Mahan Singh (1760-1790), son of Charhat Singh (1721-1774) and Mai Desan, became the chief of the Sukkarchakkia Misl after the death of his mother. Mahan Singh was a brave warrior. He participated in several battles for the freedom of the Sikh Homeland from the Moghuls and the Afghans. His first victory was the occupation of the fort of Rohtas. He, aided by Jai Singh of Kanhaiya Misl, attacked Rasulnagar, the capital of the Chattha clan where Pir Mohammed, the chief of the Chattha clan offered him strong resistance. But, finally, he was able to occupy it. When he returned to his headquarters, he got the news of the birth of his son (born on November 13, 1780). He named his son Ranjit Singh. After occupying Rasulnagar, Mahan Singh captured Pindi Bhattian, Sahival (Montgomery), Isa Khel and Jhang also. In 1782, he, aided by Kanhaiyas, attacked Jammu and plundered the town. This led to a battle between the forces of Mahan Singh and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on one side and the Kanhaiyas on the other. In this battle, fought at Acha Watala (near Batala), Gurbakhsh Singh Kanhaiya was killed (later Gurbakhsh Singh’s daughter Mahitab Kaur was married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, son of Mahan Singh). In 1790, he attacked Sahib Singh Bhangi who shut himself in the fort of Sodhra. Mahan Singh put a siege to the fort. During the protracted siege, Mahan Singh fell seriously ill with dysentery. He was taken to Gujranwala where he died in April 1790. Also see: Sukkarchakkia Misl.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)