Hari Singh Nalwa

Hari Singh Nalwa
Painting of Hari Singh Nalwa, by Hasan al-Din, Lahore, ca.1845-50
Governor of Kashmir
In office
1820–1821
MonarchRanjit Singh
Preceded byMoti Ram
Succeeded byMoti Ram
Governor of Hazara
In office
1822–1837
Preceded byAmar Singh Majithia
Succeeded byMahan Singh Hazarawala
Governor of Peshawar
In office
1834–1837
Preceded bySultan Mohammad Khan
Succeeded byPaolo Avitabile
Personal details
Born29 April 1791 (1791)
Gujranwala, Shukarchakia Misl, Sikh Confederacy
(present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Died30 April 1837(1837-04-30) (aged 46)
Jamrud, Khyber Pass, Sikh Empire
(present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Spouses
  • Raj Kaur
  • Desan Kaur
ChildrenArjan Singh Nalwa, Jawahir Singh Nalwa, Nand Kaur, Gurdit Singhji, Chand Kaur
Parents
  • Gurdial Singh (father)
  • Dharm Kaur (mother)
AwardsIzazi-i-Sardari
Signature
Nicknames
  • Baghmar
  • (Tiger-Killer)
Military service
Allegiance Sikh Empire
Branch/serviceSikh Khalsa Army
Years of service1804–1837
Rank
Commands
Battles/wars

Hari Singh Nalwa (29 April 1791 – 30 April 1837) was the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa Fauj, the army of the Sikh Empire. He is known for his role in the conquests of Kasur, Sialkot, Attock, Multan, Kashmir, Peshawar and Jamrud. Hari Singh Nalwa was responsible for expanding the frontier of Sikh Empire to beyond the Indus River right up to the mouth of the Khyber Pass. At the time of his death, Jamrud constituted the western boundary of the Empire.

He served as governor of Kashmir, Peshawar and Hazara. He established a mint on behalf of the Sikh Empire to facilitate revenue collection in Kashmir and Peshawar.