Baghel Singh (c. 1730s – c. 1800s) was a Sikh warrior and leader in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. He rose to prominence in the area around Sutlej and Yamuna. He joined the Singh Krora Misl, one of the Misls during Sikh Confederacy. In 1765, Singh became the leader of the Misl.Baba Baghel Singh Museum's paintings and their brief history ON 26 JANUARY 2K21 SINGH'S LIKE BAGHEL SINGH WON ONE MORE TIME DELHI.(NOT WON BUT SHOW KHALSA CAN DO ANYTHING. WITHOUT ANY MORDEN WEAPONS SIKH'S YOUTH MOVE TO DELHI AGAINST INDIAN GOVERNMENT, WHEN HOEL INDIA was protesting against GOVERNMENT FOR 3 FARMERS LAW.) The sikh youth move to RED FORT and hosted SIKH FLAG (NISHAN SAHIB) on the RED FORT. - Page 53 Baghel Singh is remembered for constructing important Sikh Gurdwaras in Delhi at the sites of important events in Sikh history in the area.
Early life
Baghel Singh was born in village Chabhal Kalan, Tarn Taran district of Punjab around 1730s into a Dhaliwal Jat family. After the death of Karora Singh, Baghel Singh succeeded him to the headship of the Misl.
Military career Following Adina Beg Khan's death in September 1758, and during Ahmad Shah Durrani's invasion of the Marathas (1759-1761), Sikh sardars expanded their territories, establishing themselves as regional chieftains. Baghel Singh acquired a significant portion of Hoshiarpur district and nearly one-fourth of the Jalandhar Doab. He established his primary headquarters in Hariana, 12 kilometers west of Hoshiarpur, and entrusted administrative responsibilities to his wife, Rup Kanwar, who governed effectively.
After the partition of the Sarhind province in January 1764, Baghel Singh expanded his territories to include Chhalondi, Jamaitgarh, Khurdin, and Kinori. He established a secondary headquarters in Chhalondi, 30 kilometers from Karnal on the Jagadhri road, with his second wife, Ram Kanwar, overseeing administration. His third wife, Ratan Kaur, managed Kalawar. While his wives handled regional governance, Baghel Singh focused on external affairs and military campaigns.
In Ganga Doab Following the conquest of Sirhind province, the Taruna Dal returned to West Punjab, while the Budha Dal, a formidable force of 40,000, marched into the upper Ganga Doab under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Baghel Singh Dhaliwal. In February 1764, they sacked the town of Saharanpur and ravaged the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, and Meerut.
The Sikhs then crossed the Ganga River into Rohilkhand, plundering key towns such as Najibabad, Moradabad, and Anupshahar within a span of two months. Najib ad-Dawlah, the de facto ruler of Delhi from 1761 to 1770, was unable to resist the Sikh onslaught. Opting for pragmatism, he chose to pay a substantial ransom of eleven lakhs of rupees to the Sikhs, thereby safeguarding his estates.
In 1775, the Sikhs congregated near Karnal, forming three divisions under the leadership of Rae Singh Bhangi, Tara Singh Ghaiba and Baghel Singh. On April 22, 1775, they crossed the Yamuna River near Kunjpura, embarking on a campaign that would see them capture several key towns and villages. Their conquests included Lakhnauti, Gangoh, Ambehta, Nanauta, and Deoband, which fell with little resistance. Zabita Khan, the ruler of Ghausgarh, managed to spare his capital by offering flattery and a bribe of 50,000 rupees, but was forced to accompany the Sikhs as they continued their campaign. The Sikhs also exacted tributes from the Barah Sadat villages, as well as Shamli, Kairana, Kandhla, and Meerut. They advanced as far as Khurja before beginning their return journey, during which they destroyed Paharganj and Jaisinghpura in Delhi on July 15, 1775. Finally, they recrossed the Jamuna River in July 1775, returning home after a successful campaign.
On March 11, 1776, a significant Sikh military force, led by prominent leaders including Baghel Singh, launched an assault on the Meerut district. During the ensuing battle at Amrinagar, Abu'l Qasim, the imperial commander and brother of Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ahad Khan, lost his life while fighting against the Sikh forces.Gupta, Hari Ram, History of the Sikhs, vol. III. Delhi, 1979Sital, Sohan Singh, Sikh Mislan. Ludhiana, 1952
In 1779, Abdul Ahad Khan, the Mughal Empire's deputy prime minister, led an expedition against the Cis-Satluj Sikhs to collect tribute. He departed Delhi on June 18 with Emperor Shah Alam's second son, Prince Mirza Jahln, and Sial Farkhundah Bakht. When they arrived at Karnal, several Sikh chiefs, including Baghel Singh, met with the Nawab.
