BUDDH SIṄGH MĀN (d. 1856), son of Mānā Siṅgh, entered the service of Mahārājā Raṇjīt Siṅgh in 1816 as a khidmatgār (attendant). He rose to the command of 30 horse, and was given a jāgīr worth 17, 000 Rupees. Later, he was promoted a colonel in General Court's brigade. According to British records, he commanded four regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and two troops of artillery. He remained on active duty during Mahārājā Sher Siṅgh's reign, but because of his relationship with Atar Siṅgh Sandhāṅvālīā, a confirmed opponent of the Mahārājā, he was reduced in rank.

         Buddh Siṅgh was reinstated a general under Wazīr Hīrā Siṅgh. He was put in command of General Court's force which had an important role to play during the disorderly conditions following the assassination of Mahārājā Sher Siṅgh and Wazīr Dhiān Siṅgh. Buddh Siṅgh's troops were sent in particular to quell the revolts of Kaṅvar Pashaurā Siṅgh and Kaṅvar Kashmīrā Siṅgh. He commanded a division of the Sikh army during the first Anglo-Sikh war. He continued in the service of the Lahore Darbār after the reorganization of the Sikh army under the treaty of Lahore (1846). He served under Major John Nicholson in 1847 and later under Captain James Abbott. During the second Anglo-Sikh war, he remained with the British though the troops under his command had deserted him and joined Chatar Siṅgh Aṭārīvālā. He fought the Sikhs under the command of Major Nicholson at Margalla Pass, was wounded and taken prisoner. He secured his release after the battle of Gujrāt (21 February 1849). He died in 1856.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Griffin, Lepel, and C. F. Massy, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Lahore, 1909
  2. Hotī, Prem Siṅgh, Mahārājā Sher Siṅgh. Ludhiana, 1951

B. J. Hasrat