Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783), as the leader of the Dal Khalsa, organized the Sikh military, overthrew Afghans, and won the right for Sikhs to rule Panjab independently. In 1783 Dal Khalsa was composed of 200,000 Sikhs, and their rule included Lahore, Multan, Jammu, Kashmir, Kangra Hills to Delhi; and their influence exerted to Ganga Doab, Rajasthan, and Agra.

Jassa Singh became known as Jassa Guru-ka-Lal, where Jassa meant famous, Guru was Perfection, and Lal was beloved. So, Jassa Guru-ka-Lal became “Famous Perfection’s Beloved.”

Within Jassa Singh’s lifetime, Sikhs went from running for their lives to becoming independent landowners with their own nation-state. He trained and fought bravely for the Panjab, and his legacy was built on immersing in the Guru Granth Sahib and serving the Guru Khalsa Panth. He was, and will remain, Sultan-ul-Qaum, Sovereign of the Sikh Nation!

The Sikh Research Institute has created new content to explore the life of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia in depth. Including the video above, we have also produced an original podcast and an education resource to think critically about this Sikh figure’s legacy.