page_title: Akali Phula Singh
section_title: Meeting the Maharaja Ranjit Singh
hierarchical_section_title: Akali Phula Singh / Biography / Stay in Amritsar / Meeting the Maharaja Ranjit Singh
caption_attribution_description: English: Katibs making note of events at the court of Ranjit Singh; *the whole painting* Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&amp;intObjectID=5125372&amp;sid=62d14894-43db-45d1-8aef-4131369c9c9c (downloaded Sept. 2008 "THE COURT OF RANJIT SINGH BISHAN SINGH (1836-CA.1900), LAHORE, INDIA, CIRCA 1864 Gouache heightened with gold on thick paper, set in the Fort of Lahore on the terrace of the ornate building with entrance arch in the lower right hand corner and main buildings in the upper left, Ranjit Singh sits towards the centre on his gold throne surrounded by brightly clad family members and courtiers, in the background a hilly landscape with further encampment, with gold, blue and black outer rules obstructed by mount, signed in Gurumuki on a fragment of the surviving cover sheet, 'Bishan Singh Musavar Bannee', buildings and soldiers, paper slightly discloured, minor flaking of paint, mounted, framed and glazed Miniature 14 7/8 x 20½in. (37.5 x 51.9cm.) Lot Notes Bishan Singh, also known as Baba Bishan Singh, came from a family of artists operating in Lahore and Amritsar in the second half of the 19th century. The family were responsible for painting and maintaining the murals and motifs on the walls of the Sikh holiest shrine, the Golden Temple and it is there that Bishan (and his brother Kishan Singh) learnt his trade. Bishan Singh became particularly famous for his detailed depictions of the Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839).
context_page_description: Akali Phula Singh Nihang was an Akali Nihang Sikh leader. He was a saint soldier of the Khalsa Shaheedan Misl and head of the Budha Dal in the early 19th century. He was also a senior general in the Sikh Khalsa Army and commander of the irregular Nihang of the army. He played a role in uniting Sikh misls in Amritsar. He was not afraid of the British who at many times ordered for his arrest but were not successful. During his later years he served for the Sikh Empire as a direct adviser to Maharajah Ranjit Singh. He remained an army general in many famous Sikh battles up until his martyrdom in the battle of Naushera. He was admired by the local people and had a great influence over the land and his settlement was always open to help the poor and helpless. He was well known and was a humble unique leader and prestigious warrior with high character. He was also known for his effort to maintain the values of Gurmat and the Khalsa panth.
context_section_description: At the beginning of the nineteenth century Amritsar was ruled by the Bhangi Misl under Mai Sukhan and other Sikh Sirdars. Ranjit Singh of the Sukerchakia Misl had recently acquired the capital of Punjab, Lahore. When he approached Amritsar wanting to add it to his empire it created a problem for the ruling families of the city. In 1801 Maharajah Ranjeet Singh brought his army and the Bhangi Misl fortified Amritsar preparing for battle. There was a brief shelling where Ranjit Singh fired empty rounds into the sky in the respect of the holy city. Akali Phula Singh saw this and was saddened by the event and right when the battle was imminent he intervened between the two Sikh forces in the middle of the battlefield. He said that it was a sin for a Sikh to kill another Sikh and it was also a sin to fire cannons in Amritsar and succeeded in persuading them to stop fighting. The two parties made peace under Akali Phula Singh's advice. Ranjit Singh asked Akali Phula Singh to join his forces and he agreed, Akali Phula Singh with him added about 2,000 to 3,000 Nihangs to join the government army. Many of Ranjit Singh's future victories would be due to Akali Phula Singh and his army.
caption: Akaki Phula Singh remained a prominent member of the court of Maharajah Ranjit Singh.
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