if not given take them force themselves. stopped after ranjit singh gave them permission take whatever required sikh empire s army barracks.

encounter charles metcalfe

charles metcalfe, circa 1820

the british civil servant charles metcalfe met ranjit singh @ kasur , in february 1809 arrived in amritsar go ranjit singh s court signing of treaty of amritsar. metcalfe interested in creation of pastili boundary , establishing english treaty made suffledge boundaries respected between british , sikh empires. metcalfe came platoon composed of entirely shia muslims. shia muslims commemoration of muharram , took upon enact ritual in streets of amritsar. army of 100 muslim soldiers began beating breasts chants of hassan, hussein, ali , making lot of noise came near harmindar sahib complex akali phula singh , jatha staying.

akali phula singh participating in kirtan when heard noise sent 3 akali nihangs inquire going on. when nihangs approached shia group , explained disturbing sacred hymns , atmosphere of gurdwara insulted shia muslims , confrontation took place in 1 of turbans of nihangs fell ground. akali phula singh on hearing news came muslims. few nihangs confronted , attacked muslims , shots fired @ procession. maharajah ranjit singh heard of battle going on , arrived not stop rowdy nihangs , after time violence quelled. akali phula singh killed , wounded large amount of muslims , made them apologize , agree not make noise near gurdwara again. entire platoon have been killed if weren t mahajah ranjit singh conveying akalis stop fighting. maharajah sent muslims camp , went meet metcalfe staying. explained situation , how of metcalfe s army killed because of akali s perceived disrespect turban. entire complication settled day , treaty written next day.

stay @ shri damdama sahib
attacking british regiment

after amritsar treaty accepted, british officer captain white, sent punjab survey border line between british , sikh raj. got permission maharajah ranjit singh set camp @ spot rested did not tell local people doing there. around 1799 akali phula singh arrived @ damdama sahib maintenance of gurdwaras in area , starting of gurbani recitation samagam. here heard news there british regiment wanted capture neighboring land , preparing maps nearby. said captain white mistreating local people , displaying poor conduct. nihungs not bear british forces trying enter punjab reason.

akali phula singh army of hundreds of nihangs arrived @ campsite of british regiment. without negating or explaining situation british regiment took out arms , prepared conflict. british regiment of 150 soldiers defeated besides commanding officer entire regiment ran off different village. nihangs looted tents , tore maps. captain white s army suffered 6 soldiers casualties , 20 wounded. while situation occurring news told raja jaswant singh of nabha sent nephew explain situation akali phula singh. british again issued warrant arrest of akali phula singh.

advice maharajah
disapproval of europeanisation of sikh army

akali phula singh. gouache, oxidised gold

akali phula singh did not maharajah ranjit singh replaced bani (language) , bana (clothing) of traditional sikh appearance blessed sikh gurus, national army military drills being done in french , traditional bana dress replaced european clothing. akali phula singh disapproved treaty ranjit singh created british raj had wanted sikh empire retake of india british. maharajah calmed warrior telling him first subdue punjab, kashmir , tibet before taking on british. akali phula singh against dogras holding position in government , wanted every on khalsa per guru gobind singh s 52 hukams.

stay @ anandpur sahib

akali phula singh got conflict dogra courtiers , brahmin officials , blamed them causing distress , damage sikh government. courtiers opposing prince kharak singh , prince sher singh. made hard akali phula singh meet maharajah ranjit singh nor did tell maharajah ranjit singh requests. akali phula singh admitted himself fort ranjit singh without dogra officials or brahmin officials permission. tried persuade maharajah abandon corrupt dogras , corrupt brahmanis ranjit singh refused. stated ranjit singh not inline sikhi , gurmat , not respecting sikh empire given him blessing of maharajah guru gobind singh , not happy living under rule , left ranjit singh. in 1814 akali phula singh left nihanghan di chhaoni in amritsar , arrived in anandpur sahib, near british land , british did not , saw him major threat. akali phula singh , shaheedan misl opened dera here.

