CHUHAR SINGH
Sardar Chuhar Singh (b. circa 1743) of Jharauli was a prominent general of Shaheedan Misl and a close relative of Sikh warriors Baba Deep Singh and Rai Singh Bhangi [1]. He was originally came from the village Chung situated about 45 km south of Amritsar. Under the command of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, he fought from Shaheedan Misl in Battle of Sirhind (1764) against Mughal Faujdar of Sirhind, Zain Khan Sirhindi [2] and secured Jharauli, Fatehgarh Atri, Ajrana and seven other villages in the bet tracts of Markanda River as his share of battle. [3] He had two sons, Karam Singh (d.1808) and Mohar Singh (d.1845). The younger Mohar Singh became incharge of Jharauli estate while his elder son Karam Singh took control of the family estate at Chung that finally incorporated to Lahore Darbar by Ranjit Singh after his death as issueless in 1808. Mohar Singh lost seven villages of Jharauli estate to Bhunga Singh of thanesar in 1780.
Early life
Sardar Chuhar Singh was born in Waraich clan of Sindhu Jats of village Chung around 1743. The village was named Chung after Waraich or Chung Jats were settled here in the time of adana Maliks [4]. Motivated by Baba Deep Singh's teachings, he joined Shaheedan Misl under Karam Singh Shahid, grandson of Baba Deep Singh. At that time, the Sikhs of Mahja and Malwa were determined to conquer Muslim province of Sirhind so seven misls including Shaheedan misl from this area were united under the leadership of Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and attacked Sirhind in 10 January, 1764 near Issru.[5] They captured the province without much resistance. The Governor of Sirhind, Zain Khan Sirhindi, was died during the battle. The illaqa of Sirhind was divided among the Sardars.[6] From his share, Chuhar Singh retained ten villages for himself and gave the rest to his lieutenants.
Later years
After appointing his sons at Jharauli and Chung, he came back to Amritsar and remained in the driving seat of Gurdwara Shahid Bunga Baba Dip Singh for a long period of time, where a few years back his elder Baba Deep Singh took his last breath while saving Golden Temple from Ahmad Shah Durrani’s army.[7] During this time, he also acquired much land from either side of Ravi and was accounted one of most powerful Sardars of his time. The year of his death is unknown. The descendants of Chuhar Singh now live in Jharauli, Chandigarh and London.
References
- ^ Roper Lethbridge (1893). The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated of the Indian Empire.p.123. Macmillan and Co.London.
- ^ Anonymous (1883). Gazetteer of the Karnal District: 1883. Arya Press.
- ^ Chopra, Gulshan Lall; Griffin, Lepel Henry; Massy, Charles Francis; Conran, W L (1940). Chiefs and families of note in the Punjab.p.45 (1940 ed.). Government Printing, Lahore.
- ^ Punjab District Gazetteer - Amritsar.p.591. 1986.
- ^ {History And Philosophy Of The Sikh Religion by K.Singh, 1914, p.280.
- ^ {History Of The Sikhs Vol. IV The Sikh Commonwealth Or Rise And Fall Of Sikh Misls by Hari Ram Gupta.p.31.
- ^ Harbans Singh (1995). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism:A-D. Punjabi University, Patiala.
