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The
district of Sangrur was formed in 1948. The name of the district derives from
its headquarters, Sangrur, said to have been founded by one Sanghu, a Jat,
about 400 years back. The Sangrur District as of today comprises parts of a few
erstwhile distinct administrative units, the Phulkain States of Jind, Nabha and
Patiala the Mohammadan State of Malerkotla and some parts of then district of
Ludhiana. It is interesting to note that Sangrur itself was earlier a part of
Nabha State. History of the district is, therefore, complicated, although it is
traceable through its various components. In brief, history of the district is
given as under:
(a) Ancient Period
The
recent excavations carried out by the Archaeological Department, Punjab, at the
various places of Malerkotla Tahsil of Sangrur District, give sufficient proof
that the district is quit rich in ancient history. From the close serenity of
the available data, the researches have traced the ancient history of the
district from the pre-Harppan period. Almost the whole of the excavated places
fall in Malerkotla Tahsil of the Sangrur District. The important sites so far
excavated in the Malerkotla Tahsil are as under:
1)
Rohira
2)
Mahorana
3)
Bhudan
4)
Bahwa
5)
Bhasaur
6)
Dhingri
7)
Jandali
8)
Malaud Roian (Theh Loharan)
9)
Mohammadpur
Description of the important sites and conclusions drawn
from the excavated material, are briefly given hereunder:
1. Rohira
It lies about 6
km from Mandi Ahmadgarh and about 13 km from Malerkotla. It is situated along
the line of depression which follows the ancient course of river Satluj.
It is worthwhile to mention here that it was near Rohira that thousands of
Sikhs were massacred by Ahmad Shah Abadali, in a great holocaust, know as Wada
Ghallughara, in 1762.
Recently, an
exciting discovery of a pre-Harppan settlement – a precursor of the Indus Vally
of Harappan civilisation has been has been made at an ancient mound at Rohira
which has now emerged as the second important pre-Harappan site in India.
Kalibangan in the Sriganganagar area of Rajasthan was the first site to reveal
an important pre-Harappan settlement after 10 years of continuous excavation.
Experts believe that from the Kalibangan area, pre-Harappan people started
moving in the northern or north-eastern direction along some of the streams
which have now dried up. The ancient water courses are marked by ranges of sand
dunes. The different stages of this movement towards the Satluj have remained
uninvestigated so far.
The mound is 10
metres above the surrounding fields. Originally, it covered an area of more
than 30 acres. However, only 15 acres of it is now left, the rest having been
brought under cultivation. Out of this, an area of 900 sq. metres has been
taken up for excavation.
The earliest
settlement at the site believed to have begun around 2,300 B. C. Attracted by
the fertile soil and availability of water, people from Sind and Baluchistan
started moving and following the path of the Satluj or the Ghaggar settled at
Rohira.
They started
living in thatched huts on the virgin soil. Before long they started building
houses of sub-dried bricks. The houses were well laid out the were fairly
spacious.
A large number of
beads of terra-cotta ,carnelian agate, bangle piece of terra-cotta and bone
styluses discovered there testify to the prosperity of the region and its trade
relations with distant lands.
This period is
designated as pre-Harappan. The finds at this place are comparable to those of
Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Banawali (Bhiwani District), Balu (Jind District) and
Kot Diji and Amri in Pakistan.
By about 2,000 B.
C. a new set of people is believed to have settled at the site. Their pottery
was more sturdy and their equipment superior. There is no evidence of any
upheaval.
A citadel which
possible ran all-rounded the residential complex was constructed to guard
against invaders.
Houses of bead
makers with a large number of finished and unfinished beads and two copper
chisels have been recovered.
These finds point
to the advanced technology of Copper-Bronze Age. Certain finds of gold beads
attest to the prosperity of the people. They used fine, well baked pot, jats
and troughs. Clay figurines of bull, terra-cotta and idli-shaped cakes have
been found in abundance, a well made of baked bricks has also been discovered.
At least five phases of house construction have been found.
The most notable
find is a terra-cotta seal depicting a mythological scene of ritual killing.
The site was
possible deserted by 1700 B. C. and the newcomers ‘bara folks’ (named after
Bara site near Ropar), occupied it. The use of incused pots, vessels and water
jars gave a distinctive character to this culture. The use of corn bins is
typical feature of this area.
The new people
who made Rohira their abode from 1100 to 600 B.C. used the painted grey ware.
They were followed by people who used black ware (600 to 200 B. C.). Even
though their regular habitation has not been found in the area under
excavation, surface explorations and pits dug in the area indicate their
presence at the site.
There is evidence of Sunga Kushan
pottery. The area around the east has structures typical of Kushan bricks with
finder marks. Some terra-cotta figurines including one of moth goddess, a few
small coins of Indo-Perthian King Gondo Pharnese (first century A.D) and lat
Kushan coins have also been discovered.
Since the are of
Sangrur lies inc lose proximity to the most known battlefield of Kurukshetra of
epic times, there is the least doubt of its having been under the influence of
vedic culture. It must have been a settlement of the Aryans. The Rigveda is the
earliest literary record of the socio-cultural development and affords us the
first glimpse of the life of its people. The most important god of the Vedic
period is Indra. A thorough analysis of the character various Vedic gods
reflects the heroic character of the Aryan society. The heroic society of the
Vedic period was tribal in character. The ideal of the hero is laid down in the
Mahabharta: “Frame is al that one should acquire here. That fame can be
acquired by battle and by no other means.” The ashramas of teachers and
sages in forests were their military academies humming and throbbing with the
activities of young athletes and cadets.
