Sher Singh Attariwalla

Raja Sher Singh Attariwala,OBIwas amilitary commanderand a member of theSikhnobilityduring theSikh Empirein the mid-19th century inPunjab,and later served under the British during theRevolt of 1857.

Raja Sher Singh Attariwala standing by a cannon

Life

Sher Singh Attariwala

He commanded theSikh Khalsa Armyin theSecond Anglo-Sikh waragainst the BritishEast India Company.His father wasGeneral Chattar Singh Attariwalla.General Sher Singh and the army, under his command, fought against the British at thebattle of Chillianwala.Under his command the Sikh Khalsa Army managed to successfully defend its position against numerous British assaults. Both armies retreated after the battle, with both sides claiming victory. The Sikhs suffered 4,000 casualties during the battle, and it was one of the hardest battles fought by the British in India. The loss of British prestige at Chillianwala was one of the factors that contributed to theIndian Rebellion of 1857some nine years later.

With the British victory over the Sikhs during the war, Sher Singh Attariwalla was forced intoexilefrom Punjab. The British feared that such a powerful leader could reignite a full-scale war with them. Sher Singh was in exile, atBenares,away from his Punjabi homeland.He was then called to serve with the British to put down the Indian Rebellion of 1857 inDelhiagainst theMughals.Successful in his task,he was given the title ofSardar Bahadur,a diamond encrusted tapestry from Bahadur Shah Zafar's treasury and theOrder of British India.He also visitedEnglandand a received letter fromQueen Victoria Istating that his descendants would get preferential treatment from British authorities.

External links

• Article on Battle of Chillianwallah - second Anglo-Sikh war
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