Bhai Maharaj Singh (disputed – 5 July 1856) was a notable Sikh saint-soldier (sant-sipahi) who played a significant role in the early resistance against British colonial rule in Punjab. Known for his dedication to both spiritual and martial pursuits, he became a prominent figure in the Sikh community. After the annexation of the Sikh Empire by the British, Bhai Maharaj Singh turned into an anti-colonial revolutionary, leading efforts to challenge British authority in the region.

Personal life
Born	Nihal Singh Rabbon Uchi, Ludhiana district, Punjab
Died	5 July 1856 Outram Prison, Singapore
Cause of death	Throat cancer
Children	Nanak Singh (son)
Known for	Early Sikh anti-colonial resistance fighter Sikh saint
Religious life
Religion	Sikhism
Lineage	Dera of Bhai Bir Singh Naurangabad
Dharma names	Bhagvan Singh
Religious career
Predecessor	Bhai Bir Singh Naurangabad

As a result of his opposition to British rule, he was captured and exiled. He is particularly remembered as the first recorded Sikh to have been exiled to Singapore, where he spent the later years of his life. Bhai Maharaj Singh’s legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to the defense of Sikh sovereignty and his role in the broader context of resistance against British imperialism in India. His life and struggles are an important part of the Sikh resistance history during the British colonial period.

Names

Bhai Maharaj Singh was born as Nihal Singh. After undergoing the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, he adopted the Khalsa name Bhagvan Singh. He was also known by the sobriquet Maharaj Singh and was referred to as "Karniwala" (miracle worker) or "Guru" (spiritual leader; often spelled as Gooroo in older texts). Posthumously, he became known as Karam Singh among the local Singaporean community, a name believed to have derived from his "Karniwala" appellation as a diminutive form.

Early Life

Bhai Maharaj Singh was born as Nihal Singh in Rabbon Uchi village (Raboo, Nagar Maloud) in present-day Ludhiana district, in the latter half of the 18th century. His exact birth date is debated, with sources suggesting either 3 January 1770 or 13 January 1780. His father is identified as either Kesar Singh or Gurmukh Singh. He had two brothers, Gurdial Singh and Gurbakhash Singh.

From a young age, Maharaj Singh exhibited a religious inclination and a patient demeanor. His father enrolled him in a Sikh seminary, where he received instruction in Gurbani and Gurmukhi. Recognizing his potential, the teacher at the seminary recommended that he further his education at the Dera of Bhai Tota Singh Thikriwala.

At Bhai Tota Singh's dera, Maharaj Singh deepened his knowledge of Sikh history, scripture, and philosophy, including traditional Sikh political thought. During this time, he may have taken Amrit and became immersed in Naam Simran meditation as part of his daily routine. He studied the Vedas and the Guru Granth Sahib, further honing his spiritual and intellectual development.

While at the dera, Maharaj Singh attended a katha (discourse) by the Sikh saint Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad. Impressed by Bir Singh's teachings on Sikh statecraft, Sikh vows, and seva (selfless service), Maharaj Singh decided to join Bir Singh's dera. His time at Bir Singh's dera further shaped his understanding of Sikh philosophy and his commitment to the Sikh way of life.

Religious Career

Bhai Maharaj Singh became associated with the Dera established by Bhai Bir Singh in Naurangabad, located in present-day Tarn Taran district, Punjab. During his time at the dera, he engaged in seva (selfless service), notably working as the head chef in the langar (communal kitchen), where he prepared meals for thousands of devotees who visited the dera. Local resident Gurpratap Singh recalls his selfless dedication to the langar, where he worked with love and devotion. After undergoing the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, he received the Khalsa name Bhagvan Singh, and soon became one of the most trusted disciples of Bhai Bir Singh.

During his initiation, Bhai Bir Singh imparted valuable spiritual advice to Maharaj Singh. He emphasized that by taking Amrit, Maharaj Singh was dedicating his life to the service of the Satguru and living according to the Guru's instructions, thereby purifying his mind and heart. This guidance became a foundation for Maharaj Singh's spiritual journey.

