BHAG SINGH, RAI

BHAG SINGH, RAI (d. 1884) was son of Rai Kishan Chand Bhandari who worked as a vakil or agent under the Sikh government. In the beginning of 1838 when Rai Kishan Chand accompanied Colonel Wade to Peshawar, Bhag Singh officiated in his place as agent at Ludhiana, in the British territory. After the first AngloSikh war (1845-46), Bhag Singh took over as agent of the Lahore Darbar with the Commissioner of transSutlej states; in 1848 he was awarded the title of Rai and a dress of honour.

Rai Bhag Singh also received aJ`agir worth rupees 2,500. The Jagir was resumed when the Punjab was annexed by the British in 1849. Rai Bhag Singh was employed a tahsildar by the British government for some time. He was a provincial Darbari and remained an honorary magis trate of Batala for 17 years. He was also the first president of the Batala municipality. He refused appointment as extra assistant commissioner offered to him by Sir John Lawrence, then the Lt Governor of the Punjab. Rai Bhag Singh died in 1884 at Batala, leaving behind him a son named Kanshi Ram.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909