2017-06-13 Tue

Indian history is sometimes subjected to dynasties to get a central and parallel view of aspects. History is subjected in this way because the perception of these events is always written from winner’s point of view. To understand all the focal points, historians divide it to particular section or house. The fine example are the Mughal, Rajputs, Manikya, Ahom, Sikh, etc.

Today we are going to discuss a single section of Sikh history. Whenever you read and talk about the history of Punjab one name always comes forward Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Today we are going to talk about a King prior to Ranjit Singh, his name was Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. We will learn and discuss how he and his descents are known to Indian history.

Jassa Singh founded the State of Kapurthala in 1772. He was a prominent Sikh leader during Sikh Confederacy and the Misldar of Ahluwalia Army. He trained under Nawab Kapur Singh who made Jassa Singh his successor in 1753. Khalsa honoured him with the title of Sultan-ul-Qaum (King of the whole people).

His descendants and chief advisors remained powerful till the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later on, the British government granted an area of Oudh to Maharaja Randhir Singh Bahadur (descendant of Jassa Singh).

This state issued postal stamps like other Princely State of British India. This green coloured stamp depicts the portrait of a Maharaja.

This state joins the independent Union of India in 1948 and today it's the part of Punjab State in northern India.

To learn more about Princely state click here.