Lehna Singh (? – 16.9.1843), son of Amir Singh Sandhanwalia, was a collateral of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had blessed him with several titles and benefits. He was one of the richest Sikhs. His title was Ujjal Didar, Nirmal Budh, Sirdar-i-Bawaqar Sirdar Lehna Singh Sandhanwalia Bahadur. Ranjit Singh had been very generous to him, but he was always conspiring against the family of Ranjit Singh. He envied the Dogras and wanted to acquire absolute power in Ranjit Singh’s court. When Dogras succeeded in installing Naunihal Singh as Maharaja, and thus acquiring absolute power, he turned against the Dogras. During the dispute between Maharaja Sher Singh and Maharani Chand Kaur, he sided with Chand Kaur and the Dogras supported Sher Singh. Finally, Sher Singh occupied Lahore throne on January 18, 1841. After Sher Singh’s installation Atar Singh Sandhawalia fled Lahore and went to the British territory. During all this period Lehna Singh was completely in touch with Atar Singh. In March 1841, a letter written by Atar Singh to Lehna Singh was intercepted. The letter asked Lehna Singh Sandhanwalia and Kehar Singh Sandhanwalia to reach the river Sutlej along with their troops. Maharaja Sher Singh sent his own troops to arrest both of them. They were brought to Lahore and were imprisoned. In the meantime, the British mediated and (Maharaja) Sher Singh forgave Atar Singh and Ajit Singh Sandhanwalia; and, they were allowed to return to Lahore. In May 1843, Ajit Singh reached Lahore. He, however, did not change his ways. On September 15, 1843, when Sher Singh was inspecting troops at Baradari (Lahore fort), Ajit Singh gunned him down. On the other side Lehna Singh severed the head of Kanwar Partap Singh (son of Maharaja Sher Singh). The same day they killed Dhian Sinh Dogra as well. On September 16, 1843, Hira Sinh, son of Dhian Sinh Dogra and his uncle Suchet Sinh Dogra, along with the battalion of General Avitable, attacked Lahore Fort. Ajit Singh Sandhanwalia and Lehna Singh Sandhawalia were killed. Their heads were severed and their bodies were cut into pieces to be hanged in different parts of the city. The fort and the residences of Sandhanwalias were razed to ground. (Atar Singh, Ajit Singh’s uncle, was killed on May 7, 1844, at Naurangabad). Also see: Atar Singh, Bir Singh.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)