Sher Singh

Maharaja Sher Singh (4 December 1807 – 15 September 1843) was a son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In 1841, he became Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and the Punjab.

In 1820, Maharaja Ranjit Singh granted him the privilege of being seated in the Darbar and bestowed civil and military honours on him. From 1831 to 1834 he acted as Governor of Kashmir and in 1834 he was a commander in the force that captured Peshawar from the Afghans.

He was the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharani Mehtab Kaur, who was also the mother of Prince Tara Singh (1807-1859). (Mehtab Kaur, who was also known as Mahitab Kaur, is not to be confused with Maharani Mahtab Devi Sahiba, daughter of Maharaja Sansar Chand of Kangra, another wife, who committed sati in 1839 with Ranjit Singh lying with his head on her lap.)

He became Maharaja on 27 January 1841,after the sudden death of Nau Nihal Singh whose death was set in motion, some say purposely, while returning from his father's cremation. He was the half brother of Nau Nihal Singh's father, Maharaja Kharak Singh.

Proclaimed Maharaja by his wazir (prime minister) Dhian Singh Dogra, he won the throne after a protracted siege of the Lahore Fort which was held by the Royal family. Thousands died in the siege.

Sher Singh was killed as he reached for a new shotgun held by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia, who pulled the trigger. Sher Singh only had time to utter, "what treachery."The Sandhawalias also murdered Dhian Singh. The Sandhawalias were thought to have also had designs on the empire.

His palace is leased to Baring Union Christian College.