Maharaja Ranjit Singh & Gen. Zorawar Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh & Gen. Zorawar Singh13 Jul, 2008 9:43 AM
General Zorawar Singh Mann was an eminent dignitary of the Lahore Darbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The young Zorawar had joined the Dogra Corps of the Khalsa Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a boy messenger, in the unit stationed at Jammu under the command of then (Raja) Gulab Singh. He rose to the rank of Governor of Kishtawar by dint of his valour and war like qualities. He had remained loyal to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and used to seek his advice and blessings on military matters. It was further observed that it was the interference of the British, in a bid to protect their self-interest that weakened the General's position during his expedition to Lama's territory and ultimately led to his death. However, the General's death was avenged by the Punjab army within months and the Chinese forces were completely routed in August 1842. It may be recollected that the Postal Department had published a brief biographical note on General Zorawar Singh in the information brochure that was published along with the commemorative postage stamp released on 31.12.2000. Some additional information was furnished by the Hon'ble Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), would be of interest to the general public.Link to the Postal Stamp of S. Zorawar Singh Mann released by Department of Posts India: http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Philately/newsletter2.html

Mann Family History

Mann Family History 13 Jul, 2008 9:41 AM
The jats of the Punjab are divided into some 90 tribes with numberless sub divisions. Of these, the three oldest & from whom many of the others have descended are the tribes Mann, Haer & Bhullar. When the ancestors of the mann jats emigrated to the Panjab. They inhabited the country about Delhi,and to this day mostly in Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab) and Sirsa, Karnal, Kurukshetra in Haryana..Of this tribe and caste are Many famillies distinguished in Punjab history.There is the Amritsar family of Mananwala,The Gujaranwala family of mogalchak,while to other branch Khan Singh Mann of multan celebrity and his gallant cousin Bhag Singh belonged.Chief of the Ramnagar branch was Sardar Desa Singh Mann,Kardar of the Ramnagar Parganna,whose great grandson Ganda Singh,the only representative of the family, is living great poverty at Amritsar. Of the Mann-blood,also,are the once powerful houses of Bhagga and Malwa,now represented by Sardar Bhup Singh Dabbanwala and Sardar Sarup SinghMalwai.Ladda,the founder of the Mogalchak family,left Delhi in the year of a great drought and famine,and settled in the waste country near Gujranwala,where he found the little village of Mann,and was made headman over a circle of 22 Villages. This office of Chowhri remained in the family for many generations till the decline of the Muhammadan power. Nikka,the fourth in descent from ladda, founded the village of Nikka Mann ,but this soon passed out of his hands on account o a failure to meet the government demand and Mir Hamaza ,Governer of Imanabad,gave it to his brother Mirza Kilah,who destroyed it and built hard by a new village which is called mogalchak. this village the Mann family purchased latter from the descedants of of Mirza Kilah,and here they now reside. Sarja Singh is said to have been a follower of Sardar Charat Singh Sukhchakia ,but little is known about him. He died in 1763 ,leaving four sons Jai Singh, Mana Singh, Nar singh and Pahar singh.

