Jathedar Sirdar Akali Baba Jassa Singh Ji Ahluwalia, the fourth Jathedar of the Budha Dal, was born on 3rd May in Alu. Baba Ji's father, Sardar Badar Singh Ji, passed away in 1723, and as a result, Baba Ji and his mother went to live with Mata Sundar Kaur Ji in Delhi, where they resided for six years. Baba Ji received Amrit from Jathedar Akali Baba Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji, and on 14th October 1745, he successfully captured Kapurthala. Furthermore, on 26th April 1761, Baba Ji conquered Lahore, and on 5th February 1762, he rescued numerous Hindu women from Muslim rulers.

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From a tender age, Baba Jassa Singh Ji Ahluwalia remained devoted to the Khalsa Panth. After his time with Mata Sundar Kaur Ji, he diligently cared for the Khalsa's horses. The Prachin Panth Parkash records:

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"The young Jassa Singh was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the horses' feed, hailing from a family of wine-sellers in the village of Ahluwal."

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PRACHIN PANTH PARKASH, S. RATTAN SINGH BHANGU, VOL I, PG 87

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The Prachin Panth Parkash recounts the remarkable journey of Sardar Jathedar Baba Jassa Singh Ji, starting from his humble beginnings as a young child and culminating in his esteemed position as a revered leader. The passage unfolds as follows:

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Dohra: Let me now share with my readers the inspiring tale of Jassa Singh, who, despite his impoverished circumstances, joined the ranks of the Khalsa Panth and eventually emerged as a respected sovereign within the Khalsa Panth.

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Chaupai: In the vicinity between Lahore and Kasur, there resided a community known as Ahluwalia. Within this community, there lived a humble individual belonging to the Kalal community, who, as a devout follower of the Sikh Gurus, embraced Sikhism with unwavering dedication. (2)

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S. Dyal Singh, as he was known, diligently engaged in various menial occupations to sustain himself. After his demise, he left behind a son and a wife who shared a deep bond of affection.

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The wife, hailing from a family of devout Sikhs, received education under the guidance of her own parents. Endowed with a Sikh upbringing from both her natal and marital families, she had committed to memory numerous hymns from the sacred Gurbani scriptures. (4)

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She would always carry a condensed version of the sacred Gurbani hymns, faithfully attending every Sikh gathering. In the mornings, she would recite the hymns, and in the evenings, she would engage in evening prayers.

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Dohra: The infant, Jassa Singh, would join her in these recitations, playing a double-stringed musical instrument with heartfelt devotion. Thus, the mother-son duo established a routine of reciting devotional hymns together, both in the mornings and evenings.

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Chaupai: Whenever devout Singhs organized a congregation, they would never decline an invitation to participate. Regardless of the time, day or night, they would eagerly join the gathering, creating a melodious chorus while reciting the Gurbani hymns. (7)

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They would make it a point to visit Gurdwaras during significant historical occasions, never hesitating to serve the Guru. Whenever the Khalsa Panth organized a congregation, they would eagerly participate, wholeheartedly reciting the sacred Gurbani hymns. (8)

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Dohra: Upon hearing that a Khalsa contingent had arrived in Amritsar, the mother-son duo felt a deep desire to pay their respects. As they passionately recited the Gurbani hymns, they created an atmosphere of devotion among the Panthic audience. (9)

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Chaupai: Having arrived at an auspicious moment, the Khalsa contingent was greatly pleased by their soulful rendition. Jathedar (Nawab) Kapoor Singh, summoning the young boy, personally initiated him into the Khalsa Panth. With his own hands, he bestowed the honor upon him. (10)

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Dohra: Overwhelmed with joy at her son's initiation, the mother willingly entrusted her son to Nawab Kapoor Singh's care. Blessed by fate, the child began living under the guidance of Nawab Kapoor Singh.

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Chaupai: Moved by compassion for the child, Nawab Kapoor Singh assigned him the task of distributing feed to the horses. For several days, the child diligently performed this duty, despite facing rejection and discouragement from many individuals.

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Dohra: This incident, as narrated by Rattan Singh, has been captured in the following lines, As passed down to him by his knowledgeable ancestors. Forgive any unintentional omissions, for the author considers himself a humble servant of the Khalsa Panth.

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Chaupai: Distressed and in tears, the boy approached Nawab Kapoor Singh, Expressing his inability to continue distributing cattle feed due to the severe beatings he endured.

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Amused by the situation, Nawab Kapoor Singh called the boy closer and blessed him with his hands, Affectionately remarking that the boy would one day distribute feed to thousands of horses.

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The Khalsa Panth, which had bestowed the title of Nawab upon Kapoor Singh, would one day crown the boy as a sovereign, From that moment, the boy became deserving of the grace of the Khalsa Panth, And came to be known as Jassa Singh Kalal, the sovereign.

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PRACHIN PANTH PARKASH, S. RATTAN SINGH BHANGU, VOL I, PG 92-97