KHARAK SINGH

KHARAK SINGH, a close associate of Bhai Maharaj Singh (d. 1856), saintly leader of the popular anti British uprising of 1848-49. Nothing is known about his early life except that he came of a Jatt Sikh family. He was arrested near Sham Chaurasi, Hoshiarpur district, along with Bhai Maharaj Singh, on the night of 2829 December 1849. When government decided to banish Bhai Maharaj Singh to Singapore, Kharak Singh offered to go with him.

Under a British military guard, the two were put aboard the ship Muhammad Shah which left Calcutta on 15 May 1850. Their fetters were for the first time removed only after the ship had entered the high seas. Kharak Singh devotedly served his leader till his (the latter`s) death on 5 July 1856. He himself was released soon after, but was not permitted to return to India.

References :

1. Ahhiwalia, M.L., Bhni Mnharaj Singh. Patiala, 1972