Ala Singh: The Architect of Patiala
In the turbulent heart of the 18th century, as the colossal Mughal Empire fractured and the plains of Punjab echoed with the thunder of Afghan cavalry, a new power began to assert itself. This was the age of the Sikh Misls, warrior confederacies rising from the ashes of persecution to stake their claim on their homeland. Amidst this whirlwind of conflict and creation, one figure stands out not just for his martial prowess, but for his extraordinary political foresight and statecraft: Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala state.
His story is not one of simple conquest, but of shrewd survival, complex diplomacy, and the relentless ambition to carve a stable, sovereign kingdom from chaos. He was a man who could fight the Afghans one day and negotiate with them the next, a leader who understood that in a time of shifting loyalties, the ultimate prize was not just victory, but endurance.
Early Life & The Forging of a Warrior
Ala Singh was born in 1691 in the village of Phul, in the Malwa region of Punjab, an area that would become the heartland of his future kingdom. He was born into the Sidhu Jat clan, a lineage with deep roots in the region. His grandfather, Chaudhari Phul, was a revered figure and the progenitor of the Phulkian Misl, one of the twelve major Sikh confederacies. This heritage placed Ala Singh at the nexus of a powerful kinship network, a crucial asset in the fluid power structures of the time.
His father, Bhai Ram Singh, was the second son of Phul. The Punjab of Ala Singh's youth was a crucible of conflict. The authority of the Mughal emperors in Delhi was rapidly eroding, and provincial governors like Zakariya Khan in Lahore enforced brutal policies against the burgeoning Sikh community. Young Ala Singh witnessed this persecution firsthand, an experience that instilled in him a deep-seated desire for Sikh sovereignty and a resilient spirit.
In 1714, following his father's death, Ala Singh inherited the leadership of his ancestral estate. His early years were marked by constant struggle. He had to contend with rival chieftains and the predatory raids of the Bhatti Rajputs from the south. It was a harsh education in warfare and diplomacy, teaching him the value of strategic alliances and the necessity of a strong military force. A pivotal moment in his spiritual and martial development came when he received the pahul (Sikh rites of initiation) at the hands of the esteemed Sikh leader, Nawab Kapur Singh, formally entering the Khalsa brotherhood. This act solidified his identity and commitment to the Sikh cause, linking him directly to the mainstream of the Sikh resurgence.
His early career was defined by consolidation. He established a new village, Longowal, and began to systematically expand his influence. In 1722, he captured the strategic town of Barnala from the Bhattis and established it as his new headquarters. Barnala became the nucleus from which his power would radiate across the Malwa region.
Career & The Rise of a Kingdom
Ala Singh’s genius lay in his ability to see the larger geopolitical picture while meticulously managing local conflicts. He understood that the decaying Mughal authority and the periodic, destructive invasions of the Afghan ruler, Ahmad Shah Abdali, created a power vacuum that a shrewd leader could exploit.
The Architect of a State
Throughout the 1730s and 1740s, Ala Singh skillfully expanded his territories. He forged alliances, subdued rivals, and established a reputation as a formidable and just ruler. His influence grew to encompass a vast swathe of land, including the districts of Sangrur, Bathinda, and Mansa.
His most enduring achievement came in the wake of a cataclysm. In 1762, the Sikh forces suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Ahmad Shah Abdali in an event known as the Vadda Ghalughara (The Great Holocaust). Despite this setback, the Sikh spirit remained unbroken. In January 1764, a united Sikh army, including Ala Singh’s forces, decisively defeated Zain Khan, the Afghan governor of Sirhind. The city of Sirhind, a symbol of Mughal and Afghan oppression for over a century, was razed.
In the division of spoils that followed, Ala Singh, as one of the most powerful chiefs, acquired a significant portion of the conquered territory. It was on this land, at the site of a small village, that he laid the foundation of a new fort in 1763: the Qila Mubarak. Around this formidable citadel, a new city began to grow – Patiala. This was not merely the founding of a town; it was the declaration of a new political reality. Patiala was to be the capital of a sovereign state, a center of Sikh power and culture.
