By Karmjeet Dhillon
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was brave, generous, and a man of great qualities. For the first time the Punjabi ruled themselves, after Maharaja Ranjit Singh (a strong soldier) had liberated them from all foreign rules with his victorious battles. His outstanding leadership led the Sikhs home state of Punjab to freedom. This is just one of the many accomplishments of the Maharaja.
The personalities of this man were so great its unbelievable. Ranjit Singh was a simple man of simple dress. He had only one eye and he had chicken pox marks on his face. However this handicap did not prevent him from accomplishing his goals.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was so tireless that he traveled 102 miles in one day after hearing about the death of Hari Singh Nalwa, a Sikh general. He would also ride on horseback for a whole day without a rest. Maharaja Ranjit had once crossed the river Attack when it was in full slate. His bravery was well known. One day Maharaja Ranjit Singh was hit by a rock that was thrown by a child into a tree to collect berries. The children were afraid because the stone had hit the Maharaja. Generously Ranjit Singh gave the children a large sum of money saying, “If that stone had hit the tree the tree would have given berries, but it has hit the Maharaja so the Maharaja has to give money.” Stories such as these about his braveness and generosity are attached to his life.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh had total faith in Sikhism. He had a religious study during his childhood. Maharaja Ranjit Singh prayed daily.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a man of true devotion and true colors.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 7, 1989
