Rani Fato – the pragmatic woman who consolidated & stabilized the Sikh Rule in Patiala
The Sikh religion has always given equal or higher status to women; they have been the pillar of strength, provided undaunted support to their husbands, families and have been the guiding angels for their success. It has been due to their intelligence, courage and intuition that Sikhs have achieved prosperity in all walks of life.
During the turbulent period of the 1700s, when Sikhs were facing persecution, struggling to survive and gradually consolidating power, their women used their fortitude, diplomatic skills and foresightedness in saving their families from extinction. One such intelligent woman who was responsible for consolidating the Sikh rule at the kingdom of Patiala was Rani Fato. She was the wife of Sardar Ala Singh, the founder of Patiala. Guru Gobind Singh Ji had blessed the house with his hukumnama (letter of command, a line from it is – “I am pleased with you. Your house is my house”)
It seems according to me, in order to fulfill this blessing, our Guru sent Rani Fato to the house; it was due to her perception, negotiating skills and timely intervention, the house of Patiala was able to establish itself in spite of hostilities from Afghan King Ahmed Shah Durrani and antagonistic neighbours.
During the battle of Panipat in 1761, Ala Singh was a petty chief who helped the Marathas and provided them with supplies and some logistics. Unfortunately, he helped the losing side and after the Marathas were defeated, Ahmed Shah decided to seek retribution on all those who helped them and ordered Ala Singh to appear before him so that he could be publicly humiliated. Rani Fato, however intervened and sent her agents to Ahmed Shah with rich presents and tribute in order to seek pardon for her husband. Eventually Ahmed Shah was pleased by her conciliatory gesture and spared the life of her husband. Ala Singh was also allowed to retain the chiefdom of Patiala.
The Dal Khalsa condemned this action and wanted to punish Ala Singh, again Rani Fato used her diplomatic skills, approached their leader, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and asked him to seek an amicable solution. He appeased the Dal Khalsa by having Ala Singh seek their forgiveness and re-baptized him to the panth.
After Ala Singh died, there was a dispute over succession to the principality of Patiala between his two grandsons Amar Singh and Himmat Singh. Rani Fato used her wisdom and guidance to help the rightful heir, Amar Singh be accepted as the Chief. She avoided internecine warfare and family bloodshed and was able to persuade Himmat Singh to accept a Jagir and live peacefully with his half-brother.
During Ahmed Shah Durrani’s eighth invasion of India in 1767, Amar Singh supported the Durrani and was in his camp; however, there were other aspiring leaders such as Najib-ud-Daulah who was able to convince Ahmed Shah to grant him the chiefdom of Patiala as he was a fellow co-religionist. Rani Fato was made aware of this intrigue against her grandson and used her shrewdness to send presents to Shah Vali Khan, Durrani’s Prime Minister to negotiate a favourable position for Amar Singh. Shah Vali Khan persuaded Durrani to re-confirm Amar Singh as the ruler of Patiala. Also, both Rani Fato and Amar Singh were able to secure the release of boys and girls captured by Durrani during his campaign by offering him money and costly presents. Ahmed Shah was pleased with their conduct and on departure conferred the title of ‘Raja-e-Rajan’ to Amar Singh.
It was due to the perceptive, sharp-witted, and diplomatic skills of Rani Fato, the nascent kingdom of Patiala was able to survive the tumultuous period when many kingdoms fell to the Afghans. Rani Fato and future generation of women from her household were responsible for the establishment and survival of this kingdom, whose descendants have been flourishing to this present day.
Reference:
History of Sikhs vol. 4 by Dr. Hari Ram Gupta
A History of the Sikh People by Dr. Gopal Singh
The image is of a Punjabi woman of the period is not Rani Fato