Further, the
Mahabharata contains profuse and useful information on various aspects of the
political and socio-culture life of the land. From the scrutiny of the
Mahabharta, it is presumed that Yaudheyas, a martial tribe occupied the present
area of Sangrur along with a allied territories in the proximity of
Kurukshetra. Yaudheyas were a gena community who were famous for their valour.
Their coins have been found mostly in the Eastern Punjab and in the region
between the Satluj and Yamuna.
The area of
present Sangrur District alongwith adjoining areas came under the Maurya Dynasty
in B. C. 322. It was Chandragupta Maurya who established Maurya Dynasty after
overthrowing the Nandas.
This area also
enjoyed the blessings of the Gupta administration, from the beginning of the 4th
Century to the end of the 6th Century. Because of efficient
administration, Gupta era has been known as the Golden age of Hindu period.
Chandragupta Vikramditya was the most famous king of the Gupta Dynasty.
In the beginning
of the 7th Century, Prabhakara Vardhana ruled over this area whose
capital was at Thanesar, not far from the present area of Sanguru District. His
brother Harsha Vardhana who reduced anarchy to order in Northern India, and
reigned for forty-one years, from AD 606 –47. However, later on, Harsha
Vardhana shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kanauj, because of the extension
of the territory of the empire.
Early in the 8th
Century, Thanesar ceased to exist and another line of kings, tomar Rajputs,
established itself in the South East Punjab. After about a century, the tomars
were supplanted by the Chauhans of Ajmer.
During the last quarter of 10th
century, Raja jaipal ruled over Punjab including the present area of Sangrur
District. His capital was at Bathinda close to the present area of Sangrur
District.
Sunam was an important province
during the Sultanate period. Balban’s cousin Sher Khan was incharge of the
governorship of Sunam. He was very energetic governor who successfully repulsed
many incursions of Mongols, king jalal-ud-din was the first Sultan of the Khilji
Dynasty. During his reign, Mangols at least 100,000 strong invaded India in
1292, reached Sunam, but were defeated. Ala-ud-din khilji was the most famous
Sultan of this Dynasty who enforced very strong administration. He successfully
dealt with Mongols who made several incursions into the Punjab during the last
decade of the 13th century. During his reign, Akhur Beg Tatak was the Governor
of Sunam. The Sultanate of Delhi which held away in the Punjab for several
hundred years until it was overthrown by the Mughals early in the 16th
century.
During the times of
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, a rebellion took place in sunam and the adjoining areas.
The root cause of the rebellion was the refusal of the peasants to pay the land
tax. They erected mandals Muhammad-bin-tughluq marched against them,
captured the leaders, and brought them to Delhi where they were put to the
sword.
During the Sultanate period, Sunam
had strategic position and it was on the main route to Delhi.
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq led expedition against Nagarkot, an ancient town in the
Kangra District, via Sunam.
Under the Mughals, the Punjab formed
important province of their empire with successive governors as heads of
administration. Sunam and Sirhind were the important provinces during the
Mughal Rule and the most of the area of the modern Sangrur District fell under
them. In between the Mughal Rule, mention is also required to be made of Sher
Shah Suri who gave efficient administration. Akbar, Jehangir, Shahjahan and
Aurangzeb were the important rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. Akbar, the most
illustrious king of the Mughals made marvelous achievements in the secular
field. But the total reversal of his secular policy during the times of
Aurangzeb, led to the downfall of the empire. After the death of Aurangzeb,
Sikhism had become a militant power in Punjab. Banda Bahadur, the faithful
disciple of the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh shook the very foundation of the
Mughal power in Punjab.
After the death of Aurangzeb, the
Mughal Empire became weaker throughout India. By this time, Sikhism had become
a militant power in Punjab. Banda Singh Bahadur, the faithful disciple of the
Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh shook very foundation of the Mughal Empire in
Punjab. The Sikhs from Doab and Majha came in large numbers under the banner of
Banda Bahadur, to take revenge on Wazir Khan, the Faujdar of Sirhind who was
mainly responsible for the endless sufferings to the Guru Gobind Singh and his
sons. The Phulkian Sikhs who are known as such after the name of their common
ancestor ‘phul’ and who later on succeeded in establishing political power in
Cis-Satluj Punjab, did not give much physical assistance to Banda Bahadur, but
they gave much liberal financial assistance to him for fighting against the
Mughal Rule. Wazir Khan was alarmed and he deputed Sher Muhammad Khan of
Malerkotla to deal with Sikhs coming from the north. Before they could join the
main force of Banda Bahadur, Sher Muhammad Khan and his brother Khizar khan
joined against the Sikhs. At Ropar (now Rupnagar), Sher Muhammad Khan fell upon
the Sikhs in the battle. Khizar Khan was killed. There prevailed a confusion in
his ranks, and the Sikhs availing themselves of the situation, marched further
to join the banda’s forces. In the battle or Chappar Chiri (near Sirhind) in
1710, Sher Muhammad Khan and Khwaza Ali of Malerkotla who were assisting Wazir
Khan, the Governor of Sirhind, were killed. After the fall of Sirhind, banda
sent out sikhs to occupy the country to the South, East and West. All the Parganas
in the north between Satluj and yamuna including Sunam fell into the hands
of Banda.
Thus banda was the first empire
builder for the Sikhs. He was an able and enterprising leader who led the Sikhs
to victory and broke the charm of the invincibility of the mighty Mughal
Empire. Though banda reigned for a very short period in the province of Sirhind
including Sunam and other areas of the district of Sangrur, he introduced many
reforms. He was on the side of oppressed and down-trodden. He abolished zamindari
system (landlordism) in his area and recognized the proprietary rights of the
tillers of the land.
