MOTI RAM, DIWAN

MOTI RAM, DIWAN (1770-1837), was the only son of Diwan Muhkam Chand, one of Maharaja Ranjil Singh`s most trusted army generals. Moll Ram officiated as the governor of the Jalandhar Doab during the absence of bis father on military expeditions. After the death of his father in 1814, he was confirmed as governor of the Jalandhar Doab. In 1818, Moti Ram participated in the successful Multan campaign. He became the first governor of Kashmir when in 1819 the territory was conquered and annexed to the Sikh kingdom, but he became so heartbroken after the death of his son, Ram Dial, killed in the battle of Hazara in 1820, that he resigned his post and retired to Banaras to live the life of a recluse.

However, the Maharaja recalled him after an year and sent him again to Kashmir as governor which post he held up to 1826. He returned to Lahore and was assigned to protocol duties. He accompanied the Sikh mission to wait on Lord Amherst, the Governor General of India, when he came to Shimla for the first time in 1827. In 1831 also he was a member of the mission sent from Lahore to meet Lord William Bentinck. In December 1831, Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted to Diwan Moti Ram in jdgir Kunjah, his ancestral hometown, and several villages around it worth over three lakh rupees annually. Court machinations led Diwan Moti Ram in 1832 to take leave of his royal master and to proceed to Banaras where he died in February 1837.

References :

1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Umddt ut-Twankh. Lahore, 1885-89
2. Griffin, Sir Lepel, The Punjab Chiefs. Lahore, 1890
3. Latif, Syad Muhammad, History of the Punjab. Calcutta, 1891
4. Khushwant Singh, Ranjit Singh: Maharajah of the Punjab. London, 1962
5. Hasrat, Bikrama jit, Life and Times of Ranjit Singh. Hoshiarpur, 1978