The Guru Gobind Singh Public School in Hoshiarpur recently reverberated with solemn remembrance and patriotic fervor as students, historians and descendants of one of Sikh history’s most illustrious warriors gathered to mark the 188th martyrdom anniversary of Commander Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa. Organized jointly by INTACH Punjab and the Hari Singh Nalwa Foundation Trust, the tribute underscored the enduring legacy of a military genius whose exploits sculpted the frontiers of the Sikh Empire.
Under the stewardship of Principal Harjit Singh, more than 700 schoolchildren assembled alongside members of the Nalwa family from Delhi, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. Among the gathering were representatives of INTACH Punjab, local dignitaries and history enthusiasts, all united under the open sky in front of a portrait of the legendary leader. The retired Lt Gen A S Bahia, the ceremony’s chief guest, lauded Nalwa’s “indelible impact on Indian and Sikh history,” calling his defense of the Northwest frontier “a feat of valor that demands perpetual recognition.”
In his opening remarks, Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (Retd), Convener of INTACH Punjab, stressed the vital role such commemorations play in transmitting our martial heritage to younger generations. “By recalling the sacrifices of heroes like Hari Singh Nalwa, we ensure that our children grow up with a deep understanding of the struggles that shaped our civilization,” he observed.
The highlight of the afternoon came when Maj Gen Kulpreet Singh (Retd), a direct descendant of the commander, painted a vivid portrait of Nalwa’s life. Born in Gujranwala in 1791 to Gurdas Singh and Dharam Kaur, the young Hari Singh rapidly ascended the ranks under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s patronage to become Commander-in-Chief of the Khalsa Army. His decisive victories included the capture of Peshawar, the quelling of invasions through the Khyber Pass, and the administration of newly annexed territories such as Kashmir and Hazara—where he founded the city of Haripur and even introduced a special “HariSinghee” coin for tax collection.
A captivating anecdote brought laughter and applause when Kulpreet Singh recounted the origin of his ancestor’s sobriquet, “Nalwa.” Legend holds that, while on horseback, Hari Singh wrestled a charging tiger to its death. So struck was Maharaja Ranjit Singh by this display of courage that he exclaimed, “Wah! Mere Raja Nal,” likening him to the mythic hero of the Mahabharata—a name that would stick for posterity.
The story of the 1837 Battle of Jamrud—where Nalwa, leading under 800 men, held off a vastly superior Afghan force of 50,000 despite receiving a mortal wound—was rendered in poignant detail. His successful defense of Jamrud Fort, and by extension the Khyber Pass, was hailed as a masterstroke of military strategy that preserved the security of the Sikh Empire’s northwest frontier.
The ceremony took on added poignancy with the presence of descendants of other luminaries: Meera Bedi and Maj Gen J D S Bedi, representing the lineage of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and Harsohin Kaur Sarkaria of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s line. Though Dr Vaneet Kaur Nalwa was unable to attend in person, her message resonated across the quad, portraying Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa not only as a formidable warrior but also as a visionary administrator, philanthropist and horticulturist whose life was “a beacon of the Sikh spirit.”
Books authored by Dr Vaneet Nalwa were presented to Sardar Tarsem Singh, President of the Guru Gobind Singh Education Society, and to Principal Harjit Singh—a gesture symbolizing the passing of historical knowledge to future custodians. Arriving from Jharkhand, Tarsem Singh thanked the organizers and remarked on the rare convergence of four Indian Army generals at a school event. “This gathering offers powerful inspiration to our youth,” he said, his voice echoing with pride.
As the sun dipped low, attendees joined in a final pledge to keep alive the memory of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa’s heroism. With banners fluttering and voices united in resolve, the community reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the past and nurturing the spirit of sacrifice that once defended, and continues to enrich, the fabric of Punjab.
