Maharaja Gulab Singh came from a distinguished Dogra-Rajput lineage. Gulab Singh was a Surya Vansi (Solar Race) Rajput and was born on October 21, 1792 to Kishore Singh, whose grandfather was the brother of the illustrious king of Jammu namely, Raja Ranjit Dev. In his childhood Gulab Singh was sent by his father for martial training to his grandfather Zorawar Singh. Zorawar Singh who lived in Dyawago some distance from Jammu was a ferocious and a tough warrior. Like many people of his clan Zorawar had little respect for literary pursuits and forced his grandson to learn martial arts. Due to the excellent martial training he received Gulab Singh matured into a great soldier. Even at a young age of 16 years Gulab Singh was able to demonstrate his civilary and adroitness when he fought against the army of the mighty Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had dispatched Bhai Hukma Singh (Chimni) to annex Jammu in the year 1808. A brave Gulab Singh (without informing his grandfather) joined in the battle and due to the resistance put forward by him and his group against the Sikh forces the Sikh forces were forced to withdraw to Saidgarh. Eventually, however, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was able to annex Jammu to his empire. Nevertheless, Bhai Hukma Singh was greatly impressed by the leadership and fighting abilities of this young lad Gulab Singh. Eventually after some wandering Gulab Singh was able to find employment with a Jagirdar (owner of an estate ) namely Sardar Nihal Singh of Attari. Nihal Singh was disliked by the people who lived on his Jagir and eventually a rebellion occurred against him and it was mainly due to the fighting abilities of Gulab Singh that the Jagir of Sardar Nihal Singh survived.

Following this the news of this performance of Gulab Singh reached Bhai Hukma Singh, who subsequently informed Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the exceptional fighting abilities of Gulab Singh. Eventually in the year 1809 Maharaja Ranjit Singh invited Gulab Singh to Daska a village situated a few miles from Sialkot and requested him to join his army.

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