Ranjodh Singh Majithia
Ranjodh Singh (died 1872) was a powerful member of the Sikh aristocracy and governor of Hazara.[1] The Majithia family are Jat of the Shergill gotra (clan),[2] and were particularly influential in the area near their headquarters in Majithia (hence the name).
Ranjodh Singh Majithia | |
|---|---|
 Ranjodh Singh Majithia. Watercolour by a Company artist, Punjab, ca.1865 | |
| Died | 1872 |
| Allegiance | Sikh Empire |
| Service/ | Sikh Khalsa Army |
| Rank |
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| Relations | Desa Singh Majithia (father) Lehna Singh Majithia (brother) Gujar Singh Majithia (brother) |
Biography
Early life
Ranjodh's father was Desa Singh Majithia. Ranjodh Singh's brother was Lehna Singh Majithia, one of Ranjit Singh's most able ministers and advisers. He also had a brother named Gujar Singh.[3] Ranjodh Singh himself was from a young age tutored by French officers in military matters. Due to this education and his inherited position he became a general in the Khalsa Army.
First Anglo-Sikh War
During the First Anglo Sikh War he led a Sikh army that fought the British at Aliwal, Badowal and fought bravely at Sobraon and suffered many wounds. He defeated the British at the Battle of Badowal but was defeated in battle of Aliwal which was more of an ambush on a retreating party of his army. His skill and ability was noted by his British opponents.
References
- "Ranjodh Singh Majithia". The Sikh Encyclopedia. 19 December 2000. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- Rekhi, Gurnam Singh (1999). Sir Sundar Singh Majithia and His Relevance in Sikh Politics (PDF). Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 15.
...the small village of Majithia (near Amritsar)—which the family of Sir Sundar Singh, of Shergill clan among the Jat Sikhs—had adopted as their surname, could also be proud of its illustrious Sardars.
- Griffin, Lepel Henry (1890). The Panjab Chiefs: Historical and Biographical Notices of the Principal Families in the Lahore and Rawalpindi Divisions of the Panjab. Civil and Military Gazette Press. p. 267.