Descendants of Sardar Hari Singh ‘Nalwa’ unveil new genealogy page in Delhi

The descendants of legendary Sikh general Hari Singh ‘Nalwa’ on Saturday unveiled a new genealogy page dedicated to their iconic ancestor.  The descendants gathered in New Delhi at the residence of Adarsh Chopra, the eldest member of the Nalwa clan, for the launch of the page.

This genealogy page is part of the website www.harisinghnalwa.com, which honours the achievements of Sardar Hari Singh ‘Nalwa’. It has been created "to inspire younger members of the family to learn about their heritage and connect with their family tree".

Hari Singh became known as ‘Nalwa’ after Maharaja Ranjit Singh, upon witnessing the young warrior single handedly slay a tiger that had attacked him, exclaimed, “Wah mere Raja Nal, Wah!” Although Hari Singh never used the name ‘Nalwa’ himself, it was embraced by courtiers and historians as a symbol of his bravery and resilient spirit. Hari Singh is remembered for his successful efforts in reclaiming large portions of the subcontinent, previously annexed by Ahmed Shah Abdali’s Afghan empire, which now form part of present-day Pakistan.

Hari Singh had four sons and two daughters. After being wounded in the Battle of Jamrud (1837), his greatest concern was for his younger, unmarried daughter. For the first time in the Nalwa family’s genealogy, both male and female descendants are recognised, reflecting the full scope of his legacy.

“I take pride in being the eldest Nalwa. Growing up, I was surrounded by the rich stories shared by my parents, aunts, and uncles. We were a large family and I had many cousins. This initiative serves as a way for the younger generation to stay connected to those beautiful stories,” said Adarsh Chopra.

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