Hari Singh Nalwa: Difference between revisions
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Panthkhalsa (talk | contribs) Undid revision 275177327 by Pahari Sahib (talk) Read Afgani literature please before posting. |
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|placeofdeath=[[Jamrud]] |
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'''Hari Singh Nalwa''' (1791-1837) was a legendary [[Sikh]] warrior |
'''Hari Singh Nalwa''' Nalwa the translated version of "Narwa" used by the punjabi people. Hari Singh "Nalwa"(1791-1837) was a legendary [[Sikh]] warrior and governer of the [[Kashmir]] province of the Khalsa kindgom, who was born in [[Jammu Kashmir]] not in Gujranwala. His birth in Gurjranwala is a common missconception by historians as Hari Singh Nalwa had an estate in Gurjranwala where he lived in his later life. Historians have falsly assumed Hari Singh Nalwa was born in Gujranwala. He was the Commander-In-Chief of Maharaja [[Ranjit Singh]] and one of the most honored Sikh warriors. Hari Singh Nalwa is known to the Afgani people as Hari Singh Narwa. By the Mazhabis, Hari Singh Nalwa is considered their greatest legacy. |
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== Early life == |
== Early life == |
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Hari Singh was born in an |
Hari Singh was born in an Narwa [[Mazhabi]] Sikh family. He was the Son of Gurdyal Singh, who was the son of Hari Dass Singh He became fatherless at a very young age. His father, Gurdyal Singh of Gujranwala, died in 1798. Guru Ke Bette,Singh.J (2000)1st edition; Bhartia Dalit Sahit acadamy publishers and institution. |
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Hari singh Nalwa started his military career under [[Akali Phoola Singh]] him self a [[Mazhabi]] Jathadhar. Only Mazhabi sikhs could join under Akali Phoola Singh's command. In the days of Guru Gobind Singh all Nihang forces were of Mazhabi Singhs; all nighangs up until the sikh misles were [[Mazhabi]] Singhs. Hari Singh's real surename was "Narwa" which is a clan surename of the [[Mazhabi]] [[sikhs]] The Afgans know him as Hari Singh Narwa. |
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| ⚫ | Sir Henry Griffin called Nalwa the "[[Joachim Murat|Murat]] of the [[Khalsa]]". A British newspaper had asserted in the early twentieth century that had Nalwa the resources and the artillery of the British, he would have conquered the East and extended the boundaries of the [[Sikh Kingdom]] to include Europe. This most famous of the great Sikh generals participated in the following conquests: [[Sialkot]], [[Kasur]] (1807), [[Multan]] (1818), [[Kashmir]] (1819), [[Pakhli]] & [[Damtaur]] (1821-2), [[Peshawar]] (1834) and finally [[Jamrud]] (1837) in the Khyber Hills.<ref>http://www.harisinghnalwa.com/general.html</ref> He served as the governor of both Kashmir and Peshawar. A coin minted in Kashmir came to be known as the 'Hari Singhee'. The coin is on display in museums. |
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==Decendents== |
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His last living decendent was contacted before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, by Master Tara Singh Tikka. His last living decendent was living on the Pakistan punjab side. He was a police officer at that time. No modernday decendents are known, any who do consider themselves to be decendents are subject to extreem controversy. |
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==Controversy== |
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| ⚫ | Sir Henry Griffin called Nalwa the "[[Joachim Murat|Murat]] of the [[Khalsa]]". A British newspaper had asserted in the early twentieth century that had Nalwa the resources and the artillery of the British, he would have conquered the East and extended the boundaries of the [[Sikh Kingdom]] to include Europe. This most famous of the great Sikh generals participated in the following conquests: [[Sialkot]], [[Kasur]] (1807), [[Multan]] (1818), [[Kashmir]] (1819), [[Pakhli]] & [[Damtaur]] (1821-2), [[Peshawar]] (1834) and finally [[Jamrud]] (1837) in the Khyber Hills.<ref>http://www.harisinghnalwa.com/general.html</ref> He served as the governor of both Kashmir and Peshawar. A coin minted in Kashmir came to be known as the 'Hari Singhee'. The coin is on display in museums. |
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It is beleived through historical writers that Hari Singh Nalwa earned his title "Nalwa" by killing a tiger. However it has been pointed out by other historians that, many other numerous sikhs have confronted and even killed wild beasts such as big cats like the tiger or lion for example Baba Bir Singh Bangsi. Hence Hari Singh Nalwa alone could not have been awarded a special title for killing a big cat. |
