Bhai Lal Singh, son of Bhai Desu Singh, was a descendant of Bhai Bhagtu (a dedicated Sikh of the time of Guru Ram Das to Guru Har Rai). Lal Singh’s father Desu Singh was the founder of the Kaithal State. In 1778, Desu Singh had a dispute with Raja Amar Singh (Patiala State). In this situation, Desu Singh sought the help of the Moghals. The Delhi Darbar agreed to help him subject to the condition that he would pay revenue to the Delhi regime. He was asked to pay rupees four lakhs immediately. He paid rupees three lakhs and left Lal Singh in his custody as a security for the rest of the money. Desu Singh could not pay the amount for a long time; due to this they tortured Lal Singh. This turned Lal Singh hostile towards his father. In 1781, Desu Singh died. His son Bahal Singh succeeded him. Bahal Singh too could not make payment to get Lal Singh released. In the meanwhile Lal Singh escaped from prison and reached Kaithal. He killed his brother Bahal Singh and became the ruler of Kaithal State. In 1819, his cousin Karam Singh died. Bhai Lal Singh was able to get his State too. Lal Singh was a very clever person. He made friends with all his Sikh neighbours as well as the British and, thus, remained comfortable in his State. He was very popular among his subjects also. His son Udey Singh succeeded him. Lal Singh accepted British protectorate; hence when Udey Singh died issue-less on March 15, 1843, the British East India Company annexed the State.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)