Sher Singh

Sher Singh (4 December 1807 – 15 September 1843) was the fourth Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. A legitimate son of Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire, his reign began on 18 January 1840 following his assault on Lahore which ended the brief regency of Chand Kaur.[1] He was assassinated on 15 September 1843 by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia.[1]

For other people with the same two names, see Sher Singh (disambiguation).

Maharaja Sher Singh
4th Maharaja of the Sikh Empire
Reign18 January 1841 – 15 September 1843
Coronation27 January 1841
Lahore Fort, Lahore
PredecessorMaharani Chand Kaur
SuccessorMaharaja Duleep Singh
Prime Minister
Born4 December 1807
Batala, Sikh Empire, now Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India
Died15 September 1843(1843-09-15) (aged 35)
Shah Bilaal gardens, Lahore, Sikh Empire, now Kot Khawaja Saeed, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Spouse
Desa Kaur Nakai
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​
(m. 1819; died 1821)​

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​
(m. 1822; his death 1843)​

Bibi Pratap Kaur Jagat Singh Brar
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​
(m. 1825; his death 1843)​

Dakno Kaur Mai Sahiba
​
​
(m. 1842; his death 1843)​
IssueBy Maharani Desa Kaur:
* None
By Maharani Prem Kaur:
* Kanwar Pratap Singh Bahadur
By Maharani Pratap Kaur:
* Kanwar Deva Singh Bahadur
By Maharani Dakno Kaur:
* Shahdeo Singh Bahadur
FatherMaharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab
MotherMehtab Kaur Kanhaiyā
ReligionSikhism

Birth

Sher Singh was the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharani Mehtab Kaur, who was also the mother of Prince Tara Singh (1807-1859).[lower-alpha 1]

Early life

In 1820, Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted him the privilege of being seated in the Darbar and bestowed civil and military honours on him. From 1831 to 1834 he acted as Governor of Kashmir and in 1834 he was a commander in the force that captured Peshawar from the Afghans.[2]

Reign
The Maharaja Sher Singh

Sher Singh became the maharaja on 27 January 1841,[2] after the sudden death of Nau Nihal Singh whose death was set in motion, some say purposely, while returning from his father's cremation. He was the half brother of Nau Nihal Singh's father, former maharaja Kharak Singh.

Proclaimed Maharaja by his wazir (prime minister) Dhian Singh Dogra, he won the throne after a protracted siege of the Lahore Fort which was held by the Royal family. Thousands died in the siege.

Death
Maharaja Sher Singh (1807-1843) seated, attended by his council in the Lahore Fort.

Sher Singh was killed as he reached for a new shotgun held by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, who pulled the trigger. Sher Singh only had time to utter, "what treachery." The Sandhawalias also murdered Dhian Singh. The Sandhawalias were thought to have also had designs on the empire.

Legacy

His palace is leased to Baring Union Christian College.

Notes
  1. Mehtab Kaur, who was also known as Mahitab Kaur, is not to be confused with Maharani Mahtab Devi Sahiba, another wife, who committed sati in 1839 with Ranjit Singh's body lying with his head on her lap.

References
  1. Syad Muhammad Latif, Lahore: Its History, Architectural Remains and Antiquities: With an Account of Its Modern Institutions, Inhabitants, Their Trade, Customs, Printed at the New Imperial Press, 1892
  2. Hasrat, B.J. "Sher Singh, Maharaja". Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Editor-in-Chief Harbans Singh. Punjab University Patiala.
Preceded by
Chand Kaur		 Maharaja of the Sikh Empire
18 January 1841– 15 September 1843		 Succeeded by
Duleep Singh


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