Akali Phula Singh

Phula Singh was born in 1761 at Shinh in Sangrur district. His father was killed in the Vadda Ghallughara of 1762, and he was raised by Baba Narain Singh of the Nihang order, the Akalis, whom he later led.

He became jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikh authority, and fought in many of Ranjit Singh's campaigns at the head of his Akali horsemen, who went into battle with a fury that frightened their enemies. He took part in the conquests of Kasur, Multan and Kashmir.

He was also famous for his independence: when Ranjit Singh was accused of a moral lapse with a Muslim dancing girl, Phula Singh summoned the Maharaja to the Akal Takht and sentenced him to be flogged, and Ranjit Singh bared his back. In 1823, at the battle of Nowshera against the Afghans, he led a charge on foot after his horse was shot and was killed. His samadhi stands at Nowshera.