Bhadaur

Bhadaur
city
Bhadaur Location in Punjab, India
Coordinates: 30°29′N 75°19′E / 30.48°N 75.32°E / 30.48; 75.32Coordinates: 30°29′N 75°19′E / 30.48°N 75.32°E / 30.48; 75.32
Country	India
State	Punjab
District	BARNALA
Elevation	219 m (719 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	16,818
Languages
• Official	Punjabi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Bhadaur is a city and a municipal council in Barnala district in the state of Punjab, India.

History

Bhadaur ਭਦੌੜ is a historic town of Punjab. It is home to legendary PHOOLKA SIRDARS, from which comes the Phoolkia dynasty. Bhadaur is the first joint capital of Phoolkian dynasty. The princely states of Patiala, Jind and Nabha are rooted to Bhadaur. Bhadaur was an independent princely state till 1858. Later it comes under the supremacy of Patiala State by British government by a favour not by right. Phool, the founder of Phoolkian Dynasty (PHOOLKIAN MISL) a Sidhu was the founder of this family. 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 DunnaSingh. 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. Collaterally, the descendants of Phool were connected with the rulers of Faridkot, the extinct Kaithal family, and the feudatories of Arnauli, Jhumba, Saddhuwal, and, north of the Sutlej, Attari. These numerous branches of a vigorous stock belonged to the great Sidhu-Brar tribe, the most powerful Jat clan south of the Sutlej. Bhadaur was a collateral of the princely state of Patiala. The sons of Phool, Tilok Singh and Ram Singh were blessed with Khande da Pahul by Guru Gobind Singh himself at Damdama Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh in a Hukamnama (royal edict) addressed to the two sons of Phool, Rama & Tiloka on 2 August 1696, called upon them for aid in his fight with the Hill Rajas proclaiming "tera ghar mera asey" ਤੇਰਾ ਘਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਸੈ meaning Your House is My Own bestowing special status on the HOUSE of PHOOL.[11] It is said that it is because of this blessing from Guru Sahib that the other 11 Misls never attacked the Phulkian States despite some provocations. They were blessed with the Apaar kirpa of Guru Gobind Singh evidence of which can be seen in the Patiala Hukumnama sent by Guru Sahib in 1696 A.D.[12] 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. You must come. A Sirpau (robe of honour or Jorra) for you is being sent. Keep it with you. Bhadson 2 Samat 1653 Bikrami. Phool left six sons, of whom Tiloka was the eldest, and from him are descended the families of Jind and Nabha.[23] From Rama, the second son, sprang the greatest of the Phoolkian houses, that of Patiala besides Bhadaur, Kot duna and Malaudh. [24] 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 while Rama also built Rampura. 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. Rughu laid the foundation stone of Village Bangi Rughu near Talwandi Sabo in district Bathinda. Prior to 1857 Bhadaur was an independent state, BHADAUR was one & only princely town where royal family holds 8 eight RESIDENTIAL FORTS individually. BHADAUR is home to PHOOLKA SARDARS (CHIEFS), who rules 84 villages. The royals of the house of Bhadaur are known as BHADAURIAS & BHADAURIYE SARDAR.

Bhadaur royal family holds the most big land holdings throughout whole joint Punjab (Haryana & Himachal included). SarMost of the lands in and around Bhadaur belongs to Phoolka Sardars of Bhadaur, and they are the legal owners of lands on bais of section 4 of EVACUEE PROPERTIES OF India.Mujahras or refugees can only cultivate the land but cant sold or loan it. They have to pay one fourth of the cost of land today to get it in their name from Sirdars. Sardars of Bhadaur were very famous for bravery and charity. They have built many religious places like famous Radha krisna temple at Ghat in Pehowa in Haryana famous for salvation.Sardar Shamsher Singh Phoolka Sahib donated 1 kg gold for temple. Sheetla mata temple at Bhadaur and famous 11Rudra Shiv temple pathran wali at Bhadaur. Its very rare to have 11 rudras together. There are brass pipelines connected to the temple from all the forts of Phoolkian family to offer pure Ghee for jyot (holy fire). There are very interesting stories about Phoolka sardars subjected to their justice, bravery, hunting expeditions, style, riches, etc. Sardar Chuhr Singh Bhadauria was the most great ruler of Bhadaur. People still sing ballads of his bravery and justice, which is written in the famous book The legends of the Punjab written by Sir Richard Carnac Temple.

The Bhadaur fort

The Bhadaur fort stands in full glory of the glorious past in the middle of Bhadaur. This fort was made in 1693 AD by Baba Ram Singh ji son of Phool. This fort is a private property of Harpreet Inder Singh Phoolka alias Hapie the only son of Srdar Kuldeep Inder Singh Sahib Rais of Bhadaur.This fort is fine example of Punjabi ancient culure. It is made from famous Bhadauri itt (small bricks). This is the most tallest building in all of its near area. Nearby villages can be seen clearly from the top roof of Fort. The walls of the rooms are 6 ft wide so it remains cool in summers and warm in winters. Air ventilation is awesome here. This fort witness to many historical events like, Akali Phoola Singh sheltered here before sent to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who then became a famous general of Sikh empire, annexion meetings of cis satlej states by British East India Company, the British discussion meeting with Sir Attar Singh Sahib of Bhadaur,that Maharaja Dalip Singh should permit to visit India or not, revolt of 1857, war with Marathas when they invaded Patiala. Sardar Chuhar Singh Bhadauria was chief in commander of army expedition against Marathas, who repulsed the Marathas from Bahadurgarh. Invasion on Malerkotla Afghans whose 17 villages were seized by Bhadaur Sardars, Battle of Barnala, Marriage of Bibi Attar kaur of Bhadaur with Prince Naunihal Singh Of Lahore grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji, Muslim refugees were sheltered in this fort by Sardar Harjang Singh ji in 1947 riots. After riots they were asked to choose where they want to live. Those who choose to live in India were given lands and houses by Sardar Harjang Singh and those who choose to Pakistan were safely passed the border by the gun men of sardar sahib. This is the almost only private fort in Punjab. Nowadays its favourite destination for shooting of Bollywood and Punjabi movies. Fort is being renovated these days as per ancient architecture, so it can be used as attraction to tourists foreigners and Indians who use to experience the rich Punjabi Culture.

Geography

Bhadaur is located at 30°29′N 75°19′E / 30.48°N 75.32°E / 30.48; 75.32.^[1] It has an average elevation of 219 metres (718 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Bhadaur had a population of 16,818. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bhadaur has an average literacy rate of 85%, with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. In the recent Punjab Assembly Elections, Muhammad Sadiq, a Punjab Pradesh Congress candidate, grabbed the seat.

References