KARAM SINGH NIRMALA

KARAM SINGH NIRMALA, nephew of Himmat Singh of the Nishanarivali chicfship, who had captured Shahabad Markanda and Isma`ilabad in January 1764 after the sack of Sirhind. On Himmat Singh`s death without issue in 1771, Karam Singh succeeded him in the leadership of the Nishanarivali misl. Karam Singh commanded a force of 750 horse and 250 foot. In 1779, he joined `Abd ul Ahd, minister of Delhi,in his expedition against Patiala. In January 1786, Karam Singh and others plundered the Gariga Doab.

Again in April 1790, a body of 12,000 Sikhs led by Karam Singh ravaged the Doab including Hapur, 57 km from Delhi, and `Aligarh. Karam Singh sent his vakilto MahadjT Scindia, regent of the Mughal empire, demanding more grants of lands in the Doab. After some time Scindia granted to Karam Singh, Shikarpur in jdgir and the title of Sardar under the royal seal. Karam Singh`s son, Kharak Singh, was married to Prem Kaur, daughter of Raja Sahib Singh of Patiala.

References :

1. Seetal, Sohan Singh, The Sikh Misals and the Panjnh. Ludhiana, n.d.
2. Griffin, Lcpel, and C.F. Mass)`, Chiefs and Fninilie.`i of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909
3. Gupta, Hari Ram, History of the Sikhs, vol. IV. Delhi, 1982