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Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha states that Hari Singh Nalwa is from an Uppal [[Khatri]] Sikh Family. The son of Gurdyal Singh Uppal Khatri of Gujaranwala. It is argued that a succession of sikh writers mainly belonging to the upper castes have changed or distorted history to personal preferances. |
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Historical writer Jaswant Singh states that he cannot be a Khatri becasue Hari Singh Nalwa is from Baba Bir Singh Bangsi's clan. Bir Singh Bangsi was the founder and head of the "lost" 13th misle a mazbhi sikh misle part of which, was destroyed and cut up inside Harmandir Sahib by Baba Alla Singh and Charat Singh and their supporters. |
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It is also stated by Sikh writers that the Nalwa or "Narwa" surename or clan name does not exist amoungst the Khatris. |
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Others state Hari Singh Nalwa was a Jatt sikh. However no solid proof has been found. |
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==Hari Singh Nalwa's Death== |
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He died during the battle of Jamrud, while the major part of the Sikh army was stationed in Amritsar for display before the British Commander-in-chief, [[Henry Fane]], who had come to attend the wedding of [[Ranjit Singh]]'s grandson. Had Nalwa not risen to face the challenge posed by the Afghans, the entire North West Frontier of the Sikh Kingdom would have been lost. Hari Singh Nalwa was victorious even in his death, and the Sikhs succeeded in with-holding the fort of Jamrud. |
He died during the battle of Jamrud, while the major part of the Sikh army was stationed in Amritsar for display before the British Commander-in-chief, [[Henry Fane]], who had come to attend the wedding of [[Ranjit Singh]]'s grandson. Had Nalwa not risen to face the challenge posed by the Afghans, the entire North West Frontier of the Sikh Kingdom would have been lost. Hari Singh Nalwa was victorious even in his death, and the Sikhs succeeded in with-holding the fort of Jamrud. |
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[[Haripur, Pakistan|Haripur city]], [[Haripur Tehsil|tehsil]] and [[Haripur District|district]], in [[Hazara, Pakistan|Hazara]], [[North-West Frontier Province]], [[Pakistan]], are named after him.<ref>[http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=75&dn=Haripur Tehsils & Unions in the District of Haripur - Government of Pakistan]</ref> Had Nalwa had lived long, many feel that the British would never have been able to enter the Punjab. He defeated the Afghans, something the British failed to do, and annexed a large segment of what was the [[Kingdom of Kabul|Afghanistan]] to the Sikh Kingdom. |
[[Haripur, Pakistan|Haripur city]], [[Haripur Tehsil|tehsil]] and [[Haripur District|district]], in [[Hazara, Pakistan|Hazara]], [[North-West Frontier Province]], [[Pakistan]], are named after him.<ref>[http://www.nrb.gov.pk/lg_election/union.asp?district=75&dn=Haripur Tehsils & Unions in the District of Haripur - Government of Pakistan]</ref> Had Nalwa had lived long, many feel that the British would never have been able to enter the Punjab. He defeated the Afghans, something the British failed to do, and annexed a large segment of what was the [[Kingdom of Kabul|Afghanistan]] to the Sikh Kingdom. |
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Nalwa was the consummate example of the Sikh saint-soldier, and India owes much to his strategic genius. His descendants live in India and abroad. This runs counter to the story of Maharajah Ranjit Singh's line, which was forever destroyed by the British, who abducted his children and took them to England, where they were held hostage against the threat of India rising against British rule. Nalwa was the senior most member of Ranjit's court. His son, Jawahir Singh, led the famous charge at the [[Battle of Chillianwala]], a battle in which the British suffered a retreat. Another son, Arjan Singh, also posed a tough challenge to the British as they struggled to annex the Punjab. |
