RAM DIAL, DIWAN

RAM DIAL, DIWAN (1798-1820), a general in the Sikh army, was the eldest son of Diwan Moti Ram. He is said to have become a divisional commaner at the age of 16. In 1814, during the second expedition of Kashmir, he had independent command of a force of 30,000 men, besides charge of commissariat. Ram Dial took part in several other military expeditions. He was sent out aganist the Yusafzais in Hazara, and he fought in Multan under Misr Divan Chand in 1818 when the town was finally taken by the Sikhs.

In 1819, Ram Dial was appointed governor of Attock and Hazara where the Yusafzais had again risen in revolt. In 1820, he led an expedition against the turbulent tribes of Hazara and the surrounding areas gathered in large numbers at Gandgarh. But the mass of Afghan tribes proved too formidable a force. Ram Dial was obliged to retreat, but was ambushed on the way and killed. The Maharaja felt deeply grieved at the death of the veteran soldier.

References :

1. Suri, Sohan Lal, `Umdat ut-Twarikh. Lahore, 1885-89
2. Griffin, Lepel, Ranjit Singh. Oxford, 1905
3. Khushwant Singh, Ranjit Singh: Maharjah of the Punjab. London, 1962