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A legendary Sikh hero who was
a contemporary of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh. Akali Phula Singh
was baptized by Baba Naina
Singh, leader of the Shahid misl.
In due course of time, he rose to
become its most respected leader
himself and the head priest of
the Akal Takht, Amritsar. So
powerful was he among the
Sikhs that he was able to
administer punishment to
Maharaja Ranjit Singh for
having relationship with
'Moran', the Muslim courtesan,
for the sake of the Sikh Code of
Conduct.
Akali Phula Singh was born in 1 761 in the village Shinh in Bangar area, in the present day
district of Sangroor. His father, Sardar Ishar Singh of Nishanwala Misal, was seriously
wounded in the Great Holocaust in 1762, and died shortly thereafter. Akali Phula Singh
was deeply religious from early child-hood. He joined an order of Nihangs, also
described as Akalis, the immortals, at an early age and became the leader of this devout
band of reckless fighters. Akali Phula Singh did not marry. He settled down in Amritsar,
where a burj (tower) and a dayra called Nihangan di chhaoni still stands in his memory.
He had dedicated his life to the care of Sikh shrines and loved to serve people in
accordance with the Guru's message.
In 1802, in response to the request of the leading citizens of Amritsar, and to make
Amritsar part of his domain, Maharaja Ranjit Singh laid siege to the city. The city was in
the hands of Bhangi Misal chiefs. Both the forces faced each other and were ready to
shed blood. Akali Phula Singh was dis-tressed to find Sikh forces engaged in fighting
among themselves. After consulting the respectable citizens, he marched out along with
them and stood between the opposing forces. He succeeded in persuading them to stop
fighting. The Bhangi Sardars surrendered one by one, and the fort of Amritsar passed into
the Maharaja's hands.
At the request of the Maharaja, Phula Singh joined his army along with 3,000 Nihangs.
They were well known for their daredevil courage and their freedom in speaking their
mind. Akali Phula Singh was a fierce and selfless warrior. He participated in many battles,
and every time, distinguished himself by his outstanding courage and fearlessness against
the heaviest odds, as at Kasur, Multan, and Naushera. Ranjit Singh owed many victories
to the glorious valour of the Nihangs.
Phula Singh died fighting near Naushera in 1823, where, across the river Kabul, his
memorial still stands as a witness to his undying chivalry.
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The tomb in memory of Akali Phula Singh
The tomb as it is now
It was in this battle that Akali Phula Singh's fearless troops took the lead and, without a
moment's thought, plunged their horses in the swollen and turbulent river. Everyone,
including Maharaja Ranjit Singh, followed suit. Akali Phula Singh was in the midst of the
severest fighting. A deadly hand-to-hand fight took place between the Nihangs and the
Ghazis. Akali Phula Singh was wounded in the thigh and could not stand. He bandaged
his wound and rode back into the thick of the battle on horseback.
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(photo courtesy royal asiatic society)
Then he got more wounds and his horse was shot under him, so he climbed into a
howdah and drove the elephant into the midst of the enemy. The Ghazis could now see
the man who had humbled them so often. They fired at him from all sides and riddled his
body with bullets. He collapsed in his howdah, exhorting the Nihangs with the last breath
of his body, not to give way. The news of his death fur-ther infuriated the Nihangs. They
gave no quarter to the enemy. The Ghazis could not stand the Nihangs' charge. They got
disorganised and took to their heels, leaving their 4,000 dead, or dying, in the bafllefield
saying: "Toba, toba-, Khuda Khud, Khalsa Shud" (God forbid, but it appears, God
himself has turned a Khalsa!). (Courtesy Dr. Santokh Singh-The Guru's Word)
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The Battle of Peshawar was one
of the bloodiest battles ever
fought by the Sikhs. It was
mainly due to the bravery of S.
Hari Singh Nalwa and Akali
Phula Singh that this area of
the Afghans, which was under
their domain for over 500 years
was at last brought under the
Sikh rule. Here Maharaja Ranjit
Singh greets Akali Phula Singh
before the historic battle.
He took considerable
interest in the
construction and
improvement of
gurdwaras at Anandpur,
Damdama Sahib and
other places. His
headquarters were at
Amritsar where a tower
exists in his name (Burj
Akali Phula Singh).
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One rare painting of Saint -Soldier
Akali Phula Singh
A very old painting of Akali
Phula Singh printed in 1923
Another very rare and old
painting of the Sikh Warrior
Battle of Naushehra amongst the turki hills
where the brave Akali Phoola Singh lost his
life.