A Master of Pragmatic Diplomacy
Ala Singh's career was a masterclass in navigating the treacherous political currents of his time. His relationships with the Mughals, the Afghans, and the Dal Khalsa (the collective Sikh army) were complex and often controversial.
He recognized that open defiance of every major power was a path to annihilation. When it suited his interests, he would pay tribute to the Mughal authorities or the Afghan invaders to protect his people and preserve his autonomy. This pragmatism often brought him into conflict with the more hardline elements within the Dal Khalsa, who viewed any accommodation with the enemy as a betrayal. On one occasion, the Dal Khalsa even imposed a fine on him for his perceived submission to Ahmad Shah Abdali.
His relationship with Abdali was particularly nuanced. While he fought against the Afghans on multiple occasions, he also understood the futility of resisting Abdali’s full might head-on. After the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, where the Marathas were crushed, Abdali’s power was at its zenith. Ala Singh, through careful diplomacy, secured his own position. He provided supplies to Abdali’s army and in return, received recognition of his sovereignty over his territories.
This culminated in 1765, when Ahmad Shah Abdali, during his final major invasion of Punjab, formally bestowed upon Ala Singh the title of Raja. He was granted the symbols of royalty—a drum (nagara) and a banner (nishan)—an official acknowledgment of his status as an independent ruler. For his contemporaries in the Dal Khalsa, this was a deeply controversial act, seen as accepting the authority of their greatest oppressor. For Ala Singh, however, it was the ultimate act of pragmatism. It was a royal decree from the most powerful man in the region that secured his nascent state from destruction and legitimized his rule on the wider political stage.
He had transformed the chaos of invasion into an opportunity for consolidation. He had used the very power that threatened to destroy him to cement his own.
Legacy & Enduring Influence
Baba Ala Singh passed away in August 1765, shortly after receiving his royal title. He left behind a legacy that was as complex as the man himself, a testament to his vision, courage, and unparalleled political acumen.
The Phulkian Dynasty and Patiala State
His most tangible legacy is the state of Patiala. The kingdom he founded not only survived but flourished under his successors, becoming the preeminent power among the cis-Sutlej Sikh states. The Phulkian dynasty, which he established, ruled Patiala for over two centuries, playing a significant role in the history of Punjab and North India, eventually integrating into the Republic of India in 1948. The city of Patiala, built around his Qila Mubarak, became a celebrated center of education, music (the Patiala Gharana), and architecture.
A Model of 18th-Century Statecraft
Ala Singh is remembered as a quintessential 18th-century state-builder. He was a product of his time—an era that demanded a blend of martial strength and diplomatic flexibility. He was not an ideologue but a pragmatist, driven by the primary goal of establishing a secure and prosperous kingdom for his people. While his dealings with Ahmad Shah Abdali remain a subject of historical debate, his success is undeniable. In an age when empires fell and fortunes were fleeting, he built an institution that lasted for generations.
Patron of Faith and Culture
Despite the political controversies, Ala Singh remained a devout Sikh. He was a patron of the faith, contributing generously to the reconstruction of Sikh shrines that had been desecrated by the Afghans. After Abdali blew up the Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in 1762, Ala Singh was among the Sikh leaders who undertook its repair and restoration, a clear demonstration of his unwavering commitment to his faith. He understood that a kingdom needed not just forts and armies, but a cultural and spiritual heart.
Baba Ala Singh’s life was a testament to the idea that in times of profound crisis, survival and creation are the greatest acts of resistance. He rose from the leadership of a small clan to become a crowned king, a sovereign ruler recognized by the mightiest powers of his day. He was the architect who, with the sword in one hand and a blueprint for the future in the other, laid the foundations of Patiala on the turbulent soil of 18th-century Punjab.