Thala

Mahan Singh, the ancestor of this family, was a LadharJat , who in 1760 seized ten villages in the Phillour Tahsil, Jullundur, and was allowed by Ranjit Singh to retain them, subject to the furnishing of twenty-three horsemen. His sons did good service in many battles, more than one member of the family having lost his life fighting for the Maharaja. On annexation a summary settlement was made with Mahan Singh’s representatives, who agreed to pay Re. 17,100 per annum on the ten villages. Four of these were later on resumed by Government in lieu of the services of the horsemen. Again in 1847-48, two more villages were resumed on the death of Nihal Singh and Ganda Singh, pensions being granted to their widows and children. Further resumption followed as other members of the family died, and after the Settlement operations the annual income shared amongst those remaining was found to amount to Rs. 2,720.

Jaimal Singh and Bishan Singh, sons of Ganda Singh, were.

Dalip Singh, his son, the head of the family, served as a Dafadar in the ”7^th Bengal Lancers. He was a Lambardar and a Zaildar and is well-known in the district for his love of sport. He and his two brothers have each inherited one-third of their father’s jagir of 260. ghumaons. Natha Singh, grandson of Nihal Singh, was also a Dafadar in the “7^th Bengal Lancers. Gurdit Singh, grandson of Ganda Singh, was a Tahsildar.

Sardar Dalip Singh has evinced great interest in various official activities for the welfare of the public. In the Great War his grand-son, Sardar Ujjagar Singh enlisted in the Punjab University Double Company, and later was a Tahsildar. His two other sons, Banta Singh and Gurdial Singh, was also served as combatants in the Great War, and the latter won four medals for his conduct in Mesopotamia. Sardar Banta Singh also fought in the Afghan campaign of 1919 and won a silver medal. Sardar Dalip Singh’s grandson, Gurdial Singh, fought in the Afghan War of 1919 and the Waziristan campaign of 1920-21 and won two silver medals for his conduct. The old Sardar received, as did his sons and grandsons, a large number of Sanads and certificates from Government officers for various kinds of assistance rendered by them during the last quarter of a century.

A few other members belonging to the junior branches of this. family; such as Sardars Ajit Singh, Nagina Singh, Gurbakhsh Singh, Umrao Singh, Natha Singh, Hira Singh and Indar Singh have also proved useful to Government by contributing according to: their means, sums of money to public funds.