TRAVELLING from Chandigarh to Patiala, one comes across a small village named Bahadurgarh just before Punjabi University. The village got its present name one and a half centuries ago. The place was originally called Saifabad. Saif Khan, the founder of the village and an influential administrator during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, had named it after himself.

Saif Khan's real name was Saifuddin Mahmud. His father Tarbiat Khan was a noble during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Once when Shah Jahan conceived the idea of conquering Balkh and Badkhshan, he asked Tarbiat Khan for his opinion on the subject. The Khan, known for his candour and straightforwardness, warned that the emperor should never contemplate carrying out any campaigns there as Indians would not be able to withstand the cold temperature of those places. The emperor was greatly offended and removed him from the post of Bakhshi (Paymaster General). However, Tarbiat Khan's warning proved right and later Shah Jahan reinstated him in imperial service.

Saif Khan inherited his father's straightforwardness and honest approach to work. Overconfident of his service record and his knowledge of warfare, he would not hesitate even to oppose the emperor. Hence, he was dismissed from imperial service a number of times. But it appears that his opposition was always based on reason as he was reinstated soon after his dismissal every time. On his termination he would calmly return to his native place and live the life of a hermit until he was recalled for service. Perhaps, this uncaring attitude earned him his second name, Faqirullah. Saif Khan served as governor of Delhi, Kashmir, Multan, Bihar and Allahabad at different times. Besides being a successful administrator, he was also a poet and musician. He composed a treatise on Indian classical music called Risala Rag-Darpan, and another one on Indian classical dances, entitled Risala Rags-i Hindi. The famous poet of the time, Nasir 'Ali Sirhindi (who died in March, 1697) was his devoted companion.

Saif Khan had very cordial relations with the ninth Sikh Guru, Teg Bahadur. Of the village founded by Saif Khan, nothing is extant but its gateway and mosque. Both these edifices are inside the fort at Bahadurgarh which was later constructed by the ruler of Patiala, Maharaja Karam Singh (1814-45).