Ramgarhia

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The Ramgarhia community is a tribe/caste of the Punjab region in India which started from the Ramgarhia Misl (army). The founder & the Baron of the Ramgarhia Misl was Baron Nand Singh Sanghania and its members were Sikhs from different tribes. But today, Ramgarhia is associated mainly with the Tarkhan tribe because of its later famous Baron, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, who was a Tarkhan.

[edit] History of the Ramgarhia Misl

Ramgarhia community originated from the Sikh's Ramgharia Misl affiliated with the Sikh Confederacy. The Baron (or Misldhar) of Ramgharia Misl was Nand Singh,he was succeeded by Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Name Ramgarhia was taken after winning a major battle near the village of Ramghar.

The founder of the Ramgarhia Misl was Khushal Singh of Guga village near Amritsar. Khushal Singh was succeeded by, Nand Singh Sanghania who belonged to village Sanghani near Amritsar. After his death he was succeeded by Jassa Singh (1723-1803), under whose stewardship the band assumed the status and the name of the Misl.[1]

Hardas Singh, the grandfather of Jassa Singh, was the resident of Suringh which is situated about nineteen miles east of Khem Karan, in the present district of Amritsar. Hardas Singh was initiated into the Khalsa faith by Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself from whose hands he took Amrit/pahul (the Sikh baptismal oath) and fought some battles at Guru Ji’s side. After the death of the Guru, he joined the forces of Banda Bahadur and took part in almost every religious battle under his flag against the Mughal Empire. In 1716 AD., he died in a skirmish. After him his son, Sardar Bhagwan Singh became the head of the family, and with 200 followers entered the Imperial Mughal forces under the Governor of Lahore. Owing to his ability he rose to be a distinguished officer. He died fighting for his master in 1739 at Lahore, when Nadir Shah invaded India and the Governor resisted him ineffectually. He had five sons. Baron Jassa Singh, the eldest, now became the head of the family. He was appointed a Risaldar by the Governor of Lahore, and the following villages were given to him : Jagir Valla, Verka, Sultanwind, Tung and Chabba (all of these are now in the Amritsar district). The Sehmi Clan of Nawan Pind in Valla/ Verka today hold the spirit of Jassa Singh's endeavours. On the death of Khan Bahadur, the Governor of Lahore, in 1746, Baron Jassa Singh, together with his followers, joined his Sikh brethren at Amritsar.

[edit] Sardar Jassa Singh

At this time the celebrated Adina Beg Khan, the Imperial Governor of the Jullundur Doab, exercised great influence in the Punjab. As there was constant quarrelling between him and the Sikhs, Baron Jassa Singh was sent to him as their ambassador by the Sikhs, who considered the Sardar one of the ablest men among themselves. From all accounts Sardar Jassa Singh was a tall, handsome young man, possessing rare intellectual qualities. Khan was so pleased with him that he granted all the demands of the Sikhs, to plead for which Baron Jassa Singh had been sent. Moreover, Adina Beg took him and his brothers into his service and made him the Tahsildar over a large district. He remained for a long time in the service of the Governor.

[edit] The Ghallughara ('Holocaust')

When Prince Timur, son of Ahmad Shah Abdali, marched against Adina Beg, the latter retreated towards the hills to the north and Baron Jassa Singh and his brothers left him and went to Amritsar, where they joined the forces of Nand Singh Sanghania. The younger brother of Sardar Jassa Singh was at this time killed in action with the Afghans near Majitha. After the terrible blow dealt to the Sikhs by Abdali, in the Battle of Ghallughara('Holocaust'), in which 17,000 Sikhs fell, the three brothers, Jassa Singh, Mali Singh and Tara Singh, with Jai Singh Kanhaiya (Leader of the Kanhaiya Misl), were reduced to the necessity of hiding in jungles and subsisting on whatever chance threw in their way. They had, however, the temerity to visit Amritsar to bathe in the sacred tank, and pillaged the suburbs of the city. When attacked by the Shah's troops they fired off their matchlocks and fled to the jungles. After the departure of Ahmad Shah, Jassa Singh with his brothers Mali Singh and Tara Singh, and Jai Singh Kanhaiya emerged from their jungle retreat, and collecting their followers ravaged the country far and wide, building forts and establishing military outposts. When Khawaja Obed, the Governor of Lahore, attacked the Sikh fort at Gujranwala, he was opposed by the united forces of the Ramgarhias and Kanhaiyas and the guns, ammunition and treasure left by the Governor were equally divided by the Barons of the two Misls.

[edit] Victory and continued occupation of Lahore

The Afghan prince and his guardian, seeing that all their attempts to disperse the Sikhs had failed, and that the number of the insurgents was daily increasing by thousands, and realising that the forces at their own disposal, however well armed and disciplined, were not strong enough to stand before them, considered it prudent to evacuate Lahore and retire towards the Chenab. They retreated in the night, unknown even to their own Hindustani troops, whom they distrusted, and in such haste that the royal family fell into the hands of the enemy, though they were subsequently released. This took place about the middle of 1758. The triumphant Sikhs occupied Lahore under their celebrated leaders, Baron Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and the Ramgarhia Baron of that name. Thus the Sikhs became for the first time masters of Lahore.

