Baghel Singh

Baghel Singh (c. 1730 – c. 1802) was a warrior leader in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th century. He rose to prominence in the area around Sutlej and Yamuna. He joined the Singh Krora Misl, one of the Misls during Sikh Confederacy. In 1765, Singh became the leader of the Misl.

Early life
Baghel Singh was born in village Chabhal Kalan, Tarn Taran district of Punjab around 1730s into a Dhaliwal Jat family. After the death of Karora Singh, Baghel Singh succeeded him to the headship of the Misl.

Military career
Soon after the Sikhs won the Battle of Sirhand in 1764, Baghel Singh extended his rule beyond Karnal and occupied a number of villages, including Chhalaudi, which became Singh's new headquarters. Singh further expanded his territory into the Cis-Sutlej states including Meerut, Saharanpur, Shahdra and Awadh. His actions were supported by Afghan allies including Zabita Khan and Ghulam Kadir.

In Ganga Doab
In February 1764, an army of 30,000 Sikh soldiers under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Baghel Singh, Sardar Tara Singh Ghaiba including other Sikh chiefs, crossed the Yamuna river and plundered Saharanpur, Shamli, Kandha, Ambli, Miranpur, Deobandi, Jawalapur, Chandausi, Muzaffarnagar, Najibabad, Khurja, Garhmukteshwar. They overran the territory of Najib ud-Daulah, acquiring from him a tribute of eleven lakh of rupees (₹ 1,100,000).

In April 1775, Singh with two other sardars, Rai Singh Bhangi and Tara Singh Ghaiba, crossed the Yamuna river to occupy land ruled by Zabita Khan, the son and successor of Najib-Ud-Daulah. In desperation, Zabita Khan offered Singh large sums of money and proposed an alliance to jointly plunder the crown lands.

Singh set up an Octroi post (taxation office) near Sabzi Mandi to collect tax on goods imported into the city. The money was used for the construction of Sikh Gurdwaras.

In March 1776, the Sikhs defeated the forces of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II near Muzaffarnagar.

Battle of Ghanaur
In 1778, Shah Alam II sent an army of about 10,000 soldiers in a counter-attack against the Sikhs. The Mughal force was led by the Wazir Mirza Najaf Khan (Nawab Majad-Ud-Daula) under the banner of the crown prince. The Mughal forces and the Sikh forces met in battle at Ghanaur, near Patiala. The Mughal army lost the battle and surrendered.

Battle of Delhi
In March 1783, Dal Khalsa under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Baghel Singh was advancing upon Delhi, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was placed on the throne of Delhi as Badshah Singh of Delhi by Sikhs but Jassa Singh Ramgarhia objected to it as it was the same throne where previous Mughal emperors sat and gave orders for execution of the Sikh Gurus, considering the throne evil and worthless. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia at once renounced the honour. Mughals agreed to construct 7 Sikh Gurudwaras in Delhi for Sikh Gurus.

Gurudwaras

 * Gurdwara Mata Sundri
 * Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
 * Gurdwara Rakab Ganj
 * Gurdwara Sis Ganj
 * Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tilla

Sack of Chandausi
In beginning of January 1785, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Baghel Singh, Gurdit Singh of Ladwa passed over Jamuna river, They plundered the village and towns of Sadaat-e-Bara, Zabita Khan did not stir out of his fort of Ghausgarh, they crossed the Ganga river and entered Rohilakhand, On 13 January, the villages of Barsi and mahmudpur were laid waste, On 14 January, They sacked Chandausi the great center of about 2000 bankers, rich merchants and jewellers was thoroughly squeezed and booty worth a crore of rupees was obtained in two days and nights,

Rise of Sikh power
In 1783, Singh entered Delhi.

Singh and the Mughal Emperor contracted that 12.5% of the "octroi" (trade tax) of Delhi would be sent to Singh. In return, he would ensure that the Sikhs did not attack the capital again.

Sikh Gurdwaras in Delhi
Singh is credited with establishing several Gurudwaras (Sikh Gurdwara's) in Delhi, including:
 * Gurdwara Mata Sundri
 * Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
 * Gurdwara Rakab Ganj
 * Gurdwara Sis Ganj
 * Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tilla

Death
Singh died in about 1802 in Hariana in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, India.