KARAM SINGH CHAHAL

KARAM SINGH CHAHAL (d. 1823) was, like his father Kattha Singh, in the service of the Bhangi sarddrst.a.hma. Singh and Gujjar Singh before he joined Ranjit Singh`s army after he had seized Lahore in 1799 from Lahina Singh Bhangi`s son, Chet Singh. Karam Singh rapidly rose in the Maharaja`s favour and became a powerful sarddr. He took part in most of the Maharaja`s campaigns, including those of Pindi Bhattian, Pothohar, Jhang, Kasur and Multan.

The Maharaja gave him several villages in^ag^ratAjnala, in Amritsar district, and at Khaneval, in Multan district. His estates eventually reached the value of Rs 1,50,000 subject to the service of 250 horse. Karam Singh fell wounded by a musket ball in the battle of Teri in March 1823 in which the celebrated Phula Singh AkalT had been killed. He was carried to his tent, but died the following morning. He was survived by his only son, Gurmukh Singh, who had also fought in this battle.

References :

1. Griffin, Lepel, and C.F. Massy, Chiefs and Fanijlitss of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909
2. Sun, Sohan Lal. `Umdat-ut-Twdnkh. Lahore, 1885-89