Nalwa was the consummate example of the Sikh saint-soldier, and India owes much to his strategic genius. His descendants live in India and abroad. This runs counter to the story of Maharajah Ranjit Singh's line, which was forever destroyed by the British, who abducted his children and took them to England, where they were held hostage against the threat of India rising against British rule. Nalwa was the senior most member of Ranjit's court. His son, Jawahir Singh, led the famous charge at the [[Battle of Chillianwala]], a battle in which the British suffered a retreat. Another son, Arjan Singh, also posed a tough challenge to the British as they struggled to annex the Punjab. |
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== Plaudits == |
== Plaudits == |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Generals]] |
* [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Generals]] |
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http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/13sd4.htm 'Abhhinav has lagan for hard work']</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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* Guru Ke Bette: Jaswant Singh ( Bhartia Dalit Sahit Acadamy and Institute |
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* General Hari Singh Nalwa: Builder Of The Sikh Empire Author: A S Sandhu |
* General Hari Singh Nalwa: Builder Of The Sikh Empire Author: A S Sandhu |
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* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/nalua.html Hari Singh Nalua] |
* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/warriors/nalua.html Hari Singh Nalua] |
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Revision as of 15:17, 5 March 2009
Hari Singh Nalwa |
|---|
Hari Singh Nalwa Nalwa the translated version of "Narwa" used by the punjabi people. Hari Singh "Nalwa"(1791-1837) was a legendary Sikh warrior and governer of the Kashmir province of the Khalsa kindgom, who was born in Jammu Kashmir not in Gujranwala. His birth in Gurjranwala is a common missconception by historians as Hari Singh Nalwa had an estate in Gurjranwala where he lived in his later life. Historians have falsly assumed Hari Singh Nalwa was born in Gujranwala. He was the Commander-In-Chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and one of the most honored Sikh warriors. Hari Singh Nalwa is known to the Afgani people as Hari Singh Narwa. By the Mazhabis, Hari Singh Nalwa is considered their greatest legacy.
Early life
Hari Singh was born in an Narwa Mazhabi Sikh family. He was the Son of Gurdyal Singh, who was the son of Hari Dass Singh He became fatherless at a very young age. His father, Gurdyal Singh of Gujranwala, died in 1798. Guru Ke Bette,Singh.J (2000)1st edition; Bhartia Dalit Sahit acadamy publishers and institution.
Hari Singh Nalua's early Military career
Hari singh Nalwa started his military career under Akali Phoola Singh him self a Mazhabi Jathadhar. Only Mazhabi sikhs could join under Akali Phoola Singh's command. In the days of Guru Gobind Singh all Nihang forces were of Mazhabi Singhs; all nighangs up until the sikh misles were Mazhabi Singhs. Hari Singh's real surename was "Narwa" which is a clan surename of the Mazhabi sikhs The Afgans know him as Hari Singh Narwa. Sir Henry Griffin called Nalwa the "Murat of the Khalsa". A British newspaper had asserted in the early twentieth century that had Nalwa the resources and the artillery of the British, he would have conquered the East and extended the boundaries of the Sikh Kingdom to include Europe. This most famous of the great Sikh generals participated in the following conquests: Sialkot, Kasur (1807), Multan (1818), Kashmir (1819), Pakhli & Damtaur (1821-2), Peshawar (1834) and finally Jamrud (1837) in the Khyber Hills.[1] He served as the governor of both Kashmir and Peshawar. A coin minted in Kashmir came to be known as the 'Hari Singhee'. The coin is on display in museums.
Decendents
His last living decendent was contacted before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, by Master Tara Singh Tikka. His last living decendent was living on the Pakistan punjab side. He was a police officer at that time. No modernday decendents are known, any who do consider themselves to be decendents are subject to extreem controversy.
Controversy
"Hari Singh earned the cognomen 'Nalwa' after he killed a tiger without the aid of firearms. Baron Hugel, a European traveler wrote in "Travels in Kashmir & the Punjab:
" I surprised him by knowledge whence he had gained the appellation of Nalwa, and of his having cloven the head of a tiger, who had already seized him as its prey. He told the Diwan to bring some drawings and gave me his portrait, in the act of killing the beast."
