Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Dhian Singh


Raja Dhian (c. 1796 – 15 September 1843) was a statesman from who served as the longest-tenured () of the , holding the position from 1818 until his assassination amid post-succession turmoil. Born into the influential family as the son of Mian Kishora Singh (also referenced as Mian Mota Singh), he entered Ranjit Singh's service as a chamberlain and rose through merit to become a key administrator, , and in the Lahore Darbar. Dhian Singh's tenure was defined by administrative oversight of Jammu province, which he transformed into a semi-autonomous stronghold with a formidable force of 7,000–8,000 troops and artillery, contributing to the empire's northern stability and expansion efforts such as the 1813 annexation of Attock and campaigns in Kashmir's southwestern hills in 1832. He advanced Sikh artillery capabilities, demonstrating precision bombardments in 1838 that rivaled European standards, and handled diplomatic receptions, including those for Nepalese envoys in 1836 and resisting British encroachments like the Firozpur occupation in 1835. Following Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, Dhian Singh maneuvered through lethal court intrigues, supporting Kharak Singh and later Nau Nihal Singh, though historical accounts attribute to the Dogra brothers, including him, a role in exacerbating factional violence that hastened the empire's decline—culminating in his murder by Sandhawalia chiefs alongside Maharaja Sher Singh in 1843. His sons Hira Singh and Suchet Singh continued the family's influence, with Hira briefly succeeding as wazir.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family Origins

Dhian Singh was born on 22 August 1796 in the region to Mian Kishore Singh, a Dogra chieftain holding a small estate near Andarwah. He was the second son in a family of three brothers from the clan, a junior branch of the originating in the Shivalik hills of . His elder brother, (born 21 October 1792), would later establish the as Maharaja of , while his younger brother, Suchet Singh (born circa 1801), also rose to prominence in the Sikh court. The family's ascent began when Mian Kishore Singh received as a hereditary from Maharaja in 1808, after the deposition of Raja Jit Singh, providing a base for their service to the . This grant marked the transition of the from local landholders to key players in Punjab's political landscape.

Entry into Sikh Service

Dhian Singh, born on 22 August 1796 as the second son of Mian Kishore Singh Dogra, entered the service of in 1812. His elder brother, , who had already gained prominence in the Sikh court, presented him to the Maharaja at Rohtas during a military campaign. appointed the 16-year-old Dhian Singh as a trooper in the Sikh forces, granting him a monthly of sixty rupees. This initial role marked the beginning of Dhian Singh's integration into the Sikh Empire's military and administrative apparatus, leveraging the Dogra family's growing influence from . By 1818, Dhian Singh had demonstrated sufficient ability and loyalty to be elevated to the position of deorhidar, or of the royal household, succeeding Jamadar Khushal Singh. In this capacity, he managed access to the and oversaw court protocols, further solidifying his proximity to power.

Rise Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Administrative and Military Roles

Dhian Singh was appointed chamberlain of the royal household in 1818, granting him significant administrative influence within the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In this capacity, he managed internal palace affairs and facilitated communication between the Maharaja and his officials. He also undertook military duties, participating in campaigns that expanded and defended the Sikh Empire's territories, earning him honors and jagirs (land grants) as rewards for his loyalty and effectiveness. As one of the prominent Hindu officials, Dhian Singh contributed to the diverse administrative structure, handling aspects of revenue administration and oversight of frontier regions. Dhian Singh served as wazir (prime minister) from 1818 to 1839, a role in which he coordinated civil and military administration, advised on policy, and helped maintain the empire's stability through balanced governance.

