NIDHAN SINGH

NIDHAN SINGH, a Varaich Jatt of Patti in present day Amritsar district of the Punjab, was, according to Sarup Singh Kaushish, Guru kian Sakhian, the husband of the celebrated Sikh heroine, Mai Bhago. He was one of the warriors who fell fighting in the battle of Muktsar fought on 29 December 1705 and who were blessed by Guru Gobind Singh as mukte, the Liberated Ones. NIDHAN SINGH (d. 1850) or Nidhan Singh Hathu, i.e. Nidhan Singh the Inflexible, son of Jassa Singh, was a bold warrior in Sikh times who, inheriting Daska in Sialkot district from his father, had acquired considerable territory.

The surrounding chiefs, Mahan Singh Sukkarchakkia of Gujranwala, Sahib Singh Bharigi of Gujrat, Panjab Singh of Sialkot and Jodh Singh of Wazirabad became jealous of him. In 1797, when Shah Zaman invaded the Punjab, Nidhan Singh met the Kabul monarch on the banks of the Chenab, and was warmly received and confirmed in all of his estates. Soon after this Ranjit Singh, rising to power, summoned Nidhan Singh and offered him appointment on his personal staff, but the high spirited chief declined. It was not until 1810 that he, with 250 horsemen, consented to accompany the Maharaja on his Mukan expedition.

At the close of the campaign, Nidhan Singh returned to his headquarters at Daska contrary to the orders of the Maharaja, who, determined to punish him, laid siege to the fort of Daska, bringing against it the famous Bhangi gun. After a month`s siege Nidhan Singh was forced to surrender. On promise of protection given him by the Maharaja, he came into the latter`s camp where, in violation of the promise, he was arrested and put in irons. Nidhan Singh fled to Kashmir and took up service with the Afghan ruler, `Ata Muhammad Khan.

He was, however, soon recalled and a great portion of his estate was restored to him subject to the service of 100 horsemen. Nidhan Singh received jdgirs in Dera Isma`H Khan and Hazara. In 1824, he was placed under the orders of Prince Kharak Singh and in 1827 transferred to the Ghorcharhas in which force he remained till his retirement in 1845. Nidhan Singh died in 1850. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Urndat ut Twarikh. Lahore, 188589 2. Griffin, Lepel and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909

References :

1. Padam, Piara Singh and Giani Garja Singh, ed.. Guru ktdn Sakhian. Paliala, 1986