protection of kanowar partap

in 1813 prince kanowar partap of jind acquired kingdom of jind fathers not accepted british government. kanowar partap revolted taking jind fort on , british wanted him captured. under distress alongside father prince came @ refuge of akali phula singh s camp in anandpur. british sent order akali phula singh , wanted him send prince arrested or else prepare war. akali phula singh refused break vow protect prince , maintained under ideals of khalsa sin khalsa refuse has come , relies on fix problem.

the british messaged ranjit singh asking him on troublesome jathadar , wanted remove him near proximity of british territory. dogras , brahmins courtiers sent reply sikh government try arrest akali phula singh , diwan moti ram s army sent arrest akali phula singh. however, when army arrived each soldier refused orders , refrained proceed action out of respect akali phula singh. ram kud singh s army paid attack akali phula singh laid down weapons saying cannot attack great holy man. similar attempt happened second time on british requests raja jaswant singh of nabha , requests nawab of malerkotla subdue akali phola singh. when jaswant singh nabha forces arrived laid down weapons saying won t attack. ranjit singh sent saint baba sahib singh bedi bring akali phula singh amritsar , tell him sorry conduct , of akali phola singhs plans implemented government. akali phula singh returned amritsar , on return received 50 horses, 2 elephants, weapons, , wealth maharajah. akali phula singhs army of 3,000 nihangs given newly constructed building under title of nihang choni stay, , more wealth , jagir sewa of langar.

battle of multan

maharajah ranjit singh fought numerous battles in multan 1802 1818. in 1805 muzaffar khan sadozi stopped paying taxes sikh kingdom after military defeat agreed pay them happened again , again @ few different occasions through years. last battle of 1818 of prime significance when muzaffar khan again stopped paying taxes , flew jihad flag against khalsa , called muslims of adjoining territories of help. 25,000 sikh soldiers sent multan led hari singh nalwa mokham chand secondary in charge. akali phula singh , shaheedan dal along reinforcements of nihung under sadhu singh , power of zamzama bhangianwala toap played big role in battle , inspiration sikh soldiers fight bravery.

the sikhs begin preparing battle in january 1818 , battle fought march june later year. indus river used transport heavy artillery. akali phula singh brought jatha , joined sikh army after kharak singh bought forces. prince kharak singh urged akali phula singh rest akali phula singh disagreed , said rest after taking on fort. muzaffar khan had 13,000 troops inside famous multan fort. sikhs first captured khangarh , muzaffargarh. sikhs besieged multan fort. arrangements made appeal stop war , give muzaffar jagirship elsewhere muzaffar backed out @ final stages. there rally of many attacks sikh heavy guns each time breaches filled afghans. hundreds of sikhs continued lose lives battle prevailed. @ time of rest sadhu singh akali dashed near breach in wall killed pathan guards , entered fort. shouting sat sri akal other sikh soldiers rushed behind him. hand hand sword fighting striking inside fort.

muzaffar khan , 5 of sons killed while remaining 2 sons imprisoned , later given 2,400 rupees , large piece of land near sukherpaur. sikh army suffered 1,900 casualties , 12,000 muslims killed 4,000 sikhs. multan incorporated sikh empire. victory meant there no longer afghan presence in punjab , sikhs gained major centre of trade. maharajah ranjit cerebrated 8 days , freely gave out lots of wealth throughout both lahore , amritsar. akali phula singh fought hard when returned hand swelled sword handle stuck hand , had removed great difficulty upon return. had stitch minor war wounds recovered.

