Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (1723–1803) was a renowned Sikh commander and influential figure during the Sikh Confederacy period, best known as the founder of the Ramgarhia Misl.
Early Life
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| Born | 5 May 1723 Ichogill, Lahore |
| Died | 1803 (aged 79–80) |
| Known for |
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| Successor | Jodh Singh Ramgarhia who ceded his territories to Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Baghel Singh |
| Father | Bhagwan Singh |
| Relatives | Hardas Singh (grandfather) |
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was born in 1723 into a Sikh family. His place of birth is debated, with some sources suggesting Ichogil near Lahore, while others mention Lahore, Guga, or Sur Singh near Amritsar. His father, Bhagwan Singh, was the son of Hardas Singh. Belonging to the Tarkhan community, Jassa Singh was originally known as Jassa Singh Thoka (Jassa Singh the Carpenter). He had four brothers—Jai Singh, Khushal Singh, Mali Singh, and Tara Singh—and assumed leadership of the family after the passing of his father, Giani Bhagwan Singh.
Rising to prominence, Jassa Singh commanded a Sikh Misl, later recognized as the Ramgarhia Misl. He constructed the Ram Rauni fort in Amritsar in honor of Guru Ram Das. Initially working under Adina Beg, he was appointed as a risaldar (cavalry commander) and, in 1752, reconstructed the fort, renaming it Ramgarh, which inspired his new title, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
Concerned about the growing influence of the Sikhs, Mir Mannu, the Governor of Lahore, ordered attacks on the Sikhs and tasked Adina Beg, the Jalandhar Faujdar, with their persecution. Adina Beg, however, secretly aligned with the Sikhs to balance power. Jassa Singh joined forces with Adina Beg, developing ties with Dewan Kaura Mal in Lahore and securing key positions for Sikhs in the Jalandhar region.
When Mir Mannu ordered an assault on Ram Rauni Fort to crush the Sikhs, Jassa Singh, leading Jalandhar’s forces, was compelled to participate. However, he secretly supported the Sikhs and eventually helped lift the siege with Dewan Kaura Mal’s intervention. The fort was fortified and renamed Ramgarh, with Jassa Singh gaining prominence as the Jathedar (leader).
The conflict escalated when Mir Mannu intensified his crackdown on the Sikhs. With only 900 defenders left, the Sikhs courageously fought their way out, though the fort was eventually destroyed. Following Mir Mannu's death in 1753, Punjab was left without strong leadership. Taking advantage of this, Jassa Singh reclaimed territory around Amritsar, rebuilt the fort, and resumed Sikh efforts to protect the local population from external threats.
In 1758, Adina Beg became the Governor of Lahore. The Sikhs rebuilt the Ramgarh Fort and restored the Harmandir Sahib. However, fearing Sikh dominance, Adina Beg sent a large army under Mir Aziz Bakshi. Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, along with Jai Singh Kanhaiya and other Sikh leaders, defended the fort valiantly. Despite multiple counterattacks causing significant losses among the besiegers, the Sikhs eventually had to evacuate the fort.
Military Career
Collaboration with Jai Singh Kanhaiya
After the death of Adina Beg in 1758, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia allied with Jai Singh Kanhaiya and captured Sri Hargobindpur and Miani. He established his headquarters at Sri Hargobindpur, strengthening his territorial control.
Conflict with Jai Singh Kanhaiya
In 1763, Jassa Singh, alongside Jai Singh Kanhaiya and Hari Singh Dhillon, sacked Kasur. The Ramgarhias and Kanhaiyas shared the spoils equally. However, Jassa Singh attempted to claim all the booty for himself, leading to tensions and the deterioration of his relationship with Jai Singh Kanhaiya.
Resistance Against Ahmad Shah Durrani
During Ahmad Shah Durrani's seventh invasion in the winter of 1764–1765, Jassa Singh played a key role in harassing the Afghan forces. The Sikhs launched a surprise attack on the Afghan army near the western bank of the Satluj, forcing Durrani's troops into battle formation. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia stood firm in the center of the Sikh forces, with Jassa Singh Ramgarhia by his side, displaying remarkable courage. Afghan chronicler Qazi Nur Muhammad noted Ramgarhia’s distinct war drum and flag during this battle.
In 1767, during Durrani's eighth invasion, he attempted to cross the Beas River but was obstructed by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. A fierce battle ensued, resulting in Ahluwalia being severely wounded. Following this, Ramgarhia, having succeeded Hari Singh Dhillon as the leader of the Taruna Dal, assumed command of the Dal Khalsa.
Campaigns in the Hills
In 1770, Jassa Singh led a plundering campaign into the hill regions. He defeated Raja Ghamand Chand, the most powerful hill ruler, at the Battle of Talwara on the banks of the Beas River. Following this victory, Raja Ghamand Chand and other hill rulers became tributaries, with Jassa Singh collecting around two lakh rupees as tribute from the Kangra State.
Inter-Misl Warfare
Conflict with Jai Singh Kanhaiya and the Bhangi Misl
A significant conflict emerged between Jai Singh Kanhaiya and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, while the Bhangi Misl also developed tensions with Jai Singh Kanhaiya. This led to a major battle where Jai Singh Kanhaiya, Charat Singh, and Jassa Singh Ahluwalia united against the combined forces of the Bhangis, Ramgarhias, and their allies. The Bhangi-led coalition suffered a defeat in this confrontation.
Capture of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia
In 1775, while Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was traveling to Achal near Batala, he was ambushed by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia’s brothers—Khushal Singh, Tara Singh, and Mali Singh. Ahluwalia was captured during the attack. However, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia personally apologized for his brothers' actions, releasing Ahluwalia with honor and gifts. Despite this gesture, tensions escalated further, prompting Ahluwalia to take an oath to expel the Ramgarhias from Punjab.
Siege and Expulsion
In 1778, Jai Singh Kanhaiya, alongside Haqiqat Singh Kanhaiya and supported by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, launched a coordinated attack on Jassa Singh Ramgarhia’s headquarters at Sri Hargobindpur. After fierce resistance, Ramgarhia was ultimately defeated and forced to retreat to the arid regions of Hansi and Hisar, where he established his new base at Tosham.
In Exile
Entry into Delhi and the Red Fort (1783)
In March 1783, upon hearing that the Dal Khalsa, under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, was advancing toward Delhi, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia joined the campaign on March 10. On March 11, the Dal Khalsa entered the royal palaces of the Red Fort. During a ceremonial gathering at the Diwan-i-Am, Ahluwalia was declared "Badshah Singh of Delhi" by the Sikh forces. However, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, despite being in the minority, challenged Ahluwalia's ascension and demanded he step down immediately. Tensions escalated, and both leaders drew their swords. However, Ahluwalia chose to renounce the honor, preventing further conflict.
Ramgarhia then symbolically dismantled the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s throne, on which he had ordered the execution of the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. The throne was transported to Amritsar and placed in the Ramgarhia Bunga at the Golden Temple, where it remains preserved today.
Raids Across the Yamuna (1784)
In January 1784, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, along with Karam Singh Nirmala, crossed the Yamuna River and raided the towns of Sarsawa and nearby regions. Zabita Khan, the local ruler, dispatched Qutabi Ranghar and Nahar Singh Gujjar with a contingent to repel the Sikh advance. When Zabita Khan’s envoy visited the Sikh camp, Jassa Singh demanded ₹50,000 in tribute to spare his territory. Eventually, Zabita Khan paid ₹10,000 and agreed to provide the same amount annually as tribute.
The Sikh forces continued their campaign, sacking Naula village, Meerut, Saharanpur, and Muzaffarnagar. After crossing the Yamuna again at Barari Ghat, Jassa Singh returned to Tosham, where he deposited the collected wealth.
Campaign into Rohilkhand (1785)
In early January 1785, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, accompanied by Baghel Singh and Gurdit Singh of Ladwa, crossed the Yamuna River again and plundered villages and towns controlled by the Sadaat-e-Bara community. Despite the devastation, Zabita Khan refrained from leaving his fort at Ghausgarh. The Sikh forces then crossed the Ganga River into Rohilkhand.
On January 13, the villages of Barsi and Mahmudpur were plundered. The following day, the town of Chandausi, a major hub of over 2,000 wealthy bankers, merchants, and jewelers, was attacked. The Sikh forces obtained an enormous booty, estimated at over one crore rupees, after two days of extensive plundering.
Reconquest of Former Territory
The Battle of Achal (1785)
In 1785, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia shifted his focus back to Punjab, as tensions had escalated between Jai Singh Kanhaiya and Maha Singh over the division of booty from Jammu. Seeking allies, Maha Singh invited Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and Sansar Chand Katoch, both adversaries of Jai Singh Kanhaiya, to form a coalition against him.
Jassa Singh quickly mobilized his forces from Tosham and coordinated with Maha Singh's agents at Jagraon to devise a strategic plan. Bhag Singh Ahluwalia pledged neutrality in the conflict. Despite Jai Singh's attempts to block the advance, the confrontation culminated in a fierce battle near Achal, approximately 13 kilometers from Batala, in mid-February 1785. Jai Singh's eldest son, Gurbaksh Singh Kanhaiya, was killed in the battle.
Following this victory:
- Jassa Singh successfully reclaimed his ancestral territories.
- Sansar Chand Katoch seized Jai Singh's lands at the foot of the hills.
- Maha Singh annexed portions of the Kanhaiya territories, leaving Jai Singh with only a few strongholds, including Kangra Fort and Atalgarh near Mukerian.
After the battle, Jassa Singh established his headquarters at Batala.
Death and Legacy
Jassa Singh Ramgarhia passed away in 1803 at the age of 80. His contributions to the Sikh faith and his military leadership were honored with the installation of an equestrian statue in Amritsar, Punjab, commemorating his legacy as a prominent Sikh warrior and statesman. Throughout his life, he played a pivotal role in the defense and expansion of Sikh territories, and his leadership in battles was crucial in shaping the fate of the Sikh Confederacy.
As a founder of the Ramgarhia Misl, he left behind a legacy of military strategy, territorial governance, and loyalty to the Sikh cause. The equestrian statue in Amritsar serves as a symbol of his valor and unwavering commitment to the Sikh faith. It stands as a testament to his pivotal role in Sikh military and political history, inspiring generations to come with his story of courage, resilience, and service to the Sikh community.
Additionally, Ramgarhia's legacy is preserved through the various traditions, stories, and accounts that celebrate his life and deeds, ensuring that his contributions are never forgotten in the annals of Sikh history.
References
- (No date) Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Available at: https://dvnetwork.org/page/jassa-singh-ramgarhia (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
- Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (no date) Jassa Singh Ramgarhia - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia. Available at: https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Jassa_Singh_Ramgarhia (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
- Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (no date) Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia | Discover Sikhism. Available at: https://www.discoversikhism.com/sikhs/sardar_jassa_singh_ramgarhia.html (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
- Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia’s life and allegation (2024) SikhNet. Available at: https://www.sikhnet.com/news/sardar-jassa-singh-ramgarhias-life-and-allegation (Accessed: 16 January 2025).
