ALAM SINGH NACHNA (d. 1705), a warrior in the retinue of Guru Gobind Singh, was the son of Bhai Durgu, a Rajput Sikh of Sialkot. He earned the popular epithet Nachna (lit. dancer) because of his uncommon agility. Sarup Das Bhalla, Mahima Prakash, describes him as one of Guru Gobind Singh\’s constant companions. Possessing pluck as well as skill, he once killed a tiger single handed. On another occasion when during the chase Guru Gobind Singh was suddenly attacked by two hill chiefs, Balia Chand and Alam Chand, with a force far out numbering his own, Alam Singh Nachna showed exemplary courage.
In a face-to-face encounter with Alam Chand, he slashed the latter\’s sword arm. He took part in almost all the battles fought around Anandpur. As Guru Gobind Singh himself testifies in his Bachitra Natak, when Khanzada, the son of Dilawar Khan. Subahdar of Lahore, tried to storm Anandpur at night, it was Alam Singh\’s vigilance which alerted the Sikhs and forced the Khanzada to retire without attempting the assault. During the final siege of Anandpur, Alam Singh was given the command of a 500 strong garrison in Agampur Fort; on the evacuation of the town, he along with Bhai Daya Singh and Bhai Ude Singh led the vanguard. At Chamkaur on 7 December 1705, Alam Singh Nachna joined the sally made by Sahibzada Ajit Singh and fell fighting the besieging host.
References :
1. Bhalla, Sarup Das, Mahima Prakash. Patiala, 1971
2. Kuir Singh, Gurbilas Patshahi 10. Patiala, 1968
3. Macauliffe, Max Arthur, The Sikh Religion. Oxford, 1909
4. Harbans Singh, Guru Gobind Singh. Chandigarh, 1966
