The word Misl is the Punjabi version of Confederation Scholars trying to trace the etymology of the term have usually based their interpretation on the Arabic/Persian word "misi". According to Stcingass, Persian-English Dictionary, the word means "similitude, alike or equal", and "a file" or collection of papers bearing on a particular topic. David Ochterlony defined misi as "a tribe or race;" Wilson as "a voluntary association of the Sikhs;" Bute Shah as "territory conquered by a brave Sardar with the help of his comrades," Sayyid Imam udDin HusainI as a "derah or encampment." Ratan Singh Bhangu uses the term at several places in the sense of a "thdnd" or military/police post; M'Gregor uses it in the sense of "a friendly nation;" Lawrence in that of "a brotherhood;" Syad Muhammad Latif in that of "a confederacy of clans under their respective chiefs leagued together;" and so on.
Misl in the meaning of a file or record (maintained according to some, at Akal Takht, under the commander of the entire Sikh army, the Dal Khalsa) pertaining to a Sardar's fighting force and territorial acquisitions has been mentioned by Sita Ram Kohli.J.D. Cunningham had taken note of this connotation of the word, too. He also traces the etymology of the word to maslahai which, according to Steingass' dictionary, means "a front garrison, a border fortification; armed (men), warlike (people), guards, guardians."
The word Misl is the Punjabi version of Confederation. Misls laid the foundation of the Sikh Raj ( Sikh Empire). For over twenty years the sikhs were going through extreme hardship imposed by Zakarya Khan and the misls fought hard to overturn this situation.This brought new hope, intrepidity, fearlessness and unity in Sikh groups heads. They gradually consolidated their groups into various Misls. These Misls were all considered equal. Sikhs operated mostly under twelve Misls; some comprising a few hundred while others could field eight to ten thousands fighting men. Each Sikh was free to join any Misl and every Misl acted in any way it wished in the area of its control. It was estimated that the Sikhs could collectively muster about seventy thousand soldiers in the field at one time. The system of Misls was appropriate to the conditions of the time and worked well under their respective leaders. While most of their operations were conducted independently, coordination with other Misls were made only on selective basis. It focused the energies of Sikh soldiers in the service of a single cause, the expulsion of Muslim rulers from Punjab and defending their religious faith. So whenever the Misl leaders heard that oppressed people were in need of help against their Mogul oppressors, they acted at once and rushed to their rescue. They were the gladiators of their time in their respective areas. The twelve Misls were Shaheed under Deep Singh, Ramgarhia under Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Ahluwalia under Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Sukerchakia under Charhat Singh, Bhangi under Hari Singh, Nakkai under Hira Singh, Nishanwalia under Dhasaunda Singh, Karora under Karura Singh, Kanheya under Jai Singh, Singhpuria (also called Faizullapuria) under Nawab Kapur Singh, Dallewalia under Gulab Singh and Phoolkiya under Ala Singh of Patiala area. In 1748, Dal Khalsa was formed, by combining all Sikh forces. For some years, while Jassa Singh Ahluwalia was in joint command, Nawab Kapur Singh was considered as the Supreme commander of Dal Khalsa. However, the Misls were able to consolidate their military and political efforts and started exerting their presence and influence independently. But when the Sikhs were becoming stronger under respective Misls especially when Muslim rulers were evicted, the Misl leaders started fighting amongst themselves to gain ascendancy over each other. Some of the important leaders of the Sikh Misls were Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718 - 1783), Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia (1723 - 1803), Hari Singh of Bhangi Misl (died 1764), Jai Singh Kanheya (died 1789) of Kenheya Misl and later Maharaja Ranjit Singh, son of Mahan Singh Sukerchakia. However age wise Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) was well placed to build the Sikh empire on the foundations laid by the Chiefs of other Misls. Therefore after the authority of important Misl heads was diminishing on account their old age or demise, he was able to amalgamate or annex the Sikh confederations under one flag. The Ramgarhia Misl was second last Misl to have been incorporated after the death of Sardar Jodh Singh, son of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, in 1816. The Kanheya Misl, where he was married, was annexed in 1820 when Sada Kaur, Ranjit Singh’s mother-in-law, was still heading the Misl. She was under his confinement when Ranjit Singh annexed Kanheya Misl. Sada Kaur however died in 1832. Even though the Sikh Misls were functioning under various Sikh leaders, they were able to exercise their presence and authority in their respective areas of influence and operations in the region. This period was the beginning of a consolidated Sikh empire in the region.
Home
Thanks to the sikhmisl.com and wikipedia