Bhangi Misl

The Bhangi Misl (Punjabi: ਭੰਗੀ ਮਿਸਲ (Gurmukhi), بھنگی مثل (Shahmukhi)) was a large Sikh Misl led by Dhillon Jats headquartered in a village near Amritsar. It was founded in the early 18th century by Sardar Chhajja Singh, who was baptised by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. The misl received its name "Bhangi" because Chhajja Singh and his soldiers were addicted to an intoxicant herb Bhang (drink made from cannabis sativa). After Sardar Chhajja Singh's death, the Bhangi misl was succeeded by Bhuma Singh Dhillon.

It grew in strength and territory to cover an area from to Multan and emerged as the strongest power in the western Punjab region. However, deaths among the leadership during the late 1760s reduced the Misl's power.

The Bhangi misl engaged in numerous power struggles with the Sukerchakia Misl until they were severely weakened at the Battle of Basin and the loss of Lahore to Ranjit Singh.

Bhangi Misl held the possession of Zamzama, the famous cannon, which was at the time named Bhangi Toap, Bhangianwala Toap and Bhangian di Top, names it retains to this day.

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