Sardar Sobha Singh (1794-1857) Of Kalsia succeeded his father Jodh Singh as Sardar of Kalsia State in 1818. He was faced with a difficult situation as his lands fell under two opposing powers; the British to the south and Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the north. Fortunately, he was on good terms with both powers, and held them at bay till 1821, when he decided to surrender some of his lands in the north, in order to free any obligations towards the Lahore Durbar. During the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845, he remained neutral, but in 1847, Sardar Sobha Singh declared his support for the British. During the Second Anglo- Sikh Wars of 1849, he was asked by the British to provide conveyance, horses and food supplies for the British troops as they passed through Charik, a contribution that was duly acknowledged by the British.
But in 1853, he was deprived of his rights and revenue of Charik, near Moga, which became a feudatory right of the British Government. Yet, during the Mutiny of 1857, he received a request by the Deputy Commissioners of Ambala and Ferozepur, to provide help in supplying troops, to safeguard the highways between Kalka and Shimla, and securing the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow at Ambala.
Sardar Sobha Singh also provided troops to guard the treasuries at Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Ropar, that held about Rs 50,000. The Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir John Lawrence (1811-1879) expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his loyal services, in the form of a letter, dated December 24, 1857. Sardar Sobha Singh, maintained his own army, which included both foot soldiers and riders.
His subjects admired him and treated him with respect. Having ruled for forty years, he put his affairs in order, and retired to DeraBassi, now in Mohali District, where he passed away at the age of 63.