Akali Phula Singh Ji was the mukh sewadar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and a very brave and famous General of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the time. The Gurdwara and tower (burj) are in memory of Akali Phula Singh Ji.
Akali Phula Singh settled down in Amritsar, where, today, a burj (tower) and gurdwara stands. The location was known as Nihangan di Chawoni (Camp of the Nihangs) still stands in his memory. As a child 'Baba Ji' decided to dedicate his life to the care of Sikh Gurdwaras. He loved to serve people in accordance with the Guru's message.
Later, when he was 18 years old he shifted to the fort of Gobindgarh where he became a leader of one of the bands of fighters (a squad) of the Sikh army. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh sought to make Amritsar part of Khalsa Raj he first laid siege to the city. When Akali Phula Singh saw the forces of the Bhangi Misls (then in control of Amritsar), preparing to face their fellow Sikhs Akali Phula Singh, with some leading citizens of the city, bravely put themselves in harms way, between the opposing forces.
Addressing each group, he spoke of the futility and senselessness of Sikhs spilling each others' blood. Peace and reconciliation was chosen and the Bhangi chieftains each surrendered their share of Amritsar into the Maharaja's hands. Akali Phula Singh joined the Maharaja's army along with 3,000 Nihangs. For his many efforts he was made the mukh sewadar of the Akal Takht in 1807.
A born leader, who lived his life in accordance with the moral codes of the Sikh Gurus, he even called Maharaja Ranjit Singh to task, when he married outside of the Sikh fold (he had married a Muslim woman, named Moran of Lahore). As the mukh sewadar of the Akal Takht, Akali Phula Singh, declared that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was no longer a Sikh, declaring him to be a Tankhaiya (removed from the Sikh fold).
Akali Phula Singh issued a Hukumnama, ordering the Maharaja to appear before the Sikh Sangat, in front of the Akal Takht (a tradition begun by Guru Hargobind that has been followed to this day.) To his credit, the mighty Maharaja answered the Hukumnama (order) of Akali Phula Singh. The humbled Maharaja Ranjit Singh admitted that he had made a mistake. Akali Phula Singh then ordered a punishment of 50 lashes for Maharaja Ranjit Singh to be carried out immediately.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh took off his shirt and bowed down to receive his punishment, seeing this Akali Phula Singh asked the Community (Sadh Sangat) to forgive the Maharaja for this mistake. And thus the Maharaja was pardoned, but not before he promised that he would not marry again. Maharaja Ranjit Singh who loved and respected Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht, unlike many other monarchs of the world, never tried to replace Akali Phula Singh, remaining true to the authority he had invested in Akali Phula Singh.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated the Gold with which the Muslim artisans of Amritsar clad the copper sheathing of the upper portions of Sri Harmandir Sahib, giving Sri Harmandir Sahib its modern popular name - the Golden Temple.
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