PHUL (1627–1689), ancestor of the Phulkiari dynasty, was born in 1627, the second son of Bhai Rup Chand and Mat Ambi. His father was killed fighting against the Bhatlis, Rajput converts to Islam, who were their old enemies and who had control over the Malva region. On the death of Phul’s father, his uncle Kala became his guardian. The family shifted to the village of Mehraj, founded by Kala’s father, Mohan, in 1627 with the blessing of Guru Hargobind.
As Guru Hargobind was staying at Gurusar, the site of the battle of Mehraj (16 December 1634), Kala, accompanied by his young nephews, Sandhu and Phul, went to pay homage. In the Guru’s presence, young Phul started scratching his belly to indicate that he was hungry. As the legend goes, Guru Hargobind gave his blessing, saying, “He will have means not only to overcome his own hunger but also to satisfy the hunger of many others. His horses shall drink water from the rivers Sutlej and Yamuna.”
Phul had seven children. Three sons, Tilok Singh, Ram Singh, and Raghu, and one daughter, Rami or Rani Kaur, were born to his first wife, Rai, the daughter of a zamindar of Dhilvari, in Nabha territory. From Tilok Singh descended the ruling families of Nabha and Jind, and from Ram Singh, the house of Patiala.
To Phul’s second wife, Rajji, were born three sons, Channu, Jhandu, and Takht Mall. The descendants of Channu and Takht Mall held jagirs in the village of Gumti. Phul received from Rai Bakhtiar or Karigar, lease of Kamarivala Theh, and raised on the site a village which he called Phul. He gained considerable influence in the area and defeated Hyat Khan Bhatti of Bhatner in a battle fought near what is now Muktsar.
Phul began to be recognized as a daring and powerful local chief. He attacked the chief of Jagraon and held him captive after a brief skirmish. He was summoned to Sirhind, where he was imprisoned under the orders of the Mughal faujdar. It is said that he secured his release by feigning death—an art he had learned from one Sumerpuri faqir who once happened to visit his place. Taking him as dead, his body was handed over to his relations. Phul died at Bahadurpur in Nabha state on 28 January 1689 and was cremated at the village of Phul. His samadh still exists there.
References:
- Twarikh-i-Khanadan-i-Maharaja Karam Singh-va-Khandan-i-Phulkian. MS. Punjab Archives, Patiala
- Karam Singh, Baba Ala Singh. Patiala, 1918
- Kirpal Singh, Maharaja Ala Singh of Patiala. Amritsar, 1954
The Origins of the Dynasty
The Phulkiari Dynasty finds its roots in the life of Phul (also known as Phul Sidhu-Brar), born in 1627. As the second son of Bhai Rup Chand and Mat Ambi, Phul was born into a turbulent era. His father lost his life fighting against the Bhatlis—Rajput converts to Islam who controlled the Malva region and were long-standing adversaries of his family. With his father’s untimely death, his uncle, Kala, assumed the guardianship of young Phul. Under Kala’s care, the family relocated to the village of Mehraj—a settlement established in 1627 by Kala’s own father, Mohan—with the blessing of Guru Hargobind. This divine endorsement is part of a powerful legend that would later come to define Phul’s destiny, indicating not only personal sustenance but a mission to feed many others. In the Guru’s presence, when the young Phul exhibited hunger, Guru Hargobind declared, “He will have means not only to overcome his own hunger, but also to satisfy the hunger of many others. His horses shall drink water from the rivers Sutlej and Yamuna.” This auspicious pronouncement imbued Phul’s life with a sacred purpose and established the spiritual foundation of his future legacy.
Building an Enduring Legacy
Phul proved himself not only as a warrior but as a visionary community leader. Throughout his life, he expanded his influence in the region through both martial prowess and strategic leadership:
- Military and Political Feats:
Phul distinguished himself as a daring local chief. His military exploits are recounted in several accounts—among them, his decisive victory over Hyat Khan Bhatti of Bhatner in a battle near modern-day Muktsar. In another instance, he attacked the chief of Jagraon and managed to hold him captive after a brief skirmish. Even when political tides turned against him, Phul displayed remarkable ingenuity; summoned to Sirhind and imprisoned by the Mughal faujdar, he secured his release by feigning death—a skill he reportedly learned from a Sumerpuri faqir. This stratagem allowed his relatives to retrieve his “dead” body and effect his escape, a legendary episode that symbolizes his indomitable will and tactical acumen. - Foundation for Future Rulers:
Phul fathered seven children who later became the progenitors of several important princely states in Punjab. His three sons from his first wife—Tilok Singh, Ram Singh, and Raghu—as well as the daughter Rani Kaur (also known as Rami or Rani Kaui) gave rise to the ruling families of Nabha, Jind, and Patiala. His second marriage to Rajji produced sons—Channu, Jhandu, and Takht Mall—whose descendants managed jagirs in the village of Gumti. In doing so, Phul established the wide-reaching Phulkiari influence that not only shaped local governance but also laid the genetic and cultural foundation for several key states in the region. - Cultural and Spiritual Resonance:
The blessing from Guru Hargobind and the ensuing legend about Phul’s destiny provided a sacred dimension to his political and military achievements. The eventual establishment of a village named Phul—on land leased from Rai Bakhtiar or Karigar—and the construction of his enduring memorial (samadh) in that village reinforce his status as a leader whose life bridged his martial feats and his role in nurturing communal prosperity. His legacy is celebrated not only in historical texts but in the living cultural memory of the region, influencing local narratives and identity.
The Legacy and Its Enduring Impact
Phul died on 28 January 1689 at Bahadurpur in Nabha state, and his cremation in the village of Phul became a seminal event symbolized by his still-standing samadh. The legacy of the Phulkiari Dynasty unfolds across several dimensions:
- Dynastic Foundation:
Through his children, Phul laid down the dynastic roots for later states such as Nabha, Jind, and Patiala. These states actively participated in the changing political dynamics of Punjab, both under indigenous rule and later under colonial arrangements. The family heritage, often referred to as the Phulkian dynasty, continued to inspire administrative choices, military alliances, and cultural endeavors well into modern times. - A Symbol of Resilience and Innovation:
Phul’s life story is emblematic of a period marked by conflict, personal loss, and regional rivalry. Yet, his ability to turn personal tragedy into a platform for communal strength and regional ambition provides a compelling narrative of resilience. His feats on and off the battlefield—combined with strategic innovations like feigning death—offer enduring lessons in leadership, adaptability, and the utilization of spiritual blessings as a legitimating force. - Cultural Memory and Historical Research:
The Phulkiari Dynasty, and Phul himself, continue to be subjects of historical inquiry and cultural pride among Punjabis. Researchers and historians explore his story to better understand the socio-political landscape of 17th-century Punjab, the interactions between indigenous rule and emerging imperial pressures, and the interplay of martial valor with spiritual destiny. His legacy is a constant reminder of the transformative power of determined leadership against a backdrop of contested power and cultural synthesis. Conclusion
The life and legacy of Phul (1627–1689) serve as the cornerstone of the Phulkiari Dynasty, a lineage that has significantly impacted the history, politics, and cultural identity of Punjab. From his early life marked by divine blessings at the hands of Guru Hargobind to his dynamic leadership on the battlefield and as a regional chieftain, Phul’s story is not only a tale of personal valor but also a narrative that encapsulates the evolution of regional governance and the shaping of princely states. His descendants, who established and ruled various domains, continued to propagate his legacy, making the Phulkiari Dynasty a living testimony to his enduring influence.