advancement attock

the attock fort

upon assassination of fateh khan , civil disruption evaded kabul region maharajah ranjit singh took advantage of situation , advanced army attock in october 1818. maharajah himself led expedition bring rebellious pathans under control. bridge made of boats constructed across river attock , small jatha sent assess situation, jatha attacked. enraged maharaja. sent akali phula singh , general hari singh nalwa fight against rebels. sikh army within firing range, showered rain of bullets. akali phula singh ordered tactical retreat. made rebels come out of bunkers follow retreating sikhs , push them out of area. when enemy in open battlefield, akali phula singh ordered severe attack , encircled them. commander feroze khan accepted defeat , requested sikhs end battle. rulers of khatkha surrendered khalsa forces , spared. next day, remaining khalsa army , maharajah sahib came across river , camped there. placing small contingents in forts of khairabad , jahangira. sikh army proceeded towards peshawar.

takeover of kashmir suba

kashmir territory maharajah ranjit singh wanted capture time never got right opportunity so. in 1819 upon hearing news of kashmir people under distress pandit birbal dhar ranjit singh decided invade region. sikh forces first attacked aziz khan had broken terms of treaty khalsa raj. after short battle aziz khan submitted sikh forces , gave directions , information kashmir region upcoming expenditure. special care taken ensure people of kashmir not harmed during conflict. people of kashmir not used such hospitality , preservation of property foreign invaders.

the nihungs played special role in battle , after trekking through rough terrain , leaving horses behind akali jatha reached bayram gela. met rulers of area. meer mohamand khan , mohamand ali khan submitted khalsa empire jabardast khan refused subdue , join empire , prepared war. sikhs attacked , put siege jabardast khans fort. blew doors large amount of gunpowder. using swords akalis attacked pathans. chenkhar khan , soldiers arrested , after taking complete control of fort akalis left area leaving few singhs stationed behind. after few days of rest prepared take on peer punchal using variety of routes , roads.

when pathans learned akali army wandering through area brought out armies , blocked off both sides of mountains on route. upon arriving on scene both sides started firing @ each other since pathans on higher ground sikh firing ineffective. akali phula singh ordered troops ascend mountain. upon climbing enemies attacked , sword battle ensued until night. on nightfall pathans ran away mountain. akalis set campsite fire on top of mountain , departed forwards in morning. akalis reached saria ali , met rest of sikh army via pir panjal range route.

battle of shopian

from town of saria ali sikhs learned jabbardast khan gathered army of 5,000 afghani soldiers , blocked of route shopian. dewan mokham chand told plans on how approach upcoming battle. on 29th harh (bikrami samat) attacked enemy both sides gunfire. sikhs began squeeze enemy closer , closer both sides. afghanis able attack dewan chand s regiment , took him 3 cannons. akali phula singh when saw diwan chand backing , afghanis charging forward advanced jatha right side quick sword sword combat attack, though jabardast fought bravely afghani army not bear akali s attack , ran away. afghani war supplies fell hands of sikhs these supplies included food stock, cannons, gunpowder, weapons, , horses. afghanis suffered great loss in battle in mehardil khan , meer akoursmad khan killed. jabardsast khan injured managed away. khalsa forces took on fort sherghari , few other nearby areas taking on kashmir region.

in 1879 srinagar captured sikh forces without looting of civilians. akali phoola singh made gurdwara @ srinagar, name of gurdwara bunga akali phulla singh known shaheed ganj, sikhs achieved martyrdom @ battle of shergarhi cremated here.

seva @ amritsar

the gold on harmandir sahib placed during akali phoola singh s time

after victory in kashmir maharajah ranjit singh had deep mala of entire city of amritsar 3 days , elaborate markets setup. during time ranjit singh began massively improving harmandir sahib , many other gurdwaras in region. when ranjit singh arrived in lahore had bigger celebrations there, , thousands of rupees distributed freely people. later when akali phula singh, general diwan chand, , sahibjada karak singh arrived in lahore great parades on elephants arranged around city, thousands of rupees distributed again. maharajah ranjit singh impressed akali phula singh performance , wanted him , army remain @ lahore darbar akali phoola singh refused , preferred live in amritsar , perform administrative work. akali phula singh told ranjit singh though remain in amritsar available when requested.

