KIRPA RAM, DIWAN

KIRPA RAM, DIWAN (d. 1843), civil administrator, soldier and statesman in Sikh times, was the youngest son of Diwan Moti Ram. In 1819, Kirpa Ram was sent by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Hazara to settle that turbulent country. The same year he was transferred to the Jalandhar Doab as governor in place of his father, Moti Ram, entrusted witli charge of the Kashmir province. In 1823, Kirpa Ram joined tlic Maharaja with the Doab forces and took part in the battle of Naushchra in which the Afghan forces under Muhammad `Azim Khan of Kabul suffered a heavy defeat.

Diwan Kirpa Ram took charge of the Subahi Kashmir in 1827. In 1830, owing to Raja Dhian Singh`s machinations, he was recalled to Lahore on charges of corruption and imprisoned. Thus humiliated, Kirpa Ram made plans to flee Lahore. He secretly slipped across the Sutlej, and repaired to Banaras to join his father. He never returned to Lahore, although attempts were made by the Sandharivalia chiefs and Maharani Chand Kaur to recall him to the Punjab. Kirpa Ram died at Haridvar on 11 November 1843.

References :

1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Udat-ul-Twarikh. Lahore, 1885-89
2. Griffin, Lepel, Ranjit Singfi. Oxford, 1905
3. Hasrat, BJ., Life and Times of Ranjit Singh. Hoshiarpur, 1977