Phoolka

= Genealogy =

The Phoolka Sardars trace their genealogy from the Raja of Jaisalmer Rawal Jaisal , Yadu Bhatti Rajput of Chandra Vanshi clan and are descendants of Lord Krishna, "Avatar" of Lord Vishnu. [The Rajas of The Panjab Griffin Lepel H.] The early progenitors of the Phoolka House were scions of the Princely Rajput family of Jaisalmer who left their desert homes around the time of Rai Pithora and established themselves around the country of Hisar, Sirsa and Bhatner.

Rawal Jaisal to Phool

The Phoolka family had descended from the celebrated Phool, their eponym, from whom were descended the rulers of Patiala, Jind, Nabha as well as the Chiefs of Bhadaur, Malaudh and Badrukhan and the Sardars of Juindan, Laudhgarh, Dyalpura, Rampura and Kot Duna. Phool's eldest son Tiloka was the ancestor of the Nabha,Jind and Badrukhan royal families and his second son Rama sired six sons and out of Dunna , Ala Singh and Bakhta sprang the princely states of Bhadaur, Patiala and Malaudh which were the most important of the Cis-Satluj States belonging to Phoolkian Misl and the prophecy of the Guru was fulfilled. Collaterally, the descendants of Phool are connected with the rulers of Faridkot, the extinct Kaithal family, and the feudatories of Arnauli, Jhumba, Saddhuwal, and, north of the Sutlej, Attari. [History of the Jat Clans H.S. Dulley] These numerous branches of a vigorous stock belong to the great Sidhu-Brar tribe, the most powerful Jat clan south of the Sutlej. Maharawal Jaisal, having founded the State of Jaisalmer in 1156 A.D. was driven from his kingdom by a rebellion and settled near Hissar. Hemhel, his son, sacked that town and overran the country up to Delhi, but was repulsed by Shams-ud-din Altamsh. Subsequently, in 1212, that ruler made him governor of the Sirsa and Bhatinda country. But his great-grandson Mangal Rao, having rebelled against the Muhammadan sovereign of Delhi, was beheaded at Jaisalmer. His grandson, Khiwa, sank to the status of a Jat by contracting a marriage with a woman of that class; and though the great Siddhu-Barar tribe in the following centuries spread itself far and wide over the Malwa country up to and even beyond the Sutlej, the descendants of Khiwa fell into poverty and obscurity, until one of them, Sanghar, entered the service of the emperor Babur with a few followers. Sanghar himself fell at First battle of Panipat in 1526 when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi ; but the emperor rewarded his devotion by granting his son Baryam the chaudhriyat or intendancy of the waste country south-west of Delhi, and thus restored the fortunes of the family. The grant was confirmed by Humayun ; but in 1560 Baryam fell fighting against the Muhammadan Bhattis, at once the kinsmen and hereditary foes of the Siddhu tribe. Baryam was succeeded as chaudhry by his son Mahraj and his grandson Mohan who were both engaged in constant warfare with the Bhattis, until Mohan was compelled to flee to Hansi and Hissar, whence he returned with a considerable force of his tribesmen, defeated the Bhattis at Bhedowal, and on the advice of the Sikh Guru Har Gobind founded Mahraj in Ferozepore District. But the contest with the Bhattis was soon renewed, and Mohan and his son Rup Chand were killed by them in a skirmish about 1618. His second son Kala succeeded to the chaudhriyat and became the guardian of Phool and Sandali, the sons of Rup Chand. [Imperial Gazetteer of India Vol. 20 pp.134 Phulkian States.]

Phool blessed by Guru Har Gobind & Guru Har Rai ji

Phool ,a Sidhu Brar was the founder of this family. [Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), 1998 Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dudi, Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar] Phool along with his brother Sandali became orphans in 1618 A.D.and both were taken under the wings of their Uncle Chaudhary Kala who founded Mehraj on the advice of the sixth Guru Hargobind . They both visited Guru Hargobind as youngsters, it is said that their uncle told them to rap their bellies to indicate to the Guru the poverty and hunger they were enduring. On being told his name was Phool which means flower, the Guru Hargobind said, “ "The name shall be a True Omen, and he shall bear many blossoms" ” The Guru blessed Phool and is said to have told him that he would make a King. The Guru Har Rai had blessed him thus: "You feel’eth hunger now, worry no more...your house shall be a very big Charity House ....donating and feeding many…….the horses of you Armies shall graze in grasslands spanning the area between the Yamuna and Sutlej" . [The Great Gurus of the Sikhs pp.226 O.P.Ralhan]

Phoolkian Houses

Phool left six sons, of whom Tiloka was the eldest, and from him are descended the families of Jind and Nabha. From Rama, the second son, sprang the greatest of the Phoolkian houses, that of Patiala besides Bhadaur, Malaudh and Kot Duna . In 1627 Phool founded and gave his name to a village which was an important town in the State of Nabha. His two eldest sons founded Bhai Rupa, still held jointly by the three States, while Rama also built Rampur. [Mahankosh By Noted Historian Kahn Singh Nabha] The last named successfully raided the Bhattis and other enemies of his line. He then obtained from the Muhammadan governor of Sirhind the intendancy of the Jangal tract. The other four sons succeeded to only a small share of their father's possessions. [Phulkian States Gazetteer]

Hukamnama of Guru Gobind Singh ji

The sons of Phool, Tilok Singh and Ram Singh were blessed with "Khande da Pahul" by Guru Gobind Singh himself at Damdama Sahib. [History of the Sikh Gurus] They were blessed with the "Apaar kirpa" of Guru Gobind Singh evidence of which can be seen in the Hukumnama sent by Guru Sahib in 1696.Guru Gobind Singh in a Hukamnama (royal edict) addressed to the two sons of Phool, Rama & Tiloka on 2nd August, 1696 Samat 1653 Bikrami, called upon them for aid in his fight with the Hill Rajas proclaiming “ "tera ghar mera asey" ” meaning Your House is My Own bestowing special status on the HOUSE of PHOOL. [The Panjab Past and Present By Punjabi University Deptt. of Punjab Historical Studies pp. 154] [Nishan-e-Phul Twarikh-i-Patiala] Its translation into English reads :

"There is one God. The Guru is great. It is the order of the Guru. Bhai Rama and Bhai Tiloka, the Guru will protect all. You are required to come with your contingent. I am much pleased with you. Your house is my own. On seeing this letter you should come in my presence. Your house is my refuge. You should come to me immediately.On seeing this letter you should arrive with horsemen. tter you should arrive with horsemen. You must come. A Sirpau (robe of honour or Jorra) for you is being sent . Keep it with you. Bhadson 2 Samat 1653 Bikrami"

This was the initiation of the prestigious Sikh Sirpau or Siropa, as it is popularly known. Bhai Tiloka and Bhai Rama had been the most ardent devotees of Guru Gobind Singh and had won Guruji's favour by showing extraordinary valour in battles and were baptised by Guruji himself at Damdama Sahib.

References