RAM SINGH
Son of Sardar Jassa Singh, Bats Ram Singh ream born in 1826 u village Bhaim in the District of Ludhiana_ His father belonged to the lower middle class avid worked as a carpenter Ln his village. Baba Rant Singh got his early education in Gunnukhi ar4 Gurbani (Sikh scriptures). When he grew up, he enrolled himself in the Khalsa Army and served for several \can in the Risala of Kanwrr Nau Nihal Scmgh, “”d of Ran; rot Singhh. Dwing the period of his service he fell under the spell of a Sikh saint of Ha,ro, Baba Bali Singh. Under the influence of his spiritual misters teachings he got disgusted with the deteriorating state of attain around him and bidding good bye to service went home.
He founded the Sam Khalsn in 1857 which batter became the nucleus of his Nomdhari or Kuka movement A few year later in 1863, he issued a comprehensive code of discipline for his followers which went a long way in consolidating the ranks of the Kuka movement.
During his tours to the Punjab province his diwans were attended by huge crowds. As his teachings contained critical references to several elements of Western impact, such as education and cow. slaughter, British authoritieS felt alarmed and interpreted his movement as a bid to restore the Khalsa Raj in the Punjab. In 1863 Baba Ram Singh and his followers were placed under police surveillance. This act of official repression proved a shot in the arm for the movcmem which thereafter made rapid strides and took the form of a political revolutionary organization. he Kukas were now asked to boycott British institutions such as schools and colleges, courts, post and telegraph offices and steps were taken to establish alternate arrangements which had the appearance of a parallel government. The province was divided into 22 divisions and each division was placed under a Subs or governor.
The Government, however, removed the ban on Kuka’s activities in 1869 because of movement’s familarity. This gave foster encouragement to the Kukas. Since they did not believe in superstitions, some of them made attack on graves, marks of cremation and SomauLss (memorials raised over cremation spots).
A programme of attacks on slaughter-houses and butchers was adopted in 1871. The slaughter-houses of Amritser and Rai Kot were raided as a result of which several butchers were killed at both the places. The assailants were traced out and were banged after summary trials. The most important attack was, however, reserved for Malerkotla in 1872, in the course of which the Kukas killed 10 men arced wounded seventeen, their own losses being S killed and 31 wounded 63 Kukas were rounded up. Out of them 65 were blown up from the mouths of guns and one was cut to pieces by sword,
The years 1369 to 1872 were also marked oy attempts on the part of Baba Ram Singh to establish contacts with the Rulers of Nepal and Kashmir with a view to strengthening his anti-British movement. After the Malerkotla affair, the entire Kuka movement was outlawed, a police post was set up at Bhaini, the headquarters of the movement, and all prominent leaders including Baba Rare Sin* were taken into custody. Baba Ram Singh was deported first to Allababad and then to Burma and he remained there as a state prisoner till his dead, in 1885.
During the period of his incarceration in Burma Ram Singh continued to keep contact with his people in the Punjab through letters and personal messengers. The main theme of his letters and messages was the prediction that they would soon be free from the yoke of the fr ,,gi (Britishcrs).