Hari Singh Dhillon
Maharaja Hari Singh Dhillon (died 1764), was a Dhillon Jat and a royal Sikh warriors of the 18th century, who succeeded the Bhangi Misl from Bhuma Singh Dhillon.[1] He was known as Maharaja Hari Singh bhangi due to addiction of bhang of his ancestors and they were called bhangi sardars. He belonged to village Panjwar. He started building qila bhangian in Amritsar which is now known as Gobindgarh Fort. He also built a market in Amristar which is known as katra Hari Singh.
As a king
He was Maharaja of Amritsar, Lahore and large areas of central and western Panjab. He was the nephew of Bhuma Singh Dhillon, a Sikh soldier. He military defended Amritsar.
Position in Dal Khalsa
Such was the respect and admiration of the Sikh community for Hari Singh, that at the formation of the Dal Khalsa in 1748, he was made leader of the Taruna Dal founded in (1734) at Amritsar which is considered to be one of the greatest honours given, in the 18th century, to any Sikh.
War against Afghans
He fought against the Afghans with the help of his friends Sardar Charhat Singh Sukerchakia (died 1770) (the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) and Baron Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, during Ahmed Shah Abdali's sixth invasion of Punjab. He was an intelligent leader, a progressive soldier and a wise statesman. The author of Tarikh-e-Punjab writes that "Hari Singh was clever, powerful and a man of shining abilities."
Succession
His two sons were Jhanda Singh Dhillon and Ganda Singh Dhillon. He based his headquarters around Amritsar.
See also
- Sikh Confederacy
- Misl
References
- Duggal, Kartar Singh (2001). Maharaja Ranjit Singh, The Last To Lay Arms, p. 85. Abhinav Publications, 31 Oct 2001.
- The Sikh Commonwealth or Rise and Fall of Sikh Misls. Edition:2001.
| Preceded by Bhuma Singh Dhillon |
Maharaja of Amritsar and Lahore 1746 –1764 |
Succeeded by Jhanda Singh Dhillon |