Pahhar Singh Mann

Pahaar Singh Mann13 Jul, 2008 9:38 AM
Pahaar Singh: though the youngest of the brothers be more conveniently, will treated of first; as he was the most distinguished, and it was in a great measure through his assistance that his brothers rose in the world .He entered Charrat Singh’s service as a trooper; but soon distinguished himself for energy and courage; obtained a grant of the four villages Jokian, Kalerh, Sal and Takuan, worth Rs 3,277 and assumed the titlr of Sardar Under Singh Mahan Singh Sukarchakia his influence steadily increased, and he obtained Rs 11000 of additional Jagirs near Ramnagar. He showed great gallantry in the many campaigns against the Chatthas; and under Ranjit Singh he served at Attock, Baisa and elsewhere. At the time of his death, in 1813 his Jagirs amounted tp upwards of 2 Lakhs of rupees, subject to the service of 500 horses, 2 guns and 7 zamburahs or camel swivels. Left one son Hari Singh a minor, and Sardar Hukma Singh Chimmi was appointed his guardian. Rs47,000 of his fathers Jagirs were released to him, subject to the service of 125 horses; and when he became old enough to enter the army he was placed under Misr Diwan Chand, with whom he served at Bannu and Multan. He died of paralysis in 1821, being only 22 years of age. His two sons Jagat Singh and Partab Singh were, at their father’s death, infants and the Jagirs were consequently resumed; with the exception of Rs 5,200 subject to the service of 18 horsemen . In 1843 Jaggat Singh was appointed orderly officer of Raja Hira Singh, and Pratab Singh was made commandant in the Miwiwala regiment. Under the Darbar, Jaggat Singh was colonel of a cavalry regiment. Which formed part of Maharaja Dalip Singh’s body guard, and during the disturbance of 1848 – 49, he with his troops remained faithful to government. Jagat Singh died in 1860, leaving two sons, Nihal Singh and Narain Singh aged respectively 22 and 13 years at the time of his death. Jaggay Singh was in the enjoyment of Jagirs worth Rs4000 of these a portion have been resumed, and his sons hold, in perpetuity, Rs1,637 being the Mouza of Kalerh, and a share of Mogalchak in the Gujaranwala district

Nar singh Mann

Nar Singh Mann13 Jul, 2008 9:37 AM
Nar Singh: rebels and fought throughout the campaign of 1848-49. Baghel Singh , who accompanied Major H.B. Edwardesto Multan, stood firm; but died early in 1849 at Hanad in the Dera Ismail Khan district.After annexation, the jagirs of Rattan Singh were resumed; but he received a pension of Rs 1,080 which lapsed at his death in 1857. Sant Singh is in receipt of a pension of Rs 72 and his also holds a share in Mouza Mogulchak. Gulab Singh, third son of Rattan Singh, is a convert to Muhammadanism, and is not acknowledged by his family. Was a misldar of th Sukarchakin confederacy, an fought under Mahan Singh at Manchar and Akalghar. He died young, and his three sons recio yhe amount of Rs 3,500 out of hived allowance out of his jagirs. When Rattan Singh grew up, he was made adjutant in Miwiwala regiment and received estates in Gujaranwala and Gurdaspur to the value of Rs 1200. He accompanied Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa to Kashmir and was in 1820, very wounded at Mangli in the Kashmir hills where Hari Singh was reducing a strong fort defende by the mountaineers. For his services on this occasion he received a grant of Kharak in Gujaranwla and the command of the regiment.His brother Baghal Singh, about this time was made adjutant in dhonkal Singhs regiment. Under Maharaja Kharrak Singh, Rattan Singh was sent in the force of Sardar Sham Singh to Kullu and Mandi, where he was engaged fornearly two years in reducing the hill tribes to obedience. He was created a general unde Sardar Jowahir singh and Kila Desa Singh Anoshera were given to him in jagir. Baghal Singh was, in 1845, made commandant in his old regiment. Rattan Singh fought throughout in the Satlej campaign, and soon after its close he was reduced to the rank of colonel, and his Jagirs were reduced to Rs5,000 with Rs1,000 free of service. He was serving at Peshawar in October 1848, when the troops there mutinied. Major general Lawrence spoke well at him and he appears to have done his best to bring the mutineers to a sense of their duty, till the tide of rebellion became so strong that he was himself carried away by it. His son Sant Singh, then 30 years old, also joined.

