Hari Singh Dhillon

Sardar Hari Singh Bhangi (died 1764), was a royal Sikh warrior of the 18th century, who succeeded the Bhangi Misl from Bhuma Singh.[1] He was known as Sardar Hari Singh bhangi because he was very good at making medical marijuana (Bhang) which was used to treat the injured Sikh soldiers. His ancestors were also called bhangi sardars. He is mistaken as a Bhang (marijuana) addict because of his last name, Bhangi. In some old texts Bhang means chicken’s meat not marijuana. Also marijuana was widely used in medicine during those times. He belonged to village Panjwar. He started building qila bhangian in Amritsar which is now known as Gobindgarh Fort. He also built a market in Amristar which is known as katra Hari Singh. He was the one who captured Kasur in 1763 which was a stronghold of the Afghans. He also looted a lot of the enemy’s asle khanes (defense rooms with gunpowder, guns, etc…). In 1764, he captured Bahawalpur and Multan. Crossing the River Indus he realized tribute from Baluchi chiefs in the districts of Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Isma'il Khan.

As a king

He was Maharaja of Amritsar, Lahore and large areas of central and western Panjab. He was the nephew of Bhuma Singh Dhillon, a Sikh soldier. He military defended Amritsar.

Position in Dal Khalsa

Such was the respect and admiration of the Sikh community for Hari Singh, that at the formation of the Dal Khalsa in 1748, he was made leader of the Taruna Dal founded in (1734) at Amritsar which is considered to be one of the greatest honours given, in the 18th century, to any Sikh.

War against Afghans

He fought against the Afghans with the help of his friends Sardar Charhat Singh Sukerchakia (died 1770) (the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) and Baron Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, during Ahmed Shah Abdali's sixth invasion of Punjab. He was an intelligent leader, a progressive soldier and a wise statesman. The author of Tarikh-e-Punjab writes that "Hari Singh was clever, powerful and a man of shining abilities."

Succession

His two sons were Jhanda Singh Dhillon and Ganda Singh Dhillon. He based his headquarters around Amritsar.

See also

References
  1. Duggal, Kartar Singh (2001). Maharaja Ranjit Singh, The Last To Lay Arms, p. 85. Abhinav Publications, 31 Oct 2001.
  • The Sikh Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of Sikh Misls. Edition:2001.

2. In speech of Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke (Sikh historian). Speech video is on YouTube in Punjabi. Title: “Ki Sikh Dharam Vich Bhang Di Varto Jaiz Hai?”

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