Maharaj Singh began to be known as "Maharaj" due to his habit of referring to everyone, regardless of their status or appearance, as "Maharaj" to humble himself. Ironically, the title was adopted by others, and he became known by that name. His previous names, Nihal and Bhagvan, were eventually forgotten. It was customary for Maharaj Singh to offer food to pilgrims with the phrase "take Maharaj," reflecting his humility.

At the Naurangabad Dera, Maharaj Singh learned about the Sikh concepts of miri-piri (spiritual and temporal authority). He was personally mentored by Bhai Bir Singh, who created a seminary-like environment that emphasized spiritual growth and Sikh political thought. Maharaj Singh was known for his dedication to service, including bringing water for Ishnan (holy bath) for Bhai Bir Singh during amrit vela at 3:00 a.m., and volunteering to prepare and cook meals for the langar, which served thousands of visitors daily.

Bhai Bir Singh later sent Maharaj Singh to Amritsar, where he established a base at Samdu Ka Talab. There, he was joined by Ram Singh, who would later become the Guru of the Namdhari sect. Together, they traveled across Punjab, raising awareness about the precarious state of Sikh sovereignty and the threats facing the Sikh Empire. Maharaj Singh trained his disciples in martial skills and warfare, similar to the training exercises at the Hola Mohalla festivals.

After Bhai Bir Singh's death on 7 May 1844, following an attack on the dera by the Dogra faction of the Lahore Durbar, Maharaj Singh became the leader (mahant) of the group due to his esteemed reputation. Though the dera council initially considered Khuda Singh as the new leader, Khuda Singh, known for his humility, recommended Maharaj Singh take the role. Maharaj Singh's leadership became crucial at a time when many Sikh leaders and officials from the Lahore Durbar held him in high regard.

Maharaj Singh went on to establish the Hoti Mardan Valli Sant Khalsa Sampardai order, continuing his spiritual and revolutionary efforts.

Revolutionary Activities

By the 1840s, the Sikh Empire remained the last truly independent state in India, with much of the subcontinent already colonized by European powers. Bhai Maharaj Singh is recognized as one of the earliest prominent figures who actively resisted the colonial British establishment. Amandeep Madra argues that, in the early 1840s, Maharaj Singh was one of the few, if not the only, Sikh leaders who understood the grave threat the British posed to the Sikh state and the looming risk of colonization.

Maharaj Singh's revolutionary activities gained momentum in the aftermath of the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846), just before the British East India Company completed the annexation of the Sikh Empire. During this period, he maintained communication with Maharani Jind Kaur, the widow of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and provided assistance when necessary. In 1847, when the British decided to exile Maharani Jind Kaur from Punjab in an effort to curb her influence, Maharaj Singh became involved in a plot known as the "Prema plot."

Prema Plot

The first major action in Maharaj Singh's revolutionary campaign was his involvement in an attempted assassination of Henry Lawrence and other pro-British figures within the Lahore Durbar (court) of the Sikh Empire in 1847. This event came to be known as the "Prema conspiracy case" or the "Prema plot."

Following news of his role in the conspiracy, Maharaj Singh gained significant popularity and mass appeal among the people of Punjab. Sikh leaders, including Sher Singh Attariwala, invoked Maharaj Singh's name as they sought to rally support for the anti-British insurrection. They called for Sikhs to rise up against the foreign invaders, urging them to prepare for a holy struggle to reclaim their sovereignty and sacrifice everything to liberate their homeland. The rallying cry of "Ah Wo Maharaj" became a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule.

British Attempts at Curtailing

The British attempted to restrict Bhai Maharaj Singh’s movements by confining him to Naurangabad, but he continued his revolutionary activities in secrecy, gathering around 600 followers. His properties in Amritsar were seized, and a reward was offered for his capture. In an attempt to demoralize his supporters, the British spread a false rumor claiming that Maharaj Singh had drowned while crossing the Jhelum River on his black horse. This rumor aimed to undermine his influence among the Sikh masses, who viewed him as their leader. However, after three days, the rumor was debunked, and Maharaj Singh was found to be alive and well. He had built a vast network of connections across various segments of Punjabi and Sikh society, which he maintained through frequent travel.