Jai Singh Mann

Jai Singh Mann13 Jul, 2008 9:36 AM
Jai Singh: married his daughter Mai Mann to Mahan Singh Sukarcharia, and although this lady bore no children, yet the alliance very materially helped to build up the family fortunes. Under Ranjit Singh the family was very powerful, and at one time there was no less than twenty two members of it holding military appointments of trust and honour. Sardar Jai Singh died young, but his sons were confirmed it had possession of their father's estates. Diwan singh did not long survive his father, and Mihir Singh the second son was killed in Kashmir in 1814. Jiodh Singh, who was a colonel with jagirs worth Rs7,550 joined the rebels with his nephew Jamiyal Singh, but returned to Lahore before the end of the campaign. The jagirs of this branch of the family were resumed after annexation. Jodh Singh was allowed a pension of Rs 720 which he still holds. Fateh Singh son of Sardar Diwan Singh was orignally one of Ranjit Singhs orderlies. He was made adjutant of military , and under Sardar Jawahar Singh commandant. After the Satlej campaign, Raja Lal Singh appointed him commandant in his Cousin Budh Singh's regiment on Rs 1,800 a month. He was with his cousin during the disturbances of 1848, and joined Captain Nicholson at the same time with him. One Third of his salary of Rs. 1800 was granted to him for life. In 1862, he was appointed Honorary Magistrate of Gujranwala. Anup Singh the eldest son of Jodah Singh enters the first Sikh irregular cavalry, afterwards better known as "Probyn's Horse" where it was first raised in August 1857, under the orders of Sir John Lawrence. After the fall of Delhi, Anup Singh accompanied the regiment to Oude and was present at the capture of Lukhnow in March, 1858. He served through the whole of the Baiswarra campaign, in the hot weather of 1858; and in the spring of 1859 in the Trans Gogra campaign. Where the fighting was the sharpest the 1st Sikhs were always to be found; and among many brave men Anup Singh distinguished himself for his cool and determined courage. During the Hindostan Campaign he was four times wounded, and had three horses wounded under him. In January 1860, he volunteered for China with his regiment and served with great credit throughout the campaign. He was again wounded, and his horse was again wounded under him. The regiment was present with the force, during the late disturbances on the north – west frontier; and, on one occasion, when it was engaged with the bonairs, at Ambeyla, Anup Singh particularly distinguished himself and was very severely wounded in single combat with one of the enemy. He was twice received the order of valor for bravery in the field and has been granted a jagir of Rs500 per annum. The services of Anup Singh deserve especial notice. He is one of the finest native officer in the army; of undoubted loyalty, of conspicuous bravery, and a worthy representative of the old and gallant family to which he belongs.Gurbaksh Singh his younger brother, was allowed by the commander – in –chief, in compliment to Anup Singh, to enter his brother’s regiment, when a child only 10 years of age. Ganda Singh son of Sher Singh also enlisted in the regiment in 1857, and served with the corps till its return from China in 1861. He then took his discharge and is at present in civil employ at Gujranwala. Joala Singh son of Fatah Singh entered the regiment with Anup Singh. He was a very promising soldier, and was killed in action at Nawabgang.

Mana Singh Mann

Mana Singh Mann13 Jul, 2008 9:35 AM
Mana Singh: Like his other brothers, he was a subordinate chief in the following of Sardar Mahan Singh Sukarchakia, from whom he received the estates of Pindori Kalan, Pindori Khurd and others. On his death in 1807 his elder son Sadda Singh succeeded to all his jagirs, and to the command of the contingent. This young man distinguished himself in the Kashmir campaign where he was four times wounded, and received for his services a share in the Mannawar Ilaka worth Rs.12000. Sadda Singh died childless and Mannawar with other of his jagirs was resumed; but his brother Amir Singh, the handsome most man in the Khalsa army, was made a general and large estates were granted to him. The third son Sham Singh was created a Colonel on Rs.5000 per annum, and Hukum Singh a commandant. In 1840 Amir Singh died without issue; and his jagir of Rs.11000 was assigned to his brother Budh Singh with the rank of general. Amir Singh’s battalion, consisting of four infantry regiments, one cavalry regiment and two troops of artillery, was also placed under his command. Budh Singh had at this time being 24 years in the Sikh army. He had first entered it in 1816, as an orderly (Senapati, Chief) of the Maharaja, on Rs3800 per annum, and this post he had held for five years. He had then, on his brother Sadda Singh’s death received command of 30 horsemen, with a jagir of Rs. 17000 and after this had been commandant and colonel in General Court’s brigade, on Rs.4015. Under Maharaja Sher Singh his emoluments were reduced, for he was brother-in-law of Sardar Attar Singh Sidhanwalia and Sher Singh’s policy, at the commencement of his reign was to destroy the power of Sidhanwalia house. Budh Singh served throughout the Satlej campaign, and shortly after its close he was reduced to the rank of a colonel in the Mann battalion and sent with Sher Singh

