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The 1857 war part XIII : NAHAR SINGH, THE JAT RAJA OF BALLABHGARH - HIS VALOUR AND SACRIFICE
The name of the Jat Raja Nahar Singh of Ballabhgarh will always be highly regarded among those who martyred themselves in the 1857 war of independence.
The small kingdom of Ballabhgarh is only 20 miles from Delhi. His far sightedness saw the danger of the encroaching British power, and convinced him to join hands with the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah. The Emperor considered him his right arm. Along with friendship, he also handled much of the affairs of the tottering Mughal Empire. The Emperor entrusted him with the defence and affairs of Delhi. In the Court he was treated with great respect, and he has a special golden chair, which was placed right next to the Emperor.
On 16th May 1857 when Delhi was liberated, the army of Nahar Singh as on guard on the western border of Delhi. He had established military guard posts from Delhi to Ballabhgarh, and also had his intelligence men on the ground. On seeing this preparedness the British commander John Lawrence was fearful of attacking from the east. The English called Ballabhgarh " Delhi's gate of Iron", and were fearful of it, and did not have the courage to face him.
John Lawrence in a letter wrote to Canning " The East and the South is protected by the strong forces of Raja Nahar Singh of Ballabhgarh, and it is unlikely we can break this wall of soldiers unless we receive reinforcements from China or England."
That is just what happened. When the English army attacked Delhi on September 14, 1857 they attacked from the West, and entered Delhi from Kashmiri Gate. On 24th September the British established their authority on Delhi. The Emperor Bahadur Shah escaped to the tomb of Humayun. Nahar Singh attempted to get the Emperor to Ballabhgarh, but Mirza Elahi Baksh, the father of his daughter- in- law, betrayed the emperor. Baksh was an agent of the British, and persuaded the Emperor not to go beyond the tomb. On 24th September the British captured the emperor and his family, but the Rajah showed his valor and surrounded the British force. Hudson the British officer killed the sons of the Emperor and threatened to kill the Emperor himself. The Rajah lifted the siege to save the Emperor's life.
The courageous warrior Nahar Singh withdrew overnight to his stronghold the fort of Ballabhgarh, and took a grave toll of the British troops who would travel between Delhi and Agra. Thousands of British soldiers were captured and countless were buried in the fields of Ballabhgarh. The revenge for the sons of the Emperor was taken in Ballabhgarh.
The deceitful British by deceit showed a white flag ands asked for peace talks. Four horse mounted officers arrived at Ballabhgarh and invited the Rajah for talks, pleading that a settlement was being made with the Emperor, and that the presence of the Rajah was necessary. They stated that the British wished to have friendship with the Rajah.
The trusting Rajah got ensnared in the trap. He trusted the British and left for Delhi with 500 horse troops. As soon as he entered Delhi, he was ambushed by an English force and captured. His accompanying soldiers were killed.
The very next day the British laid on a heavy attack on Ballabhgarh. The attack went on for three days on this fort, which the British called the " Iron Gate". The Rajah had made this a secure fort filled with arms and ammunition. This little fort could have fought for years. Without the leader a successful defence was not possible and ultimately the British gained victory.
In Delhi the Rajah refused friendship with the British.
He said, " I have never learned to bow my head before an enemy".
Hudson said to him once more" Nahar Singh, I can save you from the hangman's noose, bend a little".
The Rajah replied to Hudson " I have spoken, now listen again, The Goras (English) are my enemies, I can never ask them for forgiveness. One hundred thousand Nahar Singh's will be born tomorrow."
The English boiled over at Nahar Singh's answer. They decided to hang him to death, and preparations were made in Chandni Chowk, near the fountain, in front of Nahar Singh's Delhi residence.
That day, April 21 1858, was Nahar Singh's 35th birthday and to celebrate it he came and stood near the hanging gibbet. Accompanying the Rajah were three trusted companions -Kushaal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh. These four heroes from Ballabhgarh, guilty of the crime of patriotism and serving their country, stood side by side on the hangman's platform.
The people of Delhi were watching this heart-breaking scene with grief and sadness.
On Rajah Nahar Singh's countenance there was no dullness, but a glow that troubled the enemy and cast a shadow on their faces.
The time set for the hanging arrived, and Hudson lowered his head and asked the Rajah for his last wish.
The Rajah replied firmly " I have nothing to ask of you. You may tell this to these fearful onlookers, that my message is that I am leaving a spark among you, never let it go out. The honour of our nation is now in your hands".
Hudson advised the Rajah that he could not convey this message to the onlookers
In this manner the patriot hero Rajah Nahar Singh sacrificed his life for his country and became immortal.
His pure body was not returned to his family. Ultimately the royal priest of the family made a dummy of the King, and performed his last rites on the bank of the Ganges River.
For other parts visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JatHistory/
Interested persons are welcome to join
Ravi Chaudhary
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After Nahar Singh's death in 1857, his mahal (palace) at Ballabgarh, just outside Delhi, faded into ruin and oblivion. Rediscovered and rescued by the Government of Harayana, the palace was entrusted to a well-known team of experts, under whose direction it has been restored to its oritinal, delicate bearty. In a unique joint vbenture, the district administration of Faridabad, the Ballabgarh Beartification Society, the Departments of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of the Government of Harayana, the Office of the Director General of Tourism, Government of India, local business leaders, and leading artists and arts venture of international stature. 
Today only two minars can be seen. The Mahal had a Darbar-e-aam and a Rang Mahal which were decorated with a beautiful -Chhatril. This can be seen even today. 
King Nahar Singh, ascended the throne in 1829 and proved to be a just ruler. In the year 1857 when the fires of the First War of Independence were flaring up in the country, he joined in the battle. With his small army he fought valiantly, following the guerrilla tactics popular in those days. But the small efforts of the King could not withstand the forces of the British. And with it, came the end of the rulers of Ballabgarh. 
But times changed and today, the District Administration has succeeded in restoring the old grandeur of the Fort of Ballabgarh. Today the Mahal (fort) fascinates as an outstanding specimen of architectural design. In pattern, the Mahal is in keeping with the fineness of the Mahals of Bharatpur. It is in these grounds that Haryana Tourism and the Ballabgarh Beautification Society celebrate the Nahar Singh Mahal Kartik Cultural Festival from 2nd to 7th November 1996. 
Originally Posted by balrajsejwal
