Raja Bhag Singh Ahluwalia (1745 – 1801) was the son of Bhai Ladha Singh and great-grandson of Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh (Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh was brother of Bhai Badar Singh, the father of Sirdar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia). After the death of Sirdar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Bhag Singh succeeded the estate of Ahluwalia Misl. Raja Bhag Singh led an expedition to Kasur and defeated its Afghan chief. He also led expeditions to Tarn Taran and Jandiala. When Rani Sada Kaur’ was attacked by Ramgarhias, Raja Bhag Singh helped Rani Sada Kaur. This became starting point of friendship between (Maharaja) Ranjit Singh and Raja Bhag Singh and it continued even during the time of his son Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia. In 1795, he paid a visit to Amritsar, where his son Bhai Fateh Singh got initiation at Akal Takht Sahib. In 1801, Ramgarhias, assisted by Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra, attacked the Doaba area. At first Bhag Singh sent Hamir Singh to fight against them. Hamir Singh suffered defeat. At this he himself led the army. A battle was fought at Phagwara. During the operations, Raja Bhag Singh was wounded. The wound soured and he returned to Kapurthala, where he died. He was succeeded by his son Raja Fateh Singh (1784 – 1836). (Maharaja) Ranjit Singh visited Kapurthala to pay his condolence on the death of Raja Bhag Singh. It was on this occassion that Fateh Singh and Ranjit Singh presented turbans to each other and became ‘brothers’.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)