Bhim Chand (? – 16.9.1692), the son of Rani Champa and Raja Dip Chand and the grandson of Tara Chand and great-grandson of Kalyan Chand, was the ruler of Bilaspur State, from 1665 to 1692. Guru Hargobind Sahib had helped his great-grandfather, Kalyan Chand’s release from Gwalior Fort prison, on October 28, 1619. On April 6, 1630, Raja Kalyan Chand granted land of four villages to Guru Sahib. On May 1, 1626, the town of Keeratpur was founded. On May 1, 1635 Guru Hargobind Sahib moved to Keeratpur. On February 12, 1637, Raja Kalyan Chand died. He was succeeded by his son Tara Chand. Tara Chand and his son Dip Chand continued visiting Guru Sahib at Keeratpur Sahib. Raja Dip Chand and his wife Rani Champa, almost worshipped all Guru Sahib. On April 27, 1665, Raja Dip Chand died. Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib visited Bilaspur to attend the final prayers for Raja Dip Chand. Rani Champa’s son Bhim Chand too was an admirer of Guru Sahib. In 1685, Medani Parkash, the ruler of Sirmaur (Nahan) invited Guru Gobind Singh Sahib to his State. Guru Sahib accepted his invitation and reached Nahan on April 13, 1685. Guru Sahib spent three years at Paonta (Nahan State) and returned to Aanandpur Sahib in 1688. Bhim Chand and his mother Rani Champa Rani were pleased to see Guru Sahib back. Bhim Chand, along with his mother Rani Champa, came to visit Guru Sahib, at Aanandpur Sahib, on March 29, 1689. In 1691, the Mogul army attacked Raja Bhim Chand and the other hill States. Guru Sahib helped Bhim Chand, in the battle of Nadaun (March 19, 1691). A few weeks after the battle of Nadaun, Rani Champa, the mother of Bhim Chand, died (on April 30, 1692). Guru Gobind Singh Sahib and his family visited Bilaspur to join the last prayers. In 1692, Raja Bhim Chand abdicated in favour of his son Ajmer Chand. Soon after Bhim Chand died. Guru Sahib visited Bilaspur again to join the final prayers for Bhim Chand. Bhim Chand’s son Ajmer Chand, later (after 1695), turned hostile to the Sikhs.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)