The East India Company played a prominent role to carry out reforms in Patiala
Province in the period 1809 to 1857 A.D. It solved the disputes arising out of
succession of Princes. The Company staged a crucial role to establish the sovereignty
of British Rule which was, however, accidental. It has been observed that the
procedure adopted for Patiala Province to delineate its supremacy was, however,
somewhat different. The Britishers paid greater attention to Patiala Province because it
was the largest Province in respect of population and income. A major part of Patiala
Province was a part of ancient Vedic Age called ‘Brahmrishidesh’.
Patiala Province got its name from its founder Baba Ala Singh who founded the
Province in the middle of the eighteenth century. It is, however, assumed that the
rulers of Patiala Province belonged to Yadav Dynasty. Bhattis were a new tribe that
originated here. It was Jaisal among the Bhattis who founded Jaisalmer Province. The
Provinces of Patiala, Jind and Nabha in together were known as ‘Phulkian Province’
because Chowdhary Phul was the common ancestor among them. It is well known that
Guru Har Rai Ji predicted that Phul will feed thousands of people to satiate the
hunger whose rule would extend upto Jamuna. This prediction proved true in word
and spirit. Phul was a skilled administrator who took the reins of his rule at a young age of
eighteen and proved his mettle. He founded a new place called ‘Phul’ which later on
became the administrative place of Phul. He fulfilled his duties as ‘Chowdhary’ for
twenty five years. He proved himself to be a warrior of excellence. In addition to his
administrative skill, he was a sound practitioner of ‘Pranayam’ (a Yogic exercise).
However, he left this world in 1689 A.D.
The first wife of Chowdhary Phul begot three sons – Tilok Chand, Ram Singh and
Raghu. Tilok Chand and Ram Singh were the true devotees of Sri Guru Gobind Singh
who helped Guruji and Banda Bahadur in various battles. Ram Singh being fearless
and bold founded a city ‘Rampura Phul’- his own namesake. But Ram Singh was
killed in 1714 A.D. at the age of fifty when the two sons of Chain Singh were seeking
revenge who was murdered by Ram Singh due to his illicit activities. Ram Singh had
six sons and one of the illustrious and brave sons famously known as Ala Singh
founded the Patiala Kingdom. His elder brother Tilok Singh, being equally competent
founded the Kingdom of Nabha and Jind.
Baba Ala Singh had sought expertise in the use of armour at a young age. He was
wedded to Fateh Kaur, who was merely nine years old at her marriage. She proved to
be a devoted wife who contributed a lot in the uprising of Ala Singh. He fought
courageously in the first three decades of his political rise. He laid siege over a
number of places and captured Barnala in 1722-23 A.D. This was called the Wessex
of Patiala Province. He founded a new village Longowal and rehabilitated it. Ala
Singh with the help of Nigahi Khan was able to capture even the surrounding territory
of Barnala. There was a fierce fight between the warriors of Asad Ali Khan and Baba
Ala Singh in 1731 A.D. Asad Ali met his end and Ala Singh was declared victorious
in the battle which was a landmark achievement for him.
Baba Ala Singh was inducted into Sikh Panth by Kapur Faizalpuria who baptised
him with ‘Pahul’ – a pious tradition among the Sikhs. A spark of courage ignited in
him to extend his empire and thus founded a number of new places – Chhajli, Dirba
and Sheron being the famous ones. His adventurous feats in favour of Shahzada
Ahmad and against Abdali impressed him abundantly. He even killed Farid Khan and
captured Samana pargana with his mighty courage.
Author: Jaswant Singh Puri
