BHAG SINGH, RAJA

BHAG SINGH, RAJA (1760-1819), born on 23 September 1760, succeeded his father, Gajpat Singh, to the gaddi of Jind state in 1789. He was a man of extraordinary vigour, intelligence and diplomatic astuteness. Like his father, he was also a close ally of Patiala and joined hands with Bibi Sahib Kaur`s troops in 1794 against the Marathas. He was mainly responsible for checking the advance of George Thomas towards Sikh territories and later on of General Perron of the Maratha service.

He maintained friendly relations with the British and accompanied Lord Lake to the River Beas in pursuit of Jasvant Rao Holkar. He was deputed by the British General to persuade his nephew, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, not to espouse the hopeless Maratha cause. Bhag Singh`s mediation in behalf of the British helped pave the way for the first AngloSikh treaty of 1806. He gained in territory both from the British and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ludhiana, later acquired by the British for establishing a poltical agency, once belonged to him. Raja Bhag Singh died in 1819 and was succeeded by his son. Fateh Singh.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, The Rajas of the Punjab. Delhi, 1977
2. Harbans Singh, The Heritage of the Sikhs. Delhi, 1983