Maharaja Nau Nihal Singh

Maharaja Nau Nihal Singh (born March 9,1821- died November 6,1840) was the grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His father was Maharaja Kharak Singh, the eldest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Background

The death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lion of the Punjab, left the Sikh Kingdom with no ruler of the unique strengths of Ranjit Singh. The fabled leader had by the sheer power of his will built an army which was the main check to British expansion in India. He was the Sikh Akbar, the Sikh Napoleon. His Khalsa army included European Officers, Panjabi Muslims, Rajputs, Poorbias and even an American Officer. And then there were his Sikhs, the fabled Cavalry, the fearless Nihangs and the feared legendary Hari Singh Nalva. The mere mention of his name could turn attacking enemies homeward. Even today in Pakistan his name is still used to get children quite and ready for bed.

Muslims, Hindus,Jains, Parsis and Christians all could freely practice their religions, even the death penality had been outlawed. The people of the Panjab lived in peace free from foreign rule. Security had at long last come to the land of the 5 rivers.

Dogra Villany

But Kartar Singh, the Maharajas oldest son was no Ranjit Singh. Given to the use of opium, wine, stronger spirits and womanizing the new ruler soon became suspicious of his Vazir, a hold over from his father's court, Dhian Singh Dogra. He turned to his childhood mentor and friend Chet Singh who attempted to reduce the powers of the Dogra brothers. Dogra rumours were spread, an English sell out mentioned) and soon Chet Singh was murdered. Kartar Singh was placed in 'haveli arrest' and slowly poisoned (with mercury). His son Prince Nau Nihal, on paper at least ruled in his father's name but left the actual running of the government to the Dogras. He left Lahore.

A Convienient Death

Returning to light the fire of his father's pyre he was injured, returning to the city, when an old gate crashed down upon him. The injury was said to be minor, he was able to walk. Never-the-less he was pushed into a Palki, which was strangely right at hand, by Dhian Sing Dogra who rushed the new Maharaja into the fort and had the gates locked. His family and courtiers were kept from him for 2 days. An eye-witnesses to the accident described his initial injury as being slight. Two days later Dhian Singh Dogra announced that Maharaja Nau Nihal Singh had died from his injuries. Courtiers were shocked to see the body, his head was now severly crushed.

The Dogra brothers, Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh are widely believed to be behind the gates sudden colaspe.

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(this article is to be continued, currently researching Nau Nihal's philanthropy military service, etc. Tarn Taran, the Golden Tackt or Gaddi, etc.