The word Ramgarhia
is composed of the terms Ram (God) and Garh (fort). Hence the adjective
Ramgarhia means Custodians of the Castle of God, the fort which was the
headquarters of the family, the history of which is given hereafter, was
named Ramgarh. This name is also given to a Bunga (mansion) and a Katra
(a large portion of the city) both of which are situated on the eastern
side of the city of Amritsar, the history of the each of them is given
in the sequel. As a rule of Sikhs who belong to the same clan as the Ramgarhia
frankly call themselves Ramgarhia's and generally they are the most orthodox
disciples of the Guru. In respect of martial qualities also they are second
to none in the Punjab. In their veins runs the blood of their mighty forefathers
and martyrs, Their frames possess the indomitable spirit of Sardar Jassa
Singh Ramgarhia, one of the greatest generals that the soil of the Punjab
has ever produced. 'The Great Lion of the Punjab, who had more occasions
than one to experience the strength of the Ramgarhia blows, acknowledged
their superiority and had so much love for this name that he proudly gave
the name Ramgarhia Brigade to a brigade of some of his bravest horsemen.
The martial spirit of the Ramgarhias was maintained even by the British
Government. In the military atmosphere the Ramgarhias have the honour
to share up to this day, with their Sikh brothers, the topmost position
among the Brotherhood of Lions.
Up till now the Sikhs
were without any fort of their own. The Dal Khalsa assembled at Amritsar
and mooted out the question of building a fort. Sardar Sukha Singh Kalsi,
a great Sikh leader of Mari Kamboki, proposed that the fort should be
built at Amritsar near Hari Mandir Sahib. Sardar Sukha Singh also belonged
to Ramgarhia clan. His proposal was accepted and this task was entrusted
to Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia who built Ram Rauni (Fortress of God)
on the eastern side of Amritsar in the vicinity of Harmandir Sahib.
Siege of Ram Rauni
Fortress (1747 AD).
In the mean time,
Mir Manu the Governor of Punjab, felt a great danger to his authority
and rule, from the rising power of the Sikhs. So he wanted to crush them.
He sent his forces to attack Ram Rauni Fortress of the Sikhs at Amritsar
in October 1748 AD. Under his instruction, Adina Beg, the Governor of
Jallandhar Doab also sent his forces and besieged the Sikh fortress -
Ram Rauni along with the imperial forces of Mir Manu. This siege continued
for four months up to January 1749 AD. The Sikhs faced great hardship
and provisions ran short and the force of Khalsa was also reduced in number.
They sent a message to Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia appealing him to come
to their help as a true Sikh. There upon Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia
entered the fortress during the night along with his army and took the
command of the besieged Sikhs and defended the fortress along with the
besieged Sikhs against the repeated attacks of Mughal Army. Dewan Kaura
Mal, the Finance Minister of the Governor of Lahore secretly helped the
Sikhs and advised the Governor of Lahore to lift the siege. Accordingly,
the siege was lifted in January 1749 AD and the Sikhs came out victorious.
This proved the statesmanship and valour of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.
As the Ram Rauni Fortress was completely demolished, the fortress was
rebuilt as Pucca Fort by Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and he named it
as 'Ramgarhia Fort-Fort of God'. Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia was made
the commander of this fort and he remained as such for a long time.