Key Appointments and Favors

Dhian Singh's ascent in the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh was facilitated by a series of strategic appointments reflecting the ruler's growing confidence in his capabilities. In 1818, he succeeded Jamadar Khushal Singh as vakil, or agent, overseeing the Jammu hills, while also assuming the role of in the royal household, positions that granted him direct access to court affairs and administrative responsibilities in the hill territories. The Maharaja bestowed substantial favors upon Dhian Singh, including extensive jagirs across the Jammu region, which bolstered his familial influence and economic standing. In recognition of his service, Ranjit Singh elevated him to the hereditary title of in 1822, a mark of prestige that solidified his status among the empire's nobility. On 20 1824, Dhian Singh was appointed of Kangra, replacing Ram Singh, thereby extending his oversight to key districts vital for the empire's northwestern defenses. His involvement deepened in 1830 when he led forces against , the chief of Kahlur, demonstrating his dual administrative and martial prowess. Dhian Singh's influence peaked with his appointment as , or chief minister, of the Lahore durbar in November 1831 following Dain Singh's death; though temporarily superseded by Saum Singh, he was reinstated to the post in 1834 and retained it until Ranjit Singh's passing in June 1839. These roles, coupled with ongoing land grants and honors for participation in campaigns, underscored the Maharaja's reliance on Dhian Singh's adroit counsel and loyalty amid the empire's expansion.

Premiership and Court Influence

Service Under Kharak Singh

Upon the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on 27 June 1839, Raja Dhian Singh, who had served as under the late ruler, agreed to continue in service to the successor, , for a period of one year before undertaking a to sacred sites. In this capacity, Dhian Singh retained oversight of key administrative functions in the Lahore Darbar amid the empire's ongoing challenges, including fiscal strains from recent military campaigns and the need to maintain cohesion among Sikh sardars. However, , described in contemporary accounts as debilitated by long-term opium use and lacking confidence in the Dogra , reassigned some ministerial responsibilities to Chet Singh, signaling early tensions in their relationship. Dhian Singh's tenure under , lasting mere months, was overshadowed by factional rivalries involving the maharaja's wife , son , and other court figures. Historical records indicate that Dhian Singh navigated these dynamics to preserve his influence, aligning temporarily with anti-British elements alongside to counter perceived foreign encroachments. By early October 1839, escalating disputes—reportedly over 's favoritism toward certain consorts and perceived weakness in governance—culminated in the maharaja's deposition and imprisonment on 8 October 1839, an event in which Dhian Singh and his allies played a pivotal role in facilitating the shift of power toward 's regency. This effectively terminated Dhian Singh's formal service under , though allegations persist in some Sikh historical narratives that Dhian Singh contributed to the deposed ruler's deteriorating health and death on 5 1840 via poisoning, claims unsubstantiated by direct evidence and reflective of -Sikh communal biases in post-empire accounts.

Maneuvers Under Sher Singh

Following the death of on 6 November 1840, Dhian Singh maneuvered to install as , initially supporting regent while secretly encouraging 's claim to the throne and negotiating with the Sikh army to back him. On 17 January 1841, Dhian Singh arrived at to broker a during 's of the citadel, persuading to surrender her claim in exchange for a substantial and safe passage. was proclaimed on 18 January 1841, promptly confirming Dhian Singh as and chief minister, a position he retained from prior administrations despite 's personal distrust rooted in Dhian Singh's origins and perceived favoritism toward his kin. Dhian Singh's tenure under Sher Singh, spanning from 20 January 1841 to 15 September 1843, involved consolidating administrative control amid factional rivalries, including efforts to curb the influence of anti-Dogra elements like the Sandhanwalia sardars, whom he had earlier recalled to court, thereby escalating tensions. , wary of Dhian Singh's unpopularity among Sikh sardars and the army, appointed Gurmukh Singh as a counterbalance to monitor and limit the prime minister's authority, reflecting ongoing court suspicions that Dhian Singh prioritized interests over Sikh ones. Despite this friction, Dhian Singh maintained de facto governance of Punjab's finances and military logistics, navigating diplomatic pressures and internal unrest by leveraging his experience from Ranjit Singh's era to stabilize the darbar. Intrigues intensified in 1843 when the Sandhanwalia brothers, Ajit Singh and Lehna Singh, plotted against Dhian Singh, securing a clandestine order from Sher Singh authorizing his elimination on grounds of suspected disloyalty, including unverified claims of Dhian Singh's involvement in prior murders like that of Gurmukh Singh. Dhian Singh, alerted to the threat, suspected the Sandhanwalias aimed higher at Sher Singh himself rather than solely targeting him, but on 15 September 1843, the conspirators struck at Sher Singh's residence in Lahore, assassinating the Maharaja, his son Pratap Singh, and summoning and executing Dhian Singh in the ensuing violence, effectively ending his maneuvers and exposing the fragility of his position. Some historical accounts attribute partial instigation of the plot to Dhian Singh as a preemptive measure against rivals, though this remains contested and lacks direct corroboration beyond court rumor.

