Bhai Aalam Chand (1660 – 7.5.1705), son of Bhai Durga Das and grandson of Bhai Padama Chauhan, of village Duburji (district Sialkot, Pakistan), was a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Bhai Aalam Chand visited Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in 1673 and remained there for a long time. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, he became chamberlain of Guru Sahib. He was an expert of warfare. He was a volatile and agile person and was always enthusiastic to perform some action. Guru Sahib used to called him “Nachanna” (the dancer). Bhai Aalam Chand got initiation in the third batch (along with Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Bachitar Singh, Bhai Chaupa Singh, Diwan Dharam Singh etc.), on the first day of the initiation of Khalsa and became Bhai Aalam Singh. Nachanna suffix continued to be a part of his name. Bhai Aalam Singh Nachanna participated in several battles. On August 19, 1695, when Dilawar Khan, the Governor of Lahore sent an army to attack Aanandpur Sahib, Bhai Aalam Singh played remarkable role. The invaders were so frightened that they retired without a battle. In 1697, he was given the duty to bring all the Masands to Aanandpur Sahib. On June 23, 1698, when Balia Chand Katoch and Aalam Chand Katoch, leaders of the army of a hill State, suddenly attacked the Sikhs, he, in a face to face encounter with Aalam Chand Katoch, slashed the latter’s right arm. According to one source, Bhai Aalam Singh embraced martyrdom in the battle of Lohgarh on September 1, 1700. According to another source, he was along side Guru Gobind Singh Sahib on December 7, 1705 and embraced martyrdom in the battle of Chamkaur. Bhai Aalam Singh’s sons Bhai Mohar Singh and Bhai Amolak Singh too served Guru Sahib at Aanandpur Sahib and embraced martyrdom. His third son Bhai Baghar Singh too, joined the Sikh army and embraced martyrdom in 1740. Also see: Amolak Singh, Mohar Singh, Baghar Singh.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)