Which is the best book to read on Baba Ala Singh?

WaheguroojikaKhalsaWaheguroojikiFateh!!

I wanted to learn about Rani Sahib Kaur of Patiala (daughter of Raja Amar Singh, granddaughter of Baba Ala Singh) and started reading with Baba Ala Singh ji as mentioned online. However the following paragraph had me confused as how can a Sikh remain neutral in vadda ghallughara. So I thought of asking sangat on the best author to read about Baba Ala Singh ji.

Paragraph from few online sources:

"In the Vadda Ghallughara or Great Carnage of February 1762, Ala Singh remained neutral. Ahmad Shah punished him with the devastation of the town of Barnala. Ala Singh, who presented himself in the Shah's camp, was ordered to shave off his hair and beard. This he declined to do and offered instead to pay a sum of one and a quarter lakh of rupees. The Shah accepted the money but had him taken to Lahore where he secured his freedom by paying another five lakh of rupees."

WaheguroojikaKhalsaWaheguroojikiFateh!!

Ala Singh was the best of the Phulkia kingdoms but still was not of the level of ordinary Khalsa of that time, as far as Sikhi self-respect and dignity is concerned. Indeed he stayed neutral throughout the time when Khalsa was fighting for it's survival. Later on too, during the Anglo-Sikh wars of mid 1800s, all Phulkia kingdoms sided with the British. If Phulkia kingdoms had not been selfish and had not sought the British protection, the British could have never defeated the Sikhs.

It is so sad that before the Sikh sovereignty could mature, it was brought under the British rule.

Kulbir Singh

Thanks for the information. I thought the same when I read the stories online especially when the title of Raja was bestowed by Abdali himself. However I got confused when I read that Misl Shaheedan under Jathedar Baba Deep Singh Ji after winning Barnala handed it over to Ala Singh and also that he took Khande-ki-Pahul by 5 pyaare where Nawab Kapoor Singh was serving as well, I thought that I should verify it before coming to conclusion. Thanks for clarifying.

Also please share your thoughts about Bibi Sahib Kaur (granddaughter of Ala Singh). It is written that she went against her brothers cowardness and selfishness couple of times to do daring acts as Gursikhs.

I am trying to read history and sort out as much confusions as I can so that I could teach my daughter (and hopefully others of her generation) in the simple way instead of how we learnt amongst confusion. Especially the history of our sisters who followed Tat-Gurmat at all times.

Kulbir Singh quote:

"A copy of the original Bir, called Baba Ala Singh's Bir is different from the Kartarpuri Bir. I can't remember the differences but Giani Gurdit Singh had pointed out many differences."

Is this the same Baba Ala Singh? and where is this Bir of Guru Granth Sahib ji located?

Yes, Gupt1 jee, Baba Ala Singh is same as Raja Ala Singh. It is said that he got the Kartarpuri Bir copied Ang by Ang and this Bir is called Baba Ala Singh wali Bir. I am not sure of the exact location of this Bir but it is said to be with the Patiala Royal family.

Regarding Bibi Sahib Kaur, she was probably a sister of Raja Amar Singh who succeeded Raja Ala Singh as the king of Patiala. He was brave and took Amrit from Khalsa. I have heard of Bibi Sahib Kaur but can't remember the details at this time. She was probably as brave as her grandmother, the wife of Raja Ala Singh, whose name was perhaps Mata Fatho or something like that.

Kulbir Singh

From the Punjabi book "Adarshak Singhnia"

Bibi Sahib Kaur jee (1771-1801) was a warrior and leader of men who played a prominent part in the history of the Sutlej states from 1793 to 1801, was the elder sister of Raja Sahib Singh of Patiala. Born in 1771, Sahib Kaur was married at an early age to Jaimal Singh of the Kanhaiya clan, who resided at Fatehgarh and was master of a greater part of the Bari Doab above Dina Nagar in present-day Gurdaspur district of the Punjab. In 1793, Raja Sahib Singh, in view of mounting dissensions within his state, recalled his sister Bibi Sahib Kaur to Patiala and entrusted to her the office of prime minister. She had not been long in Patiala when she had to return to Fatehgarh at the head of a large Patiala army to rescue her husband who had been captured by Fateh Singh, a rival chief. Back in Patiala she faced a large Maratha force marching towards the town in 1794 under the command of Anta Rao and Lachhman Rao.

Raja Bhag Singh of Jind, Jodh Singh of Kalsia and Bhanga Singh of Thanesar joined hands with her while Tara Singh Ghaiba sent a detachment of troops. The joint force, numbering about 7,000 men, met the enemy at Mardanpur near Ambala where a fierce engagement took place. The Sikhs were severely outnumbered and would have retreated had not Sahib Kaur, alighting from her rath, i.e. chariots made a brave call with a drawn sword in hand for them to stay firm in their ranks. The next morning they made a sudden charge on the Marathas who, taken by surprise, retired towards Karnal in utter confusion.

Bedi Sahib Singh of Una charged the Pathan chief of Malerkotla with cow-killing and attacked him. He was saved by the timely succour given him by Sahib Kaur. In 1796, in response to the request of the Raja of Nahan who had sought help from Raja Sahib Singh of Patiala to quell a revolt in his state, Sahib Kaur proceeded to the hills with a strong force and soon reduced the insurgents to submission. The Raja was reinstalled on the gaddi and, at the time of Sahib Kaur's departure, he presented her with many rich and valuable gifts in token of his gratitude. In the summer of l799, George Thomas, an English adventurer, who had become very powerful and who ruled the country in the neighbourhood of Hansi and Hissar, turned his attention to the Sikh territories on his northern frontier and reached upon Jind. Sahib Kaur led out a strong contingent to relieve the besieged town and, assisted by the troops of other Sikh chiefs, she forced George Thomas to withdraw.

Owing to differences with her brother, Blbi Sahib Kaur had to leave Patiala to take up residence in Bherlan, near Sunam, which fell within her jagir and where she had built a fort changing the name of the village to Ubheval. She died there in 1801 in the prime of her life.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,
Quote,"It is so sad that before the Sikh sovereignty could mature, it was brought under the British rule.

Kulbir Singh."

Which is why we Sikhs should try to make peace, no matter how painful the past, seems to me like evil has backstabbed our own, and caused our Panth to be split-up to even take each others' lives....beadbi to Gurbani...we need to have meetings, not conflicts, fatalities...
We know Gurmukhs will never sell their to souls anyone but Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and although the rival sikhs have sold their souls to evil, Gupt Sikhs ardas to Gurujio to reach out to them, and the good amongst non-Sikhs so together Khalsa Raj can be achieved!
As there are rare Gems amongst Sikhs, likewise there are rare Gems amongst non-sikhs (like Bhai Rama Singh, just to name one former non-sikh saint converted to Sikhi) to bring reality to Khalsa Raj Jeo> [sikhsangat.org]
Bhul chuk muaf
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Thanks Vista jio, I read a little detailed version and her story looks impressive to be taught to kids as in almost entire story she is crediting the Amrit of Dasam Pathshah for her bravery and to encourage bravery to her soldiers. Also given that she changed the situation of Patiala from worse to very good at the age of 16 can be a lesson to us adults as well.

Writer continously mentions her dressed in male attire where I can only assume that he is mentioning about Dastaar. What do you and other gursikhs think could be a reference as male attire. Also if that is the case, I find it weird that the historian won't know that Dastaar and Baana is a common attire of Gursikhs and not for particular gender.

Also if someone can find a picture or portrait of Bibi Sahib Kaur, please upload the link (I guess there should be some paintings in any museum around Patiala as she was the princess of one of the rich states of punjab).