Family and Personal Life

Immediate Relatives and Descendants

Dhian Singh was born as the second son of Mian Kishore Singh Dogra, a minor chieftain from , on 22 August 1796. He was the middle brother among three siblings who rose to prominence in the : the eldest, , who later became Maharaja of ; and the youngest, Suchet Singh, who held military commands under Maharaja . No records of Dhian Singh's spouse survive in available historical accounts. His known descendant was his eldest son, Hira Singh Dogra, born in 1816 at Ramgarh near . Dhian Singh groomed Hira for court service, introducing him to Maharaja , and Hira succeeded his father as of the Lahore court in September 1843 following Dhian's assassination. Hira Singh held the position until his own assassination on 21 December 1844 amid court intrigues, reportedly leaving no direct heirs to continue the line. No other children of Dhian Singh are documented in contemporary or later historical sources.

Properties and Alliances

Raja Dhian Singh received the of Poonch from Maharaja Ranjit Singh around 1822, establishing administrative control over the region without his personal involvement in its governance. He delegated management of Poonch to relatives, including nominating Shams-ud-Din Khan under his brother Gulab Singh's oversight, amid later conflicts such as the 1837 revolt against authority. These holdings contributed to the family's revenue base, with Poonch serving as a strategic frontier estate yielding tribute and military levies for the . Dhian Singh's son, Hira Singh, inherited and expanded family properties, receiving grants of Jasrota, Basholi, and Bhadu as jagirs from in recognition of service. These estates, located in the hills, provided the Dogras with fortified bases and agricultural revenues, reinforcing their influence beyond court roles. Dhian Singh's key alliances centered on kinship with his brothers, and Suchet Singh, forming a cohesive faction that dominated Sikh military and administrative commands under . This familial network secured jagirdari privileges and positioned the as indispensable to the empire's expansion, though it later fueled perceptions of factional favoritism. Politically, he aligned with 's inner circle, rising to through demonstrated loyalty in campaigns, and post-1841 maneuvered to back Sher Singh's succession against rival claimants like , leveraging court military support.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Intrigue and Betrayal

Following the death of Maharaja on June 27, 1839, Dhian Singh retained his position as under , Ranjit Singh's eldest surviving son and successor. Kharak Singh, however, increasingly relied on Chet Singh Bajwa, a trusted who supplanted Dhian Singh's influence by handling administrative duties. On September 8, 1840, Dhian Singh orchestrated the of Chet Singh to eliminate this rival, an act that contemporaries viewed as a direct power grab amid the fragile succession. Kharak Singh's subsequent confinement to his apartments on October 8, 1840, and his death from overdose on November 5, 1840, fueled suspicions of foul play. Historical accounts attribute the to agents of , who sought to neutralize Kharak Singh's opposition to dominance in the Lahore Durbar; most observers at the time, including envoys, held Dhian Singh responsible, though no formal proof emerged. The very next day, November 6, 1840, Kharak Singh's son and , Kanwar , died when a stone lintel collapsed on him during a gate passage, an incident widely regarded as engineered intrigue rather than , with Dhian Singh implicated in Sikh chronicles for prioritizing family ambitions over imperial stability. With , Kharak Singh's widow, assuming regency as on Nau Nihal's death, Dhian Singh pressed her to adopt his son Hira Singh as heir to the throne, a proposal she rejected on January 11, 1841, amid reports of his threats to install a puppet ruler. Dhian Singh then allied with , another son of , to launch a coup on January 13, 1841, besieging the for two days; Dhian Singh negotiated Chand Kaur's surrender, leading to her imprisonment and the installation of Sher Singh as . Chand Kaur died on June 11, 1842, from head injuries officially deemed a fall but suspected by Sikh sources as murder orchestrated with Dhian Singh's concurrence to consolidate control. These maneuvers drew accusations of systemic betrayal from Sikh sardars and later historians, who argued Dhian Singh's actions undermined authority by elevating interests—evident in his brothers' expansions in —over the empire's cohesion, hastening internal factionalism that British observers exploited. While Dhian Singh maintained loyalty to the durbar, critics, including Attar Singh of Bharoval in contemporary petitions, portrayed his intrigues as self-serving treachery that prioritized clan aggrandizement amid the power vacuum post-Ranjit Singh.

