Veer Singh Dhillon
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Veer Singh Dhillon Jallaha Gurdaspuria | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1792 Gurdaspore |
| Died | 1842 Gurdaspore |
| Rank | General |
| Battles / wars | Afghan-Sikh Wars |
| Awards | Jallaha of Gurdaspore |
Veer Singh Dillon (1792–1842) was a Sikh who was born in Gurdaspore, Punjab. He was a general in the Sikh Khalsa Army, army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and was the founder of one of the most highly honoured Sikh warrior families.
Veer Singh was awarded the title Jallaha (Duke) of Gurdaspore after his army single-handedly won the eastern areas of Punjab for the Maharaja. Later when the Sikh Empire fell to the British forces, the armies of the Jallaha of Gurdaspore (then under the son of Veer Singh) were not defeated due to their strong defenses. But later the British signed a treaty with the ruler in which his areas would come under the British Empire but the Jallaha would still remain the supreme commander of the military forces and also the chief administrator of the area.
Early life
Veer Singh was born in a Dhillon Jat Sikh family, and was raised a Nihang. He was a master in the art of Gatka a Sikh martial art. At an early age his family was forced out of Gurdaspore (now Gurdaspur a district in Punjab) after the Raja of Kapurthala attacked the rather peaceful town. Later Veer Singh led his armies against the Raja, and won back Gurdaspore.
Military career
Singh participated in the following conquests: Sialkot, Kasur (1807), Multan (1818), Kashmir (1819), Pakhli & Damtaur (1821-2), and finally Gurdapore (1831). He served as the governor of Peshawar for a short period and was later Jallaha (duke) of Gurdaspore.
Honours
The nineteenth-century British newspaper, Tit-Bits, wrote[full citation needed]
"It is surprising how the important honour is to Sikhs, even when the last of them were being killed and defeated, a Sikh gave down his territory only if the honour of his people and his family was kept intact, which forced the mighty British royalty to bow down and give into his demands ... and now the British who have to serve in his regiment have to wear his Uniform!"
References
Further reading
Sandhu, Autar Singh (1987). General Hari Singh Nalwa: builder of the Sikh Empire (reprint ed.). Uppal Pub. House. p. 140. ISBN 9788185024301. Retrieved June 2009. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
