Maharani Datar Kaur

Maharani Datar Kaur (born Bibi Raj Kaur Nakai; (1784– 20 June 1838) was the queen consort and the second wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, the founder of the Sikh Empire and the mother of his successor, Maharaja Kharak Singh.

Early Life

Bibi Raj Kaur Sandhu was born to Sardar Ran Singh Sandhu, third ruler of the Nakai Misl and Sardarni Karmo Kaur. Her father, Ran Singh was the third and the most powerful ruler of Nakai Misl, a fierce warrior and under his leadership the misl was at its highest point. He was an ambitious man and had exceeded his rule to the taluqas of Bucheke, Chhanga Manga, 69 kms from Lahore, Chhichha, Devsal, Fatahpur, Jethupur, Kasur, Kharral fort of Kot Kamalia, Sharakpur, Gugera pargana, 5 kms to the west of the Ravi, and Shergarh. He had fought repeatedly against Kamar Singh, the ruler of Syedwala. Sometime before his death, he defeated him and captured Syedwala. Ran Singh was succeeded by his eldest son Bhagwan Singh, he was unable to hold his territory against Wazir Singh, the brother of Kamar Singh and lost Syedwala to him. Bhagwan Singh realizing that he might lose all of his territory, in consultation with Sardarni Karmo Kaur, set up the engagement of the infant Raj Kaur to the four-year-old, Ranjit Singh, in order to gain the powerful Maha Singh of the Sukerchakia Misl as an ally. Bhagwan Singh helped Maha Singh when he was facing attacks from Jai Singh Kanhaiya, a Sandhu Jat ruler of the Kanhaiya Misl. Maha Singh tried to reconcile the differences between Bhagwan Singh and Wazir Singh, but they continued to engage in constant warfare and in 1789 he was killed by Wazir Singh. Since Bhagwan Singh had no children, he was succeeded by his brother, Gyan Singh as the head of the Nakai Misl in 1789.

Marriage

Ranjit Singh sought for Raj Kaur Nakain's hand in marriage- as they were betrothed for quite some time. In 1797, they were married and her name was changed to Datar Kaur, as Ranjit Singh's mother and aunt were also named Raj Kaur. Though the nuptials of Datar Kaur and Ranjit Singh were arranged for political reasons, the two shared a close and loving relationship; throughout his life she remained his favorite and most respected queen. In 1801, she gave birth to Kharak Singh, the eldest son and heir apparent of Ranjit Singh. Lovingly called Mai Nakkain by Ranjit Singh. Mai Nakain also had two other sons, Rattan Singh and Fateh Singh who passed away in infancy.

Maharani of the Sikh Empire

Datar Kaur took interest in political affairs, and her husband sought her advice in important stately matters. Even though she was his second wife, she soon became his principal wife and chief consort. On many different occasions, she served as her husband's ambassador; even acting as a political proxy for him.

Mai Nakain took control of the Sheikhupura Fort when her six-year-old son, Kharak Singh conquered it. In 1811, she was officially granted the jagir of Sheikhupura by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Around the same time, she started residing in Sheikhupura Fort and held her own court. She enjoyed hunting and often accompanied her husband on his hunting trips. Sheikhupura has a vicinity of good hunting places. In 1818, during the Battle of Multan, she was given command of the army along with her son, Kharak Singh.

Death

Datar Kaur passed away in her fort in Sheikhpura on June 20, 1838. Her Samadhi was chosen by Maharaja Ranjit Singh himself. It is also the resting place of her daughter-in-law, Maharani Chand Kaur and grand daughter-in-law, Rani Sahib Kaur wife of grandson, Nau Nihal Singh. Today the site has become part of Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore grounds.

References

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