Military and Political Failures

Dhian Singh's political maneuvers following Ranjit Singh's death on June 27, 1839, exacerbated internal divisions within the Sikh court, undermining administrative cohesion and military readiness. As , he initially supported the succession of but swiftly eliminated rivals, including ordering the assassination of Chet Singh Bajwa, Kharak's favored courtier, on September 8, 1840, to consolidate control. This act prompted Kharak Singh's imprisonment and his subsequent death on November 5, 1840, amid suspicions of by mercury and lead administered under Dhian Singh's direction, though direct proof remains elusive and contemporaries attributed it to him based on the ruler's sudden decline from opium dependency and intrigue. These events fueled perceptions of Dogra dominance over Sikh interests, eroding loyalty among sardars and the army, which demanded jagirs and pay arrears amid fiscal strain from court extravagance. Dhian Singh's failure to mediate these grievances or reform revenue collection—despite his administrative experience—allowed mutinies and desertions to proliferate, weakening the empire's defensive posture against British expansion on the frontier. By prioritizing family alliances, such as elevating his brother in , over unifying Sikh factions, he neglected first-principles governance, contributing to a that invited further assassinations, including the engineered gate collapse killing Naunihal Singh on November 6, 1840. Under Sher Singh's brief reign from January 1841, Dhian Singh retained the wazirate but could not avert escalating instability, as evidenced by the failure to suppress Sindhanwalia plots or integrate influence without alienating the military establishment. Politically, his reliance on intrigue rather than institutional reforms—such as curbing the late Ranjit Singh's heirs' excesses or standardizing command structures—left the army factionalized and underfunded, with over 100,000 troops by 1843 yet plagued by indiscipline and unpaid salaries totaling millions of rupees. This internal rot manifested in minor skirmishes and rebellions, like unrest in and expeditions that yielded no strategic gains, presaging the empire's collapse in the (1845–1846). Historians, including British observers like Joseph Cunningham, critiqued Dhian Singh's tenure for fostering a "" through selective violence, which prioritized short-term power retention over sustainable rule, though Sikh chroniclers sometimes overstate culpability amid broader post-Ranjit .

Death and Immediate Aftermath

Assassination and Succession

On 15 September 1843, Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh were assassinated in Lahore by a conspiracy led by Sardar Ajit Singh Sandhanwalia and his brother Lehna Singh, along with other Sikh nobles resentful of Dogra influence in the court. The assailants concealed carbines within rolled tents and fired upon Sher Singh during an inspection or durbar in the Baradari gardens, killing him instantly; Dhian Singh, who was present, was then shot as he attempted to rally support or assert control amid the chaos. This coup exploited simmering factional tensions following the deaths of previous rulers, with the assassins aiming to curb the power of Dhian Singh, whom they viewed as a non-Sikh outsider dominating Sikh imperial affairs. In the immediate aftermath, the Lahore army and key nobles rejected the assassins' bid for power, proclaiming the five-year-old Dalip Singh—youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh—as the new Maharaja on 17 September 1843, with his mother Maharani Jind Kaur as regent. Dhian Singh's eldest son, Hira Singh Dogra, aged 24, succeeded his father as wazir (prime minister), leveraging his administrative experience and the late raja's established networks to consolidate authority. Hira Singh swiftly avenged the assassination by ordering the execution of Ajit Singh, Lehna Singh, and their accomplices, restoring short-term stability but deepening court divisions between Sikh Khalsa elements and Dogra allies.

