General Hari Singh Bhangi, adopted son of Bhai Bhuma Singh, was born at village Hotha, in the Malwa zone. Later, the family moved to Jhang. On March 29, 1748, when the Sikh army was divided into 11 Misls, his Jatha was accepted as Bhangi Misl. He was also the leader of the Taruna Dal (the Younger Ones, under forty years of age). He had an army of 20,000 Sikhs. He established his headquarters at village Sohal, and later at Gilwali (district Amritsar) and finally at Amritsar.
Bhai Hari Singh was a brave general. He showed exemplary courage when Ahmed Shah Durrani attacked Sikhs with a large force, in February 1762 (known as Vadda Ghallughara).
In October 1763, he attacked Kasur and freed the wife of a Brahmin from the local chief, who had forcibly taken her. He also occupied Lahore for some time. He attacked Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Jhang Sialkot etc. He realized tribute from the chiefs of several districts.
In March 1765, he led the Sikh army on Aala Singh of Patiala, because Aala Singh had accepted subordination of Ahmed Shah Durrani. Bhai Jassa Singh Ahluwalia mediated a compromise and made Aala Singh apologize. Bhai Hari Singh Bhangi died in this expedition.
Bhai Hari Singh Bhangi had four sons: Desu Singh, Deva Singh, Jhanda Singh and Ganda Singh. His sons Ganda Singh and Jhanda Singh succeeded him. His successors were not capable like him and they lost their kingdom very soon.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)