Baghel Singh had a long-standing grudge against Gajpat Singh of Jind, so he advised the Nawab to demand a hefty tribute from the Raja and imprison him if payment was delayed. To avoid imprisonment, Gajpat Singh agreed to pay 200,000 rupees. This amount secured his freedom, showcasing the complex power dynamics at play during this time.
In 1779, Baghel Singh influenced Nawab Abdul Ahad Khan to demand a substantial tribute from Dasu Singh, the ruler of Kaithal. On September 9, Abdul Ahad dispatched Baghel Singh and others to escort Dasu Singh from Kaithal to his camp in Thanesar. Dasu Singh requested the restoration of his territories, seized by Raja Amar Singh of Patiala. Abdul Ahad insisted on a three-lakh tribute, but Dasu Singh offered only two lakhs, leading to his imprisonment along with eight companions Dasu Singh was released after paying four lakhs of rupees. As a mediator, Baghel Singh and other Sikh chiefs received one-fourth of this amount.Singha, Bhagata (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Patiala, India: Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 119.
On September 26, 1779, Abdul Ahad, at Ghuram, struggled to get Raja Amar Singh's compliance despite multiple summons. He consulted Baghel Singh, tasking him to bring Amar Singh to his camp on September 29. However, Amar Singh sought help from Majha Sikhs, prompting Baghel Singh to warn Abdul Ahad of impending danger. To ensure safety, Baghel Singh suggested bribing Trans-Satluj Sikh chiefs and escaping to Delhi. Abdul Ahad gave Baghel Singh three lakhs of rupees, recently collected from Desu Singh. Baghel Singh distributed most of it to Majha sardars, keeping some for himself. Abdul Ahad retreated on October 14, reaching Panipat on October 18. Nawab Abdul Ahad was frequently attacked by the Cis-Satluj Sikhs already present in his camp, and most of his luggage and equipment were plundered by them. Baghel Singh did not join in the loot, as he had already secured the lion's share.
Dispute with Raja Amar Singh In 1780, Raja Amar Singh of Patiala took advantage of the infighting among Sikh chiefs and seized several villages belonging to Cis-Satluj Sikh leaders, including Baghel Singh, who lost Bhuni, Lalru, and Mullanpur. This move sparked a retaliation from Baghel Singh and other Sikh sardars.Singha, Bhagata (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Patiala, India: Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 119.
As tensions escalated, Amar Singh formed alliances with additional sardars and the Raja of Nahan. The conflict culminated in a battle at Ghuram, just 25 kilometers south of Patiala. However, the outcome was indecisive, leaving both sides seeking new strategies. Baghel Singh launched a bold attack on Patiala city, but was repelled by the fortress's defenses. Undeterred, he shifted focus to the countryside, laying waste to Amar Singh's territories. Faced with this renewed pressure, Amar Singh opted for peace talks. his vakil, Chain Singh, intervened, grasping the horse's reins and appealing, "Singh Ji, spare a servant of the Guru's house." Moved, Baghel Singh welcomed Raja Amar Singh to his Lahal village camp. In a prearranged gesture, Amar Singh's five-year-old son, Sahib Singh, saluted Baghel Singh, who warmly took the child onto his lap. At Amar Singh's request, Baghel Singh baptized Sahib Singh, becoming his protector and cementing a sacred bond that transcended past conflicts.
Expedition to Farrukhabad In February 1783, the 60,000-strong Budha Dal, led by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Baghel Singh, advanced on Delhi amidst the severe Chalisa famine ravaging northern India. They initiated their campaign of plunder in Ghaziabad, 20 kilometers south of Delhi, thoroughly ravaging the area. Next, they attacked Bulandshahr, 50 kilometers from Delhi, and subsequently sacked Khurja, a prominent market for grain and ghi, 33 kilometers farther south. Upon entering the town, the Sikhs prompted widespread panic, causing residents to flee in terror. The Sikh forces then apprehended wealthy locals, securing them to pillars and employing coercive methods to reveal the locations of their concealed treasures. Following the thorough plunder of the town, Baghel Singh and Jassa Singh initiated a unique gesture of devotion. Unfurling a cloth, they appealed to their fellow chiefs to contribute one-tenth of their spoils in cash as an offering to their revered Guru. This collective gesture yielded a substantial sum of one lakh (100,000) rupees. The accumulated funds were subsequently dedicated to the enhancement of the sacred Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. The Sikh forces, led by Baghel Singh, continued their relentless march southward, leaving a trail of plunder in their wake. They swept through Aligarh, 126 kilometers from Delhi, Hathras at 156 kilometers, Tundla at 204 kilometers, and Shikohabad at 241 kilometers, claiming riches from each town. Their next conquest was Farrukhabad, merely 107 kilometers from Shikohabad, which fell swiftly to the Sikh forces. The Nawab's palace was ravaged, yielding an astonishing haul: gold, precious ornaments, diamonds, pearls, the Nawab's golden huqqa, and a diamond-studded stick, all of which fell into Baghel Singh's hands.
Battle of Delhi