Lehna Singh Majithia

Last updated
Sardar

Lehna Singh Majithia
Portrait of Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia.jpg
Portrait of Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia, ca.1830
Died1854
Banaras (modern-day Varanasi)
Known forSikh polymath: scientist, inventor, architect, engineer, mechanic, writer, warrior, and statesman
TitleAdministrator (Nazim) of Amritsar
Governor (Nazim) of Kangra and Hill Districts
Children Dyal Singh Majithia
ParentDesa Singh Majithia (father)
RelativesGujar Singh (brother)
Ranjodh Singh Majithia (younger half-brother)
Family Majithia
HonoursKasir-ul-Iktidar (Chief of Exalted Dignity)
Hasam-ud-Aula (the Sword of the State)

Lehna Singh Majithia (died 1854), his personal name is also romanized as Lahina or Lahna, was a polymath, inventor, warrior, and statesman. [1] [2] Lehna Singh was the father of famous businessman and philanthropist, Dyal Singh Majithia.

Contents

Biography

Sardar Lehna Singh of the renowned Majithia family was the towering Sardar of Lahore Darbar who earned the maximum number of bravery titles during his time. He was described as "the wisest man", "the best", "the purest", "the most cultured", "kind and benevolent man", "the most enlightened", "the most honest and able administrator of the Sikh Chiefs". In his book "Dyal Singh Majithia: Life and Achievements", Mr. Madan Gopal wrote, "Lehna Singh Majithia was the only Sardar with a scientific bent of mind at Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Darbar. [3]

He was also a skillful mechanic and original inventor. He designed a mechanism resembling a clock, showing the hour, the date, the day of the week and the phases of moon and other constellations. At the request of the Maharaja, he also modified the calendar and made a name for himself among the Indian astronomers of the time. [4]

He had been awarded the titles of Kasir-ul-Iktidar ('Chief of Exalted Dignity') and Hasam-udaula ('the Sword of the State') by Ranjit Singh. [5]

He left Punjab in March 1844 for Haridwar, eventually settling in Banaras. He was arrested and kept under surveillance by the British from 23 January 1846 until the end of the First Anglo-Sikh War. He returned to Punjab in 1851 and stayed for two years before returning again to Banaras where he died in 1854. [6]

Inventions

Lehna Singh Majithia stargazing with a telescope accompanied by an astrologically inclined pundit Lehna Singh Majithia looking through telescope with pundit.jpg
Lehna Singh Majithia stargazing with a telescope accompanied by an astrologically inclined pundit

[7]

Construction Projects

[7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjit Singh</span> First Maharaja of the Sikh Empire (1780–1839)

Ranjit Singh, popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or "Lion of Punjab", was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He survived smallpox in infancy but lost sight in his left eye. He fought his first battle alongside his father at age 10. After his father died around Ranjit's early teenage years, Ranjit subsequently fought several wars to expel the Afghans throughout his teenage years. At the age of 21, he was proclaimed the "Maharaja of Punjab". His empire grew in the Punjab region under his leadership through 1839.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diwan Dina Nath</span> Raja

Diwan Dina Nath (1795—1857), was an official of the durbar (court) of the Sikh Empire, whom served as the privy seal and finance minister, and later was conferred the title of Raja by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib</span> Sikh gurdwara in Tarn Taran Sahib, India

Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib is a gurdwara established by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev, in the city of Tarn Taran Sahib, Punjab, India. The site has the distinction of having the largest sarovar of all the gurdwaras. It is famous for the monthly gathering of pilgrims on the day of Amavas. It is near Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majha</span> Region in the central parts of the historical Punjab region

Majha is a region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab region split between India and Pakistan. It extends north from the right banks of the river Beas, and reaches as far north as the river Jhelum. People of the Majha region are given the demonym "Mājhī" or "Majhail". Most inhabitants of the region speak the Majhi dialect, which is the basis of the standard register of the Punjabi language. The most populous city in the area is Lahore on the Pakistani side, and Amritsar on the Indian side of the border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalsa College, Amritsar</span> Higher education institution in Amritsar, India

Khalsa College is a historic educational institution in the northern Indian city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab, India. Founded in 1892, the sprawling 300-acre (1.2 km2) campus is located about eight kilometers from the city-center on the Amritsar-Lahore highway, adjoining Guru Nanak Dev University campus, to which Khalsa College is academically affiliated.

Majitha is a town and a municipal council in Amritsar district in the Indian state of Punjab. The 2011 Census of India recorded 14,503 people resident in the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majithia family</span> Family of Shergill Jat sadars

The Majithia family, are a family of Shergill Jat sardars (chiefs) that originate from the region of Majitha in the Punjab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Datar Kaur</span> Maharani consort of the Sikh Empire

Maharani Datar Kaur (born Bibi Raj Kaur Nakai; was the queen consort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire and the mother of his successor, Maharaja Kharak Singh. She was the daughter of Sardar Ran Singh Nakai, third ruler of the Nakai Misl and Sardarni Karmo Kaur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zamzama</span> Historical Cannon

The Zamzama Gun also known as Kim’s Gun or Bhangianwali Toap is a large-bore cannon. It was cast in about 1757 in Lahore during the Durrani Empire. It is currently on display in front of the Lahore Museum in Lahore, Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjodh Singh Majithia</span> Indian Sikh Warrior