During the Fifth Afgan invasion in
1761, Ahmed Shah Abadali, after defeating Marathas at Panipat in 1761 fell upon
Ala Singh of Patiala who had sold provisions to the Marathas at Panipat. He
sacked Baranala, terrified Ala Singh and compelled him to pay tribute. Ala
Singh could barely save himself from excommunication by pleading with Jassa
Singh Ahluwalia.
During the Fourth and Fifth Afgan
invasion, the Sikhs were able to plunder the retreating Afgan forces and were
able mostly to relieve them of their spoils. Ahmed Shah Abadali this time had
come only to teach a lesson to the Sikhs. In 1762 after re-occupying Lahore and
receiving intelligence that great numbers of Sikhs had moved southwards, Abdali
immediately set out in pursuit. He covered a distance of 150 miles in two days
and caught up with the Sikhs at the village of Kup. It was an unequal fight.
Most of the 30,000 Sikhs were non-combatants, old men and women and children.
Sikh horsemen could not indulge in their favourite, hit and run tactics and had
t engage Afgans, who outnumbered them, in hand to hand fight. Sikh soldiers put
their women and children in the centre and moved down like living fortress from
Kup to barnala where they expected Ala Singh of Patiala coming to their rescue.
Afgan took a heavy toll of life. This holocaust is called vada ghalughara in
which a large number of Sikhs were killed. Thereafter, Ahmed Shah Abdali
reached Barnala. Barnala was a fortified town, within the territory of Ala
Singh, the founder of the Patiala house. On reaching there, the Shah expected
Ala Singh to come and pay him the homage. Paying of homage by Ala Singh the
founder of the Patiala house. On reaching there, the Shah expected Ala Singh to
come and pay him the homage. Paying of homage by Ala Singh at this juncture
would have incurred the great displeasure of his co-religionists. In the
circumstances, he preferred to remain aloof. This provided a chance to a number
of his staunch enemies viz Lachhmi Narayan, the Diwan of Sirhind and the Nawab
of Malerkotla who were alredy jealous of his growing power. Ahmed Shah Abdali
marched on Barnala and pillaged its surroundings and burnt down the town. Ala
Singh escaped, but later on he was taken prisoner. With the intercession of
Shah Wali Khana, the grand wazir of Durrani, Nahib-ud-Daula, the Rohilla Chief,
his life was spared on producing his allegiance and paying tribute of five
lakhs rupees, and another amount of one and a quarter lakh to appear before the
Shah with long hair and beard unshaven. According to Latif, Ala Singh’s wife,
Rani fattu paid the invader another sum of rupees 4 lakhs to secure the release
of her husband. Ala Singh had already paid one and quarter lakh for maintaining
his hair and his beard. Besides, the shah himself is said to have been
impressed much with the manly deportment of Ala Suingh, so that he conferred a
rich khilat upon him and despatched a firman to the Sirhind Governor to restore
his jagirs. The title of Raja was also conferred upon him and after promising a
tribune, Ala Singh secured his release and struck a coin bearing the Shah’s
name as the bestower of the kingdom.
Since the present Sangrur district
contains area of erstwhile Phulkia States of Patiala, Naba and Jind, and
Mahammedan state of Malerkotla, it history is linked with the history of the
above States. However, its main link is with the Phulkian States. Sangrur
proper was once the headquarters of the Phulkian State Sangrur proper was once
the headquarters of the Phulkian State of Jind. Phul, whose name means
‘blossom’ was the grand common ancestor of the Phulkian Sardar. He was blessed
by the Guru Har Gobind, and from him many noble houses trace their descent. He
left six sons, of whom Taloka was the eldest, and from him descended the
families of Jind and Nabha State. From Rama. The second son, sprang the
greatest of the Phulkian hoses, that of Patiala. The four other sons only
succeeded to a small share of their father’s possessions.
Like other phulkian States, the
history of Jind State dates back to 1763 when the Governor of Sirhind, a
protégé of Ahmed Shah Abdali was defeated by the Sikhs and the province of
Sirhind was partitioned among the phulkian Sardars. Sukhchain, the grandson of
Phuj was notable rural head who had Balanwali under him. After his death,
Balanwali fell to Alam Singh, his elder son, Badrukhan, to his second son,
Gajpat Singh and Diapura to Bulaqi. Thus the first notable Chief of Jind State
was Sardar Gajpat Singh who made jind as his capital in 1746. He continued to
be a vassal of Delhi Empire by paying tribute. In return, he obtained an
imperial firman conferring upon him the title of Raja and the authority
to coin money in his name. His position was further strengthened by a
matrimonial alliance with the chief of Sukarchakya Misl, in the
Trans-Satluj region. In 1774, the marriage of Sardar Mahan Singh Sukarchakya
was celebrated with Raj Kaur, the daughter of Raja Gajpat Singh, at badrukhan.
Now some historians believe that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born at Badrukhan on
13 November 1780.
Immediately, after the above
matrimonial alliance, there arose a quarrel between the two Phulkain houses of
Nabha and Jind. Sardar Hamir Singh, the Raja of Nabha was got imprisoned by
Sardar Gajpat Singh of Jind. Thereafter, the Raja of Jind attacked Sangrur,
Nabha and Bhadwon which were strong places in nabha Territory. However, a
strong defence was put up by Sardarni Deso, wife of Sardar Hamir Singh, for
four months. At the same time, she begged the Raja of patiala to interfere. The
Raja Gajpat Singh to restore Amloh and Bhadson, and release Hamir Singh.
