Name Hari Dhillon | Died 1764 | |
Children Jhanda Singh Dhillon, Ganda Singh Dhillon | ||
Maharaja Hari Singh Dhillon (died 1764), was a Dhillon Jat and a renowned royal Sikh warriors of the 18th century, who succeeded the Bhangi Misl from Bhuma Singh Dhillon.
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As a legendary King
He was Maharaja of Amritsar, Lahore and large areas of central and western Panjab. He was the nephew of Bhuma Singh Dhillon, a famous Sikh soldier. They were a family of Jats of the Dhillon clan from the Malwa region of Punjab Moga District. His military exploits were legendary and his defence of Amritsar.
Prominent Position in Dal Khalsa
Such was the respect and admiration of the Sikh community for Hari Singh, that at the formation of the Dal Khalsa in 1748, he was made leader of the Taruna Dal founded in (1734) at Amritsar which is considered to be one of the greatest honours given, in the 18th century, to any Sikh.
War against Afghans
He fought against the Afghans with the help of his friends Sardar Charhat Singh Sukerchakia (died 1770) (the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh) and Baron Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, during Ahmed Shah Abdali's sixth invasion of Punjab. He was an intelligent leader, a progressive soldier and a wise statesman. The author of Tarikh-e-Punjab writes that "Hari Singh was clever, powerful and a man of shining abilities."
Succession
His two sons were Jhanda Singh Dhillon and Ganda Singh Dhillon. He based his HQ around Amritsar.