SHER MUHAMMAD KHAN, NAWAB

SHER MUHAMMAD KHAN, NAWAB (d. 1710), an Afghan feudatory of the Mughals, was the chief of Malerkotia and held a high military position in the sarkar or division of Sirhind. He had participated in the batde of Chamkaur and was present in the court at Sirhind when Nawab Wazir Khan, the faujdar, pronounced death for Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who were 9 and 7 years of age, respectively. Sher Muhammad Khan pleaded against the death sentence on the ground that the boys were too young to be given such a harsh penalty and could not in any case be held responsible for the actions of their father. Wazir Khan, however, overruled the objection and the Sahibzadas were brutally executed.

When Banda Singh Bahadur advanced on Sirhind in 1710, Nawab Sher Muhammad Khan at the head of his Malerkotia contingent, formed part of Wazir Khan`s army. He was killed in the action that ensued, i.e. the batde of Chappar Chin fought on 12 May 1710.

References :

1. Santokh Singh, Bhai, Sri Gur Pratap Suraj Granth. Amritsar, 1927-35
2. Gian Singh, Giani, Twankh Guru Khalsa [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970
3. Ganda Singh, Life of Banda Singh Bahadur. Amritsar, 1935
4. Harbans Singh, The Heritage of the Sikhs. Delhi, 1983