BROWN, JOHN, alias RICHARD POTTER, an Englishman, who, deserting the East Indian Company`s service in the Bengal artillery, came to Lahore and joined the Sikh artillery in 1826. He was later promoted colonel and placed in charge of the artillery depot at Lahore. During the first Anglo Sikh war, he acted as a British spy. Just before the battle of `Aliwal, he went to Ludhiana and offered his services to his countrymen.
CHELLARAM, BHAl (1904-1964), a well known Sahajdhari Sikh of modern times who sang and preached gurbani, the Guru`s inspired word, with a rare love and devotion, was born in a Sindhi family of Hyderabad (Sindh) on 3 May 1904, the son of Dr Tekchand Rachumal Mansukhani and Chettbai. Chellaram`s parents died while he was still in his infancy and his only sister not long afterwards. Successive deaths in the family left him a lonely youth, with a rather pensive mind. He took his degree in Law and set up practice as a lawyer, but his heart was not in the profession.
CHARHAT SINGH, son of Jai Singh, a Sandhu Jatt of Kot Sayyid Mahmud, a small village near Amritsar, held a service jagir under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. His father had served as a trooper under Gulab Singh Bhangi. Charhat Singh`s sister Rup Kaur married Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809. Charhat Singh and his brother Bhup Singh were assigned an area worth 30,000 rupees, subject to the service of 200 horse, which they held for 15 years when it was resumed.
NIDHAN SINGH, a Varaich Jatt of Patti in present day Amritsar district of the Punjab, was, according to Sarup Singh Kaushish, Guru kian Sakhian, the husband of the celebrated Sikh heroine, Mai Bhago. He was one of the warriors who fell fighting in the battle of Muktsar fought on 29 December 1705 and who were blessed by Guru Gobind Singh as mukte, the Liberated Ones. NIDHAN SINGH (d. 1850) or Nidhan Singh Hathu, i.e. Nidhan Singh the Inflexible, son of Jassa Singh, was a bold warrior in Sikh times who, inheriting Daska in Sialkot district from his father, had acquired considerable territory.
DE LA FONT, CAPTAIN AUGUSTE, a Frenchman, who entered Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s service in 1838. He was appointed an aide decamp to General Ventura. Later, he acted as a staff officer to Colonel C.M. Wade during his journey to Kabul. He took active part in the action at Fort `All Masjid and was also helpful in maintaining peace between the Sikh contingent and Wade`s "somewhat unruly" force. He left service in the Punjab in 1843 and returned to France. His younger brother (Christian name not known) also served in the Sikh army under Generals Avitabile and Ventura.
PADARATH, BHAI, a devoted Sikh of the time of Guru Ram Das. Once accompanied by Bhai Taru and Bhai Bharu, he went to visit Guru Ram Das. He and his companions felt deeply moved to hear kirtan being recited in the Guru`s presence. "0 refuge of the poor," they prayed, "it is bliss to listen to such heavenly music. But we householders have duties towards our families and can have such chances but rarely. What shall become of our souls?" Guru Ram Das said, "Have faith in God.
