NAUDH SINGH (d. 1752), son of Buddha Singh, was greatgrandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was a brave and daring man who applied his energies to expanding the family`s fortunes. He fortified the village of Sukkarchakk in 1730, and in the same year married the daughter of a rich landlord, Gulab Singh ofMajitha. He gained territory and, impressed by the example of his personal bravery, many an adventurous youth rallied round his arms. Eventually, he, along with his band of followers, joined the Faizullapuria misland won the admiration of his chief, Nawab Kapur Singh, by his bold exploits. He was among the Sikhs who pursued Ahmad Shah Durram out of India in 1749, and he died in 1752 as a result of the injuries sustained in battle.
BURNES, SIR ALEXANDER (1805-1841), British traveller, explorer and writer, was born on 16 May 1805. He joined Bombay infantry in 1821. Upon his arrival in India, he devoted himself to the study of the local languages and was, while still an ensign, selected for the post of regimental interpreter. In 1829, he was transferred to the political department as assistant to the Political Resident in Cutch. In 1831, he was sent on a complimentary mission to Lahore, in charge of English horses, including a team of carthorses, four mares and a stallion, sent by the King of England as presents for Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
DASAUNDHA SINGH, a Dhillon Jatt of Jhabal in Amritsar district, was half brother of the celebrated Baghel Singh, leader of the Karorsinghia misl. He crossed the Beas in 1759, and seized some villages in the Jalandhar Doab. The family retained possession of these under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, supplying in return a contingent of 26 horsemen.
