RAM CHAND, DIWAN

RAM CHAND, DIWAN (1819-1888), son of Ratan Chand and grandson of Nanak Chand, the brother of Diwan Savan Mall, Governor of Multan under Ranjit Singh, was only twelve when he succeeded, in 1831, his grandfather as revenue collector of Multan and Kashmir. Soon Maharaja Ranjit Singh appointed him chancellor, giving him charge of his private seal. After the death of the Maharaja, Ram Chand quit service and began to live at his native town Akalgarh, in Gujrariwala district.

He was held in high esteem for his generosity and honesty. He contributed liberally towards the construction of holy tanks at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. At Lahore hf set up a free dispensary for the poor. A Sanskrit school was also opened by him at Amritsar, besides a saddvart or poorhouse at Varanasi where he spent the last four years of his life. Ram Chand died in 1888. S.S.B.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909