Later Ranjit Singh incorporated Ramgahia Misl into Sarkar Khalsa and thus a one unified Khalsa kingdom was created.'

[edit] List of Ramgarhia Surnames

Here is a List of few of the ramgarhia surnames.

Asi or AssiAttwal, Aulakh, Bajwa,Bansal, Birdi, Basrai, Bassan, Bhamra, Bhogal, Bhuie, Bhullar, Chahal, Channi, Chilotra, Dadiala, Devgan Dhanjal, Dhiman, Flora, Notta, Florey, Ghatorhe, Hunjan, Hanjrah, Hans, Hanspal, Jabbal, Jhandu, Jheethe, Kalsi, Khokhar,jhans,Kakkar, Lotey Mankoo, Mann, Marwaha, Matharoo, Mudher, Munde, Muttar, Nagi, Osahan,Padam, Palaha, Panessar, Pannu,Riat,Ramanna, Rihal, Rooprai Sagoo, Sandhu,Seehra,Sohal,Sokhi, Soorajbansi, Thethi, Ubhi, Uppal, Virdi, Warhaich, Zinta, Soor,Sembhi,Sokhey

[edit] Eminent Ramgharias

[edit] Political, Religious and Miscellaneous Figures

• Bhai Laalo - the first Ghatora tarkhan to be directly blessed by Guru Nanak Dev ji Himself
• Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia - Leader of Ramgharia Misl, Jathedar and holder of keys to the Golden Temple.
• Sarmukh Singh Chamak - Gurudwara reform movement leader and Indian Freedom fighter.
• Arjan Singh Gargaj - Gurudwara reform movement leader and Indian Freedom fighter.
• Satguru Ram Singh Jee - Satguru Ram Singh ji Maharaj is one of the greatest social reformers, a spiritual teacher and national leader.
• Baba Nand Singh ji - The life of Baba Nand Singh ji is also the life of highest type of 'Saint'.
• Bhai Sukha Singh Kalsi - Sikh Warrior and Leader in Buddha Dal.
• Bhai Roop Chand Ji Khokhar - Sikh Warrior and trusted Lietenant of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji.
• Bhai Dharam Singh - Bhai Roop Chand's son and warrior of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
• Bhai Param Singh - Bhai Roop Chand's son and warror of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
• Bhai Dharma Singh - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Param Singh - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Karam Singh - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Mahanand Singh - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Sadanand Singh - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Surtia - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Bhai Sukhia ji - Sikh Warrior and son of Bhai Dharam Singh.
• Hardas Singh - Trusted Warrior of Guru Gobind Singh.
• Bhagwan Singh - Scholar and Warrior during Sikh Misl Period.
• Jai Singh - Sikh Warrior and Misl General.
• Khushal Singh - Sikh Warrior and Misl General.
• Mali Singh - Sikh Warrior and Misl General.
• Tara Singh Bhambra - Sikh Warrior, Misl General and expert in the Sikh Martial Art of Gatka.
• Giani Zail Singh - Chief Minister of Punjab and First Sikh President of India.
• Dalip Singh Saund - First Sikh United States Senator.
• Sardar Bahadur Karnail Singh - Chairman, Indian Railways and brother of Dalip Singh Saund
• Sardar Ganda Singh - the man who played a decisive role in developing the railway network in the North-East in the 20s
• Justice Mota Singh - First Sikh Law Lord in United Kingdom.
• Air Marshal Shiv Dev Singh - IAF leading light and 2nd World War Veteran.
• Bhai Ranjit Singh Ghattora - Jathedar At Golden Temple and chastiser of the Nirankari Cult.
• Sardar Sardul Singh Caveeshar - Indian Freedom Fighter.
• S. Karam Singh Bhogal - Indian Freedom Fighter and Partcipant in the Jaito Ji Morcha.
• Shaheed Sundar Singh - Son of Bhai Gian Singh Saggu and Martyr of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
• Sardar Chanan Singh Hunjan - Barrister at Law and Chief Judge of the Kenyan High Court. Close friend of President Jomo Kenyatta.
• Jaswant Singh Bharaj - Freedom Fighter who fought against British Colonialism in India and Africa.
• Priyadarshan Singh - DGM, Bank of Baroda
• Sardul Singh Marwa MBE; JP - Birmingham Councillor, Justice of Peace

