BHĀG SIṄGH, RĀJĀ (1760-1819), born on 23 September 1760, succeeded his father, Gajpat Siṅgh, to the gaddī of Jīnd state in 1789. He was a man of extraordinary vigour, intelligence and diplomatic astuteness. Like his father, he was also a close ally of Paṭiālā and joined hands with Bībī Sāhib Kaur's troops in 1794 against the Marāṭhās. He was mainly responsible for checking the advance of George Thomas towards Sikh territories and later on of General Perron of the Marāṭhā service. He maintained friendly relations with the British and accompanied Lord Lake to the River Beās in pursuit of Jasvaṅt Rāo Holkār. He was deputed by the British General to persuade his nephew, Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh, not to espouse the hopeless Marāṭhā cause. Bhāg Siṅgh's mediation in behalf of the British helped pave the way for the first Anglo-Sikh treaty of 1806. He gained in territory both from the British and Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh. Ludhiāṇā, later acquired by the British for establishing a political agency, once belonged to him.

        Rājā Bhāg Siṅgh died in 1819 and was succeeded by his son, Fateh Siṅgh.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

Sardār Siṅgh Bhāṭīā