Sangrur was retained and had since been included in the jind Territory.
Raja Gajpat Singh was a constant
ally of the Patiala Chief and accompanied him to many of his expeditions. The
town of Jind was much enlarged by Raja Gajpat Singh who built a large fort on
its northern side. He died at the age of fifty-one in 1786 at Safidon. The
possessions of Gajpat Singh, the latter taking the estate of Badrukhan, and the
elder, Jind and Safidon, with the title of Raja. Raja Bhag Singh was twenty-one
years old when he became chief. He was first, of all the great Cis-Satluj
chiefs to seek an alliance with the British Government. Raja Bhag Singh had
shrewdly been held aloof from the combination against the British; and when
scindia’s power in northern India was ultimately broken, he was obliged under
the treaty of 30 December 1803 to surrender his possessions of west of Yamuna.
Lord Lake awarded Bhag Singh by confirming his title over Guhana. He afterwards
accompanied Lord Lake upto Beas in pursuit of Jaswant Rao Holkar and persuaded
his nephew Maharaja Ranjit Singh not to aid the Marathas in their fight against
the English. His mission was a success. Holkar was obliged to leave Punjab for
Indore without entering the territory of Phulkain Chiefs. For this, Bhag Singh
was awarded the Pargana of Bawana to the south west of Panipat, as his reward
from the British.
In the time of Raja Bhag Singh, a
dispute arose between Patiala Nabha and Jind and therein meditation of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh was sought. Raja Bhag Singh gained in territory by his nephew’s
(Maharaja Ranjit Singh) visit; and during the expedition of 1806 he received
from the Maharaja the following estates: Ludhiana, consisting of twenty-four
villages worth Rs 15,380 a year; twenty-four villages of Jhandiala from the
same family, worth Rs 2,000 a year; all taken from the Rani of Rai Alyas of the
Muhammadan Rajput family of Raikot; while from the widow of Miah Ghos he
acquired two villages of the Basia District. During the expedition of the
following year, the Maharaja gave him three villages of Ghungrana, conquered
from Gujar Singh of Raipur, and twenty-seven village of Morinda in Sirind, conquered
from the son of Dharam Singh, and all together worth Rs. 19,255 a year. Thus
Raja Bhag Singh gained much through his relationship with Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, the lion of Punjab.
The
active British influence in the erstwhile State of Jind was visible during the
rule of Raja Bhag Singh when he alongwith other Phulkian Sardars approached the
British Government for seeking protection against the rising power of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh. There is no doubt that Ranjit Singh was very moderate towards the
Phulkian Rajas and he was never hesitant to solve their intricate problems
whenever such situations occurred. But, in due course, with the rising power of
Ranjit Singh, they became suspicious of his designs and hence sought British
protection. Accordingly, the leaders of the Cis-Satluj Sikh states including
the rulers of Patiala, Nabha and jind decided in a conclave to send a
deputation to the British Resident in Delhi, Mr. Seton. Consequently, a
delegation consisting of the Raja of Jind, Bhag Singh, Bhai Lal Singh of
Kaithal the Diwan of Patiala, Sardar Chain Singh and the confidential agent of
Nabha Ghulam Hussain was dispatched to Delhi and presented their memorandum to
the British Resident on 1 April 1809. They pledged their loyalty to every
succeeding power in Delhi and formally sought protection of the British. The
British were very glad to entertain their offer and accordingly they made a
treaty on 25 April 1809 with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Maharaja agreed not to
carry is military exploits in the Cis-Satluj territories. Thus the hope of the
Maharaja to unite the whole Sikh nation met with a disaster. According to Prof.
Sinha “his (Ranjit’s) failure to absorb the Cis-Satluj states was a tragedy of
Sikh militant nationalism and the success of the Cis-Satluj Sikhs with the aid
of the British Government marked the disruption of the great creation of Guru
Gobind Singh.”
In
order to defend the cis-Satluj states, the British took the area of Ludhiana
from Raja Bhag Singh and made there a permanent cantonment. With the lapse of
time the values attached to the thing undergo a change. Paradoxically the Malwa
Chiefs carved out independent states out of the mughal territories. For the
fulfillment of this object, they were assisted by the peasantry who had borne
the brunt of Mughal atrocities. Strangely they again were made tools in the
hands of their chiefs and were used to their advantage. The peasantry made them
strong and independent but these chiefs again enslaved them. By the treaty of
1809 with the British, as soon as the Cis-Satluj State were free form the fear
of Ranjit Singh, they tried to demolish and rob each other. Hence, he British
found another excellent opportunity to meddle in their affairs and issue
another proclamation 22 August 1811 to protect hem against each other as well.
This increased their power of interference, patronage, reprimand and even armed
intervention, so that these states as time went on, became absolute
dependencies of British rather than independent rulers in treaty alliance with
the British power, of equal rank in law if not infact.
After
the death of Raja Bhag Singh in 1819, Fateh Singh became the next ruler of Jind
State. His reign was very short and quite uneventful. He died in 1822, at the
age of 33, leaving one sone, Sangat Singh eleven years of age.
The
installation of Sangat Singh took place on 30July 1822, at Jind in the presence
of all the Phulkian Chiefs. There was lot of deterioration in the sphere of
administration during the period of Raja Sangat Singh. The usual results which
a minority produces in native states, soon began to show themselves in Jind.