Ranjodh Singh was a powerful member of the Sikh aristocracy and governor of Hazara. The Majithia family are Jat of the Shergill gotra (clan), and were particularly influential in the area near their headquarters in Majithia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyal Singh Majithia</span> Indian banker and activist (1848-1898)

Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia (1848–1898) was an Indian banker and activist in progressive and social reform measures in Punjab. He established The Tribune English language newspaper in Lahore in 1881, and later remained founder chairman of the Punjab National Bank, established in 1894. Dyal Singh trust also donated many acres of land to the school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhangi Misl</span> Sovereign state of the Sikh Confederacy

The Bhangi Misl was a large and powerful Sikh Misl headquartered in Amritsar. It was founded in the early 18th century by Sardar Chhajja Singh Dhillon, who was baptised by Banda Singh Bahadur. The misl received its name "Bhangi" because Chhajja Singh and his soldiers frequently used the herbal intoxicant bhang. It was a first misl to established a Khalsa Raj and publish Khalsa currency coins. The Bhangi Kingdom/Misl was founded by Dhillon Jats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gujjar Singh Bhangi</span> Sikh warrior and king of Lahore

Sardar Gujjar Singh Bhangi was a Sikh warrior of the Bhangi Misl, and one of the triumvirates who ruled over Lahore prior to the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akali Phula Singh</span> Prominent Sikh leader

Akali Phula Singh Nihang was an Akali Nihang Sikh leader. He was a saint soldier of the Khalsa Shaheedan Misl and head of the Budha Dal in the early 19th century. He was also a senior general in the Sikh Khalsa Army and commander of the irregular Nihang of the army. He played a role in uniting Sikh misls in Amritsar. He was not afraid of the British who at many times ordered for his arrest but were not successful. During his later years he served for the Sikh Empire as a direct adviser to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He remained an army general in many famous Sikh battles up until his martyrdom in the battle of Nowshera. He was admired by the local people and had a great influence over the land and his settlement was always open to help the poor and helpless. He was well known and was a humble unique leader and prestigious warrior with high character. He was also known for his effort to maintain the values of Gurmat and the Khalsa panth.

Sobha Singh Kanhaiya of Niazbeg, his first name is alternatively spelt as Suba or Soba, was one of the triumvirates who ruled over Lahore, alongside sardars Lehna Singh Kahlon and Gujjar Singh of the Bhangi Misl, prior to the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Manawala is a city in Sheikhupura District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated on the Lahore-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad road.

Sardar Kahan Singh Nakai was the sixth and the last chief of the Nakai Misl. He was the grandson of the famous Sikh chief, Ran Singh Nakai and Sardarni Karmo Kaur. His aunt, Maharani Datar Kaur was the wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire; thus making him the nephew of the Sher-e-Punjab. From an early age he assisted his father in campaigns and even commanded campaigns assigned to him by his uncle, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His cousin, Kharak Singh went to become the second Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. He was the uncle of the third Maharaja, Nau Nihal Singh.

Sultan Mahmud Khan was a commander of the Sikh Khalsa Army, the army of Sarkar e Khalsa. His derah of artillery was designated as Topkhana Sultan Mahmud. He is regarded as one of the best commanding officers of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Mughalchak is a town in Gujranwala District, Punjab, Pakistan.

The Siege of Lahore took place in early 1800 and spanned two months. It was a coalition response by Bhangi Sardars and Nawab Nizam-ud-Din Khan of Kasur against Ranjit Singh's expanding influence, supported by Rani Sada Kaur. The siege ended with the death of Gulab Singh Bhangi due to excessive drinking. The Bhangi and Pashtun forces then lifted the siege and retreated.

References

  1. Singh, T. Sher. "This Needs Research - V: Who Was Lehna Singh Majithia?". www.sikhchic.com. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  2. "Desa Singh Majithia". The Sikh Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2022-09-13. Desa Singh died in 1832, and was succeeded in all his estates and honours by his eldest son, Lahina Singh Majithia.
  3. Gopal, Madan (9 September 1998). "A Broad-Minded Liberal". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  4. "Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia: The purest gem of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's court, Varinder Walia", The Tribune.
  5. Griffin, Lepel Henry (1890). The Panjab Chiefs: Historical and Biographical Notices of the Principal Families in the Lahore and Rawalpindi Divisions of the Panjab. Civil and Military Gazette Press. pp. 269–270.
  6. "Lahina Singh Majithia". The Sikh Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  7. 1 2 Walia, Varinder (15 September 2005). "A Golden Leaf From the Annals of Sikh History - Sardar Lehna Singh Majithia: The purest gem of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's court". AmritsarPlus Online Edition - The Tribune India (www.tribuneindia.com). Chandigarh, India. Retrieved 2022-09-12.
  8. 1 2 Walia, Varinder (8 September 2005). "Special on the death anniversary of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, which falls on September 9 - Majithia's virasat knows no sarhad". The Tribune India. His father, Sardar Lehna Singh, a great engineer of his time, was a pious person who had installed "Dhup Ghari" (sun clock) and contributed in the extension of Darbar Sahib with his great engineering skills.

Further reading