2013
This haveli is situated near Heera Mandi, The haveli was once an attractive building with a basement. Originally it covered an area of 46 kanals but now the surrounding area has been purchased by the public and at present, the actual area is 2 kanals. The existing part of the Haveli, which we see today is the court of Raja Dhian Singh while the residential area of the haveli was demolished or sold.
This haveli is situated near Heera Mandi, The haveli was once an attractive building with a basement. Originally it covered an area of 46 kanals but now the surrounding area has been purchased by the public and at present, the actual area is 2 kanals. The existing part of the Haveli, which we see today is the court of Raja Dhian Singh while the residential area of the haveli was demolished or sold.
DHIAN SINGH, RAJA (1796-1843), the second son of Miari
Kishora Singh Dogra and the middle one of the three brothers from Jammu serving
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born on 22 August 1796. He was presented before
Ranjit Singh at Rohtas in 1812 by his elder brother, Gulab Singh, and was given
employment as a trooper on a monthly salary of sixty rupees. Dhian Singh by his
impressive bearing, polished manner, and adroitness, steadily rose in the
Maharaja`s favor and, in 1818, replaced Jamadar Khushal Singh as deorhidar or
chamberlain to the royal household.
In this capacity, he had ready access to the
Maharaja and became a man of influence at the court. He was at times assigned
to military duties as well. He took part in the battle of Naushera in March
1823. As Ranjit Singh, following the death on 30 April 1837 of Hart Singh
Nalva, hastened towards the northwest frontier, Dhian Singh marched with his
force in advance. Dhian Singh received from the Maharaja endless favors. He
was granted a large number of jagirs in the hilly country of Jammu and created
Raja in 1822. On 20 June 1827, he was given the title of RajaiRajgan Raja Kalan
Bahadur.
He became the principal minister of the
Maharaja and the most powerful person in the kingdom after him. The highest
distinction came on 21 June 1839 when Maharaja Ranjit Singh proclaimed in the
presence of the entire court and the army stationed in Lahore that he had
granted full powers to Prince Kharak Singh, the heir apparent, over all his
dominions and troops, and that the Prince had chosen Raja Kalari Bahadur to be
his Wazir, principal minister or counselor. The Maharaja also conferred upon
Dhian Singh the title of NaibusSalatnati`Azamat, Khairkhwahi Samimii Daulati
SirkariKubra, Waziri`Azam, DasturiMu`azzam, Mukh tariMulk.
On the morning of the funeral of the Maharaja,
28 June 1839, Dhian Singh expressed his intention to immolate himself on the
late monarch`s pyre and had to be dissuaded by the queens and courtiers.
Maharaja Kharak Singh himself begged him to continue to steer the State. Dhian
Singh agreed that he would remain in the service of Kharak Singh for one year
and proceed thereafter on a pilgrimage to sacred places. But he soon found
himself at the center of courtly intrigue. He set afloat the rumor that Kharak
Singh and his favorite, Chet Singh, were soliciting British protection and
we're going to compromise the sovereignty of Punjab.
He summoned Prince Nau Nihal Singh from
Peshawar and won over the Sandharivalia sardars to join him in a plot to kill
Chet Singh. The scheme was carried out and Chet Singh was assassinated on 9
October 1839 by Dhian Singh in the presence of the Maharaja who was himself
placed under restraint, Prince Nau Nihal Singh running the affairs of the State
on his behalf. Death, however, was removed from the scene of Nau Nihal Singh returning
from his father`s cremation on 5 November 1840. Dhian Singh now^hoae to place
Prince Sher 8lngh on the., throne.
He concealed the fact of Nau Nihal Singh`s
death for three days, till Sher Singh had arrived at Lahore at his summons. But
his plans were upset by his rivals, the Sandharivalias, who decided to support
Kharak Singh`s widow, Chand Kaur, as a regent for Nau Nihal Singh`s child yet
to be born. On 2 December 1840, Chand Kaur has proclaimed Maharani. Sher Singh
went back to his estate in Batala the following day, and Dhian Singh retired to
Jammu a few days later. This was, however, only a tactical withdrawal by the
astute Raja Kalari. Even while on his way to Jammu, he wrote to army commanders
at different levels and to other government officials to render obedience and
assistance to Prince Sher Singh upon his return to Lahore.
Sher Singh arrived at Lahore on 13 January 1841
and the bulk of the royal army then in Lahore went over to him. Raja Dhian
Singh returned from Jammu on 17 January. Sher Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Punjab on 18 January with Dhian Singh as his Wazir. On 15 September 1843
the Sandharivalia Sardars, Ajit Singh and Lahina Singh, assassinated Maharaja
Sher Singh and Karivar Partap Singh, the heir apparent, on the outskirts of
Lahore. As they were returning to the Fort with the heads of Sher Singh and
Partap Singh hung on spikes, they were met on the way by Dhian Singh who was
lured into the Fort. As he advanced his claim to be Wazir to the succeeding
Maharaja, Ajit Singh fired a shot and killed him on the spot.