Fateh Singh Kalianvala: Difference between revisions

Fateh Singh Kalianvala (d. 1807).

Fateh Singh Kalianvala (d.1807), Was from a Sandhu Jatt family and a Sikh military commander and jagirdar under Maharaja Ranjit Singh for a short period from 1798-1807, was the son of Jassa Singh and grandson of Jaimal Singh who was a Sehejdhari Sikh before, and also the first in line to take Amrit Sanchaar (Sikh Initiation) in the early 1700s, a period when the Sikhs in great masses were launching guerrilla wars against the Mughals, under the leadership of Jathedar Nawab Kapur Singh (1697-1753). He was a resident of Kali Lakhu village in Amritsar district of Punjab in the Majha. In the troops of the Sukkarchakkia chiefs, Charat Singh Sukkarchakia (d. 1770) and Maha Singh Sukkarchakia (d. 1792), he had fought against the Chatha Jatts inhabiting the northern part of Gujranwala district. In one of the skirmishes with the Chathas he lost both of his sons, Jai Singh and Jassa Singh.

Fateh Singh Kalianvala entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1798, and rapidly rose in the favour of his master. He was a brave and skilful soldier and took part in almost every campaign undertaken by the Maharaja during his early career. He fought against Ghulam Muhammad Khan Chattha and against Sardar Jodh Singh Waraich of Wazirabad. He was with the Maharaja at the time of the capture of the city of Lahore in 1799 from the Bhangi Misl Sardars and the Holy city of Amritsar in 1802 from Mai Sukhan of Bhangi Misl.

He participated in the Kasur (1801) and Jhang (1806) campaigns. Fateh Singh conquered Chiniot from Sardar Jassa Singh Bhangi and, when Jhang was taken in 1806 from Ahmad Khan Sial, the district was leased to him. It was owing to his advice that in 1805, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Sher-e-Panjab, did not espouse the cause of Maharajah Yashwantrao Holkar (1776-1811), the Hindu Maratha ruler of the Maratha Empire, against the British East India Company, Much assisted by Fateh Singh Kalianvala's good offices, peace was concluded between the British and the Holkar, who gave to him valuable gifts in recognition of his services. When towards the close of 1806, Qutb ud-Din Khan of Kasur raised the banner of revolt, Fateh Singh Kalianvala was sent against him.

In 1807, Ranjit Singh, after a visit to the Patiala Sikh Kingdom, besieged the fort of Naraingarh, In present day Ambala District of Haryana, held by Sardar Kishan Singh. Fateh Singh, who was in immediate command, assaulted the fort, but was repulsed and mortally wounded. He died on 25 October 1807.

He left no son, to succeed him to his Jagirs, He left a daughter behind who was married to Sardar Ranjit Singh Sowrianwala (d. 1834), a Sidhu Jatt, Sikh Sardar, who succeeded to large portions of Fateh Singh's Jagirs, and the remaining going to Sardar Dal Singh Naherna. She later gave birth to three sons Nihal Singh, Isar Singh (b. 1809), and Gurmukh Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent Sardar Mith Singh Padhania with a very valuable Khillat to give it to the widow of Fateh Singh, Mai Sewan at Kali Lakhu village near Amritsar.

References

1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Umddt-ut-Twarikh. Lahore, 1885-1889.

2. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909

3. Khushwant Singh, A History of the Sikhs, vol. I. Princeton, 1963

4. Sinha, N.K., Ranjit Singh. Calcutta, 1933

5. Bhagal Singh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and His Times. Delhi, 1990