RAM SINGH CHHAPEVALA

RAM SINGH CHHAPEVALA (d. 1840) was a man of note who fought in the battles of Ramnagar, Cheliarivala and Gujrat during the second AngloSikh war of 1848-49. His father. Dial Singh, was born in a poor peasant family of the village of Dadumajra, in Sialkot district of the Punjab. Recruited as a trooper in the army of Tara Singh of the Kanhaiya misi. Dial Singh served his master in many of his expeditions. Ram Singh along with his brother Kishan Singh lived at Chhapa, a village in Amritsar district. Maharaja Ranjit Singh took Ram Singh and his brother in his service and gave them command of five hundred sowars under Prince Kharak Singh.

Kishan Singh met his death in a battle in 1827; Ram Singh, who had achieved distinction in that battle, received a grant of seven villages in Amritsar district. Maharaja Kharak Singh gave Ram Singh the charge of his private seal and^`dgmin Amritsar and Shahpur districts. Under Maharaja Sher Singh, Ram Singh received various military commands, and his person aiyogrr was raised to rupees fifteen thousand per annum. In 1847, Ram Singh was sent in command of some irregular horse to Bannu under Shamsher Singh Sandharivalia, who was in command of the Sikh force sent by the Lahore Darbar to help Lieut.

Herbert Edwardes settle the disturbed district. Ram Singh was instrumental in arousing the Sikh force stationed in Dalipgarh Fort at Bannu to rebellion in 1848. The force headed by Ram Singh marched on to join Raja Sher Singh against the British. Ram Singh showed his worth by fighting bravely at Ramnagar (22 November 1848), Cheliarivala (13 January 1849) and at Gujrat (21 February 1849). He fell in the lastnamed battle. His^agirwas seized by the British upon the occupation of the Punjab.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, The Punjab Chiefs. Lahore, 1890