ANANDPUR DĪ VĀR is a versified account in Punjabi, by one Rām Siṅgh, of a battle fought in 1812 between Soḍhī Surjan Siṅgh of Anandpur and Rājā Mahā Chand of Kahlūr. Soḍhī Surjan Siṅgh was a lineal descendant of Sūraj Mall, a son of Gurū Hargobind. His father, Nāhar Siṅgh, who was a brave and influential person, had established an independent state by force of arms. Surjan Siṅgh, too, was a man of prowess, and was increasing his area of influence. Mahā Chand, the chief of the neighbouring state of Kahlūr, was jealous of the growing power of Surjan Siṅgh whom he considered no more than a vassal of his. He sent him word demanding land revenue from him. The Soḍhī refused saying that he was an autonomous ruler in his territory. Rājā Mahā Chand led a force against him and a fierce battle ensued. The poem describes the action in some detail. Surjan Siṅgh received help from Sardār Hukmā Siṅgh, about whose identity no exact information is supplied by the poet. The invading troops were defeated and they fled leaving a large number of dead on the field. According to the poet, Bhāī Sukkhā Siṅgh, author of Gurbilās Dasvīṅ Pātshāhī and Bhāī Māhṇā Siṅgh, the Jathedār of Srī Kesgaṛh Sāhib, took part in this battle. From the minute details of the combat and of the feats displayed by some of the contestants, the poet seems to have been an eye witness to the whole campaign.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

    Ashok, Shamsher Siṅgh, ed. , Prachīn Jaṅg Nāme. Amritsar, 1950

Piārā Siṅgh Padam