TS Mann

Late Sardar T.S. Mann

Click to Visit : The Guiding Light: T.S. Mann

Next Updates: in August 2008 on the 5th Barsi

Below is the Content that appears on www.sirsanews.com 19th August 2007 Post.

The Guiding Light: T.S. Mann, on his fifth Barsi

SIRSA NEWS

19 August 2008

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Today On The fifth Death Anniversary of Sr. TS Mann, SIRSA NEWS brings you brief life sketch of Sr. Mann, the guiding light and inspiration that drives this Web Site.
Late Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann (HPS- I Retd. Supdt. Jail)
Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann was born at Village Mannawala Distt. Shekhupura. (Now in Punjab of Pakistan) on 20th July 1920 in the famous Mannawala Family (A chapter is devoted to Mannawala Family, in the book The Chiefs Of Punjab, by a British Author. A family tree from 1700AD upto the name of Sr T.S. Mann also exists in this book as well as the Gazette of Punjab)He was the eldest son of S. Sahib Singh Mann (Ex MLC of Punjab Assembly 1952)His education started from Guru Nanak Khalsa High School Nanakana Sahib. He did his Graduation in 1942 from Khalsa College Amritsar. Six feet tall and well built; he was a good athlete & sportsman. He won the Punjab University’s ‘One Mile’ race twice. At that time the Punjab University was the biggest university in the North India and was located at Lahore. Even then he represented the Punjab University’s Volleyball team.

TS Mann with the famous Khalsa College Amritsar In The Back GroundAll pictures can be clicked to enlarge or right click to open link in new window
British Professors taught English in Khalsa College at that time. He had good command over English, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and even some working knowledge of French. He visited Sri Harmandir Sahib every morning during all 4years of his hostel life at Khalsa College Amritsar He held his teachers and professors in high esteem. Prof Sahib Singh, who is known for the most authenticated TIKA of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was one of his favorite professors.
In 1943, he joined the Jail department by appointment through Punjab Services Commission. His first posting was probably at Multan Jail as Asstt. Supdt. Jail. At time of partition in 1947, the family was allotted land at Sirsa; he was made a camp commandant for some time to take care of partition refugees at SIRSA. He resumed his jail department post in post partition India. During his service in the Jail Dept he did not distance himself from the prisoners, rather he understood their psychology and interacted with them to resolve their problems as and when these surfaced. He was very particular about the ration and good hygienic food of the Jail prisoners, and daily ensured that the right quantity and rightly cooked food was served on time. He also took care of the welfare possibilities of all the prisoners. He was very popular with the inmates and many of them used to thank him on and after completion of their jail terms. Besides many jails of Punjab & Haryana he was also posted at Tihar Jail Delhi in early fifties.
TV Shots from Aaj Tak telecast of 2003
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In 1975 to 1977 during the national emergency, he was Superintendent of Rohtak Jail. Many senior political leaders were detained in Rohtak jail under his tenure. {To name a few: Sh Bhairon Singh Shekhwat Ex. Vice president of India, Sh LK Advani Ex. Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sh Chander Shekhar Ex P

M of India, Ch. Devi Lal Ex DPM India (and Ex CM Haryana), Sh. Sikander Bakht Ex Governor of KERALA, Dr Bhai Mahavir Governor of MP. Sh. Pillo Modi MP, Sh Ashok Mehta MP, Sh Biju Patnaik Ex CM Orissa, Major Jaipal, Bakshi Jagdev and many more…………} All of these were satisfied with the humane behavior of Sr. TS Mann. Many of them called upon him personally at his official residence soon after attaining political posts and ministries in The Janta Party in 1977. Even today many of them remember him fondly. He was being offered a seat for becoming a MP in the elections of 1977, but he refused as he was a non Political Man and never took any advantage of his such closeness to these leaders. May it be recalled that in 1977 elections it was landslide victory for the JANTA PARTY, and anyone who was nominated by Janta Party was sure to win.Most recently, after a gap of 28 years, Sh. LK Advani DPM of India recalled him at Rohtak jail on 26 June 2003. An exclusive video film on LK Advani and TS Mann was produced by AajTak news channel in Rohtak Jail; it was telecast at prime time on 26 June 2003 under ‘VISHESH’ Sh Advani specifically mentioned in this telecast the good treatment he got from Mr. Mann during detention under MISA. [see Pictures above] After 35 years of meritorious service he retired in 1979 as Supdt. Distt. Jail Rohtak, at that time this was the second senior most post in the Jail Deptt. The Govt. gave him four increments for his honest & dedicated services. He had ample regards for his officer: I.G. Prisons, Late Sh. SK Puri. That’s why he refused a promotion to the rank of The IG (the Highest Post of Jail Deptt. In those days) during the last few months of his service, as this would have put the then IG Mr. Puri in trouble, and would have jinxed the last phase of service (career) of Sh. Puri, due to certain political reasons.
He took up farming at his farm at village Kirpal Patti, in Ellenabad Sub Division of Distt. SIRSA after retirement. He did co-operative farming by indulging 20 families with him. He made sure that basic needs of these families (Housing, food and clothing) were fulfilled. He arranged money for them also. He discouraged these families to consume alcohol or any kind of intoxicants. He imparted moral and social teachings to all the people associated with him. He himself was a teetotaler and vegetarian through out his life.Along with farming he took up many social projects. From 1994, he gave a new momentum to the already Established ‘LOK PANCHAYAT’ (A regd. body) in the Rania-Ellenabad Jeevan Nagar area of SIRSA. Lokpanchayat is a non-religious, non-political, non-factional, social body. [NGO]
Recently in 2002 he had joined the move initiated from the Districts of Karnal & Kurukshetra, for the formation of separate SGPC for Haryana (now know as HSGPC: Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Adhoc). He motivated and apprised people of Sirsa district about the necessity of separate SGPC for Haryana. He was stern follower of the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. He always cherished his parents.
In 1986, the untimely demise of his elder son: Sh. Gurinder Mann, perturbed him for a while but he took this great loss as will of The Almighty and consoled rest of the family. It is worth mentioning here that Sh. Gurinder Mann was highly educated [M.A. LL.B. BJ, member HUJ] He was a highly talented budding photo-journalist and art photographer whose pictures were published in international journals.

Rajan Gurinder Mann
Gurinder Mann was a keen musician and a talented painter as well. He was elder brother of Author of the website http://www.sirsanews.com/ .

Sardar T.S. Mann’s life was highly disciplined and he was highly health conscious. Even at the age of 83 years, he took long walks daily and visited his fields daily. He never needed much medical care through out his life, as he believed that nature takes care of petty ailments. He was a die-hard optimist.Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann passed away on the 19th day of August 2003, peacefully.
He is remembered for his principled life, honesty, integrity, and philanthropic and outspoken nature.

Posted by GS Mann at 7:36 PM

1 comments:
abhay said...
Sat shri akal. I am Abhay singh Mann from village tallania.My ancestors belonged to the pind mannawalla,pakistan.Could i please get more details about the mannawala village.And the book-the cheifs of punjab & gazette of punjab.thank you.