PHUL (1627-1689), ancestor of the Phulkiari dynasty, was born in 1629, the second son of Bhai Rup Chand and Mat Ambi. His father was killed fighting against the Bhatlis, Rajput converts to Islam, who were their old enemies and who had control over the Malva region. On the death of Phul\’s father his uncle, Kala, became his guardian. The family shifted to the village of Mehraj, founded by Kala`s father, Mohan, in 1627 with the blessing of Guru Hargobind.
As Guru Hargobind was staying at Gurusar, the site of the battle of Mehraj (16 December 1634), Kala, accompanied by his young nephews, Sandii and Phul, went to pay homage. In the Guru`s presence, young Phul started scratching his belly to indicate that lie was hungry. As the legend goes. Guru Hargobind gave his blessing saying, “He will have means not only to overcome his own hunger, but also to satisfy the hunger of many others.
His horses shall drink water from the river Sullej and [lie Yamuna.” Phul bcgol seven children. Three sons, Tilok Singh, Rani Singh and Raghu, and one daughter, Rami or Rani Kaui, were born to his first wife. Rail, the daughter of a zrtwmrfrtr of Dhilvari, in Nabha territory. From Tilok Singh descended the ruling families of Nabha andJind and from Ram Singh, the house of Patiala.
To Phul`s second wife, Rajji, were born three sons, Channu, Jhandu and Takht Mall. The descendants of Channu and Takht Mall held jagirs in the village of Gumati. Phul received from Rai Bakhtiar or Karigar, lease of Kamarivala Theh and raised on the site a village which he called Phul. He gained considerable influence in the area, and defeated Hyat Khan Bhatti of Bhatner in a battle fought near what is now Muktsar.
Phul began to be recognized as a daring and powerful local chief. He attacked (lie chief of Jagraon, and held him captive after a brief skirmish.He was summoned to Sirhind where he was imprisoned under the orders of the Mughal faujddr. It is said that he secured his release feigning death an art lie had learnt from one Sumcrpuri faqir who once happened to visit his place.
Taking him as dead, his body was handed over to his relations. Phul died at Bahadurpur in Nabha state on 28 January 1689, and was cremated at the village of Phul. His samddh still exists there.
References :
1. Twarikh-i-Khanadan-i-Maharaja Karam Singh-va-Khandan-i-Phulkian. MS. Punjab Archives, Patiala
2. Karam Singh, Baba Ala Singh. Patiala, 1918
3. Kirpal Singh. Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala. Amritsar, 1954
