DEVĀ SIṄGH, SIR (1834-1890), a high-ranking Paṭiālā state administrator, was born in 1834 into an Aroṛā Sikh family, the son of Colonel Khushāl Siṅgh, a brave soldier who had once killed a tiger (sher, in Punjabi) near one of the city gates conferring upon it the name Sherāṅvālā which lasts to this day. Devā Siṅgh received the only formal education available at that time by attending a maktab or Persian school, and entered Paṭiālā state service at a very early age in 1846. In 1853, he was appointed assistant judicial minister and in 1855, a Risāldār in a cavalry unit. Mahārājā Narinder Siṅgh (1824-1862), who thought highly of his abilities elevated him in 1858 to the position of Sardār Sāhib Deoṛhī Mu'allā or royal chamberlain. He was made captain in the cavalry in 1860 and then Nāzim or deputy commissioner of Pinjore district which comprised the hill areas of the state. In 1867, he was transferred to Mahendergaṛh district in the same capacity only to be recalled in 1873 to the capital to become the Dīwān or finance minister. He was appointed president of the Regency Council set up to administer the affairs of the state after the premature death of Mahārājā Mahinder Siṅgh (1852-1876). The two other members of the Council were Khān Sāhib Nāmdar Khān and Chaudharī Chaṛhat Rām. Devā Siṅgh was honoured with a knighthood and the title of K. C. S. I. He had a gurdwārā erected near the Paṭiālā railway station and donated money and lands for its maintenance. His son, Partāp Siṅgh, who also rose to be the finance minister of the state, founded in memory of his father an orphange which is still in existence. Devā Siṅgh was also a fellow of Pañjāb University, Lahore, and lent support to the campaign for the establishment of Khālsā College at Amritsar. He was very enthusiastic in espousing the cause of the Khālsā College Establishment Committee.

         Sir Devā Siṅgh died on 6 January 1890.

Janak Siṅgh