Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar

Sardar Bhagwant Singh Bangeshwar (Sarkar-i-Bangash Umra-i-Azam Sardar Bhagwant Singh ) was an Indian ruler of Bangash (in present-day Punjab state of Pakistan ) of the 18th century. He was a cousin of Bhai Mani Singh.

" Bangeshwar" or " Bangash - Pati " are the titles he was known with from the name of the state he ruled bangash. Bangash was a rajput state extending from Indus River to Kurram River in present-day Pakistan.

In two centuries after 1500 Rajput rulers began to take high positions in Mughal court. Apart from being a ruler he was a fierce warrior too, which led Aurangzeb to make him a panj-hazari mansabdar and give title of umar-i-azam which was highest mansab given to rajput rulers.

He was engaged in a battle with Kamal Khan, who was Mughal commander of attock fort. He killed kamal khan in a fierce battle and made the Mughals fear his might.

Guru Gobind Singh had to settle in nanded after being attacked by Mughals. All his sons were martyred. Sardar Bhagwant Singh went to meet Guru Gobind Singh to discuss his sorrow. After hearing all the atrocities done on the Guru by the Mughals he pledged to ruin the tyrant of Sirhind who killed innocent younger sons of the Guru.

Wazir khan ( Sarkar - i - Sirhind ) had a mansab of 2000 horsemen under Aurangzeb which was much less as compared to mansab of 5000 horsemen of Sardar Bhagwant Singh ( Sarkar - i - Bangash ), so Wazir Khan's defeat was certain. Sardar Bhagwant Singh along with his seven brothers and Banda Singh Bahadur( whom Guru Gobind Singh sent with them acknowledging him as Guru's son ) made his sword bath in tyrant's blood and ruined the Mughal rule in Sirhind which was a very big mughal subah extending from Sutlej to Yamuna. His one brother Sardar Baj Singh (first Governor of Khalsa Raj) was made governor of Sirhind and one more of his brothers, Sardar Ram Singh was made governor of Thanesar. He kept his word given to the Guru.