Sham Singh Atariwala
Sham Singh Attariwala (1790 - 1846) was a general of the Sikh Empire. He was born in the 1790s in the house of well known Sikh farmers in the town of Attari (a few kilometres from the border of Indian and Pakistan Punjab in India), Amritsar, in the Majha region of Panjab, India. Asa child he was educated in Gurmukhi and Persian. When Ranjit singh became the Maharaja of Punjab, he got Attariwala's services at his disposal. Maharaja Ranjit Singh knowing his qualities and fighting abilities made him a 'Jathedar' of 5000 horsemen. He participated actively in many campaigns, notably like the campaign of Multan, campaign of Kashmir, campaign of the Frontier Province etc.
Sham Singh Attariwala (1790 - 1846) was a general of the Sikh Empire. He was born in the 1790s in the house of well known Sikh farmers in the town of Attari (a few kilometres from the border of Indian and Pakistan Punjab in India), Amritsar, in the Majha region of Panjab, India. Asa child he was educated in Gurmukhi and Persian. When Ranjit singh became the Maharaja of Punjab, he got Attariwala's services at his disposal. Maharaja Ranjit Singh knowing his qualities and fighting abilities made him a 'Jathedar' of 5000 horsemen. He participated actively in many campaigns, notably like the campaign of Multan, campaign of Kashmir, campaign of the Frontier Province etc.
Sham Singh Attariwala is also famous for his last stand at the Battle
of Sobraon. He joined the Sikh military in 1817 and during the
Afghan–Sikh Wars participated in the Battle of Attock, Battle of Multan,
Battle of Peshawar, and the 1819 Kashmir expedition. His daughter was
married to Prince Nau Nihal Singh and he served on the council of
regency for Maharajah Dalip Singh.
Upon his death, his wife Mai Dasi committed sati (self-immolation) in her bridal dress
SHAM SINGH ATTARI ARRIVES ON THE SCENE
Sardar Sham Singh Attari was in Ludhiana District when the hostilities began. As soon as the Sikh forces crossed Sutlej he returned to his village Attari. When the news of defeat reached Maharani Jindan, she despatched ten horsemen to the Sardar with an urgent message. The Attari Chief hurried to the scene of battle to find the shameful part played by the traitors in the hope of being upheld as Ministers of a dependent Kingdom by the grateful conquerors.' When he fully apprised himself of the situation, he hesitated for a while to take command. But in view of the delicate political situation then existing, he decided to follow the course which the legendary Maharaja (Ranjit Singh) had taught them to take when honour and duty to his faith and country was involved. Accordingly he declared his resolve to resist the British and stop them from occupying the Punjab.
The Sikhs dejected at their defeat at Ferozeshah again took heart and were inspired anew by his noble example. Cunningham again describes the scene, The dangers which threatened the Sikh people pressed upon their mind and they saw no escape from foreign subjection. The grey headed chief, Sham Singh of Attari, made known his resolution to die in the first conflict with the enemies of his race and so to offer himself as a sacrifice of propitiation to the spirit of Gobind Singh ji and to the genius of his mystic Commonwealth.
Source:Anglo-Sikh Wars and its Inside Tale - Karnail Singh
Upon his death, his wife Mai Dasi committed sati (self-immolation) in her bridal dress
Sardar Sham Singh Attari was in Ludhiana District when the hostilities began. As soon as the Sikh forces crossed Sutlej he returned to his village Attari. When the news of defeat reached Maharani Jindan, she despatched ten horsemen to the Sardar with an urgent message. The Attari Chief hurried to the scene of battle to find the shameful part played by the traitors in the hope of being upheld as Ministers of a dependent Kingdom by the grateful conquerors.' When he fully apprised himself of the situation, he hesitated for a while to take command. But in view of the delicate political situation then existing, he decided to follow the course which the legendary Maharaja (Ranjit Singh) had taught them to take when honour and duty to his faith and country was involved. Accordingly he declared his resolve to resist the British and stop them from occupying the Punjab.
The Sikhs dejected at their defeat at Ferozeshah again took heart and were inspired anew by his noble example. Cunningham again describes the scene, The dangers which threatened the Sikh people pressed upon their mind and they saw no escape from foreign subjection. The grey headed chief, Sham Singh of Attari, made known his resolution to die in the first conflict with the enemies of his race and so to offer himself as a sacrifice of propitiation to the spirit of Gobind Singh ji and to the genius of his mystic Commonwealth.
Source:Anglo-Sikh Wars and its Inside Tale - Karnail Singh
No comments:
Post a Comment