Sardar Hira Singh

Sardar Hira Singh (c. 1706-1767), founder of the Nakai misl (warrior clan), was a Sandhu Jatt of the village of Bahirval, near Chuniari, in Lahore district, now part of Pakistan. He was born the son of Chaudhari Hem Raj, headman of the village. In 1731, he received the initiatory rites of the Khalsa at the hands of the celebrated Bhal Mani Singh, and took to the adventurous and daring way of life of the Sikhs of those days. A number of young men of neighbouring villages joined him in his exploits, and he 'collected' a lot of goods and many cattle, camels and horses.

When the Sikhs sacked Kasur in 1763 and conquered Sirhind in 1764, Hira Singh occupied Bahirval, Chunian, Dipalpur, Jambar, Jelhupur, Kariganval and Khudlan. He established his headquarters at Chunian, 60 km from Lahore, on the road from Firozpur to Multan, and laid the foundation of the Nakai principality so called after the name of the region known as Nakka over which Hira Singh dominated. Hira Singh was killed in action in 1767 during his attack on Pak Pattan.