Arjan Singh Nalwa was a minor Jagirdar of the Sikh Empire who fought against the British to protect the sovereignty of the Sikh Kingdom. He was the youngest son of the Sikh Commander-in-Chief Khalsa Fauji Hari Singh Narva. In 2023, a song titled “Arjan Vailly” was included in the Hindi film Animals. This song vividly describes the fierce battle between Agen and the British army.
Wiki/Biography
Arjan Singh Nalwa, also spelled Arjan Singh Nalva, was born in Kaunke village near Jagroan (present-day Ludhiana), Punjab. Arjan’s family is originally from Majitha near Amritsar in Punjab.
family
Parents and siblings
Arjan Singh Nalwa’s father, Hari Singh Nalwa, was the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj, the Sikh Empire’s army, in the 18th century. Hari Singh was known as Bhag Mal for his bravery in defeating a tiger with a dagger. His father played a key role in the conquests of Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud. Hari Singh was married twice, first to Raj Kaur and later to Dessan Kaur. Arjan Singh Nalwa has three brothers and two sisters. The names of his two elder brothers are Jawahir Singh Nalwa and Gurdit Singhji. The names of his sisters are Chand Kaur and Nand Kaur.
Arjan Singh Narva’s father Hari Singh Narwa
wife and children
he is already married.
other relatives
His grandfather Gurdial Singh Uppal was the ancestor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Maha Singh and Charat Singh His men demonstrated his skills as a horseman and musketeer. His grandmother’s name was Dharam Kaur. Arjan Singh Nalwa’s grandson Narain Singh was awarded the title of Sardar Bahadur by the British. Narain died in March 1934.
religion
Arjan Singh Nalwa was born into a Sikh family. Apparently, Arjan’s father Hari Singh Nalwa was born in an Uppal Khatri family in Gujranwala, Punjab. In 1801, 10-year-old Hari Singh converted to Amrit Sanskar and was baptized as a Sikh.
The war between the Sikh Empire and the Mughal Empire
After the death of their father Hari Singh Narwa, Arjan Singh Narwa and his younger brother Jawahir Singh Narwa fought against the Mughals to defend the sovereignty of the Sikh Kingdom. His brother Jawahir is famous for his defense at the Battle of Chillianwala. It is believed that during the battles between the Sikh Empire and the Mughals, Arjan Singh fought heroically and created chaos on the battlefield with his Gandasi (battle axe).
die
On the eve of the Anglo-Sikh War in October 1948, Arjan Singh Narva joined forces with the Sikh army to fight against the British. Apparently, when he locked himself in his fortified house in Gujranwala, a detachment of troops sent by Brigadier General Campbell and a battalion of Skinner’s cavalry surrounded the house and prepared to capture him. However, he escaped. He died a few days later.
Aryan Wali – Animals (2023)
The 2023 Hindi action thriller Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, features a song based on the life and times of Arjan Singh Nalwa The song “Arjan Vailly”. In the film, the song is sung in Dhadi-Vaar musical style by singer Bhupinder Babbal; Guru Gobind Singh ji used Dhadi-Vaar music as a war cry against the Mughals to inspire the people morale. The song was originally sung by Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak. The song narrates the period of war between the Sikh Empire and the Mughal Empire and describes how Arjan Singh Narva used his ax and other weapons like kirpan to fight fiercely. The first line of the song “Ho Khade Vich Dang Khadke, Othe Ho Gayi Ladayi Bhari” describes the intense fight going on in the crowd. Meanwhile, the most popular lyrics from the song “Arjan Vailly ne Pair Jod Ke Gandasi Maari” depict how Arjan Singh Nalwa, aka Arjan Vailly, would swing his ax with all his might in a fight with his feet together. At the end of the song, the song compares Arjan Singh to a lion, adding that Aryan brought police and government officials under his leadership.
Ayan Wali song poster
Facts/Trivia
- Apparently, Arjan Singh Nalwa was the favorite of Kanvar Nau Nihal Singh, grandson of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of chasseurs.
- According to some reports, Arjan Singh killed a servant of Nau Nihal in July 1840, after which the servant’s widow set herself on fire as a Sati. This incident angered Nau Nihal who imposed a huge fine on Arjan Singh.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education