Diwan Ram Dayal
{{Not to be confused with|Misr Diwan Chand}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ram Dayal
| image =
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| office = Governor of Hazara
| 1blankname = Monarch
| 1namedata = Ranjit Singh
| term_start = 1819
| term_end = 1820
| predecessor = Sardar Hukma Singh
| successor = Amar Singh Majithia
| birth_date = 1792
| birth_place =
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| death_date = 1820
| death_place = Hazara, Sikh Empire
| nationality =
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Diwan Ram Dayal was the governor of Hazara region in the Sikh Empire from 1819 until his death in 1820.
Early life
Diwan Ram Dayal was the grandson of Dewan Mokham Chand and the oldest son of Diwan Moti Ram. The family came from Kunjah. Born into a family of military background, he quickly distinguished himself, displaying bravery and strategic insight from a young age.{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|page= 125, 127, 150| publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}}
Military career
In 1814, Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to invade Kashmir. Diwan Ram Dayal, only twenty-two,{{cite book|author=Griffin, L.H.|title= The Panjab Chiefs, vol. 1|year=1890 |page=206-7|publisher= Civil and Military Gazette Press}} and already distinguished for ability and bravery was appointed to lead one division of the Sikh army.{{cite book|author=Latif|title= History of the Punjab— From the Remotest Antiquity to the Present Time |year=1891 |page=403|publisher= Kalyani Publishers}}
Diwan Mokham Chand had led the Sikh army into Kashmir in 1812. He cautioned Ranjit Singh about going to the valley at that particular time of the year. However, Ranjit Singh chose to ignore the advice. Despite initial setbacks and being left to his own devices when reinforcements failed to arrive, Diwan Ram Dayal displayed resilience and negotiated a truce with Azim Khan Barakzai.{{cite book|author=Griffin, L.H.|title= The Panjab Chiefs, vol. 1|year=1890 |publisher= Civil and Military Gazette Press}}{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}}
Mokham Chand was too old to accompany the Sikh forces to Kashmir and died in 1814. Ranjit Singh granted his grandson, Ram Dayal, service in place of his grandfather.{{cite book|author=Sohan Lal Suri| title= Umdat-ut-Twarikh Vol 2 |year=1851|publisher= Guru Nanak Dev University| page=172}} Ram Dayal was instrumental in various punitive expeditions against rebellious factions and neighbouring territories, earning a reputation for uncompromising leadership and effectiveness on the battlefield.{{cite book|author=Griffin, L.H.|title= The Panjab Chiefs, vol. 1|year=1890 |publisher= Civil and Military Gazette Press}}{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}}
In 1818, Diwan Ram Dayal was present at the Battle of Multan. Before this, he had been sent to Multan to collect tribute.{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}}
When Akali Sadhu Singh effected a breach at Khizri Gate of the Multan Fort, the Diwan took Sarfraz Khan, one of the two sons of the Nawab Muzaffar Khan who surrendered, on his elephant into the safety of his tent.{{cite book|author=Griffin, L.H.|title= The Panjab Chiefs, vol. 1|year=1890 |publisher= Civil and Military Gazette Press}} In 1819, a second attempt was made by the Sikhs to conquer Kashmir, Diwan Ram Dayal commanded the rear division of the army. Although heavy rains prevented him from active participation in the main campaign nevertheless, the expedition succeeded, consolidating Kashmir as part of Ranjit Singh's expanding domain.
In 1819, Diwan Ram Dayal was appointed the governor of Hazara.{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}}
Death
Ram Dayal's final campaign was in Hazara, quelling an uprising of the Yusafzais.{{cite book|author=Gupta H.R. |title= History of the Sikhs, vol. V|year=1982|publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal}} Despite a valiant defence, he was tragically killed in action, marking the end of a distinguished military career. {{cite book|author=Griffin, L.H.|title= The Panjab Chiefs, vol. 1|year=1890 |publisher= Civil and Military Gazette Press}}
Legacy
Diwan Ram Dayal's legacy is that of a courageous military leader and skilled administrator who contributed significantly to the rise and stability of the Sikh Empire during a tumultuous period of regional conflicts and power struggles. His strategic insights and battlefield exploits remain notable in the annals of Sikh history.{{cite book|author=Sohan Lal Suri| title= Umdat-ut-Twarikh Vol 2 |year=1851|publisher= Guru Nanak Dev University| page=172}}
Memorial
Diwan Ram Dayal was succeeded by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa as the governor of Hazara. In a befitting tribute, the Sardar built a samadh (memorial) in Hazara to honour the Diwan.{{cite book|author=Nalwa, V.|title= Hari Singh Nalwa—Champion of the Khalsaji|year=2009|publisher= Manohar|page=226|isbn=978-81-730478-5-5}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Sikh Empire|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dayal, Diwan Ram}}