Impact on the Sikh Empire

The assassination of Raja Dhian Singh on 15 1843, alongside , triggered an immediate power vacuum in the 's Lahore court, exacerbating the factionalism that had intensified since Ranjit Singh's death in 1839. Ajit Singh Sandhawalia and his uncle Lehna Singh orchestrated the plot, using concealed weapons during a meeting; Dhian Singh was shot, and his body subsequently mutilated by the assassins. His son Hira Singh swiftly retaliated by executing the perpetrators, including Sandhawalia, and assumed the position of under the newly installed five-year-old Dalip Singh, with Rani Jind Kaur as regent. This transition, while temporarily restoring influence, failed to stabilize governance, as Hira Singh's youth and reliance on his father's networks alienated key Sikh military leaders like and , who harbored resentments toward non-Sikh dominance in administration. Dhian Singh's removal eliminated a pivotal administrative figure who had maintained fiscal and diplomatic continuity amid post-Ranjit successions, including maneuvering Sher Singh's ascension in 1841 despite rival claims. His death shifted power toward Jind Kaur's regency, characterized by purges of allies and favoritism toward Sikh aristocrats, which deepened court divisions and eroded military discipline. The army, already expanded and restive from unpaid arrears, grew increasingly autonomous, fostering mutinies and demands for Sikh-centric reforms that undermined unified command. Some contemporary accounts viewed Dhian Singh's demise as advantageous to Sikh interests, arguing it curtailed perceived Hindu overreach in a -founded , though this perspective overlooked the resulting administrative disarray. The ensuing instability facilitated British East India Company intervention, as the regency's intrigues invited Resident Henry Lawrence's expanded influence via the Treaty of Amritsar's extensions and subsidy demands. Hira Singh's own assassination in December 1844 by army dissidents further fragmented authority, paving the way for inept leadership during the (1845–1846), where strategic blunders by and —allegedly compromised by secret British dealings—resulted in territorial losses under the . Dhian Singh's death thus marked a causal turning point in the empire's terminal decline, transitioning from managed factionalism under capable non-Sikh viziers to unchecked regency chaos that exposed vulnerabilities to external conquest, culminating in full annexation by 1849.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Contributions to Administration

Raja Dhian Singh headed the Daftar Wazir, one of the key administrative departments under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, where he inspected important papers, documents, and appeals prior to their submission for royal approval, ensuring efficient processing of matters. In this role, he directly implemented the Maharaja's directives, contributing to the operational continuity of the empire's bureaucratic system, which relied on such oversight to maintain order in , judicial, and affairs. Following 's death on June 27, 1839, Dhian Singh was appointed () by the succeeding on July 1, 1839, a position that made him the chief executive overseeing the Darbar's daily administration amid rapid successions. He retained this authority through the brief regency of in late 1841 and supported the installation of on January 18, 1842, proclaiming him ruler while assuming the Wazir role anew to manage court factions and sustain administrative functions. During this tenure until his assassination on September 15, 1843, Dhian Singh handled policy execution, including coordination with provincial governors and maintenance of the empire's fiscal apparatus, though no major structural reforms are attributed to his direct initiative; his efforts focused on preserving the existing framework inherited from Ranjit Singh against internal disruptions. As the most influential figure after the , Dhian Singh wielded significant control over and , bolstering influence in key postings while navigating alliances to avert collapse of central authority. His emphasized loyalty enforcement over innovation, enabling short-term stability in treasury disbursements and during a phase of 15 rulers in four years, but critics note it prioritized factional consolidation over broadening Sikh administrative participation.

