Matu

Guria Singh, the founder of the family, was a Misaldar of Sardar Charat Singh Sukerchakia. The connexion was strengthened by Guria Singh marrying his daughter Biba Sabju Kaur to Sardar Dal Singh of Akalgarh, the brother-in-law of CharatSingh. When Maharaja Ranjit Singh first succeeded his father he had great confidence in Dal Singh, and used to be guided in everything by his advice; but they soon quarrelled, and in the year 1800 Ranjit Singh imprisoned Dal Singh and marched against Akalgarh, intending to take it by surprise. But Sahju was a brave woman, and, with the assistance of her brother Sahaj Singh, successfully held out for three months till the siege was raised. Ranjit Singh obtained the fort later, in1804, on the death of Dal Singh, and then attacked Ahmadabad, which was bravely defended by Sahaj Singh for some; but the garrison was at length compelled to capitulate.On the death of Dal Singh, Sahaj Singh received in jagir theIlakas of Jathu Nangal and Bharial. Sardar Fateh Singh, hisson, served with credit against Fateh Khan, Wazir of Kabul,and in the Kashmir and Multan Expeditions.

In 1834 the Maharaja made over the Bharial estate to Jamadar Khushal Singh,giving another to Sardar Ganda Singh in exchange. Ganda Singh was an officer under Hari Singh Nalwa, and fought in many frontier battles and skirmishes.In 1848 he and his cousins joined the rebels,and the family jagirs,amounting to Ps. 19,000, were resumed. Ganda Singh received a pension of Rs. 1,200,and Dasaunda Singh and Nahal Singh each Rs. 120 per annum. Ganda Singh was appointed an Honorary Magistrate of Gujranwalain 1865.He was also a Lambardar of his village and a Zaildar. He always loyally assisted the local authorities, and had more than once been honoured in Darbar by the bestowal of sanads and khilats. He enjoyed a mafi holding of forty acres.He died in 1887.Before the birth of his son Budh Singh, he had adopted his wife’s brother’s son, Ishar Singh, was a Tahsildar in this Province. Ganda Singh’s brother Nahal Singh was  Zaildar. His allowances amount to Rs. 320 per annum. Two of the cousins are Lambardars. But the family are badly off, owning only one hundred and thirty acres of land of inferior description, and most of the members have sunk into comparatie insignificance. None of them is entitled to a seat in Darbar. They are Matu Jats, living at Matu in Gujranwala. Budh Singh, son of Ganda Singh, may be said to be at the head of the family.