National Archives launches its series with book on legendary Sikh commander

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 23

The National Archives of India under the Ministry of Culture on Friday launched its “Book Reading Series” titled ‘Archives Reads’ with a book on a legendary Commander-in-Chief of Sikh Khalsa Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The book titled ‘Hari Singh Nalwa: Champion of the Khalsaji (1791-1837)’ has been authored by Vanit Nalwa—a descendant of the iconic Sikh military commander.

The series was inaugurated by Director-General of National Archives of India, Pritam Singh. The books that will be part of the series are those that have been based mainly on records of the National Archives of India.

Born in Gujranwala, now in Pakistan, Hari Singh was the Commander-in-Chief at the most turbulent North West Frontier of Ranjit Singh’s kingdom. He expanded the frontier of “Sarkar Khalsaji” to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass in Afghanistan.

Among his achievement include conquest of Kasur, Siakot, Attock, Multan, Kashur, Peshawar and Jamrud.

Ranjit Singh made him Govenor of Peshawar, Hazara and Kashmir-for a year. An administrator and a military commander, Nalwa was unmatched, Vanit said.

“Two centuries on, British, Pakistan, Russia and America have been unsuccessful in effecting law and order in this region. Hari Singh Nalwa’s spectacular achievements exemplified the tradition established by Guru Gobind Singh such that he came to be hailed as the ‘Champion of the Khalsaji’,” Vanit said.

Responding to a query by Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh with regard role of Gulab Singh-the first Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Vanit said the records say that the latter ditched the Sikh Army. Consequently,the British sold to him the state as a favour. The purchase money belonged to the state exchequer of Ranjit Singh, which was procured illegally by Gulab Singh, she added.