BUDDH SINGH MAN

BUDDH SINGH MAN (d. 1856), son of Mana Singh, entered the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1816 as a khidmatgar (attendant). He rose to the command of 30 horse, and was given a.jagir worth 17,000 rupees. Later, he was promoted a colonel in General Court`s brigade. According to British records, he commanded four regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and two troops of artillery. He remained on active duty during Maharaja Sher Singh`s reign, but because of his relationship with Atar Singh Sandhanvalia, a confirmed opponent of the Maharaja, he was reduced in rank.

Buddh Singh was reinstated a general under Wazir Hira Singh. He was put in command of General Court`s force which had an important role to play during the disorderly conditions following the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh and Wazir Dhian Singh. Buddh Singh`s troops were sent in particular to quell the revolts of Kanvar Pashaura Singh and Kanvar Kashmira Singh. He commanded a division of the Sikh army during the first AngloSikh war. He continued in the service of the Lahore Darbar after the reorganization of the Sikh army under the treaty of Lahore (1846).

He served under Major John Nicholson in 1847 and later under Captain James Abbott. During the second AngloSikh war, he remained with the British though the troops under his command had deserted him and joined Chatar Singh Atarivala. He fought the Sikhs under the command of Major Nicholson at Margalla Pass, was wounded and taken prisoner. He secured his release after the battle of Gujrat (21 February 1849). He died in 1856.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909
2. Hoti, Prem Singh, Maharaja Sher Singh. Ludhiana, 1951