The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 1 of 1
Ramgharia
Sikhs
Time of origin: circa 1730s
Many Sikhs today mistake the term ‘Ramgharia’
for a caste rather than a sect. The Ramgharias
are predominantly ‘Tarkhans’
(carpenters) by caste. A Tarkhan named Hardas,
and his son Bhagwan Singh served
Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh in the late 1600s/early
1700s. Later they would serve Banda
Bahadur during his battles with the
Moghals.
Tarkhan
A painting by Kapur Singh of a carpenter named
Dyal Singh, who specialised in making combs,
circa mid 19th century
Bhagwan Singh had four sons - Jassa
Singh, Tara Singh,
Ali Singh and Khushal
Singh. In 1740s Jassa Singh was accused
of female infanticide and excommunicated from
the Khalsa Panth by the Budha Dal Jathedar,
the true head of the Akal Takht. The ostracized
Jassa Singh, along with his father and brothers
went and joined the Moghals as mercenaries.
Bhagwan Singh died as a mercenary alongside
the Moghals while fighting against the Persian
invader Nadir Shah.
Jassa Singh Ramgharia
Jassa Singh Ramgharia (left) with Jodh Singh
and Bir Singh, circa late 18th century
As a result of Bhagwan Singh’s and his
sons’ bravery on the battlefield, the
Moghals gave a land grant of five villages to
Jassa Singh’s family. Jassa Singh and
his brothers served Adina Beg.
In October 1748, Adina Begs armies led by the
Sahejdhari Sikh Kaura Mal besieged
the Khalsa at Ram Rauni. In the ranks of Adina
Beg stood Jassa Singh Ramgharia and a few of
his Singhs. Seeing the plight of his brethren,
he secretly communicated to the Khalsa that
he wished to be forgiven and join them within
the fort. The Khalsa accepted, and Jassa Singh
and his troops deserted Adina Beg taking with
them a great deal of ammunitions and supplies.
Moghal spirits were broken.
From this moment on, Jassa Singh and his brothers
once more joined the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
ranks. They fought alongside the Khalsa in all
their future battles. In time Jassa Singh established
his own kingdom with its capital at Hargovind
Pur.
‘Jassa Singh Ramgharia’,
as he became to be known, was succeeded by Jodh
Singh, who would later be subdued by Maharaja
Ranjit Singh. The successors of Jodh
Singh, Bir Singh and
Diwan Singh, remained in servitude
of Ranjit Singh having lost most of their land.
Ranjit Singh only allowed them enough holdings
to sustain themselves. A Mangal Singh
of the Ramgharia Missal (confederacy) was made
‘Sarbrah’ (caretaker)
by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to police the shrines
of Amritsar.
Sardar Mangal Singh Ramgharia
Photograph of the 'Sarbrah' of all shrines in
Amritsar
At present Tarkhan Sikhs who are descended
from the Ramgharia Missal, especially in UK,
keep their Gurdwaras separate and try to, contrary
to Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhia thinking, maintain
their distinctiveness in Sikhism. Many of their
practices are in line with Sanatan Sikh ideology.
Ramgharia Sikh
A Ramgharia Sikh in Southall, UK, circa early
1970s wearing a distinctive 'Kenya' style turban
Some sections of Ramgharias, in line with ancient
Tarkhan practices, still practice the ancient
Hindu Tarkhan worship of Baba Bishkarma.
Ramgharia Bunga
The only two surviving 'Bunga' (towers) in the
Golden Temple complex in
Amritsar which were heavily damaged during Operation
Bluestar in June 1984