The affairs of the Raja fell into the utmost confusion, the territory was
ill-manages, the people discontented, and no attention was paid to the remonstrances
of the British authorities regarding grievances that he was called upon to
redress. To such a point did this recklessness proceed, that the political
Agent at length recommended that the monthly and quarterly cash payments
received by the Raja on account of the Ludhiana Cantonment, should be suspended
until the Raja should satisfy all just claims pending against his territory and
subjects.
Raja
Sangat Singh had very cordial relations with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He made frequent
visit Lahore Court and received many presents and jagirs from the
maharaja. The British did not approve of these activities of the Raja. But it
was almost impossible to prevent the cis-Satluj chiefs carrying on independent
negotiations with Lahore, when almost every one of them had agents and Vakils
at the Court.
The
mismanagement of jind continued to increase. Raja deserted his capital
altogether. Further, the detention of British subjects in confinement without
just cause by the Jind authorities was in 1834, reported to Government by the
Governor General’s agent. The Raja was reprimanded by the British for his
lapses. But the general inefficiency and oppression of the administration
remained the same.
A
short time afterwards, the Raja left on a visit to Lahore, to be present at the
Dussehra festival to which he had been specially invited by Ranjit Singh with
whom he seemed more anxious to remain on good terms than with the English
Government. This visit gave just cause of dissat is faction to British
Government, occurring to son after censure which had been passed on the Raja
for his unauthorised negotiations with the Lahore Court.
The
natural faults of Sangat Singh’s character were carefully encouraged by
minister for their own ends. He squandered to money in a thousand
extravagances, more especially in his expeditions to Lahore. The repeated
extortions from all classes of his subjects made him very unpopular. The
administrative duties were completely neglected, life and property became
insecure, while the most faithful servants of the State sought, in British
territory, an asylum where they might be secure from the molestations and
oppressions of the Raja and his minister, Diwan Singh. Raja Sangat Singh
shifted the headquarters from Jind to Sangrur in 1827 because of the place
being nearer to Patiala and Nabha, the other two Phulkian States.
Raja
Sangat Singh died at the young age of 23, without a heir to succeed. There were
many claimants to his throne. The Raja of Nabha advanced a claim as the
descendant, with the Jind house, from a common ancestor, but this claim was
atone disallowed, for his branch of the family had separated from that of Jind,
previous to the founding of the principality of Raja Gajpat Singh. However, in
this context, the right of Sardar Sarup Singh of Bazidpur having been admitted
by the British Government the question arose, what principal should be held
govern the disposition of the several portions of the territory. This territory
consisted of three district portions; that which was possessed by Raja Gajpat
Singh, the founder of family, through whom Sarup Singh claimed, and which
comprised the districts of jind and Safidon, the best portion of territory;
secondly the grants made by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore to the Jind Chief,
previous to the treaty of 1809, including Ludhiana, Basia, Morinda, and lastly
certain grants made by the Maharaja subsequent to that treaty.
Raja
Sarup Singh was formally installed in the presence of all the Phulkian Chiefs
and the British Agent in April 1837. However, he was deprived of much of his
territory, and Basia, Ludhiana and Morinda were taken away by the British.
Since Raja Sarup Singh rose to power by virtue of the British support, he
remained loyal to them. When the Second SikhWar broke out in 1849, Raja Sarup
Singh proved his devotion to the Government, and offered to lead his troops in
person to Lahore, to join the English Army. After annexation of the Punjab, the
Raja of Jind was one of the few chiefs permitted to retain independent powers,
with the exception of the right of capital punishment, which was conceded to
him after the mutiny. He showed himself deserving of the privileges granted to
him, by endeavouring the reform his administration after the English System of
revenue and police.
When
the mutiny broke out in May 1857, Raja Sarup Singh was not behind the Maharaja
of Patiala inactive loyalty. At the head of his force, he reached Karnal where
he undertook the defence of the city and cantonments. His contingent did not
exceed 800 men, but it was orderly and well-disciplined, and its presence at
karnal gave confidence, and secured that station from plunder. Raja Sarup Singh
was the only chief who was present with army before. In this respect, he was
more fortunate, though not more loyal or courageous than the Maharaja of
Patiala and the Raja of Kapurthala, both of whom desired to join the besieging
force; but their presence was considered more useful elsewhere. The services of
the Raja were duly appreciated by the British. The governor-General, in his
notification of 5 November 1857 declared that the steady support of the Raja of
Jind called for the marked thanks of the Government. But Raja Sarup Singh
received rewards more substantial than mere thanks. He was amply rewarded more
substantial than mere thanks. He was amply rewarded in territory and in this
context, thirteen villages conveniently situated near Sangrur were also ceded
to the Raja in perpetuity.
In
recognition of his service in recapturing Delhi for the British, the confiscated
house of the rebel Shahzada Mirza Abu Bakr, situated in Delhi, was bestowed on
the Raja (Sarup Singh), and his salute was raised to eleven guns. Further, the
Raja Sarup Singh was awarded the title of “Farzand dilb and rasikhul itikad
Raja Sarup Singh Bahadur Wali Jhind” (Beloved son, firm in loyalty, Raja Sarup
Singh Bahadur, the ruler of Jind). Tow villages Badrukhan and Bumhamwadi, and
isolated plot of land near Sangrur, were held by Kinsmen of the Raja Nominally
in the Thanesar District, but really 80 miles distant from Thanesar. Raja Sarup
Singh was allowed to purchase the interest of Government in these villages and
hence the Badrukhan Chiefs became feudatories of Jind.