[edit] Eminent Writers

• Dr. Harbhajan Singh - winner of Kabir and Saraswati Sanmaans and Professor Emeritus, University of Delhi
• Hazara Singh Gurdaspuri - best known for the "vaars" he wrote in Punjabi
• Tara Singh Kaamal - best known satirist
• Suba Singh - best known humor-writer, also press-advisor to Giani Zail Singh, then Chief Minister of Punjab
• Giani Ditt Singh - best known for his seminal book "Mera Pind"
• Gurdial Singh - eminent novelist, winner of Bhartiya Gyanpeeth Award
• Atam Hamrahi - Eminent folklorist and poet from the Malwa region
• Jaswant Singh Virdi - eminent short-story writer based in Chandigarh
• Ajmer Rode - Canada-based eminent poet, dramaturg and translator
• Navtej Bharti - Canada-based eminent poet and prose writer
• Surjit Paatar - amongst the best known Punjabi poets today
• Surinder Kaur Chahal - Canada-based eminent poetess
• Madan Gopal Singh - Lyricist and Composer for "Khamosh Pani"
• Munna Dhiman - Lyricist for "Nishabd"

[edit] Sports Personalities

• Joginder Singh - Winner of the African Safari
• Joginder Singh Gindi - Member, Indian Hockey Team in the 60s
• Virender Singh - famous right-half of the Indian hockey team that won the 1975 World Cup
• Harbhajan Singh Plaha - Indian Cricketer.
• Monty Panesar - England Cricketer.
• Gursharan Singh - played for the Indian test team
• Bahadur Singh Saggu - Indian Strongman and Olympic Shotputter and Asian Games Gold Medalist.
• Jatinder Singh Mudarh - Indian Strongman and given the title "The Strongest Man in Panjab".
• Mandeep Singh Bhogal - AKA Iron Singh - American BodyBuilder.

[edit] Television & Media Personalities

• Ameet Channa - British Film Actor.
• Kulvinder Ghir - Actor/Comedian Goodness Gracious Me.
• Satnam Bhogal - Actor - Holby City
• Suzanne Virdee - News Presenter.
• vicky bhogal - UK TV Cheff & Author.
• Ajay Devgan - Indian film personality and super star.

• Kanwaljeet Singh - Punjabi film star, acted in a number of serials and punjabi films with harbhajan maan

[edit] Music Personalities

• Baba Jwala Singh Thatte Tibbewale - greatest exponent of Gurbani Kirtan
• Bhai Santa Singh - the best known Gurbani Kirtankaar
• Bhai Surjan Singh - Equally well-known Kirtankaar
• Bhai Sumand Singh - Vintage Kirtankaar of Agra Gharana
• Bhai Avtar Singh Gurcharan Singh - the best known Kirtankaar in Dhrupad Ang
• Bhai Balbir Singh - Another stalwart in Gurbani Kirtan
• Bhai Baldeep Singh - An institution in himself at a young age[2]
• Bhai Manjit Singh - Amongst the most melodious kirtankaars today
• Ustad Gurdev Singh - Amongst the ablest disciples of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
• Dr Madan Gopal Singh - Best known for his renditions of Sufi texts
• Bally Sagoo - World Famous Music Producer and first Sikh Artist to cross over to UK Charts.
• Surinder Shinda - Panjabi Folk Singer and Icon.
• Late Mohan Singh Musapuri - Legendary Classical Singer.
• Jaswant Bhanwara - Eminent Musician. Guru of Sukhvinder
• Jagjit Singh - World renowned religious singer and famous ghazal artist.
• Talvin Singh - Musician and world renowned percussionist.
• Kuljit Bhambra - Music producer (for groups such as Heera and Premi).
• Kulwant Bhambra - Singer and one half of duo in Apna Sangeet.
• Sardar Sukhvinder "Pinky" Bharaj - Renowned Tabla Player.
• Prof. Harchand Singh Kalsi - Musician.
• Amarjyot - Singer with the famous Amar Singh Chamkila.
• Hazara Singh Ramta - Panjabi Folk and comedy singer.
• Johnny Kalsi - World Famous Dholi.
• Jagmohan Kaur - Panjabi Folk singer.
• Ranjit Kaur - Panjabi Folk singer with Mohd. Saddiq.
• Didar Sandhu - (Ramgarhia-Sandhu) Famous Folk Singer.

[edit] Eminent Painters

• Sobha Singh - Artist and Famous Religious Painter.
• GS Thakur Singh - Landscape artist par excellence
• S. Sohan Singh Saggu (Popular as G. S. Sohan Singh) - Famous Artist.
• Kirpal Singh Panessar - Artist who painted the bulk of the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple, Amritsar
• Bhai Gian Singh Saggu - Artist and Fresco Painter.
• Avtarjeet Dhanjal - famous artist based in London
• Prem Singh - Eminent artist and teacher, retired as the Principal of the Art College, Chandigarh
• Gurcharan Singh - Amongst the most sought after India painters based in Mumbai
• Phoolan Rani - Amongst the better known women painters of Punjab

[edit] References

• Annals of the Ramgarhia Sardars