Chamyari

Chamyari is a very old town and several legends are assigned to it’s origin. It was almost entirely destroyed in the great inundation, about a thousand yeare ago, when the five rivers of the Panjab united, but was rebuilt under the Delhi Emperors.

The founder of the Chamyari family was not Nar Singh, the true ancestor of the family, but Sawal Singh a distant connection, who, about the year 1750, adopted the Sikh faith and became a member of the Bhangi misl. He fought for his chief Hari Singh in many battles but does not appear to have neglected his personal interests as a few years later we find him the possessor of a large tract of country on the leftbank of the Ravi, including Ajnala and Chamyari. Saval Singh was killed in battle, leaving no issue ; but his widow Mai Malkian made over the estate to Nar Singh, a cousin of her deceased husband and his devoted follower, a brave and enterprising man. This arrangement was confirmed by the Gurmatta’s and Nar Singh, the acknowledged heir of all Sawal Singh’s estates, went forth conquering and to conquer. It is to note that In 1722, Chamyari was burnt down by the Sikhs, and was still in ruins when it came into the possession of Nar Singh who restored and enlarged it.

Not content with the Amritsar side of the river, Nar Singh invaded the Sialkot district and took possession of Pasrur and many villages in it’s vicinity. He then transferred his services to the rising Kanaiya Misl and at Nunar in the Sialkot district, had a sharp fight with his old allies. The young Sukarchakia chief, Mahan Singh, was on his side, and opposed to him were Jhanda Singh and all the brave hearts of the Bhangi Chiefs. The origin of the quarrel was trivial enough. Nar Singh, passing through Jhanda Singh’s villages, had turned his horse into a field of young corn to gaze, The Bhangi Chief came down in great wrath and insisted on their removal. Nar Singh refused to interrupt his horses at their meal. This insult Jhandha Singh was unable to endure, and collecting all his men and making as many allies as he was able, he marched against Nar Singh, who was prepared to meet him. The fight was not decisive and soon afterward Nar Singh disgusted his Sukerchakia friends by giving his daughter Karam Kour in marríage to Amar Singh, nephew of Sirdar Jhanda Singh. He did not, however, openly break with the Sukarchakias, and, in 1799, we find him assisting the son of Mahan Singh to capture Lahore.

Nar Singh died in 1806. His eldest son Ram Singh died some months before him, of cholera, in the camp of Jaswant Rao Holkar the Mahratta Chief, On his death Ranjit Singh took possession of the greater portion of the family estates, including the Sialkot villages and the Talukas of Saddowal, Ghaniwala and Chamyari. The town of Chamyari was left in the possession of the family who still hold it in proprietary right.

On the death of the widow of Nar Singh and ok Hari Singh his second son, the little estate left to the family was again reduced, and the whole was resumed by Maharaja Sher Singh, on the death of Jai Singh. In 1841,Sirdar Gurdit Singh, who was Commandant of Maharaja Dalip Singh’s body guard, held a jagir at Dhariwal near Ajnala, worth 1200 Rs. per annum, half of which lapses at his death. His two sons Partab Singh and Nihal Singh joined the rebels in 1848, and lost their jagirs. Khem Kaur, widow of Sirdar Jai Singh, receives a portion of 500 Rs, per annum.

References :-

• Chief and Families of Note by Sir. L. H Griffin