Nabha State

Nabha State, with its capital at Nabha, was one of the Phulkian princely states of Punjab during the British Raj in India. This state was ruled by the Sidhu clan belonging to the Sikh religion.

History

Origin

The ruling house of Nabha belonged to the Phulkian dynasty, sharing a common ancestor named Tiloka with the Jind rulers. Tiloka (r. 1652–1687) was the eldest son of Phul Sidhu of the Phulkian dynasty. The Nabha rulers descend from Gurditta (Gurdit Singh; r. 1687–1754), the elder son of Tiloka. Gurditta was the founder of the localities of Dhanaula and Sangrur. Sangrur was the headquarters of the state till it was captured by Jind State. Gurditta died in 1754. His only son Surat (or Suratya) Singh had died two years earlier in 1752, leaving his grandson, Hamir Singh, as the next in line. Hamir Singh was the founder of the locality of Nabha and the first ruler of Nabha State.

Foundation of the locality and state

The locality of Nabha was founded by Hamir Singh of the Phulkian dynasty in 1755, whilst the state itself was founded slightly after in 1763 by Hamir Singh. The state at that period of time was composed of twelve scattered territories. Hamir Singh died in 1783 and was succeeded by Jaswant Singh. However, a regency was in-place between 1783–1790. Jaswant Singh assumed full control on 1790 and ruled until 1840.

Alliance with the British

Between 1807 and 1808, the ruler of Nabha was afforded British protection from the threat posed by Ranjit Singh and his encroaching Lahore State. Nabha State was loyal to the British during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, earning territory grants as a reward due to this. At the Ambala Darbar held in Ambala between 18–20 January 1860, a decision was made to exempt Nabha, Patiala, and Jind states from the doctrine-of-lapse. In 1911, Hira Singh took-on the ''maharaja'' title. Ripudaman Singh abdicated the throne of Nabha on 8 July 1923.

Dissolution

In the happenings of Indian independence in 1947, Nabha was one of the five Phulkian states that merged to become P.E.P.S.U., which itself was gradually merged into Punjab state.

State forces

The Nabha State Force consisted of a 500-strong infantry unit, including the Nabha Akal Infantry.

List of rulers

Demographics

Gallery

File:Photograph of Gurdwara Siropao Sahib in Nabha state, where historical Sikh relics and artefacts were kept for safe-keeping, published in Mahan Kosh (1930), ca.1920's.jpg, Photograph of Gurdwara Siropa Sahib in Nabha state, where historical Sikh relics and artefacts were kept for safe-keeping, published in Mahan Kosh (1930), 1920s.
File:Photograph of the Hira Mahal building in Nabha state, published in Mahan Kosh (1930), ca.1920's.jpg, Photograph of the Hira Mahal building in Nabha state, published in Mahan Kosh (1930), 1920s.

See also

*Patiala and East Punjab States Union
*Political integration of India
* Phulkian sardars
* Phulkian Misl
* Patiala State
* Jind State
* Faridkot State
* Malaudh
* Bhadaur
* Kaithal
* Cis-Sutlej states

Notes

References

External links

*

{{Coord, 30.37, N, 76.15, E, region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki, display=title

1763 establishments in India
1947 disestablishments in India
Patiala district

Princely states of Punjab
Gun salute princely states
Phulkian dynasty