Raja
Sarup Singh had been nominated a knight Grand Commander of the Star of India in
August 1863, but he was too ill to visit Ambala to be invested, and died before
the honour could be bestowed. It was both strange and unfortunate that the
three great Chiefships of Patiala, Nabha and Jind should have became vacant
almost simultaneously.
Raghbir
Singh, the son and heir of Raja Sarup Singh was in every way worthy of his
father. He was, at this time, about 30 years of age, and had been thoroughly
trained in judicial and administrative matters, in which the late Raja was an
excellent teacher; for he had kept his territory in excellent order, and had
been eminently just in his dealings with his subjects.
The
installation of new Chiefs took place on 31 March 1864 in the presence of Sir
Herbert Edwards, the Agent of the Lt. Governor, the Maharaja of Patiala, the
Raja of Nabha, the Nawab of Malerkotla, and many other chiefs. The principal
residence of Raja Raghbir Singh was at Sangrur, but he did not neglect the
administration of the distant parts of the estate. He was a man of excellent
judgment and honesty. He made Sangrur a beautiful town, constructing bazaar on
the lines of jaipur with pukka shops, gardens, temples and other public
religious buildings, as also a metalled road around the town.
During
the time of Raja Raghbir Singh, a revolt broke out in Dadri because of the new
revenue assessment, which was on the lines of the British system. However, the
Raja of Jind was able to crush the revolt. Raja Raghbir Singh rendered help to
the British Government on the occasion of agitation launched by Namdhari Sikhs,
also called Kukas. On 13 January 1872, there was a meeting of Kukas at Bhaini
(District Ludhiana), and a group of about 150 of these, started off under the
leader-ship of the Jats of Sakaraundi in the Patiala State territory. They were
armed with axes, sticks etc. only and were said to have declared that the town
of Malerkotla would be the object of their attack. They went to Payal in
Patiala territory (now in Ludhiana District) without causing any disturbance,
and reappeared next day near to Malaudh (Ludhiana District), the seat of Sardar
Badan Singh, on which they made a sudden onset with the idea, probably, of
getting arms and money. In this attack, two men were killed on each side and a
few wounded and the gang succeeded in securing three horses, one gun and one
sword. They next proceeded to Kotla, and on the morning of 15 January 1872,
made a sudden attack on the place and treasury of the Nawab, but were driven
off when the Kotla guards had recoverved from their surprise and pursued to
Rurr in the Patiala Territory (Patiala District) where they were captured an
handed over the Malerkotla authorities. On getting the news of attack on
Malaudh and Kotla, Mr. Cowan the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, started for
the latter place, and telegraphed for troops, which arrived soon after. Men,
and others were tried by the Commissioner (Mr. Forsyth) and executed on the
following day. The jind Chief showed loyalty to the British government. On the
request of Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana he sent two guns, a troops of horses,
two companies of infantry to Malerkotla to suppress the Kuka Movement.
Again
during the second Afghan War in 1878, he sent a contingent of 500 sepoys, 200
sawars with a large staff and 2 guns. The forces alongwith equipment reached at
Thal in 1879 and rendred valuable
services there. In 1882, during Egyptian attack, the Raja of Jind offered to
help the British with troops and ammunition but his offer was declined. In
1887, Raja Raghbir Singh died. His only sone Balbir Singh had died during his
lifetime. His grandson Ranbir Singh who was born in 1879 was only a minor. He
was put up under regency and full powers were vested in him in 1899. He ruled
the Jind State till independence in 1947. Since major portion of the erstwhile
State of Malerkotla is now included in the Sangrur district, it is worthwhile
to narrate briefly here the history of erstwhile Malerkotla State.
Malerkotla
Malerkotla
State appears to have come into existence 1454. In this year the founder of the
State Sadr-ud-din, commonly know as Sadr Jahan, was married to Taj Murassa
Begum, the daughter of behlol Lodhi. Sadr Jahan was a saint, sarwani Afghan of
Daraband of Khurason, who was a disciple of Pir Rukn Alam-a-Multani Pir and had
settled at Bhumsi (Malerkotla Tahsil) a place which lay on a tributary of River
Satluj. At this place, Behlol Lodhi was blessed by him. After conquering the
area of Delhi he had married away his daughter to the saint. Subsequently, Sadr
Jahan contracted marriage with the daughter of Bhatti Chief of Kapurthala. He
is said to have died in 1515, leaving behind three sons Isa, Hasssan and Musa
by the Lodhi princes and a daughter from Bhatti lady. The royal family of
Malerkotla descended from Isa. The descendants of Hassan became “Mujawars” the
attendants of the shrine of Sadr Jahan. Musa died in the lifetime of his
father. The Subah of Maler settled the dispute of the brothers and after
giving a jagir to the descendants of Hassan left the remainder for Isa.
Isa left a son named Muhammad Shah who succeeded his father whereas Hassan Left
two sons Suliman and Mirza one of the sons of Hassan killed the Subah of Maler
as he had not felt happy at the decision given by the Subah. For committing
this offence, he was expelled from the kngom. His cousin Muhammad Shah had also
to share the punishment and went to the Rai of Sunpat or Sunbat. In these days,
Sher Shah had overthrown Humayun and Muhammad Shah purchased the territory
after borrowing the amount from Rai of Sunpat which he paid to Sher Shah. His
cousins had no share as they had not contributed anything. Muhammad Shah died
leaving three sons of whom the eldest Khawaja Maudud succeeded in 1545. Khawaja
had three sons, the eldest of whom was Fateh Mahammad Khan who was fifth in
descent from Sadr Jahan, was the first to enlarge his family estate and founded
Kotla near Maler in 1656. He frequented Delhi court and founded Kotla near
Maler in 1656. He frequented Delhi court and received from the emperor
Aurangzeb in 1657 the paragnas of Kadrabad and Nawangaon in jagir. He
died in 1659 leaving four sons. The eldest Firoz Khan, succeeded him as Rais.