battles of peshawar
initial take on of peshawar

jamrud fort near khyber, 19th century

ranjit singh got opportunity try takeover pathan capital in 1818 after finding afghan frontier left open during civil war , murder of wazir fateh khan, ruler of peshawar region. ranjit singh asked akali phula singh familiar attock , surroundings advice regarding situation akali phula singh told him of how khyber pass used gateway punjab , way block alliance between pathan , afghani soldiers. ranjit singh made decision attack. high ranking generals in attack general hari singh nalwa , akali phula singh.

sirdar yar mohhamand khan , dost mohammad azim khan, wazir of kabul , head of barakzai tribe, in charge of city when sikh army approached. fled yusufzai hills. after sikhs took on city given jehandad khan however, when ranjit singh returned lahore yar mohammad reconquered city. ranjit singh sent expedition peshawar. yar mohammad accepted rule of sikh raj , agreed pay tax of rs. 50,000 empire. neighbouring cities of darband, mankerah, dera ismail khan, , dera ghazi khan added sikh raj.

grandeur battle of peshawar


muhammad azim khan

in 1823 dost muhammad azim khan peacefully takes on peshawar brother sirdar yar mohammand khan under rule of ranjit singh s raj. muhammad azim khan declares jihad against sikh empire , islamic religious teachers motivated around 25,000 jehadi pathans join under mohammad azim khan army. ranjit singh preparing recapture ancient city sent 2,000 horsemen under kanwar sher singh , diwan kirpa ram check advance of afghans. army division sent under hari singh nalwa first group. next maharajah alongside akali phula singh, sardar desa singh majithia, sardar fateh singh ahluwalia joined , reached attock.

sher singh , hari singh crossed attock river via boat bridge , took on jahangira fort after small battle. mohammmad azim khan dispatched army of ghazis under dost muhammad khan , jabbar khan fight against sikhs near jahangira. mohammad azim khan destroyed boat bridge @ attock mahajarah ranjit singh , army not able cross. maharajah ranjit singh started construction of new bridge received news large number of ghazis had encircled army across river , khalsa army had chance of being wiped out there. maharajah ranjit singh ordered army swim across river , sikh forces successful without loss of men , luggage , maharajah ranjit singh reached jahangira. during time jai singh attariwala had left sikh army in 1821 , joined azim khan came ranjit singh instantiated him former rank. here army strategically divided 3 formations. 800 cavalry , 700 infantry soldiers placed under akali phula singh.

martyrdom

akali hanuman singh mural @ baba atal sahib

the army prepared storm peshawar , sikh army come ardas akal purakh asking victory , formalize upcoming departure battlefield. upon completion of ceremony ranjit singh heard news of delay of general ventura , sikh artillery , cannons told army stop , tried tell nihang army stop planned attack. akali phula singh refused break khalsa s gurmata made in presence of guru granth sahib fight tonight , fight last without turning back. told ranjit singh may army nihangs leaving battle , won t turn back. akalis entered battlefield first. nihangs charged @ army on horseback when reached army abandoned horses , fought through enemies swords. ranjit singh seeing nihangs successful charge , seeing how nihangs out numbered on battlefield ordered rest of army enter battlefield. prince kharak singh s army charged @ enemy , general ventura had arrived. ranjit singh ordered general balu bahadur s gurkha army attack enemy behind.

in uoper desh region after severe hand-to-hand combat akali phula singh wounded in leg came fight on horse. whilst fighting on horse horse got shot came battlefield on in howdah on elephant upon fired down , attain martyrdom. around time general ventura, hari singh nalwa, , sirdar budh singh attacked muhammad azim khan s army. when ghazis heard azim khan ran away lost hope , defeated. sikhs chased away surviving enemies , after winning battle news of akali phula singhs death spread around army. ranjit singh tears in eyes along other sirdars reached akali phula singhs body lying in howdah. ranjit singh covered body shawl , returned campsite in dismay. next day akali phula singh cremated , ashes deposited in lunda river. akali phula singh succeeded jathedar baba hanuman singh nihang.