Sardar Baghel Singh (1730–1802) – The Expander of Sikh Rule to Delhi
Sardar Baghel Singh was a prominent Sikh general and leader of the 18th century in Punjab. He played a key role in expanding Sikh rule from the Sutlej to the Yamuna regions. He became the head of the KarorSinghia Misl in 1765.
Early Life
Baghel Singh was born in 1730 in the village of Jhabal Kalan in the Tarn Taran district, into a Dhaliwal Jatt family. After the death of Sardar Karora Singh, he took over the leadership of the KarorSinghia Misl.
Military Life and Victories
During the late 18th century, with the decline of the Mughal Empire and continuous invasions by Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani, Sikh influence began to rise in northern India. Through his misl, Baghel Singh captured territories like Ambala, Karnal, Thanesar, Hisar, and parts of the Jalandhar Doab. He set up his headquarters near Hoshiarpur, in Haryana.
After the Sikh victory at Sirhind in 1764, Baghel Singh extended his control around Karnal and made the village of Chhalondi his new headquarters. He later expanded his rule further to include Meerut, Saharanpur, Shahdara, and Awadh.
Crossing the Yamuna – From Saharanpur to Najibabad
In 1764, alongside Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Tara Singh Ghaiba, and other Sikh leaders, Baghel Singh led a 30,000-strong Sikh force across the Yamuna River. They captured several towns in the Ganga Doab region, including Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Najibabad, and Garhmukteshwar. From Najib-ud-Daula, they exacted a hefty tribute of 1.1 million rupees.
In 1775, Zabita Khan (son of Najib-ud-Daula) chose to form an alliance instead of fighting. He allowed the Sikhs to collect a portion of Delhi’s octroi (tax revenue). Baghel Singh then established a tax collection post near the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market), and the funds collected were used to build Sikh gurdwaras.
Battles of Ghanaur and Delhi
In 1778, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II launched a counterattack against the Sikhs using his army. A major battle took place near Ghanaur, where the Mughal forces were defeated.
On 11 March 1783, under Baghel Singh’s leadership, the Sikh forces captured the Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia were also part of this campaign. The Sikhs made only one demand: that gurdwaras be built at all historic sites related to the Sikh Gurus in Delhi. This demand was accepted by the Mughal emperor, and funding for the construction was allowed through Delhi’s tax collection.
While most Sikh leaders returned to Punjab, Baghel Singh remained in Delhi with 4,000 troops to oversee the project.
Establishment of Gurdwaras
During his stay in Delhi, Baghel Singh identified and established gurdwaras at seven historical sites associated with the Sikh Gurus:
Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib (site of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom)
Gurdwara Rakab Ganj (site where Bhai Lakhi Shah cremated Guru Tegh Bahadur’s body)
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib (residence of Guru Har Krishan Ji)
Majnu ka Tilla (linked with Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Hargobind Ji)
Moti Bagh (associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
Gurdwara Mata Sundari and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji
Gurdwara Teliwara (residence of Mata Sundari Ji)
Death
Sardar Baghel Singh passed away in 1802 in the village of Haryana, in the Hoshiarpur district.
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