Jacob Thomas

Jacob Thomas, son of the celebrated 18th century adventurer and soldier of fortune George Thomas – (an Irish sailor/gunner who had formerely worked for the Nizam of Hyderabad. Leaving that position he trecked across India to Delhi finally finding employment with Begam Samru, with whom it is said he became involved. Later she provided him with a Christian wife who had been in her service. He is credited with saving the Mughal Emperor's life while in the employment of the Begum, as the troops he was in command of were kept from getting drunk along with many of the Emperor's troops during Ramzan. He was rewarded with several jagirs and carved out a small kingdom for himself in the wastelands of Haryana. He fought many times back and forth with various Sikh Bands in the area.)

Jacob Thomas was also in the service of Begam Samru before he joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army in 1838. In the Sikh army he was given command of the Najib regiment, composed of Punjabi Muslims. In 1843, he was removed from service by the army panchayats (a group of five Sikhs) who controlled Sikh units after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The introduction of this version of 'democracy', long practised in the villages of India, was one of the things that alarmed the British after their 'ally's', by treaty, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death, as he had always kept firm control over his Khalsa forces. Now they feared that any Sikh unit, across the Suledge, might just take it upon themselves to attack them at any time.

The Panj Pyares of Guru Gobind Singh's creation are, in a way, still alive around the world where five respected Sikhs of any Sikh Sangat are called upon to officiate over the Pahul ceremony of new Sikhs on their initiation into the Khalsa.

Jacob Thomas left Lahore for Sardhana in present day Uttar Pradesh after his dismissal.

References

1. Grey, C., European Adventurers of Northern India. Lahore, 1929