Role in the Empire's Decline

Dhian Singh's retention of the wazirship following Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death on 27 June 1839 positioned him at the center of escalating court factionalism, where his actions prioritized Dogra clan advancement amid a series of suspicious royal deaths that eroded institutional stability. Under the brief reign of Kharak Singh (r. 1839–1840), Dhian Singh orchestrated the assassination of Chet Singh Bajwa, a favored minister appointed by Kharak Singh on 21 June 1839, by stabbing him in the royal presence on 8 October 1839, thereby eliminating a rival influence and reasserting control over the Lahore Darbar. Kharak Singh himself died on 5 November 1840, confined and reportedly administered opium and poisons, with contemporary accounts attributing responsibility to Dhian Singh's agents due to the ruler's resistance to Dogra dominance, though forensic proof is absent and motives centered on thwarting perceived pro-British leanings. The ensuing power vacuum intensified after Nau Nihal Singh's death on 6 December 1840—crushed by falling gates in an incident contemporaries viewed as engineered foul play amid orchestration—prompting Dhian Singh to back Sher Singh's contested ascension in January 1841, sidelining regent whom he deposed by force. This maneuvering sustained leverage, with Dhian Singh appointing his son Hira Singh to key military roles, but it alienated Sikh sardars and the army, whose 60,000–70,000 troops grew restive from unpaid salaries (arrears exceeding 50 rupees by 1842) and perceived Hindu favoritism in a Sikh-led state. Dhian Singh's failure to reform finances or unify factions, instead fostering intrigue to counterbalance Sikh generals like the Sandhanwalias, amplified administrative decay and military indiscipline, as evidenced by unauthorized frontier raids and internal revolts. The apex of this instability occurred on 15 September 1843, when Ajit Singh Sandhanwalia and dissident guards assassinated Sher Singh and Dhian Singh in a Lahore palace coup, triggered by accumulated grievances over Dogra overreach. Dhian Singh's strategy of clan consolidation, while tactically preserving short-term power, causally accelerated the empire's fragmentation by substituting merit-based loyalty with ethnic patronage, weakening response to British encroachments along the Sutlej River and culminating in the Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845–1846, 1848–1849) that annexed Punjab by March 1849. Historians assess this as a pivotal lapse in causal governance, where internal purges supplanted Ranjit Singh's integrative federalism, rendering the state vulnerable to external conquest despite its prior military parity with the East India Company.

