Raja Gopal (Guler)

Raja Gopal or Raj Singh (fl. late 17th century) was the king of Guler and was one of the hill chieftains who fought against Guru Gobind Singh in Battle of Bhangani in 1688.^[2] He has also been mentioned in Bachittar Natak by Guru Gobind Singh.^[2]

Raj Singh
Raja
Miniature painting of Raj Singh of Guler, also known as Raja Gopal, standing on a terrace whilst holding a flower
Raja of Guler
Reign	ca.1685 – ca.1695
Names Gaj Singh Gopal^[1]
Religion	Hinduism

Biography

In 1688, a coalition of Hill Rajas, including Raja Gopal, against the Sikhs was defeated in-battle at Bhangani by Guru Gobind Singh.^[2]

 

Miniature painting of Raj Singh of Guler, also known as Raja Gopal, seated on a terrace whilst leaning against a bolster, ca.1690–1710

After the defeat of the hill chieftains in Bhangani, Raja Gopal wanted to sought peace and friendship from Guru Gobind Singh.^[2] Husain Khan, was dispatched by Dilawar Khan, a Mughal chief, to collect tribute from Raja Gopal.^[2] Raja Gopal could not pay the heavy tribute which was levied upon him.^[2] This resulted in a fight.^[2] Raja Gopal was assisted by Raja Ram Singh of Jasvan and Sangat Rai with seven Sikhs who had come to the embassy for peace.^[2] In the Battle of Guler which ensued on 20 February 1696, Husain Khan was slain and Raja Gopal and his allies won a decisive victory.^[2] Later, Raja Gopal showed his gratitude to Guru Gobind Singh by making offerings to him.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

References

1. Grewal, J.S. (2019). Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708): Master of the White Hawk Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708): Master of the White Hawk. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199494941. He besieged Guler, the capital of Raja Gaj Singh Gopal (Raj Singh). The Raja sent a messenger to Anandpur to seek support from Guru Gobind Das. The Guru reached ...
2. Singh, Harbans (2011). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 2: E-L (3rd ed.). Patiala: Punjabi University. p. 103. ISBN 81-7380-204-1.
3. Guru Gobind Singh: Prophet of Peace. Sanbun Publishers. 1999. p. 74. ISBN 9789380213644.
4. Max Arthur Macauliffe (28 March 2013). The Sikh Religion Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors. Cambridge University Press. pp. 57–58. ISBN 9781108055475.
5. Founder of the Khalsa The Life and Times of Guru Gobind Singh. Hay House. 14 April 2014. p. 91. ISBN 9789381398616.
6. JS Grewal. Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) Master of the White Hawk. OUP India. p. 63. ISBN 9780190990381.
7. Banda Singh Bahadur and Sikh Sovereignty. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 66. ISBN 9788176293006.