Sardar Gulab Singh

Sardar Gulab Singh alias Gulaba Singh Khatri [1][2] was the founder of Dallewalia Misl, one of the sovereign states of the Sikh confederacy that rose during the 18th century in the Punjab region.[3] The Dallewalia and Nishanwalia Misl were stationed as a reserve force at Amritsar to protect the holy city and tackle any emergency. The Amritsar and the Punjab region was subject to raids by the Afghans led by Ahmad Shah Abdali therefore the Sikhs had created misls to defend the Punjab region and push back the invaders.

Early life

Gulab Singh was the son of Shardha Ram of village Dallewal[1] Since Gulab Singh was a resident of the village of Dallewal, hence the name of his misl that was established near Dera Baba Nanak, in Doaba Bist Jalandhar. He had a grocery store in his village Dallewal (also called Bora Dalla) where all his goods were stolen by thieves and this incident made him rebel against the Mughal administration. As a middle-aged man with a family to feed, he moved to Amritsar where he trained under Nawab Kapur Singh and became a Sikh after baptism.[1]

Pahul

In 1726, Nawab Kapur Singh administered pahul to Gulab Singh on Diwali at Amritsar.[1] Sikhs regarded Nawab Kapur Singh as a leader and general par excellence. He was the organizer of Dal Khalsa and an integral link between two sections of the Nihang Sikhs, Budha dal (veterans-handling administrative functions, taking care of missionary work, Gurudwaras, and protection of religion) and Taruna Dal (the young group-fighters, defenders, and protectors of the community).[4]

Taruna Dal

Gulab Singh became an active member of the taruna dal by late 1726 A.D. and launched into a chivalry career, fighting against Punjab's oppressive Mughal government. Initially, he was having 10-15 companions and commenced plundering slowly; he added 150 comrades. One day, he attacked Jalandhar and, won big booty, returned safely to their jungle camp.

Dallewalia Misl
Main article: Dallewalia Misl

In 1748, Gulab Singh was declared to be the head of the Dallewalias Misl[5] with two deputies Gurdyal Singh and Tara Singh Ghaiba.[6]

Detail of the Dallewalia Misl
SN Name Founding Clan Capital Key Leaders Strength in Regular Horseman (1780)[7][8] Misl Period Territory by 1759[9][10] Corresponding Current Area
1 Dallewalia Misl[11][12] Khatri Sardar Gulab Singh and Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba 5,000 Nakodar, Talwan, Badala, Rahon, Phillaur, Ludhiana etc. Ludhiana district, Jalandhar district

Death

Gulab Singh lost his life in 1759 at the Battle of Kalanaur by the forces of Zain Khan Sirhindi.[13] Hence the command of the misl came to Sardar Gurdiyal Singh and later it was headed by Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba.[13]

See also

References
  1. Hari Ram Gupta (1973). History Of The Sikhs Vol. IV The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls. pp. 52–53.
  2. Singh, Bhagat (2009). "Chapter 9: The Dallewalia Misal". A History of the Sikh Misals. Punjabi University. p. 225. ISBN 978-8130201818.
  3. Harish Jain (2003). The Making of Punjab. Unistar. p. 203. ISBN 9788186898383.
  4. Singha, H. S. (2005). Sikh Studies, Book 6. Hemkunt Press. p. 37. ISBN 8170102588.
  5. Markovits, Claude (2002-01-01). A History of Modern India, 1480-1950. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5266-745-1.
  6. Siṅgha, Bhagata (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. original from the university of Michigan: Publication Bureau Punjabi University. p. 225.
  7. Griffin, Lepel Henry (1893). Ranjít Singh. Clarendon Press. p. 78.
  8. Bajwa, Sandeep Singh. "Sikh Misals (equal bands)". Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  9. GUPTA, HARI RAM (1944). TRANS-SATLUJ SIKH. LAHORE: THE MINEVERA BOOK SHOP. p. 3.
  10. Kakshi 2007, p. 163–164
  11. Bajwa, Sandeep Singh. "Misl Dallewalia".
  12. The Dallewalia Misl, was first led by Sardar Gulab Singh Dallewalia it had a strength of 9,000 regular horsemen. The Misl was founded by Sardar Gulab Singh Dallewalia (d.1759). He hailed from the village Dallewal near Dera Baba Nanak on the left bank of River Ravi, 50 km northeast of Amritsar. The Misl ruled in the Manjke Region of Punjab Rahon, Phillaur, Bilga, Nakodar areas. After the Death of Sardar Gulab Singh in 1759 his Successor was Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba (1717–1807) who Ruled and further Expanded his Misl up to Ambala Area (Haryana Region). With other Sikh Sardars he Sacked Kasur city of Pathans and Joined the Sikh Sardars in the sack of Sirhind City in 1764. in 1807 after the death of Tara Singh Ghaiba His Territories were annexed to The Kingdom of Ranjit Singh. The Dallewalia and Nishanwalia Jathas were stationed at Amritsar to protect the holy city. Source Reference used History of the Sikhs: The Sikh commonwealth or Rise and fall of Sikh misls by Hari Ram Gupta; Published in 1978 by Munshiram Manoharlal; page 52
  13. Hari Ram Gupta (2001) [1973]. History Of The Sikhs Vol. IV The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 53.
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