BAISAKHA SINGH, DlWAN

BAISAKHA SINGH, DlWAN (d. 1844), soldier and administrator in the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was the son of Diwan Kahn Singh Chamiarivala. In 1831, he accompanied Kanvar Sher Singh and General Ventura to Peshawar to put down the tumult raised by Sayyid Ahmad Barelavi. When in 1832 Kanvar Sher Singh was appointed governor of Kashmir, Diwan Baisakha Singh was attached to him as a special assistant.

Owing to some complaints received against him, he was recalled to Lahore, tried for fraud, and fined 1,25,000 rupees. He regained the Darbar\’s favour in 1835 and was given an assignment which took him to Peshawar. In 1844, he earned the displeasure of Raja Hira Singh, the prime minister, and fled Lahore to take refuge with Bhai Bir Singh of Naurangabad. He was captured by a force led by Miari Labh Singh and executed in May 1844.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909
2. Suri, Sohan Lal, `L/mdat-ut-TwankA, Lahore, 1885-89