He died in 1672. His eldest son shere Muhammad Khan was a prominent general of
his time. He served in the Bihar compaign and his services were rewarded by a
jagir of 70 villages. He also served in Badaun aiding the imperial forces in
the suppression of the revolt of the Ali Muhammad, the Rohilla. In his days,
began the incessant warfare with Sikhs. In crossing the Satluj but he was
defeated later on he was killed in 1710 in the battle of Chapper Chiri (near
Sirhind) in which Banda Bahadur routed the forces of the Subah of Sirhind.
It
is to be noted that whereas the Sikhs under Banda destroyed Sirhind utterly,
and butchered Wazir Khan and his entire family, they spared the State of
Malerkotla altogether. It was due to the fact that when tender sons of Guru
Gobind Singh were being bricked alive by Wazir Khan, the governor of Sirhind,
the only one to protest against this heinous crime was Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan
of Malerkotla who said, “the sins of the father should not be visited upon the
tender sons. If we could not defeat the Guru, why wreak venegeance on these
poor little ones”.
The
next Rais, Gulam Hussain, was timid man of a weak and peaceable disposition. In
his life time, he excluded his sons from the chiefship and installed his
brother Jamal Khan on the throne. A notable chief in his days, he had warfare
with Sikh Chiefs. In he battle of Sanghera with the Raja of Patiala, he was
defeated. He lost Sanghera ilaqa in pargana Ballian including Hadiya
which ala Singh made his capital. From this time onwards up to the end of 18th
century, Malerkotla Afgans were all out in extending unstinted help to Ahmed
Shah Abdali or his heirs or pleasing Sikhs for grinding their own axe. Abdali’s
help occasionally, paid them. Side by side, they had cultivated friendship with
the house of Patiala, whereby a tiny Muslim State could exist in the
Centre surrounded by the misls.
Jamal
Khan received robe of honour from Ahmed Shah Abdali in recognition of his
services in suppressing the Sikhs. In 1747, after departure of Ahmed Shah
Abdali, Adina Beg jointed hands with the Sikhs and took possession of Ropar.
Jamal Khan was a party in harassing Abdali forces in league with Ala Singh of
Patiala while he was retreating from Punjab in 1747.
Jamal
Khan left five sons, the eldest of whom Bhimhan Khan became Rais. He was a
temporizer and at the same time a friend of Sikhs and Ahmed Shah Abdali. In
1762, he joined hands with Ahmad Shah Abdali and played significant part in
routing sikhs in a wada ghalughara in 1762. In 1763, he joined hands
with the Suba of Sirhind. But the Suba was defeated at Harnaulgarh. Thereafter,
Jassa Singh Ahluwlia slew Bhikhan Khan in an action.
Bhikan
Khan left two sons, Wazir Khan and Fateh Khan, who were infants. Bahadur Khan,
a brother of Bhikhan Khan succeeded him. His reign was a series of disasters.
He was killed in an engagement with the Sikhs in Jhal in 1766. Bahadur Khan
also left two sons, Himat Khan and Delar Khan, again the chiefship went to the
eldest surviving brother of Jamal named Umar Khan. He had engagement with the
Raja of Patiala in 1766 and fought a battle at Tibba but with the intervention
of the Rai of Raikot the matter was settled. Raja Amar Singh of patiala
promised to hand over 116 villages to the Maler Afghan but in fact he made over
only 74. Even then the Khan thereafter cemented his alliance by aiding the Raja
of Patiala in the battle of Selba.
After
his death in 1782, Ata-Ullah-Khan, the eldest of five sons of Jamal Khan
succeeded him. He fought a battle with Sardar Chuhar Singh of Bhadaur and
recovered Kawanwala from him. At the instance of Diwan Nanumal, a dismissed
Diwan of Patiala, Ata-Ullah-Khan, attacked Patiala but he was defeated at
Khanpur. In 1794, Sahib Singh Bedi of Una, a benefactor of the Sikh , attacked
Malerkotla but with the intervention of Raja of Patiala he retreated. By 1788,
Marathas had become prominent in the area between Yamuna and Satluj under the
command of scindia. But they were defeated by lord Lake of Laswari. The Afghan
of Malerkotla assisted Lord Lake. In 1808, Maharaja Ranjit Singh demanded one
and a half lakh rupees from the Khan of Kotla. On his inability to pay the full
amount, he deputed the Tahsildars and Thanedars to release the balance. By
1810, Malerkotla had come in under protectorate of the British who reinstated
the dispossessed chief of malerkotla and the staff of Maharaja was asked to go.
Meanwhile
Wazir Khan, son of Bhimhan Khan made a representation to the British for the
restoration the their rights over the throne. By that time, Ata Ullah-Khan was
died. There were many contestants alongwith the sons of Ata Ullah Khan but the
balance was struck by the British in favour of Wazir Khan.
