Heera Singh Sandhu
Founder of the Nakai Misl
| Heera Singh Sandhu | |
|---|---|
| Founder of the Nakai Misl | |
| Reign | 1748-1767 |
| Successor | Nar Singh Nakai |
| Born | 1706 Baherwal Kalan, Punjab, Mughal Empire |
| Died | 1776 Pakpattan, Sikh Confederacy |
| Issue | Dal Singh Nakai |
| House | Nakai |
| Father | Chaudhry Sandhu |
Sardar Heera Singh Sandhu (1706–1776) was the founder of Nakai Misl, one of the twelve Sikh Misls that later became the Sikh Empire under the leadership of Ranjit Singh. Heera Singh was born in a Sandhu Jat Sikh family in present-day Pakistan.[1] He was killed in battle near Pakpattan when he partook in a battle against a Chisti Army of devotees of Baba Farid's shrine in 1776.[2]
Early Life
Heera Singh Sandhu was born into a Jat Sikh family in 1706. He was a prominent Sikh leader from Baharwal village, near Chunian, in Lahore district. He was the son of Chaudhri Hemraj, the village headman. Hira Singh embraced Sikhism in 1731, receiving initiation from Bhai Mani Singh. Inspired by the Sikhs' courage and adventurous spirit, he embarked on a series of daring raids, attracting numerous followers from neighboring villages. His plundering expeditions yielded substantial spoils, including goods, cattle, camels, and horses.[3]
Military Campaign
As the Sikhs conquered Kasur (1763) and Sarhind (1764), Hira Singh expanded his territories, occupying Baharwal, Chunian, Dipalpur, Jambar, Jethupur, Kanganpur, and Khudian. He established his stronghold in Chunian, located 60 kilometers from Lahore on the Firozpur-Multan road. Hira Singh's leadership and military prowess contributed significantly to the Sikh conquests in the region.[4]
In 1767, Hira Singh launched an assault on Pakpattan, motivated by a desire to halt cow slaughter and repel Muslim raids on Hindu and Sikh villages. (1) Shaikh Subhan Chishti, custodian of the local holy shrine, had been alerted to the impending attack and summoned neighboring Muslim tribes to defend the site. Thousands of armed men gathered in response to the call for jihad.
Hira Singh led a contingent of approximately 2,000 men into battle, but was fatally struck by a bullet to the head during the initial confrontation with Muslim forces outside Pakpattan. His followers retreated, pursued by Shaikh Subhan's 4,000 men, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. [3]
References
- ^ Gandhi, Surjit Singh (1999). Sikhs in the Eighteenth Century: Their Struggle for Survival and Supremacy. Singh Bros. ISBN 978-81-7205-217-1.
- ^ Richard M. Eaton (1984). Metcalf, Barbara Daly (ed.). Moral Conduct and Authority: The Place of Adab in South Asian Islam. University of California Press. p. 350. ISBN 9780520046603. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ a b Singha, Bhagata (1993). A History of the Sikh Misals. Patiala, India:Publication Bureau, Punjabi University.
- ^ Gupta, Hari Ram. History Of The Sikhs Vol II Evolution of Sikh Confederacies. Munshilal Manohorlal, Pvt Ltd.
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