Rise, growth and fall of Bhangi Misal

Abstract

Evolution of the Sikh Misals began with the Sikh challenge to Mughal rulers and Afghan invaders in 1748, which continued for nearly half a century. In this long struggle they not only saved themselves from the oppression and injustice of Mughals and Afghans but also succeeded to establish their own independent rule in the Punjab under 12 Misals. Bhangi Misal was the most powerful Misal of the Sikhs as far as its territories and manpower were concerned. The founder of the Bhangi Misal was Chajja Singh who took a Pahul from the hands of Guru Gobind Singh. He invited a large number of Sikh youth from Majha to join him and thus became a leader of Bhangi Jatha. The second bravest man of the Misal was Bhima Singh a Dhillon Jat of village Hung near Moga. Bhima Singh as a good organizer and commander of his men gave a fillip to the Misal. He took full advantage of the disturbance created by Nadir Shah, in 1739 and turned a small Jatha of attackers into a powerful confederacy. He seems to have died in the Chhota Ghallughara, in 1746. At the time of the foundation of Dal Khalsa in 1748, Hari Singh was acknowledged as the head of the Bhangi Misal as well as the leader of the Taruna Dal. He raised the Bhangi Misal to haloed glory and made it the strongest among all the Sikh Misals. He was great warrior and with the help of his companions he succeeded in capturing several important territories in the province of Punjab like wise Khwajah= Saeed Ka Kot in 1762, Sialkot, Karial and Mirowal in 1762, Kasur and Chiniot in 1763. Hari Singh was died in 1765 while he was fight with Ala Singh Patiala. After his death his son Jhanda Singh and Ganda Singh with the help of their companions Gujjar Singh and Lehna Singh Lahore and Gujrat in 1765, Bhawalpur and Sialkot in 1766, Rawalpindi and Attok in 1767, Multan in 1772, Jhang and Kala Bagh in 1772 and some parts of Jammu and Kashmir like Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimber and some areas of Punchh in 1767.