RAI KALHA

Bhai Rai Kallha, the ruler of the area of Tihar-Jagraon region, was the son of Rai Ahmed and grandson of Tulsi Ram, a Rajput. His daughter was married to Bhai Aalam Khan, son of Bhai Nihang Khan, chief of village Kot Nihang Khan (near Ropar). When Guru Gobind Singh Sahib reached Lamme-Jatpura from Machhiwara, on December 17, 1705, he welcomed Guru Sahib and provided all possible help. He sent Nura Mahi to Sirhind to confirm the news of the martyrdom of the two younger sons and the mother of Guru Sahib. When Nura Mahi returned and gave the information, Rai Kallha became sad. Guru Sahib told him that one must bow before the Will of the Almighty. Before leaving the village, Guru Sahib presented him a sword, a rack to place sacred books on it for reading purposes and a splendid jug, named Ganga Sagar. In 1731, when he grew old, Baba Aala Singh of Patiala attacked him and captured a lot of his territory. His family, however, remained in possession of a few villages. Once his grandson went out on a hunting tour and wore the sword presented by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. While chasing a deer, he hurt himself and died of the wound. Later, one member of this family gave this sword to Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana as a present. He sent that sword to the India Office. Finally it reached the British Museum at London. Ilias was the last male in direct line of Bhai Rai Kallha. After this the jug and the rack remained with one of the relatives of Ilias. In 1947, they migrated to Chicha Watani (Pakistan). They took the jug and the rack with them. They have still preserved these two things with them. In 1994, the family, which had the possession of Ganga Sagar, travelled to England (with this jug). The Sikhs donated large sums of money to the family.

(Dr Harjinder Sinh Dilgeer)