The
claims of Ata-Ullah-Khan’s son named Rehmat Ali Khan were ignored on the plea
taken by the British to the effect that the law of primogeniture would prevail
for succession. Wazir Khan’s life was uneventful, as he swelled the rank of
eulogizers and was most eager to extend help to the Birtish in men and money. Among other activities interalia he
assisted the British in the gorkha War in 1814. He died in 1821 and was
succeeded by his son, Amir Khan. He meticulously followed his father in
governing his territory. He assisted the British in 1839 in the Kabul War
popularly known as the First Afghan War. During the first Anglo sikh War, he
fought on the side of the British at Mudki and Ferozehsah. In recognition of
his service, he was awarded the tile of Nawab and jagir of three villages. He
helped the British in the Second Gorkha War and passed away in 1846. He was
succeeded by his son Mehboob Ali Khan better known as Sube Khan. Like other
Sikh chiefs, he sided with the British during the mutiny of 1857. He died in
1859. His son sikhander Ali Khan, spent most of his time quarrelling with his
relations. Both of his sons died young. On this, Sikander Ali Khan as his heir.
The Nawab attended viceregal Durbar in 1869 held in honour of Amir Sher Ali
Khan of Kabul. He died in 1871. Ibrahim Khan succeeded Sikander Ali Khan at the
age of 14. During his time, Kuka incident took place, the reference of which
has been made elsewhere. Ibrahim Ali Khan attended imperial assemblage at Delhi
in 1877. The next year, he sent a contingent in aid of the British for Frontier
Service. The Nawab also supplied a number of transport animals for the British
forces on their departure, to and return from, Kabur. He attended the viceregal
Durbar in 1880 held at Lahore and against at Ropar in 1882.
In
1884, the untimely death of his eldest son Sahibzada Ashiq Ali Khan and his
Begum disturbed his mind and he withdrew from the worldly affairs. The State
was put under the management of some superintendents appointed by the
Government and this arrangement continued up to 1903. The Superintendents who
managed were Kazi Ahmed Shah, Mr. G. E. Wakefield, the retired Deputy
Commissioner of Ludhiana and the Nawab of Loharu. In 1903, Sahibzada Ahmed Ali
Khan took charge of the affairs of the State. He attended the Durbar at Lahore
in 1905. He married the cousin of the Nawab of Rampur and had a son Iftikhar
Ali Khan.
Lord
Minto, Viceroy and Governor-General of India visited Malerkotla State on 26
November 1906 when Mohd. Ahmed Ali Khan was acting as a regent. Nawab Ibrahim
Ali Khan passed away in 1908 and Mohd. Ahmed Ali Khan became the nawab of
Malerkotla in 1911. He was invited to the Coronation Durbar at Delhi and
attended the various functions in connection with the coronation of His Majesty
King Emperor George V. At the outbreak of the Great War against Germany in
1914, he placed his troops and all resources of the State at the disposal of
the British Government. The nawab of Malerkotla also helped the British during
the Third Afgan War.
Nawab
Mohd. Ali Khan of Malerkotla took keen interest in the administration of the
State of welfare of his subjects. During the rule, various administrative
reforms were carried out. Two revenue settlements various administrative
reforms were carried out. Two revenue settlements took place under the
supervision of Late Ch. Mohd. Din. Grain Markets at Ahmedgarh and Himmatana
were also built. Education received special attention. In addition to a High
School, an Intermediate College was also opened where free education was given
to the State subjects and to students from outside. Some new roads and
buildings were also built. During his rule, the State administration was known
for efficiency and the Chief Court was raised to the status of High Court.
Besides introducing administrative reforms, the nawab also paid special
attention to industry. Two steel rolling mills were established at malerkotla
which had always been a good iron market. Cotton ginning factories, expellers
and cottage industries, and factories for producing cycle parts, which came
into existence during his rule provided more employment opportunities to the
people. The rail line between Ludhiana and Jakhal was built during his rule. He
also gave active support to the British during the Second World War.
Partition
of India and creation of Pakistan led to the outbreak of communal riots and
heavy loss of life on both sides of the border. However, due to communal
harmony prevailing in the State and the personal interest taken by the ruler,
no communal riot took place within the Malerkotla State territory and all
continued to live in perfect peace and harmony during this period of unrest.
Nawab Mohd. Ahmed Ali Khan passed away on 18 October 1947 and Nawab Mohd.
Iftikhar Ali Khan became the Nawab of Malerkotla who was already incharge of
State administration as Chief Minister of the State.
The
history of the Malerkotla State during first half of the twentieth century
(upto 1947) is a history of unflinching loyalty to the British. The State helped
the British with men, money and transport during the First and Second World
Wars. The rulers of Malerkotla ruthlessly suppressed any freedom movement or
anti-British movement if at all that happened within the State territory. The
Nawab of Malerkotla, despite his meager resources was always competing with his
wealthy Sikh neighbourly princes in grandeur and lavish expenditure. He even
legalized ‘Satta’ in the State.
The
Nawab Mohd. Iftikhar Ali Khan of Malerkotla was held in high esteem by people
of Malerkotla. He died in issueless on 20 November 1982.
The Struggle for Freedom
The
people of the Sangrur District were not under the direct control of the British
Government. These were governed by the Phulkian Chiefs who owed their
allegiance to the British. Hence the freedom struggle of the people was mainly
the struggle against the princely rulers of Phulkian States of Jind, Nabha and
Patiala, who were following a repressive policy promoted by the British. Still
the national movements had their impact on the people of this area and they
also contributed in the main struggle for freedom from the British Rule. The
Ghadar Movement (1913-15) inspired some people of the area. Moreover, Punjab
Riasti Praja Mandal Movement was a fight of the people against the despotic
princely rulers. The Indian National Congress was carrying on the freedom
struggle through the Praja Mandal in the area. A brief description of the
freedom movement in Sangrur District is given in the succeeding paragraphs: