Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi

Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi, was born in 1816 , he was the son of Sardar Budh Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi. After the death of Raja Hira Singh in 1844, Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia was recalled from Peshawar, and placed in command of a brigade of regular troops, which he commanded throughout the Sutlej Campaign of 1845-46. He was appointed a member of the Council of Regency, in December 1846. In February 1848, the Resident of Lahore deputed Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi to the districts of Amritsar, known as Majha, placing under him civil and military establishments. This tract of country was infested by robbers, chiefly disbanded soldiers. The chief acted with considerable energy and restored it to some degree of harmony. Previous to this, he had served for a short time at Bannu, with Lieutenant Edwards, in command of the Mariwala and Mokal levies. When Diwan Mulraj of Multan, tendered his resignation, the post of Governorship was offered to Sardar Shamsher Singh, yet he didn’t seem willing to accept it, and then it was finally offered to Mann Jatchief Sardar Kahn Singh Mann, of Sarhala (Hoshiarpur District).

Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi during the outbreak of a rebellion, was sent to Multan, to command one division of the Sikh Empire Army.After annexation, the personal Jagirs of Sardar Shamsher Singh, amounting to Rs 40,250 per annum were upheld for life, of which one-quarter descended to his male issue in perpetuity, and his service Jagir of Rs 30,250, was resumed.In 1857, during the mutiny, Sardar Shamsher Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi raised 125 horsemen, forming part of the troops of Hodson’s Horse.

In February 1862, he was appointed a Magistrate in his own Jagir, and a month later, his jurisdiction was extended to cases of looting. About the same time, a portion of his Jagir descended in perpetuity, and was raised from one quarter to two thirds. Although he was married to the daughter of Sardar Sudh Singh, of Chinna, he bore no children of his own, and adopted Bakshish Singh, the son of his first cousin, Thakur Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi.Sardar Shamsher Singh’s Jagir consisted of 29 villages, the revenues which amounted to Rs 30,274, of which two-thirds was descended to his
adopted son.

He was succeeded on his death at Raja Sansi, by his adopted son, Raja Bakhshish Singh Sandhawalia of Raja Sansi in 1871.