Escalation of Activities

When Maharaj Singh learned of Diwan Mulraj Chopra's rebellion in Multan in April 1848, he escalated his resistance. He assembled a force of 400 horsemen and traveled to Multan to assist the Sikh governor in his insurrection against the British. However, disagreements arose between the two leaders, prompting Maharaj Singh to leave for Hazara in June 1848, where he sought support from Chattar Singh Attariwala for his anti-British campaign.

Participation in the Second Anglo-Sikh War

In November 1848, Maharaj Singh participated in the Battle of Ramnagar alongside Sher Singh Attariwala. Riding his black horse, he attempted to boost the morale of the Sikh forces, urging them to fight for the defense of their nation. He also fought in the battles of Chillianwala and Gujrat. After the Battle of Gujrat, he fled to Rawalpindi and repeatedly appealed to Sikh chiefs to continue the fight against the British at Rawalpindi or Panja Sahib. However, his calls for action were ignored as the Sikh leaders were not in favor of further resistance.

James Broun-Ramsay (Lord Dalhousie), recognizing the broader goal of the Sikh resistance, remarked that these battles were not merely about reclaiming Punjab but were aimed at expelling British influence from the entire Indian subcontinent. After the surrender of Sher Singh Attariwala to the British on March 14, 1849, at Rawalpindi, Maharaj Singh continued his struggle alone.

Appeal to Surrendering Sikhs

In response to the surrender of Sikh military and political power to the British, Maharaj Singh sent a message to his fellow Sikhs, urging them to continue the fight rather than accept British subjugation:

"You own large estates now which you want to save by surrendering to the British. But let me tell you, even by accepting all the conditions of the British you may not be able to save your estates because you will be at the mercy of the conquerors and will have to accept whatever crumbs they throw towards you. It would be better if you fight and get martyrdom rather than live a wretched life of a slave."

Escape to Jammu

After evading British capture, Bhai Maharaj Singh retreated to Jammu and set up his new base of operations in secret at Dev Batala. His goal was to incite a unified rebellion, calling for all Punjabis to rise against their British rulers on a predetermined date. From there, he moved to an even more isolated location in Chambi, where he could plan without interference. He continued to send secret messages to former subjects of the Sikh Empire, urging them to reignite their fight against the British.

His network of emissaries largely consisted of discharged soldiers of the Khalsa Army, jagirdars and chiefs who had lost their estates under British rule, and religious figures like the Gosains from the Kangra hills. These individuals helped spread his message and raise funds for the resistance.

Five-Point Plan

Maharaj Singh developed a "five-point plan" to defeat the British and restore Sikh sovereignty. His goals were as follows:

1. Liberate Maharaja Dalip Singh: To free Maharaja Dalip Singh from the Lahore Fort and bring him to the Punjab Hills, using his name to reignite the freedom struggle before the British could take him abroad.
2. Unite Resistance Forces: To unite various groups that had suffered under British rule, including jagirdars, veterans, and Rajput chiefs of the hills.
3. Create Alliances: To counter the British divide-and-conquer strategy by forming alliances with Pashtun rebels from Afghanistan and local Punjabi Muslims.
4. Win Clerical Support: To gain the backing of influential Sikh and Hindu religious leaders who had vast resources and supporters.
5. Disrupt British Administration: To sabotage the British administration through guerrilla warfare, surprise raids, and promoting insurgency among the people. He also aimed to win over Sikhs serving in the British military.

Duleep Singh’s Removal from Punjab

Upon learning of the British plan to send Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, to England, Maharaj Singh saw it as a significant blow to the resistance movement. He sent six loyal followers to Lahore with plans to abduct Duleep Singh and bring him to Jammu to serve as the figurehead of a broader rebellion. However, the British caught wind of the plot and moved Duleep Singh to Mussoorie, where they also promised a large reward for information about Maharaj Singh’s whereabouts. The British tried to downplay Maharaj Singh’s influence by portraying him as merely a religious leader, but he continued to elude their efforts to capture him, earning him the nickname "Karnivala" (the wonder worker) among the people.

Preparations for Rebellion

Maharaj Singh decided to launch his rebellion from Sajuwal in the Batala district, where he planned offensives against British cantonments in Hoshiarpur, Hajipur, and Jalandhar. In order to carry out his plan, he needed both funds and manpower. He sought assistance from common people and reached out to Afghan rulers, including Amir Dost Mohammad Khan and Sultan Mohammad Khan, but the Afghans refused to help. Similarly, attempts to secure assistance from the Maharaja of Bikaner and Gulab Singh of Kashmir were unsuccessful.

Despite these setbacks, prominent Sikh figures, including Bikram Singh Bedi, a direct descendant of Guru Nanak, pledged their support. The Kangra State’s royalty and other important families committed to supplying troops, funds, and provisions for the rebellion.

Rising Support and Plans for Action

By late 1849, the British had become aware of the growing conspiracy and had begun restricting the movements of those associated with Maharaj Singh. However, he continued to gain support from various factions within the Sikh community, including couriers who had worked with Jind Kaur and other Sikh leaders during the pre-annexation period.

Maharaj Singh then moved his base to Hoshiarpur in December 1849, where he had made arrangements with influential local families to plunder the British treasury at Bajwara and launch an attack on the New Hoshiarpur cantonment. His operatives had successfully gathered around 4,000 men at Datarpur near Hajipur, and similar preparations were underway in Majha, Malwa, and Hazara.

The Date Set for Rebellion

The date for the attacks on the British cantonments in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar was set for January 3, 1850. This would mark the beginning of what Maharaj Singh referred to as the "National War." The date was decided at a secret meeting in Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur, with all the involved factions agreeing to the plan. As the date drew near, Maharaj Singh made secret visits to areas within the Jalandhar Doab to oversee the final preparations and ensure the success of the rebellion.

Despite these ambitious plans, the efforts of Bhai Maharaj Singh and his supporters would eventually face insurmountable obstacles, as the British Empire's hold over the region continued to tighten.

Arrest

Bhai Maharaj Singh's eventual capture came after a series of miscalculations during his efforts to keep his rebellion alive. His decision to move to Adampur in December 1849 led to his downfall. At the time, a substantial bounty of 10,000 rupees had been placed on his head—an enormous sum for the period. A Muslim informer tipped off the authorities, likely motivated by the financial reward, and on December 28, 1849, Bhai Maharaj Singh was arrested in a sugarcane field in Adampur along with 21 of his followers by British officer Henry Vansittart.

Initially, Bhai Maharaj Singh was incarcerated in the Jalandhar jail. However, due to growing public support from thousands of Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims who visited him, the British decided to relocate him for his safety and to quell further uprisings. He was moved to Allahabad Fort prison and later transferred to Fort William in Calcutta, where he would be held under military authority.

Impressions and Special Treatment

British officers were deeply impressed by Bhai Maharaj Singh's character. Donald McLeod, the commissioner of Jalandhar, remarked that he was a man of remarkable qualities, likening him to a saint with exceptional self-control and foresight. His leadership qualities inspired deep loyalty among his followers, and he had the ability to foresee events, which contributed to his reputation as a leader who could unite the masses.

Henry Vansittart, who had captured Maharaj Singh, was similarly impressed. He requested that Maharaj Singh be given special treatment, acknowledging his extraordinary influence on the people. However, the British government was keen to neutralize any threat to their rule, particularly one as charismatic and capable as Bhai Maharaj Singh.

Exile to Singapore

Recognizing the danger posed by Maharaj Singh's continued presence in India, the British decided to exile him to Singapore. On March 23, 1850, the Governor General of India, James Broun-Ramsay, issued the order for his exile, along with his trusted companion, Khurruck Singh. The two were to be held in solitary confinement until their death.

Vansittart paid a final tribute to Maharaj Singh, noting that he was regarded by the native population with reverence akin to that of Jesus Christ by devout Christians. His miracles, witnessed by tens of thousands, were believed in as deeply as those attributed to ancient prophets, which further solidified his status as a figure of immense influence.

Bhai Maharaj Singh's arrest and subsequent exile marked the end of his active resistance against the British, but his legacy as a leader and symbol of Sikh resistance endured among the people.