References

  1. [1]
    [PDF] Reform and Resistance: The Case of the Sikh Empire and the ...
    ... Ranjit Singh, Ranjit Singh had already ... Raja Dhian Singh, who had served as wazir since 1818. ... Primary Sources. Bhangoo, Rattan Singh. Sri Gur Panth ...
  2. [2]
    https://archive.org/download/HistoryOfTheSikhsVol.VTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh/HistoryOfTheSikhLionOfLahoremaharajaRanjitSingh1799-1839.pdf
  3. [3]
    [PDF] History ofthe Sikhs
    He selVed for thirteen years as Professor and Head of the Depal'tment of History, and for over a year as Dean University Instruction, Punjab University, ...
  4. [4]
    Maharaja Gulab Singh - Indpaedia
    Jul 17, 2018 · He was born on 21 October 1792 at Andarwah, near Jammu, the estate of his father Mian Kishore Singh. He was great grandson of Mian Surat ...Missing: tree | Show results with:tree
  5. [5]
    Part I: Three Brothers and a Nephew - Dhian Singh Dogra
    Sep 3, 2018 · Raja Dhian Singh (1796-1843). Dhian Singh Dogra, the second son of Mian Kishore Singh and the middle one of the three brothers from Jammu, was ...Missing: biography sources
  6. [6]
    DHIAN SINGH, RAJA - The Sikh Encyclopedia
    Dhian Singh, Raja (1796-1843), the second son of Miari Kishora Singh Dogra and the middle one of the three brothers from Jammu serving Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
  7. [7]
    https://www.jkplanning.gov.in/history.html
  8. [8]
    Raja Dhian Singh | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections
    Nov 25, 2002 · He became chamberlain of the royal household in 1818, took part in ... After Ranjit Singh's death, Dhian Singh became caught up in ...
  9. [9]
    Status and Contributions of Muslim Coutiers in Maharaja Ranjit ...
    May 26, 2022 · Group of advisors was headed by Faqir Azizuddin, sat on the right side of Maharaja Ranjit Singh while Raja Dhian Singh with Army officers sat on ...
  10. [10]
    Civil Administration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - Abhipedia
    One of the most famous Prime Ministers of Ranjit Singh was Dhian Singh Dogra. Ranjit Singh appointed Faquir Aziz-ud-Din as incharge of foreign affairs. He gave ...
  11. [11]
    [PDF] Singh - Vidhyayana - ISSN 2454-8596
    Maharaja Ranjit Singh died at Lahore on June 27, 1839, after nominating his eldest son. Kharak Singh as his successor with Raja Dhian Singh as the Wazir, a ...<|separator|>
  12. [12]
    BRITISH INTERRST IN CREATING THE DOGRA STATE OF JAMMU ...
    Kharak Singh, itself. When Kharak Singh's ambitious son, Nao Nihal. Singh, and the powerful wazir, Dhian Singh Dogra, combined to deve- lop a strong anti ...
  13. [13]
    [PDF] 2015.119672.How-Fell-The-Sikh-Kingdom.pdf
    Queen Peharan beckoned Raja Dhian Singh to her and ordered him to take a solemn vow, by placing one hand on the venerable body of the Maharaja and the other on ...
  14. [14]
    Untitled Document
    Summary of each segment:
  15. [15]
    Maharaja Sher Singh | Discover Sikhism
    Sher Singh took part in many of the campaigns undertaken by the Maharaja for the expansion of his kingdom. In May 1831 he defeated, at Balakot in Hazara ...
  16. [16]
    [PDF] Floundering Sikh rule after Ranjit Singh - A Study - JETIR.org
    This paper attempts to study Anglo-Sikh Wars, (1845–46; 1848–49), two campaigns fought between the Sikhs and the British. They resulted in the conquest and ...<|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Dhyan Singh Haveli in need of restoration - Sikh Museum Initiative
    Feb 28, 2016 · Dhayan Singh's haveli needs urgent attention. Dhyan Singh expeditiously removed the injured King to the royal palace inside the Fort and embargoed any visitors ...
  18. [18]
    Rise and Fall of Hira Singh: Dogra's Turbulent Rule
    Dhian Singh, an influential courtier, introduced his son to his patron Maharaja Ranjit Singh who took very favourably to the young boy. He treated him with ...
  19. [19]
    Raja Hira Singh (1816-1844), 1844 (c) - Online Collection
    Hira Singh was the son of Raja Dhian (or Dhyan) Singh and was the favourite of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Following the assassination of Maharaja Shere Singh ...
  20. [20]
    RAJA HIRA SINGH DOGRA ENJOYING A NAUTCH, 19TH CENTURY
    He was the eldest son of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra, an influential courtier ... Dhian Singh Dogra was grooming his son Hira Singh to be the prime minister.Missing: daughters | Show results with:daughters
  21. [21]
    The second part of the story: Raja Gulab Singh - Daily Excelsior
    Dec 29, 2019 · Dhian Singh and Hira Singh resided mostly at the Sikh Court. Thus most of present-day Jammu was under Maharaja Ranjit Singh till his death.
  22. [22]
    Tribute to the Empire Builder - Daily Excelsior