"
It is beleived through historical writers that Hari Singh Nalwa earned his title "Nalwa" by killing a tiger. However it has been pointed out by other historians that, many other numerous sikhs have confronted and even killed wild beasts such as big cats like the tiger or lion for example Baba Bir Singh Bangsi. Hence Hari Singh Nalwa alone could not have been awarded a special title for killing a big cat.
Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha states that Hari Singh Nalwa is from an Uppal Khatri Sikh Family. The son of Gurdyal Singh Uppal Khatri of Gujaranwala. It is argued that a succession of sikh writers mainly belonging to the upper castes have changed or distorted history to personal preferances. Historical writer Jaswant Singh states that he cannot be a Khatri becasue Hari Singh Nalwa is from Baba Bir Singh Bangsi's clan. Bir Singh Bangsi was the founder and head of the "lost" 13th misle a mazbhi sikh misle part of which, was destroyed and cut up inside Harmandir Sahib by Baba Alla Singh and Charat Singh and their supporters. It is also stated by Sikh writers that the Nalwa or "Narwa" surename or clan name does not exist amoungst the Khatris.
Others state Hari Singh Nalwa was a Jatt sikh. However no solid proof has been found.
Hari Singh Nalwa's Death
He died during the battle of Jamrud, while the major part of the Sikh army was stationed in Amritsar for display before the British Commander-in-chief, Henry Fane, who had come to attend the wedding of Ranjit Singh's grandson. Had Nalwa not risen to face the challenge posed by the Afghans, the entire North West Frontier of the Sikh Kingdom would have been lost. Hari Singh Nalwa was victorious even in his death, and the Sikhs succeeded in with-holding the fort of Jamrud.
Hari Singh was struck by two balls, one in the side and the other in the stomach. He knew he was mortally wounded, but fearing to discourage his men, he turned his horse's head, and managed to ride as far as his tent. He swooned as he was taken from his horse, and half an hour later the bravest of the Sikh Generals, the man with the terror of whose name Afghan mothers used to quiet their fretful children was dead.
Legacy
Haripur city, tehsil and district, in Hazara, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan, are named after him.[2] Had Nalwa had lived long, many feel that the British would never have been able to enter the Punjab. He defeated the Afghans, something the British failed to do, and annexed a large segment of what was the Afghanistan to the Sikh Kingdom.
Nalwa was the consummate example of the Sikh saint-soldier, and India owes much to his strategic genius. His descendants live in India and abroad. This runs counter to the story of Maharajah Ranjit Singh's line, which was forever destroyed by the British, who abducted his children and took them to England, where they were held hostage against the threat of India rising against British rule. Nalwa was the senior most member of Ranjit's court. His son, Jawahir Singh, led the famous charge at the Battle of Chillianwala, a battle in which the British suffered a retreat. Another son, Arjan Singh, also posed a tough challenge to the British as they struggled to annex the Punjab.
Plaudits
A very popular nineteenth century British newspaper, Tit-Bits, made a comparative analysis of great generals of the world and arrived at the following conclusion:
"Some people might think that Napoleon was a great General. Some might name Marshall Hendenburgh, Lord Kitchener, General Karobzey or Duke of Wellington etc. And some going further might say Halaku Khan, Genghis Khan, Changez Khan, Richard or Allaudin etc. But let me tell you that in the North of India a General of the name of Hari Singh Nalwa of the Sikhs prevailed. Had he lived longer and had the sources and artillery of the British, he would have conquered most of Asia and Europe…."[3]
Hari Singh Nalwa's meeting with British, French and a German travelers are recorded. Baron Charles von Hugel remembers him fondly in his memoirs. He met the Sardar at his residence in Gujranwala. On that occasion the German was gifted a portrait of Nalwa in the act of killing a tiger. Hari Singh Nalwa spoke, wrote and read the Persian language. He was also conversant with Gurmukhi and Pushtu, the latter being the language of the Pashtuns. He was familiar with world politics, including details about the European states.
See also
http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/13sd4.htm 'Abhhinav has lagan for hard work']</ref>
References
- Guru Ke Bette: Jaswant Singh ( Bhartia Dalit Sahit Acadamy and Institute
- General Hari Singh Nalwa: Builder Of The Sikh Empire Author: A S Sandhu
- Hari Singh Nalua
- Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa