NIDHĀN SIṄGH (d. 1850) or Nidhān Siṅgh Hāṭhū, i.e. Nidhān Siṅgh the Inflexible, son of Jassā Siṅgh, was a bold warrior in Sikh times who, inheriting ḍāskā in Siālkoṭ district from his father, had acquired considerable territory. The surrounding chiefs, Mahāṅ Siṅgh Sukkarchakkīā of Gujrāṅwālā , Sāhib Siṅgh Bhaṅgī of Gujrāt, Pañjāb Siṅgh of Siālkoṭ and Jodh Siṅgh of Wazīrābād became jealous of him. In 1797, when Shāh Zamān invaded the Punjab, Nidhān Siṅgh met the Kābul monarch on the banks of the Chenāb, and was warmly received and confirmed in all of his estates. Soon after this Raṇjīt Siṅgh, rising to power, summoned Nidhān Siṅgh and offered him appointment on his personal staff, but the high-spirited chief declined. It was not until 1810 that he, with 250 horsemen, consented to accompany the Mahārājā on his Multān expedition. At the close of the campaign, Nidhān Siṅgh returned to his headquarters at dāskā contrary to the orders of the Mahārājā, who, determined to punish him, laid siege to the fort of ḍāskā, bringing against it the famous Bhaṅgī gun. After a month's siege Nidhān Siṅgh was forced to surrender. On promise of protection given him by the Mahārājā, he came into the latter's camp where, in violation of the promise, he was arrested and put in irons. Nidhān Siṅgh fled to Kashmīr and took up service with the Afghān ruler, 'Atā Muhammad Khān. He was, however, soon recalled and a great portion of his estate was restored to him subject to the service of 100 horsemen. Nidhān Siṅgh received jāgīrs in ḍerā Ismā'īl Khān and Hazārā. In 1824, he was placed under the orders of Prince Khaṛak Siṅgh and in 1827 transferred to the Ghoṛchahās in which force he remained till his retirement in 1845.
Nidhān Siṅgh died in 1850.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sardār Siṅgh Bhāṭīā