    Oct 21, 2018 · In 1837, Gulab Singh marched to Poonch against Shamas-ud-Din Khan, the man he had nominated to manage Jagirs of Dhian Singh. In 1839 ...
  23. [23]
    Raja Moti Singh Founder of Dogra Raj in Poonch Principality
    Feb 26, 2023 · Therefore Poonch-Chabbal came into existence in 1827 AD. Raja Dhyan Singh never visited Poonch and he had entrusted the Illaqa to his brother ...Missing: Dhian | Show results with:Dhian
  24. [24]
    From Jammu to Glory: Dogra Warriors in the Court of Ranjit SinghAn ...
    Aug 28, 2025 · They got jagirs from Maharaja Ranjit Singh and held very important place in Lahore Darbar. Dhian Singh got the battle of Dastor-i-Muazam and ...
  25. [25]
    https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/F392B4CF5D691DA781A20C00CCF5DC2A/9781139053365c6_p99-127_CBO.pdf/the-sikh-empire-1799-1849.pdf
  26. [26]
    Maharani Chand Kaur - Dasvandh Network
    Raja Dhian Singh Dogra, the powerful prime minister of the empire, played a crucial role in court politics during this period. Kharak Singh's rule was short- ...
  27. [27]
    Maharaja Kharak Singh Of Lahore - Jat Chiefs
    May 30, 2022 · He was born on 22 February 1801 in Lahore, Punjab. He was the first son of Ranjit Singh and his second wife Datar Kaur Nakai.
  28. [28]
    https://academic.oup.com/book/40079/chapter/340994385
  29. [29]
    Chronicle Of Sikh Massacres (viii) Hindu Dogras Betray The Sarkar ...
    Oct 26, 2010 · Dhyan Singh Dogra played a very strange role in Sikh history. He originally belonged to Jammu. He came to Lahore in search of job, and with his ...
  30. [30]
    Ajit Singh: Assassin of Maharaja Sher Singh's Saga
    Fearful of the Dogra minister, Dhian Singh, who had supported Maharaja Sher Singh against Ran! Chand Kaur, Ajit Singh fled Lahore in January 1841 clandestinely, ...
  31. [31]
    The Fall of the Sikh Empire - HISTORY MARG
    ... Singh anointed Gulab Singh as Raja of Jammu20 while Dhyan Singh was appointed his Wazir (Prime Minister) in 1828. Dhyan Singh's young son, Hira Singh in ...
  32. [32]
    ON HER MAJESTYS ASSASSINATION SERVICE - Chughtai's Art Blog
    Apr 8, 2014 · RAJA DHIAN SINGH murdered on 15th September, 1843, with an hour of the death of Sher Singh. ... assassination Service. Mai ...
  33. [33]
    Part III: Three Brothers and a Nephew - Hira Singh Dogra
    Sep 14, 2018 · He was the eldest son of Raja Dhian Singh Dogra, an influential courtier, who introduced him to his patron Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
  34. [34]
    Honouring the Legacy of Raja Heera Singh - Daily Excelsior
    Oct 12, 2025 · Raja Heera Singh, eldest son of Dhian Singh, was born in 1816 in Ramgarh, Samba District. His father, Raja Dhian Singh, served as Prime Minister ...
  35. [35]
    Anglo-Sikh Wars and its Consequences in the Punjab: A Case Study ...
    ... death of Aurangzeb Alamgir, the Mughal Empire began to scatter. ... But Hira Singh killed the both in revenge of his father's assassination, yet Dhian Singh's ...<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    [PDF] Anglo-Sikh Wars and its Historical Consequences - IJRAR.org
    On September 15, 1843, he and his uncle, Lehna Singh, assassinated Dhian Singh, Sher Singh and his son, Partap Singh. ... such enormous Sikh Empire and to make ...
  37. [37]
    [PDF] a study of anglo-sikh war
    In this way, Dhian Singh was envisioning to introduce his child, Hira. Singh, on the seat of the Sikh state. He and his sibling, Gulab Singh, made an honest ...
  38. [38]
    [PDF] Political Economy of the Annexation of the Punjab, 1849
    Jul 7, 2025 · eldest son Kharak Singh as his successor with Raja Dhian Singh as the Wazir, a ... Sikh Empire, p. 188. 139. W.W. Hunter, The Marquis of Dalhousie ...
  39. [39]
    [PDF] Administrative System in Punjab during and after Ranjit Singh
    Feb 22, 2018 · Dhian Singh, who was the head of this office, implemented the Maharaja's orders. The last important office was Daftar Religious Endowments ...
  40. [40]
    Raja Dhian Singh on Horseback, 1838
    Raja Dhian Singh was the Hindu prime minister during the reign of the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab, Ranjit Singh. He was the second son of Mian Kishora ...Missing: Empire biography historical<|separator|>
  41. [41]
    (PDF) Fall of the Sikh Empire - Academia.edu
    Ranjit Singh exhibited caution and prudence unlike his successors, who resorted to scheming and failed to sustain the empire's integrity, leading to its ...
  42. [42]
    Crossref, ROAD & Google Scholar Chaotic Condition of Lahore ...
    Jul 21, 2023 · ... Dhian Singh as the Wazir, a position that he had. under the ... empire began to decline and in 1849 the British defeated the Sikhs and.Missing: assessment | Show results with:assessment