Discover the intense Sikh-Muslim conflict in Punjab over the sacred Gurdwara Shahidganj site in Lahore from 1935 to 1940. Learn about its historic significance.
Explore the heroic tales of Baba Ram Singh Bedi, a formidable Nihang warrior from Sialkot, descendant of Guru Nanak, who fought bravely against Afghan forces.
Explore Ram Singh's impact in aiding the 1848 anti-British rebellion, including hosting rebels at his dharamsala in Zahura and introducing them to key allies.
Discover the legacy of Ram Singh, expert in Arabic & Persian, rising to Brigadier General in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army by 1837.
Discover the captivating history and architecture of Samman Burj, the octagonal Mughal marvel in Lahore Fort, known for its royal and administrative legacy.
AHMAD SHAH DURRANI (1722-1772), the first of the Saddozai rulers of Afghanistan and founder of the Durrani empire, belonged to the Saddozai section of the Popalzai clan of the Abdali tribe of Afghans. In the 18th century the Abdalis were to be found chiefly around Herat. Under their leader Zaman Khan, father of Ahmad Khan. they resisted Persian attempts to take Herat until, in 1728, they were forced to submit to Nadir Shah. Recognizing the fighting qualities of the Abdalis, Nadir Shah enlisted them in his army.
ANAND SINGH, RAI (d. 1827), vakil or agent of the Sikh kingdom, belonged to the famed Bhandan family of Batala founded by Bhag Mall, a wealthy adventurer. In 1809, Anand Singh was appointed an agent of the Sikh Darbar at Ludhiana, the British military station and political agency. He was later sent as the Darbar`s envoy to the British resident at Delhi. He had a good knowledge of Persian and English and accompanied Sir Charles Metcaife on the successful expedition against Bharatpur undertaken by Lord Combermere in January 1826, receiving on his return from Maharaja Ranjit Singh the title of Rai with a robe of honour. Rai Anand Singh died in 1827.
Discover the legacy of Attar Singh, a 19th-century scholar and nobleman from Punjab with expertise in languages and strong ties with the British.
BHAVANI DAS, DlWAN (1770-1834), was the son of Diwan Thakur Das, revenue and finance minister of the Afghan king, Ahmad Shah Durrani. Bhavani Das succeeded to the position after the death of his father and served successively Shah Zaman, Shah Mahmud and Shah Shuja` until 1808 when Maharaja Ranjit Singh having heard of his reputation, invited him to Lahore to take charge of the State`s finances. At Lahore, Bhavani Das set up 12 departments called daftars to deal with all civil and military accounts. In the districts of different subahs treasuries were established to maintain regular accounts of income and expenditure.
BUTA SINGH, DIWAN (b. 1826) .journalist, printer and one of the last employees of the Sikh royal household, was born the son of Gurdial Singh at Lahore in 1826. He was a man of wealth and influence, being the owner of a chain of printing presses. In his earlier career, he had served as diwan or household minister to Maharani Jind Kaur in whose cause he had attempted to raise disturbances just before the second AngloSikh war for which he was deported from the Punjab to Allahabad where he was kept a political prisoner for seven years. In 1866, he set up Aftabi Punjab press in Lahore and issued in Urdu a fortnightly law journal, Anwar ulShams.
